Emily is Smiling

A few weeks ago, Ali and I spent three days at my Grandma Rhonda's house.  One of the best parts of living at College Station is being able to see Grandma Rhonda more often, since we're so far apart when I'm back home.  It was wonderful to spend the weekend with Grandma Rhonda and Ali.  We entertained ourselves with cows and food and plants and especially dogs.

All three of us love dogs... which came in handy, since my grandma has three dogs of her own. 

Three crazy dogs with their own hilarious personalities.

Two of the dogs were Giant Schnauzers named Kenya and Kika.  They were black, fluffy, and huge.  At first glance, they can seem a little frightening.

Kenya was older and a little more laid-back.  She preferred to sleep around, but never hesitated to come and sit on our laps when we happened to be on the ground.  Kika was excitable and eager to play.  She carried around a slobbery rubber ball and often "threw" it towards us, hoping we'd catch the ball and throw it back.  Both dogs are super sweet and will try to love on you until you almost feel smothered.

Ali quickly fell in love with the Giant Schnauzers.  In fact, about a minute and a half after she first saw them, she said, "What kind of dog is this?"

"A Giant Schnauzer," Grandma Rhonda explained.

Ali grinned.  "This is the kind of dog I want someday."

And that's how true love starts.

It's true though.  The dogs are pretty precious.

They're huggable...

They're kissable...

And they even matched Ali's long, curly, black hair!

My favorite of the dogs was a little hairy hairless Chinese Crested named Snickers.  He was super sweet, super cuddly, and couldn't stand to not be in someone's lap, cuddled against their neck.  I'm not kidding... this dog would let you literally hang him upside down, so long as you were touching him somehow.  He seems like the perfect dog.  So, so sweet.

I'd always thought of Chinese Cresteds as being similar to the evil dog from 101 Dalmatians... or perhaps prissy and strange like the Poodle stereotype has become.  But surprisingly, Chinese Crested dogs are very friendly and very sweet.  I met Snickers' girlfriend, Chemo, while I was at Grandma Rhonda's, and even while about to burst from being pregnant, Chemo was just as sweet.

Now Ali and I joke that in the future, she'll have a bunch of rowdy Giant Schnauzers... and I'll have a Yorkie and a little hairless Chinese Crested like Snickers.

I did really like the cute guy.  After all, I like quirks... and there isn't much that's more quirky than a Chinese Crested like Snickers.  Maybe someday... :)

What's your favorite breed of dog?