08 Mar Happy Tail for Winston (FKA Cane)

About 9 months after we adopted our sweet Benny boy (FKA Deville), my husband and I made the decision to “go look” at one more puppy. Benny was wonderful in almost every way, but I was convinced he needed a buddy and my husband was convinced I was bananas. 

Nevertheless, we made the drive to Fargo once more to look at two sweet puppies. We were fairly undecided between the two and the foster families were kind enough to meet at the same home so we could meet both puppies at the same time. 

On paper there was no reason to prefer Winston over the other puppy. Winston had been flown to Fargo during Hurricane Ida, was tiny, shook unless you snuggled him tight, had a sensitive tummy, and hated to get his paws cold. He wasn’t all that playful and seemed to be afraid of his own shadow, but I melted the minute he walked over to me and whined to be picked up. That sealed the deal and we were on our way home with a puppy that couldn’t have been more than 5lbs.

Our house was far from quiet with two puppies and a toddler – the next summer was even more chaotic as we added another baby to our home, but a few things remained constant. Winston loved to be snuggled tightly, hated to have cold paws, and had a sensitive tummy. However, we’ve also learned quite a few things about him since then. We learned that he is a gentle giant – weighing in at a muscular 61 lbs he is far bigger than his lap dog personality would suggest. He loves our girls – his sisters – more than we thought possible. He’s a textbook little brother with Benny and bothers him every chance he can, but also snuggles up to him at night. We’ve learned he’s a very protective pup and that he prefers to be called “baby doggy”. Most importantly (to Winston), we’ve learned that we will in fact have to carry 61 lbs of dead weight out of bed in the winter mornings because there is no chance he will be leaving a warm bed to walk himself outside. 

Jokes aside, Winston was a better addition than anyone could have imagined. He balances Benny, is a silly goose, and is by far the best snuggler in the house. We’re so thankful to have our baby doggy and can’t imagine our lives without him!

• Lauren K