Frankie Comes to Stay

Day 3.  Today I want to write about Frankie.  Frankie is a West Highland White Terrier just like me but smaller..ha! ha!.  I didn't tell you how big I am.  I will talk about food and weight tomorrow.  That is worth a separate blog post!  Today, it's about Frankie who I first met at a West Highland White Terrier "meet up" put on by the Northern California West Highland White Terrier Association.  Frankie was brought there by the head of the Orange County Westie Rescue.  Frankie was found on the streets of Orange County and was rescued and living with a Westie family until he was well enough for adoption.  Frankie had lost a lot of weight and hair during his time on the streets.  But boy, you should see him now!  I have before and after photos I can show you here.

Frankie the Westie Rescue

Anyway, my owner had been trying for months to find me a buddy and then she heard about Frankie and after many emails and calls the meeting was put together.  You see, in order for Frankie to come live with us I had to meet him in person and be "approved" by Frankie and his rescue group.  So, for a few weeks my owner kept telling me that I was going to meet him and I had to be a good boy.  If I wanted Frankie to come live with us and be my buddy then it was up to me to make sure Frankie knew he was welcome in our home.  I was nervous!  That is a lot of pressure to put on a dog like me.  But I was excited too and I knew the day had come when I was in the car and started seeing all these other dogs just like me.

There was a lot of talk about me too.  I am big and I overheard someone say they thought I was the biggest Westie they had ever seen!  I wasn't sure if that was going to hurt my chances with Frankie or not, so I kept my bark to myself.  Then Frankie appeared.  So much smaller than me, but it turned out the vet had told the Westie Rescue that he was probably about the same age!  We sniffed each other..no offensive smells..so off we went for a walk.  I liked him right away and I was very careful not to create anything that might spoil our chances of going home together.  And it worked!  Next thing I knew we were in the car together, Mom was happy, and off we went.  Frankie was timid at first and followed me around a lot so I kept my distance for a few days and didn't do anything to let him think I was alpha dog.  I figured he knew that already.  So, I let him eat my food and share my toys and even share my spot on the sofa.   That was 1 year ago.  The Frankie I first met is not the same Frankie today I'll tell you.  He barks too much and sometimes I can't even tell what the heck he's barking at.  Then he chews my ear and feet to get me to play when I'm napping.  And he's a food stealer.  I should have known better than to let him eat my food when he first arrived.  Now, I have to give him the evil eye each time the food is ready to let him know to stay away.

Me  and Frankie (sniffing)

And the best part of this story is that he is not my buddy, he is my brother now.  I protect him.  I play with him.  I sleep with him and I lick his ears back just to let him know, that even if I'm alpha, that doesn't mean I don't love him.  I love him very much. We are Westie soul brothers!