Taking care of a sick infant and a new puppy is a lot like going to Disney Land. Except Goofy keeps pooping on the floor and Sleeping Beauty is doing more crying than sleeping. On second thought, it really isn’t like Disney Land at all. That was a terrible analogy. Just terrible.
For those of you who have been following this website since the beginning (Hi mom), you probably recall my English bulldog, Basil, made quite a number of appearances in these pages. She had been with me since my first post, up until we had to say goodbye to her this past spring. Always taking her guard next to me as I type, or squeezing under my computer desk to lie on my feet, it took some time to get use to the idea of not having Basil around anymore. On occasion, I still find myself re-reading my Farewell to Basil just to reminisce. My wife and I knew we wanted another dog, but we wanted to wait till the time was right.
Well, I am excited to announce that time has finally come! Depending on how sharp your detective skills are, by now you may have deduced that the Fox Valley Foodie household has added a dog! Let me introduce Hydra, our 9 week old Cane Corso! She is named, of course, after the multi-headed serpentine monster in Greek mythology.
For those of you unfamiliar with Cane Corsi, they are an Italian Mastiff, an impressively large breed known for their unbridled devotion to their family, athleticism, and intelligence. Admittedly not necessarily an ideal choice for the novice owner, I have been in love with this rare breed for years!
Hydra has already taken up Basil’s old post at my feet, she is lying there sound asleep as I type this. We only picked her up last Saturday, but I am continually amazed with how quickly she is picking up on my training. I can’t wait to see the dog she becomes!
However, much of the reason I am writing this today isn’t just to show off my dog, it is to thank you, the reader. You don’t know how much your kind sentiments meant to me after Basil’s passing. I truly valued all of your thoughtful comments and emails. Just as importantly, I have you to thank for bringing Hydra into my life as well. After all, she was purchased exclusively with money I earned through FoxValleyFoodie.com. Despite being employed full time, without your continued support there would not be money in the budget to purchase a new dog for quite a while longer. I want you to know I don't take for granted this blog’s success. I am continually humbled and amazed by it.
Moving forward, you can expect Hyrda to take up Basil's mantle as the unofficial mascot of FoxValleyFoodie.com, and you will no doubt be seeing her appear in a number of future posts. Now if you'll excuse me, Goofy is eating Cinderella's slippers again.
Stacey
Hydra is adorable, what a sweet little face! I know she will bring you years of love and sloppy kisses!
Kate
Oh my goodness! Hydra is just the cutest little (soon to be big!) baby I've ever seen! I'm excited to watch her grow and to read about her journey with your family as the new Fox Valley Foodie mascot!
Sharon
What a cutie! Adding a puppy to the family is such a big decision! We adopted our yorkie almost 4 1/2 year ago and have never regretted our addition! Hydra is adorable and will become such a big part of your family's life! Congratulations!!!
Linette
I soooo want a new puppy. I've been looking at the Cane Corso breed too. They seem like such wonderful dogs! Hydra looks like an adorable puppy. I'm sure the baby will have a devoted friend as they both grow.
Fox Valley Foodie
They really are a fantastic breed, though one that no one should go into lightly. So far Hydra is shaping up to be an amazing dog and we couldn't be happier!
Heather
What a sweet, sweet puppy you have there. I am sorry for your love of Basil. Congrats on the newest addition to your family. I can't wait to wait him grow and change! Thanks for sharing him with us!
Krystal
Oh my goooooodness! I love big dogs and have two myself, but I've always wanted a mastiff. Those paws are so cute, and I love that your pup is so great with your kiddo!
Fox Valley Foodie
Haha, yeah her paws are SO massive, and they just keep growing!
Heather {Brie Brie Blooms}
Hydra is the cutest puppy ever and definitely makes the most adorable pair with your daughter. I'm so excited to see this puppy grow. We have a Siberian Husky that is amazing with our daughters; It's going to be so much fun watching them bond together as babies.
Fox Valley Foodie
Siberian Huskies are such beautiful dogs!!!
Jeff @ Make It Like a Man!
What a beauty! And a cool name!
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks so much!
Rachel
What a sweet puppy! Love her name too, though my mind went immediately to Captain America. 🙂
Barbara Thompson
I came upon your blog sometime after Basil left you, but I know how hard it must have been to lose her. Your choice of breed for another dog made me wonder if you are a reader of Robert K. Tannenbaum. In one of his books was my first reading about them, and I was intrigued. Hydra looks adorable, and it will be so fun to watch her life,and yours with her.
Take care of that baby, and the very best for future success with your blog.
Barbara Thompson
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks so much Barbara, I always enjoy hearing from you. I have not read Robert K. Tannenbaum, but you have piqued my interest so I'll have to check him out!
CAT Risberg
HYDRA is BEAUTIFUL! A lovely looking fur treasure to take up Basil's mantle and I am sure Basil approves from his vantage point across the Rainbow Bridge!
Thank you so much for sharing this wondrous addition to the Fox Valley Foodie blog. I am a real animal lover. We have two rescues (and yes I could beat on you for not adopting one of the millions of rescue dogs / pups there are in the world being as how every one is waiting for a forever home) and I also understand the joy of adopting a pedigreed dog. I used to breed and show cats (Korats - Thai breed and Tonkinese - Canadian breed) so there is a place for Hydra and her ilk too!
Totally looking forward to reading about Hydra as much as what wonderful foods you share with us.
Thanks for the hints on the burger thing. I had never thought about the whole "toast the buttered burger bun" nor worried much about the bun "quality" ... this will change in our house now! Yep!
Enjoy this wee one now because we KNOW that wee increases FAST in the baby world - human and puppy!
Fox Valley Foodie
Thank you so much for the kind comments! I can appreciate your rescue comment as Basil was a rescue dog, and I'm confident she won't be my last rescue! However for this pup it was important to me to get a breed with a particular temperament from a reputable breeder.
CAT Risberg
Yes I get it...the baby...for one! 🙂 Hydra is absolutely precious. Where did you get her from then? I think my friend had one like her years ago. Her husband was in the UN in Italy I think and she came home with this "pup" that was pretty big...is Hydra going to become very very large? Cause if I recall theirs was...and my memories of the dog seem to jive with the colouring and the confirmation I see in Hydra.
She is really stunning ... and so smart it seems.
Fox Valley Foodie
Yep, the baby is obviously the biggest consideration! 🙂 We got Hydra from a breeder specializing in Cane Corsi around Wausau, WI. And yes, you are correct, she will be quite sizable. Females are typically 88-120lbs, and Hydra was the largest female in the litter. So far she is showing remarkable smarts, and progressing quickly in her training!
CAT Risberg
Thanks for the information with regard to my post and subsequent questions and commentary. I finally got around to taking a look at Cane Corsi and looked at an adult version of the breed. I realized in looking that it did not look quite like what I remembered my friend had. And then I saw a link and thought that the link words sounded familiar. Checked out the link and my memory finally DID kick in. My friend had a Neapolitan Mastiff. A much more wrinkled look than what Hydra presents. And my friend's Mastiff was a male and really, really big - bigger than what I believe Hydra will become - I remember thinking that if my friend's Mastiff would decide to try a lapdog trick, one might very well get hurt! LOL Glad to hear that Hydra is a smarty pants. This is always lovely in a dog. Looking forward to reading more about her here as time goes on. Please give Hydra some pets and chin rubs from Canada!