It’s already been five days with our newest house guests, Astro the young Mini Australian Shepherd and his big brother Chester, a near-14-year-old Rat Terrier, and I feel like they deserve their own spotlight now that we’ve gotten to know them so well.
I’ll admit—I was a little hesitant at first. Since they’re from out of town, we didn’t get the chance to do a proper meet and greet. And as most of our friends know, we usually keep our guests under 30 pounds. Astro, being a young pup with a little more size and energy, made me wonder if it would be a good fit. But oh boy, I feel almost guilty for doubting him. He turned out to be such a sweetheart!
Inside the house, Astro is calm and collected, even though he’s playful. What surprised me most is how quickly he bonded with Hershey and Frasier Jr.—especially Fras, who doesn’t usually warm up to just anyone. Astro’s “chillaxing” demeanor has been a wonderful gift. Like our dear Cola the Bernedoodle, he spreads his love equally to everyone in the house. He’s got this velcro-dog nature, following us around with his signature sweet smile, ready to shower you with endless kisses if you give him just a little attention.
Now Chester, his elder statesman of a brother, is cut from a very different cloth. At nearly 14, he’s lived through enough adventures to know exactly who he is. He doesn’t bother with the pack—because he is his own boss. The first couple of days he spent exploring every inch of the house and yard at his own pace, circling around like he was taking stock of his new kingdom. Once he settled in, Chester chose the coziest spots in the house—rotating between couches and even the outdoor daybed—for his well-deserved naps.
Despite his age, Chester is still quite the “marker,” so we keep him in a soft diaper indoors (he wears it like a champ). Other than that, he’s quiet, self-sufficient, and very well-mannered. His only flaw is making us worry he’s not eating enough because of his skinny frame—we’re always double-checking to be sure he’s getting his share. Astro, on the other hand, has no trouble with his appetite—he’s always ready for treats and happily clears his plate.
Together, they’ve both been in such great spirits here. Watching Astro soak in every bit of love and Chester enjoy his peaceful routines truly warms our hearts. They may be opposites in personality, but as brothers, they balance each other perfectly—and it’s been a joy having them both at our little resort.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.