There are all sorts of reasons for having a single dog in a family, as well as reasons have a pair. We have always had the two-dog mindset, thinking they can “play” together.

Sometimes this has worked out well, other times it totally backfired.

We picked up our 2nd spaniel when our first was just 6 months old.  A cute little puppy to his “floppy” teenage dog.  A little sister for our male we were optimistic that it would all work out right.

Unfortunately the personalities of our two pets sometimes clashed.  Our male had a “field” mindset, always working, always on.  He was intensely bonded to my husband, and protective of the family.

Our female was more “couch” than “bench” and preferred to spend her days frolicking in long grass and eating whatever the kids dropped in their travels.

Over the years (almost 8 now) our two pups have been “working it out”, battling for dominance and (occasionally) fighting over food.  We have had vet bills, and scary moments as these two darling dogs laid into each other.

Other moments were pure bliss as they snuggled in front of the fire, and swam laps around each other at the beach. Best of friends, and sibling dogs finding their pace.

As our two dogs enter their “aged” stage, they have finally found their peace with each other.  As the younger female went blind, the male took over showing her around and protecting the family.

The female, well she focussed her attention on food.

All the food.

When a dog goes blind it loses the ability to “cut loose” and run wild.  In fact, just walking through the house would have her bumping into walls and furniture.

But when “feeding time” comes around, she knows exactly what she is to do. It is the highlight of her day.  The rest of the day is spent “recharging”

We already know that each person is an individual, and so too is every creature.  These two dogs, even though they are blood relatives, are as different as siblings can be.

One that is highly active, never slowing down, even though he battles arthritis.  The other, who will choose to sleep in the wagon when the family is playing outside, and gets her biggest dose of activity when the food bowls come out.

One battling bone and joint pain, the other “weight gain”

Each needing something different from us, and from their diet.

Thankfully Petcurean has four new recipes to meet every dogs need, and personality.