Temporary Insanity

This is Lola the English Mastiff.

And in case you think we're certifiable, rest assured, we're only temporarily insane: we're dog sitting. But in reality her addition to our pack has been smooth and just plain fun. She's sweet and loving and gentle and the dogs and kids just love having her around.

I'm not sure we'll be able to give her back.


From left to right: Lola the English Mastiff, Remi the American Mastiff, and Radar the German Mastiff (aka Great Dane). And of course in the center is Makenna: Dog Trainer Extraordinaire. She has sorted their dog food (they each eat a different formula) and put a handful in each of her pockets. She's working on "sitz" and "platz" using the food bits as rewards. She has the dog's complete attention.

This is our master bedroom turned kennel. Just like preschool we have naptime, playtime, snack time, etc. Here the dogs are eating in their crates. This is also where they sleep, except Radar. He has earned the privilege of sleeping on the floor. Believe it or not, they sleep so well and are so well adjusted to their crates that I can sleep in the room with them (it probably helps that they’re good and tired at the end of the day—and so am I).

I don't know what it is, but there is just something extraordinary about a pack of balanced, calm dogs. They are amazing.