Halloween is here! You know, that day of the year when you wear a costume and you pretend that you’re someone else. It is also a time of spooky things, enchantment and magic. I thought why not spotlight the appropriately named Mystic & Reynolds? They would be the perfect pooches to discuss and ogle: two black labs with sparkling eyes with tons of personality and love to give. We’ll look at a few of the many things that make these two boys such special friends. If you would like to see more pictures of these two fine boys then head on over to their Woofie’s Gallery entry at http://gallery.woofies.com/v/mandr/ .

You may ask: Why spotlight them on Halloween? The simple answer is that I don’t think they’re dogs. I think they’re actually the two old guys, Statler and Waldorf, from the Muppet Show disguised as two black labs. Or maybe even Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau in ‘Grumpy Old Men’. No matter how you look at it, Mystic & Reynolds are a seemingly unseperable duo that find their way into your heart and remind you that, contrary to what all the big brained animal behaviorists say, sometimes dogs are four legged, fuzzy humans.

Due to circumstances Mystic & Reynolds require daily morning walks. Unless notified by their owner, this means that Woofie’s visits them seven days a week; sometimes twice a day so that they also get some afternoon exercise. This means that we’ve gotten to know them very, very well.

First we have Reynolds, tall and slender with a bit of gray on his muzzle. He pretty much does what you say and is obedient and polite. His owner and I call him by the same nickname, “Old Man”. He’s a loving boy who whimpers when you open the front door in the morning because he is so happy to see you. All he asks for is a little bit of attention like a head scratch or a hug. He is tall, muscular and every bit what you’d expect from a Labrador Retreiver. He looks at you with these big, brown eyes and he seems to see right through you.

Next we have Mystic. He is almost the exact opposite of Reynolds – short, rotund, and slightly disobedient. Don’t get me wrong, though. When I say ‘disobedient’, I don’t mean it in a bad way. It is rather comical how this four legged bowling ball ambles about dictating his wants and needs. Whereas Reynolds whimpers during the early morning hours Mystic will let loose loud barks! He is definitely a dog who wants things his way and that, my friends, is what gives him so much personality. You cannot help but laugh at him when he is being particularly grumpy because he will look at you with his eyes which seem to sparkle and then smile at you with his big, open mouthed doggy grin; laughing and giggling at you.

Morning walks tend to be a production with these to codgers and it begins as soon as you open the door. Immediately you’re greeted by Reynolds who is whimpering as if to say ‘I’ve missed you! I’m so happy you’re here!’. At the top of the stairs is Mystic who was probably slumbering peacefully. Our routine is the same almost every day.

• Come into the house
• Rub Reynolds on the head and say hello as he whimpers and squeals
• walk towards the kitchen to get the leashes
• Turn on a light in the dining room so Mystic can see the stairs
• grab the leashes and head back for the stairs before Mystic can start barking
• walk up the stairs and behind Mystic as he is anxiously contemplating the trip down the stairs (remember, he is a bowling ball with legs so once he starts moving down the stairs gravity starts to dictate his speed)
• Once Mystic successfully gets to the ground level, I walk down the stairs with my arms raised in triumph to celebrate him (which, in turn, causes him to hop up and down with joy)
• We leash up and head out the door

The walks are an adventure in their own right. At times, Mystic will stop and decide that sleeping was a better alternative than exercise. When he stops, he literally stops – butt down, look of determination that you’re not going to budge him. Trying to move him forward becomes a battle of wills as he looks at you defiantly. After begging and pleading, tugging and pulling the war of wills is finally over as you stand behind him and touch his tail and he springs forward. Throughout this entire episode Reynolds quietly waits and watches, ready to continue his walk at any moment. Once moving, both boys enjoy being out and about and take every opportunity to piddle.

When the walks are over it is back home for breakfast. The boys are always happy for breakfast and they wait patiently at the top of the stairs for me to return with their bowls filled with kibble. As I make my way up I give each of them one piece as a treat and they both get so excited. After breakfast, I grab a treat and prepare to leave, Reynolds obediently sitting and waiting for his Beggin’ Strip while Mystic manages to get his stocky frame to bounce up and down with gleeful anticipation. I give them each their strip, Reynolds gently taking it from my hand and Mystic chomping down and grabbing it like a great white shark. I normally wind up counting my fingers to make sure they’re all there before I leave.

These two boys are so full of personality and are an absolute joy to care for. In a house with humans, they seem to fit in perfectly as roomies. Two, old curmudgeons who complement each other and bring out the best in their breed. As with all dogs they have their quirks but they just seem to accentuate that these two make for good, trusting and very loving companions.

So, for Halloween I am happy to share with you my magical friends Mystic & Reynolds. With the holidays slowly creeping along they would also be a fitting spotlight for Thanksgiving. Who wouldn’t be thankful for having these two lads in their life?