In the beginning...

When Ritter first joined our family in February 2010, we weren't quite sure exactly how things were going to turn out. We hoped for the best but were preparing ourselves for the worst.

Lilah, my dog, has lived with us since she was a puppy and enjoyed having the house, but most of all our attention, to herself. She's willful and stubborn, incredibly smart in that evil-genius way and sometimes sweet. Dainty and lady-like, almost refined in how she eats and sits. And yet at times so earthy when she's chewing on a spider web or dribbling water all out of her mouth. To me, Lilah truly does represent a city-dog: pedigreed and attractive on the outside, but a bit bitchy and spoiled at the heart of it. See, it's not offensive because I say it with love and honesty.

Ritter on the other hand was raised in the countryside. He's sturdily built and masculine in his own way, but so gentle and sweet it makes you want to cry. The fact that he's always appreciative of affection just makes you want to hug him more. He's also got a truly goofy sense of humor. *sigh* he almost seems like an ideal boyfriend, right? Oh and don't let his rural upbringing fool you, Ritter's a great thinker and problem solver. But I shouldn't ignore his faults like not chewing his food properly and always pooping.

The first couple of months were tiresome. Lilah would constantly bark at Ritter and not allow him to leave his crate on the few occasions he felt the urge to. He was a bit skittish and shy around everyone, but soon warmed up to us. Lilah began to mellow out and allow him a little more freedom. We even taught Ritter to play with dog toys and to play fetch to some extent.

It's been about four months since Ritter arrived and though things aren't quite hunky-dory between them, there is an odd relationship between the two that seems to work for them. Maybe it's "the pack" mentality, the fact that they're the same species and/or breed, or they're just compatible enough to get along most of the time. Whatever it is, I'll be there to take pictures/videos of them and present my opinions regarding their relationship to the world, a lot like those trashy entertainment shows that you get suckered into watching before the good prime-time shows on network stations. Damn you Access Hollywood!