Greg Burch, the logger, came in his truck today with two cords of firewood for the winter.

He brought his aging Pug J.D. along, as he almost always does. JD  was the dog and Greg the man that inspired me to look for a small dog and resulted in my getting Gus and also personally exploring the small dog revolution in America.

Greg is one of my favorite Big Men In Big Trucks, he always writes around with J.D. and can barely talk about him without nearly coming to tears – sometimes he does. He is tough and experienced veteran logger, I was surprised at the depth and feeling of his connection to J.D.

I always thought of big touch men with big touch dogs. It’s not true.

I noticed a large number of big men in trucks up with small dogs up here in the country and I became curious about the deep connection these men and dogs had with one another. Small dogs are now the most popular dogs in America, and I was also eager to understand this.

I got Gus and began to understand it and write about it, that experience was cut short by his illness and death. So we are trying again with Bud. J.D. and Greg hold a special place in my heart, Greg’s love for this dog is inspiring and moving for me.

J.D. is a bit deaf, but has an amazing face. These are the two that started it all for me.