Sure is a lot going on in the world right now …

So let’s talk about my dog. 😁

Solstice Dagger was born the day after Christmas in the year of 2024, just a couple of months after securing the OBT. The breeders have been amazing, and they came highly recommended after decades in the industry. We got lucky, too, as they were local (we didn’t know!). Mrs C, of course, got to visit the litter often.

Our little guy wasn’t our little guy until nearly the time we picked him up. The breeder surveys the potential owners for what they’re looking for then has the dogs professionally tested for temperament. We needed a “family dog” whom we could take to the shop, not (say) a born hunter or service animal. Yeah, they found us the perfect pup.

Right from the beginning, the sounds of hand trucks, door buzzers, and printers did nothing to spook the boy. And the flow of customers? Not a problem. Solstice was always curious about them, but shy. Not jumpy. Not pushy. Just … curious. He remains that way right up to this day.

Although Marvel was always a papa’s boy, Solstice is more like all the others … a born mama’s boy. He dotes on her and, when she is out of sight, he goes to find her. If she’s out front in the showroom, he’s out front in the showroom. If she’s in the office handling billing, he’s in the office sleeping under her chair. And when she’s in the back room filing paperwork, he’s lying on the table next to her just being a perfect angel.

He came home with us after 8 weeks and the older boys went nuts. Frothing at the mouth, chasing him about, trying to give him a ball, etc. Typical big brother stuff. They had no idea that within a few months he’d be the new man of the house. It’s always that way with our dogs for some reason. Every youngster becomes the next alpha. Maybe our boys just like giving up the responsibility as they age. 😉

He fit right in around the house. He loves the big backyard, his personal park, and he’ll chase the other boys back and forth across the compound as they chase the ball. He’s not so much into chasing the ball himself, and he never brings it back, but he does love taking the balls from his bigger brothers and hording them in the corner of the yard. I think when we’re done playing, he thinks he’s “won” the game because he collected the most prizes. He also loves collecting samples from the yard.

The first year with him has been a real blessing, for all of us. Even his bigger brothers, whom he can really aggravate at times. Such is the life of puppydom. Sometimes one of the others will look at me with those eyes as if imploring “I think we got the wrong one, dad.” But then, they’ll all play or lay together, and all is well in the world. You know what they say about choosing friends or family, right? The hardest part for me, as always, is trying to capture a shot with all of them at once and standing still.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this little introduction to Solstice Dagger. Maybe someday I’ll tell you the process involved with coming to that name after the missus paired down literally dozens on her list. But not today. Enough words. Here’s more pictures:

Be well, my friends! Stay safe and love your pets! ❤️