I want to write so much about Mateo, this pup- this breed- that I have wanted for so long...and I could either write a book, or give up. Words don't do justice to how this boy has changed me, opened me up, and taught me so much about how to live with and become a much better....person, let alone dog/mastiff owner.
We had our struggles- (age 10 months -18 months was a huge learning curve for me- ha!)- but I stepped up my game and learned how to work with my big boy in how to deflect dog aggression that seemed to always be in his face, on a daily basis in this city... Not an easy thing! But we became a team..and eventually in sync in our communication...I could read him, and he, me. And it became second nature....
But, mostly, he was a big ol' sweet lump of sugar..a stubborn, funny, happy boy, who loved mud, snow, water, piles of dirt, mud...did I mention mud?
He was gentle. Patient. Never destroyed the home. He was not food obsessed; I usually had to call him over to eat. Never had an accident in the home after housebreaking. Rarely barked; very quiet Dogue.
Allowed me and vets to handle him when he was in pain. Never once growled at, or challenged me in any way. Good with children and dogs he was familiar with. Never complained...about anything.
Overall, an easy-going , loving, boy that would make me laugh on a daily basis...and yet turn on the watchful, protective mode when out at night and/or when circumstances demanded it. That. That is, to me, perfection...
How did I get so lucky?
And when the does the agonizing pain of his loss go away...?