Doggie Love

Meet Ruger, our 150 pound snuggle buddy. Due to his size, we believe he is part Rottweiler and Mastiff. He is our gentle giant and is very patient with the other’s in our pack. His best friend is Bandit, but he really loves letting Winnie climb all over him. It’s so funny to watch the biggest of the pack let out his inner puppy.

Ruger showed up one day while I was at work. When I got home, my husband informed me there was a “problem” at the front door. Immediately I knew what he was talking about. I went to the door and saw the most pitiful creature on earth. He looked up at me with the most soulful eyes and whimpered. That’s all it took. I brought him inside, bathed him to make sure he didn’t have fleas, then we fed him. He seemed to be less than a year old and was comfortable sitting with my husband. My husband noticed the size of his paws (they were almost as big as my hand) and figured he was going to be a big boy. Little did we know he would get to the size he is currently.

He doesn’t bark, or I’ve never heard him bark, but I have heard him growl a couple of times. Let me tell you… I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that or hear that in a dark alley. His size alone is intimidating. We’ve had several delivery people refuse to leave their truck to bring us a package if Ruger is in the yard. Actually, Ruger is more afraid of them and will come to the back door when he sees delivery drivers enter the yard. When he is outside, he get annoyed by anything that buzzes around him. He’s been know to jump after wasps and bees, which we call “spicy sky raisins.” He’s caught them several times, but is very quick to let them go. Fortunately, he isn’t allergic to their sting. I believe he thinks it’s his job to kill all sky raisins.

He does have a tendency develop ear infections during spring time and gets itchy skin as well. The one thing I don’t have to worry about with him is trimming his nails. He likes to take care of them himself. It’s not unusual to hear him gnawing on his nails like he’s eating a bone. Whenever it’s bath time, he’s always last because his fur loves to hold the water and takes forever to get the soap out. Of course he doesn’t mind because this gives him more time and attention from me. Oh I forgot to mention…he snores! I mean it sounds like a human or freight train coming into the room. It is good to hear because it let’s me know that he is happy and content with his environment.

I know Bandit is the one who stole my heart, but honestly Ruger is probably my favorite. He’s so patient, gentle, and loves attention without coming across needy or jealous. His eyes are almost human-like that you can’t help but fall in love with him. He has the most expressive face and just loves to be loved on. I love his size because I can hug on him and it feels like I’m hugging a human.