Partners in crime

Since I was a little boy, I adored animals, especially dogs. My mother tells me how I used to terrify her by petting every dog I got close to no matter the size. To this day I still pet every dog I get close to.

I did not get my own dog until 5 years ago at the age of 18. Since I had been waiting so long for one I got to name him, Alfie. We had 2 and a half years of Alfie's mischief before my parents decided we should add to the mischief and get Alfie a little brother. So in April of 2019, we decided to get a second westie called Angus, this time named by my father who tried to name our first dog.

When we brought Alfie back home for the first time in 2016 he did the usual puppy dog activity, sniffing about every inch of the house trying to figure out where he was and where he could pee. When we brought Angus home he also had to complete this activity, but this time he had Alfie following him around sniffing him trying to figure out what he was. Alfie's conclusion to this was that Angus was something he did not like, so he kept his distance. Angus obviously did not take this well as he already loved to annoy his big brother by fighting him at every opportunity he got.

The next couple of weeks were filled with Angus annoying the life out of Alfie, sniffing and biting his feet and tail, fighting him every time he got the slightest bit bored and trying to eat his dinner and drink out of the same bowl as him. Alfie used to just look at me during it, I think he was calling out for help to remove the little demon we had brought into his house. Slowly Alfie started to like Angus and would eventually let Angus sleep closer and closer to him, not to mention participating in the fights Angus started.

During our first walk with both dogs, Angus was being his usual puppy self and not knowing or caring what he was supposed to do, stopping the whole way sniffing new things, tripping over the leash etc. Alfie was just trying to enjoy his daily walk while having to stop every 2 feet for the little man to get back on track. Safe to say he was not impressed during these first few months.

Angus has adored his big brother since the first time we brought him home and has always looked up to Alfie, following his lead. When he found his bark, he barked at whatever Alfie was barking at, he sniffed whatever Alfie sniffed, he lifted his leg the same places Alfie lifted his leg, anything Alfie did you would find Angus there doing the exact same thing.

2 and half years later, Angus will be 3 soon, Alfie is now 5, and not much has changed. Angus still adores his brother and still does everything Alfie does. However, Angus now takes the lead on walks zooming past Alfie, now Angus has to keep stopping to wait for Alfie to catch up. Angus also now takes the upper hand during their living room wrestling matches which sometimes get a little bit heated.

Getting a second dog was the best decision we have ever made, they look out for one another, they care for each other, and they play with one another every day for hours. Alfie now has a best friend for life, a brother that he adores, and finally has a partner in crime.