We thought about what we would do when the unthinkable happened and we lost Moose and Red. Our intention was to adopt a bonded pair of Italian Greyhounds, preferably 1 to 2 years old, similar in size, but different colors, like Moose and Red were. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Capone and Cosmo came home on May 14, 2022. They were born on February 15, 2022, just days after Moose passed away. They are male littermates, who look like twins, and if it weren’t for the size difference, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. Capone is the larger of the two, but the difference is ever so slight. They have few white markings on their paws and are mostly solid fawn in color. On close inspection, Capone has a white patch that resembles a star on his neck, while Cosmo has a white streak on his. That is the way we tell them apart, because when they were this young they tore off each other’s breakaway collars and destroyed them, so we gave up on collar wearing. (Now that they are over a year and microchipped, they still do not wear collars in the house. They do have a tag collar for walks along with their martingale and leash. Also, Capone has grown to be long and lanky, while Cosmo is short and stocky, earning him the moniker of D.B. for Dad Bod).

It was one thing to raise one puppy when the hubby and I were 20 years younger, but two puppies 20 years older is something else! I think this is how my parents must have felt when they found out I was on the way, 11 years after my brother. Talk about starting over! When Moose was a wee pup long before we adopted Red, we had the benefit of my mom to let him out for potty breaks during the workday. She lived seven houses away and loved her grandpuppies, and was always available to lend a hand when needed. Sadly, these boys will never know their grandmom, but despite that, we couldn’t ask for better timing to bring home a pair of squirmy pups. These guys arrived just before my hubby’s summer vacation from his job. With one of us being home for a couple months, it was easier to house train them and acclimate them to the household.

It’s tough starting over with new dogs when your prior pups lived to such an advanced age. It will be a learning curve for us, but one that is well worth it. We entertained thoughts of other breeds, but there is nothing quite like an iggy. To know them is to love them. We have experience with IGs, so it was a no-brainer for us. (Corgis and dachshunds were considered, shh). What I wish for Capone and Cosmo is a lifetime of love and fun, plus the longevity to rival that of their predecessors. They have some huge paws to fill and although they can never replace Moose and Red, Capone and Cosmo are welcome and beloved additions to the family.