A kind uncle told me once when I was having trouble with some bullies that you are no smaller or larger than you think you are

I think Gus proves the point for dogs, he thinks he is a tiger sometimes, he is quite at home everywhere on the farm, tormenting the big dogs, sitting on donkeys, standing up to the sheep. The donkeys are his throne, I think.

I wanted a Boston Terrier in part because I was a large dog snob. I thought small dogs were cute but inferior to big dogs. I didn’t think it through, really, it was just a prejudice I had. I thought they were emotional toys for people, not real dogs. Labs are real dogs, I thought, and border collies. And other big dogs.

I know some small dog people who sneer at big dogs, but there are lots of big dog people like me, who sneered at small dogs.

I think it is human nature to always want to feel superior to others, we almost always seem to do it. The truth is, Gus is nothing much like I thought he would be. The two words that come to mind when I think of him are affectionate and entitled. At least three or four times a day, he leaps into my arms (Maria’s too) and showers me with kisses.

He always is close to us, is quick and obedient, and  wouldn’t think of running off. He is no fool, he knows there is nothing better out there, especially now that he is neutered.

Gus simply entered our lives, as all good dogs do, and brightened them, as many good dogs do. He is intensely active and alert, and considers us, the house, the farm, his province, to roam as he pleases. He fears nothing, not even Flo and has methodically charmed the animals one by one.

He still sleep sin a crate, but only for half the night. He is an excellent bedmate, finding the contours of knee or butt a good place to sleep, and stays out of her way during his bedtime stays. About an hour after the sun comes up, he decides everyone should get up and we are showered with licks, grunting noises and cuddles.

He seems like a pretty big dog to me. Red and Fate think so, too, he is one of them, they are not the least bit snobbish, like people.

He has slipped easily and gracefully into our lives, and I am learning that dogs are dogs, they are what we make of them, teach them, and give them the freedom and encouragement to be, no more or less. Gus is a lot bigger dog than many of the large dogs I have owned and loved.

Getting Gus was a good idea for me, he has taught me much more than I have taught him. It is always good to grow.

He is as large as he thinks he is, and that is pretty big. There is just no point in being a dog snob, as I learned early on from the border collie snobs. It just closes too many doors.