Introducing the Original Monsters

I am spending this weekend back home in Northern Virginia.  So far this weekend, I have driven through miles and miles (and miles and miles and miles) of gorgeous Virginia countryside, cursed at the wretched NoVa traffic, eaten Mexican food again (I miss it SO MUCH), had breakfast with an old friend at an iconic dive, helped surprise my other mother, dined at a country club, taken in (and LOVED) a campy flick with my mom, and watched Vista rain destruction upon my childhood home.  And written one bloody long run-on sentence.  A friend pointed out that I have yet to talk about my other pets on this blog.  Let this serve as an introduction.

 This is Sam.  All of our animals have first and middle names, but Sam is just Sam.  I adopted him after moving into an apartment in college, and he came to live with my parents when I moved on campus.  I would love to have him with me in West Virginia, but his life is here with my parents now, and it would be too cruel to try and move him.  Plus, he's used to going in and out freely and in Marlinton I live on a fairly busy road.  He's standoffish at first, but is a total marshmallow inside.  He likes dogs (as long as they're not trying to kill him) and loves my mom, who is--of course--allergic to him.  He's about 7 years old now.

Summer.  Sweet, sweet Summer Clementine.  Dumb as a box of rocks.  A purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, she is my mom's dog.  She is happiest when eating or hidden in a corner or under a bed.  She loves things that squeak.  She communicates using a peculiar language of snorts and sneezes and spins uncontrollably when she's excited.  She's nearly 6.

Lastly, Leilani.  She was actually born in West Virginia, and is half black lab, half Norwegian Elkhound.  My brother adopted her from LostDogRescue.org.  Casey named her Leilani, which means "flower from the sky" in Hawaiian, and I gave her the middle name Moose.  Because Elkhounds are bred to take down big game, and she spent the first several months of her life nipping at our knees in an attempt to fell us.  She is the love of my life, and as much as I am coming to love Vista, Lani is and always will be my sweet girl.  I spent this morning curled up with her, and everything was perfect.  She'll be 3 this summer.

Vista is doing pretty well in terms of getting along with these guys, so long as no toys or bones are at stake.  Summer apparently sees her as some kind of threat, but that's okay, as at varying times Summer will decide that random members of the household deserve to be barked at.  It is her way.  Sam was extremely nervous with Vista, but once they tentatively touched noses, everything was good.  He curled up with her for a little while last night.  As for Leilani, well, she is almost a perfect role model.  She and Vista play and play, and wherever she goes in the yard, Vista is not far behind.  I bought Vista a kennel today to minimize the damage she was inadvertently causing to the house, and she would only venture into it after Leilani had done so.

I miss these guys, so much.  Not seeing them everyday hurts my heart.  My family and friends I can talk to on the phone or write letters to, but it's hard to pull off a long-distance snuggle.