Living with a Big Galoot!

Ratzinger, the Big Galoot...
I love my puppy, Ratzinger! Yes, he is still a puppy. He will be two in September, and still has some filling out to do. As you can see from the pictures above, Ratzinger can quite easily reach the counter top. If we do not watch, he will help himself to any leftover crumbs on the counter, or even a sandwich if it's there. When we do eat, we command him to "Get on the couch!" This usually works, unless Ratzinger is being stubborn. Once the command is given, he looks at us with his saddest, most pathetic look, as if to say, "Awe, do I have to?" Yes Ratzinger, you have to "Get on the couch!" As if it were to worst, most uncomfortable place to be banished to.

Ratzinger, the coward...

You would think that being a gigantor would give you a sense of security. That you would feel confident in your abilities to intimidate others with your fearsome size and your deep, loud bark. Well, not Ratzinger. He is the most cowardice dog I think I have ever seen. He is so afraid of the unknown. Last night I brought in a shower seat that my mom had let me barrow. Ratzinger had to walk by it to get up the stairs. He slowly crept by as he watched it intently. Finally as he passed it completely he started to run for the stairs, you know, just encase the chair had decided to go after him at the last second.

A neighbor boy used to come over quite often. He was very good with Ratzinger and the two enjoyed each others company. Well, for a couple of months the boy did not come around so much. Then when he did come back, he had grown about a foot taller. From then on Ratzinger has been very leery of the boy. Whenever he comes over, Ratzinger barks at him, but cowers behind me with his tail between his legs.

Ratzinger, the defender...

Often, my husband and I will rough house or play fight. Whenever we do Ratzinger will immediately come to the rescue. He will run over to us barking, as if to say, "Break it up people. There will be no rough housing on my watch!" For some reason Ratzinger will not tolerate violence (or what is violence to him) of any kind.

Despite his grand size he is the most gentle yet clumsy dog. Sometimes we (as in myself and Erin, not Tim) wish he were smaller, but all in all we love our big galoot!