After our beloved Staffybull Sadie died at 14 years old last Spring, we all needed some time before we were ready to adopt again. The kids were ready before we were, but after  Christmas we told them we were going to visit some shelters. We walked a few dogs, but none “clicked” with our family til we found Spankee!

He came to us with his favorite green ball that he still plays with in the house even though he’s eaten a big hole in it. He has a new blue Orca ball that we throw in the field next door. This is his all-time favorite activity! Spankee rewards us with a beautiful racehorse-like plunge down the hill and a mid-air twirl and audible grab: thwack! We cheer and clap and he races back and drops the ball at our feet. We can tell he’s getting tired when he keeps chewing on it so he has time to catch his breath! Spankee is very diplomatic: he makes sure each of us gets a chance to throw by dropping the ball at each person’s feet in turn.

The cats are slowly getting used to him. The two of them, Fortune and Toesie, have never been tight, but they seem to have formed an alliance since Spankee arrived! One afternoon I found Spankee sitting in one of the cat beds on the floor. He must’ve pulled it out of the bay window and decided he wanted to “own” it. He looks pretty guilty in the picture.

He is an amazing bed hog, but we take turns sleeping with him anyway. There’s nothing like a dog for unconditional love and a true “blue” friend. Thanks to Noreen and Spankee’s foster mom, Kelly, for our awesome new family member!

Sharon, Scott, David, and Nicole