Thank you, everyone, for your kind and insightful comments on Monday’s rant about Cooper’s allergy issues. We still don’t have an answer…
So in the meantime, since my mind has completely melted via preoccupation with Cooper’s tremors, I thought I’d share some pics of, what I call, the boys’ “extended herd.”
Emmett, Lucas, and Cooper are very lucky to have a lot of dogs they see on a regular basis. Some we pass every morning on our walks, while others are just like family! We consider those dogs part of our extended herd.
Cady, of course, is part of the herd.

Otto is part of the herd, too. Otto is my mom’s dog, and Otto is in charge of Lucas despite his small stature!
And then there’s cousin Lucy, who they don’t get to see enough:
And cousins Tank and Buster, who they see every couple of months:
And there are the dogs we only see on rare occasions like Stanley:
Or Turk or Scout or Louis or Lucy or Bella.
The common denominator in all these pics, of course, is that it’s Lucas playing with all these dogs. If I could have one conversation with Lucas, it would be something like, “Why, oh why, oh why do you love playing with dogs at our house, but you are so scared of dogs everywhere else? Why do you bark and lunge at dogs who walk past our house? But if they come in to play, you’re ready to romp? It makes no sense.”
If only dogs could talk! 🙂
Cady is so glad to be part of the herd. And she can’t ask for a better BFF than Lucas!
Jen, I think I have an entire post dedicated to Cady in my future! 🙂
Adorable pics 🙂 I especially love the birthday hats! Our Annie is the exact opposite of Lucas; she loves loves loves every dog she sees out & about; can’t get to them fast enough to play, but let them in our house or yard & she is a terror!
Just a thought … as Lucas is an AS mix, could it be he is just weary of new “things” because of his watchful nature. But as soon as he gets to know the “other”, it goes better?
Yes! It definitely could be part of his nature. I’ve often wondered if it’s something like he’s okay with dogs that we’ve “invited” in since we’ve clearly given them the OK… and those that are out and about haven’t been given the all-clear so may be a threat. I don’t know?
It was a nice idea to recognize some of your doggie friends while you’re so worried about Cooper.
It’s so hard to deal with chronic conditions that need constant maintenance (diabetes, Cushing’s disease, allergies). My thoughts are with you as you try to figure out how to help Cooper feel better.
I love watching my dogs romp around with other pups! Makes me so happy 🙂 Great photos!
Dogs are so weird that way. Shiva barks and lunges at dogs that pass by our house as well. But if we were to be out on the street she would greet that same dog as if he was her best friend. All I can say is… Dogs don’t generalize very well?
I hope you figure out what’s going on with Cooper soon. I am so sorry he’s not getting any better.