It was a beautiful Sunday in January, 1991. 

We wanted to get out in the sun.  

We drove to a very nice (at the time) shopping area in Sacramento called Country Club. 

Just wanted to browse the stores, talk, walk and laugh.

Without realizing it, we walked smack in front of a large pet store window.  

The display was of two of the most adorable pups I’d ever seen.  

They were cling to each other, one holding real tight to the other.  

It made me kinda sad.

I suggested we go inside and pretend like we were interested in those two puppies so we could hold them for a few minutes and let them feel some security and love.

The one that Lobo held snuggled deep into his arms and went to sleep.

The little guy I was holding was active and trying to escape from my arms.  

I had to hold him tight and I whispered to him that he was safe.

We held them for maybe ten minutes and then I kinda signaled to Lobo that it was probably time for us to let go.

“OK” he said.  

He also said he’d be right back and he walked away with one little Schnauzer snuggled in his arm.

Ten minutes later, Lobo and his pal returned and Lobo said, “Let’s go.”

“But…..the puppies?”

“They’re ours!!!!!”

OMG!

I was nowhere near expecting that one!

And so, then we were four!

They never gave us one night of problems. 

They snuggled up together in a basket in our bedroom on their first night and they slept happily ever after, sometimes IN our beds with us and sometimes just snuggled wherever they chose.

We named them Bartles and Jaymes.

They were smart.  

So smart.  

We dubbed Bartie an attorney and Jimmy a doctor.  

Our sons…..the attorney and the doctor!

They went everywhere with us.  Even to the Rose Bowl one year when we wanted to watch a long-ago classmate coach the U of M to victory.

NO DOGS ALLOWED but…..the parking attendants found us a great shady spot in the Pasadena field and our two guys enjoyed watching all the people from the car. (And we checked on them a few times!)

They were a joy.

They lived at the Ocean with us and were very well known in the small town of Pacific Grove.

No one knew OUR names but, they all knew Bartles and Jaymes!

One year they even made front page of the local paper while sitting on Santa’s lap.

Jimmy left us when he was twelve years old.  I loved BOTH of them with all my heart but Jimmy?  Jimmy held a special spot in my heart.  

I always thought Jimmy was just a little “off…..kinda goofy.”

It felt like I cried a million tears for Jimmy.

Bartie left when he was thirteen.

And then we were two again.

I don’t know how long we cried and were sad and lonely but I DO remember swearing …..NO MORE PETS, I CAN’T STAND THE PAIN.

However, through all the Bartie and Jimmy years and after…..that face remained taped on the top right hand corner of my fridge.