We are enjoying some very special company at the farm this week. Lincoln, one of Klaus’ brothers, has come for a two-night slumber party and all of us here with the possible exception of Natasha the black cat are pretty happy about it.

This is second time Lincoln has been here. The first was for the pups’ one-year birthday party this past spring. This is also the second time they have stayed overnight with each other since being adopted to different homes. The first for that was when Klaus stayed at Lincoln’s house while Handsome and I were out of town for a few nights.

By all accounts and evidence, these two are best buddies. As I type this fun update, they both are napping. Fully exhausted. They have been awake since dark-thirty playing super hard. Chasing butterflies, supervising chickens and geese, digging mud holes, swimming, twisting me in a leash trick that appeared to be accidental but I have my doubts, trading threadbare toys, wrestling with and without teeth, and getting (somewhat) groomed. They have crashed happily on the cold tile floor of our front entry, having decided the plush couch with a chenille coverlet was just not the thing for summertime brother adventurers. A few minutes ago Lincoln did silently approach the bench when I woke them both up with a snappy fly-swatting (it must have been concerning), but now he is asleep again.

This is a lot like having highly energetic toddlers napping in the afternoon: I don’t want to break the spell. Like, I want to refill my iced coffee, but do I dare stand up and walk in the kitchen? No. Also, I guess it’s a lucky day to be a fly in this house.

Just for fun, here are some differences and similarities between these two gorgeous German Shepherds:

Same:

• They both love face cuddles and lots of physical contact.
• They both love to eat. Perhaps especially dry salty popcorn.
• They both are enraptured by butterflies.
• Neither of them understands why Natasha the black cat is so adverse to being sniffed intimately.
• While relaxing, Klaus tends to crook his front left paw under at a sharp angle, and so does Lincoln! Like, exactly the same way.
• Both pups dismount a couch with the same long-and-lean back leg stretch, like they are preparing for an Olympic high dive.
• Brushing? Yes please! Times two.
• Their stranger-danger bossy barking voices are so similar it’s hard to tell them apart, except that Klaus can take his up to a bit of a screech, and that’s pretty unmistakable, ha.
• Mud hole digging is a common hobby. But our daughter’s pup Bridget could teach them a thing or two about it.
• Both of these magnificent dogs love rides in our farm truck. 

Different:

• Klaus likes to either charge ahead or walk directly behind me outdoors, shepherding hard. Lincoln is mostly an against-your-thigh kinda guy, and he alternates between his companion’s left and right sides.
• Klaus wants to kill the chickens, although he doesn’t know it’s killing. So far Lincoln is still trying to figure them out.
• Klaus is bigger in stature and Lincoln has bigger eyes.
• Lincoln is still curious enough about Pacino to poke his substantial snout into the parrot cage, whereas Klaus learned that lesson months ago. Respectable distance is the name of their game.
• You all know that Klaus loves Meh the llama, right? Well it’s hard to say exactly what Lincoln thinks of this creature, but I can tell you that Meh is actively campaigning to intimidate our guest. Of course, Meh has been copping the same attitude with the horses lately, so. Who knows.
• Lincoln saw fresh water going into the plastic wading pool over in the dog pen and immediately hopped in for a leisurely soak. Klaus was utterly confused and delighted by this, because to him that’s drinking water. He prefers to swim in the big chlorinated pool. 

Okay in the last few minutes these sweet dogs have stealthily relocated to continue their very important nap beneath the dining room table, curtained to the floor with a heavy tablecloth. This is where I am seated, typing to you fine people. It’s like they are in a very secret  fort. And they both are making sure to touch my feet, which I don’t hate. They are breathing out little puffs of air just like kids and groaning gently when they adjust and re-cuddle each other. I am basically in heaven. 

XOXOXOXO