Benelli's First haircut

One of the drawbacks of this type of dog, is that they are a hairy breed. In our climate they tend to get really hot if you don't shave them. So we got Benelli his first hair cut. He really needed it and it was perfect timing, as the weather was starting to get nice.

He looks SOO much better with his new do. I really like this breed (English Springer Spaniel) better when they are shaved like this. Of course this cut doesn't work for winter.....he would freeze!

First snow

One of the fun things about getting a new puppy that was born in the late spring is the fact that they have NEVER seen snow. Just this last little bit we got some snow....not a lot, but enough that someone who has never seen it or experienced it might wonder. This is Benelli experiencing his first snow EVER!

Sniffing and checking it out.

Actually walking in it and seeing what it is.

Kisses

Benelli and James have a love/hate relationship lately. Benelli loves to give James kisses. James loves to give Benelli kisses, but then he hates that Benelli won't leave him alone after that. There are times when James is walking across the floor and Benelli knocks him over because he is so excited to see him. This is one boy and dog combination that isn't going to be easily seperated in a few years.

A Boy and his dog

James has taken to our dog Benelli lately. I have found James trying to whistle for him while they are outside. He is petting him and trying to call him over by patting his leg. They play with the same toys and Ben thinks it is great fun to take food from him, after all they are both the same height! The funniest things that I have seen the 2 of them do, I have yet to catch on film. I saw at one point Gabe working with Benelli in learning to sit.....watched from afar as Gabe said to Ben, "sit" and Ben did....right along with James. Gabe was feeding Ben and asked him to sit and then gave him a bit of food. James came right over the next time and sat so Gabe could give him some food. Those 2 are great friends and Ben doesn't bat an eye when James tries to open his mouth or pulls his ears or any of the other great things that a 14 month old can/will do to a dog. But I did manage to catch these pictures of the two of them in the mule (like a 4-wheeler with a cargo area).
This one is my favorite. I am always catching James giving Benelli kisses and her I finally caught Benelli giving James one.This is just a good side view of Benelli. He is a good dog.

Here he is just being a dog and getting ready to jump out if I give him the go ahead.
Some may have scolded us for getting him so soon after Bear had passed away, but I think that we did the right thing. I love him and he has filled a void in my life. Yes, he does look a lot like Bear, his name starts the same as Bear, but he is a different dog and we love him for him. I am glad that we got him. I think if we would have waited any longer we would have forgotten all the things that we needed to know in taking care of a dog. Bear will forever be my first dog. I have had other dogs in the past, but they weren't MY dog. Benelli has stepped into that roll as well and he listens to the others, but he is MY dog too.