He's beautiful.

Thanks, Katlan. I'm shameless when it comes to Harry; he is beautiful, inside and out. He is soulful, has a wicked sense of humor and a capacity for fun and love that is unbelievable.

This is a "puppy" photo, but it shows how Harry loves the camera!

Aw, this makes me kind of sad. I know he's happy and doing what he wants and loves to do, but he's getting older!

Does Sam leave him alone, or does he beg him to play?

That is a gorgeous dog.

JasDip, Sam is a little PzzAnt. He and Harry have never "liked" one another and I'm still a bit resentful that DH insisted of getting a puppy before it was time. Harry was no problem in any way; two dogs are far too much mental, emotional, and physical work.

I was so sick the first two years we had Sam; Sam irritated Harry and disrupted our good vibes. I wasn't able to focus on Sam's training. Harry has never been anything but joy; Sam started out being a real painful problem.

I do love Sam, but I have to watch him constantly. He will rough house, get overly excited, and knock Harry down. He was biting Harry's legs. He bullies Harry, and Harry won't stand up for himself.

Sam and I have had a couple of very serious "This is how the cow chews the cabbage" discussions and he's much better at leaving Harry alone now. Still, I can't leave them both outside and run to town; I just can't risk Sam knocking Harry down.

Sam and Harry don't hunt "together" either. Harry and his mother, BeeGee, were a great hunting team. Sam is too aggressive and territorial so Harry just walks away. It's been a disappointment to DH that he can't get The Boys to hunt as a team. He's not been able to train Sam as well as Harry. Of course, Harry had all his attention, and daily 2-3 hour prairie hunts for six years. When he threw Sam in the mix training for both dogs suffered.

Sam is very independent and loves to be outside in the summer. He chases squirrels from tree to tree. He patrols the fence. Of course I let him inside any time he comes to the door, but he's very content to stay outside on most summer days. I make him come in when the temps reach 85. Sam sleeps in the mudroom; he has a blanket bed and a kennel bed. I feed Harry first, Sam second. I monitor all feeding and treat times so neither dog gets an upset tummy.

Sam, for some reason, adores me. He knows he's loved but he also knows that any nonsence toward Harry will unleash the dogs of war, in the form of an angry old woman, upon him. He's smart; he knows to not push the issue.

That Harry is one handsome boy!! And I think he knows it. LOL

Just love Harry!

my daughter has two catahoula brothers (from the same litter)
They get along most of the time. but if one has a toy and the other doesn't they will fight over them.
She has to feed one in the kennel and the other one around the corner into the other room or the spotted one has a fit.
they just love them but if they are in the house I don't even like to go over there.

both of yours seem well behaved.

LOL @ Pattico!

"Well behaved." HO, HO, HO; Ha Ha Ha; snort and splutter. Yes, when they are hunting with DH they are little robots and do everything they are told. Perfect examples of perfect hunting dogs.

When they're home - they are demented goofs. They jump on people; they push and shove one another for the best "Pet Me!" position; they bark; they run in circles as though they have never had company or attention; they get in the trash; they steal food off of the counters and stove. (Harry stopped this after he burnt his toe on a still-hot burner.) Harry got much worse with all these habits after Sam arrived; Sam took it as "normal" behavior and dove right in.

I've finally come up with a way to keep them off of the counters and out of the food while I'm making meals, or hosting "normal" people for dinner. It's the dreaded Puppy Gate. Of course I had to get the extra tall, extra strong, metal one.

I first got this a few weeks ago while the Electrical Dude, Plumber Dude, Carpenter Dude, and Floor Dude were here (often all at the same time) to put in the new furnace/heat pump/AC units and duct work, and refinish the living room floor. I had to keep the dogs contained for everyone's' safety. Now I use it most of the time. Harry eats in the mudroom; Sam eats outside, weather permitting.

When I'm cooking or canning - they are relegated to the mud room. When we have dinner guests - they are relegated to the mud room. (The dogs; not the guests!) I put the gate up so they can still watch me in the kitchen.

They were distressed at first, but now they seem to accept it. The floor had to "cure" for two weeks so that gave them time to adjust to the life change. They will still be allowed in the living room and den once all the construction is finished, but it will be a treat, not a Constitutional Right. Harry continues to sleep with us; Sam now has a choice of two beds in the mudroom.

Do you think the Silverback looks a bit disgusted here?

Nice to see the boys Caroline and Harry is handsome as always

Caroline -- Do you write for publication? If not, you should!

Our 'little old man', Eliot, now sleeps most of the time and only potters around our yard on leash. He and DH take *very* short walks in the neighborhood. Arthritis is making life harder on him than mine is on me. I have to lift him up to his bed on our bedroom bench, but so far he can still make it up to 'his' chair by the library window. (Not much longer, I'm afraid.) He's never 'done' stairs, but I can still lift a Westie!

Always sad to see a pet winding down a good life. Thanks for telling us about your sweet Harry.

Gorgeous top photo -- love the way the sunlight shines on just his right eye. Sounds like Sam's just a big puppy on long legs! People always told me that my dogs would grow out of that phase, but I hope my current girl (a Cairn Terrier) will always be a little puppy head!