Summertime Saint Bernards

[][]Awwwwwwww....... thanks everyone! []
 
Everyone who meets Shaq is always amazed by his size. He is waaaay bigger than his father, but has the same wonderful personality! At the vets yesterday they went on and on about how huge Shaq is! Shaq is 35 inches at the shoulder, and the top of his head reaches my armpit. For being so huge he is a total sweetheart! Shaq has what I consider to be the "perfect saint personality" he is sweet and gentle, living for belly rubs and icecubes. Anytime he meets a new person, he collapes at their feet and rolls over, moaning the entire time because he wants his belly rubbed! As Annie said, "a heart of gold wrapped in fur and slobber", is Shaq to a T.
 
Marley is a whole 'nother story. Marley is great with DH and I , and will accept strangers if introduced slowly. She really likes small children, and can be very gentle for such a wild thing! But Marley is also wary of strange people who approach "her" fence and occasionally will take great dislike to strange dogs. She also hates it when kids ride their bike down the alley behind our house, but does okay with the same kids on foot. Most of the things that Marley does are really typical for a Pyr. She may look saintly, but inside she is Pyr to the core. Marley is too smart for her own good, and is constantly pushing the limits too see just how much she can get away with. I use a clicker with Marley, and that seems to really work. I love that she is intelligent and agile. Marley can pick up a new trick in minutes, but will quickly adjust it to "her" standards, if  I let her. Marley is really naughty and really cute all at the same time!
 
For example: We are eating dinner in the livingroom. I can set my steak on the coffee table and neither dog will touch it. They both will sit quietly, and stare at me sadly waiting for a little sample. I can walk away leaving the steak, and I KNOW Shaq will not touch it. Marely on the other hand will buckle to temptation, and snatch up the steak if I am gone more then a couple of minutes.
 
Another example:  Time to let the dogs out for their final bathroom break before bed. We call it "final wees". I can say "Lets go, saint bernards! Time for final wees!"  and Shaq will slowly appear, and head for the door. Sometimes Marley will do as I ask, and sometimes she pulls a naughty little trick that DH and I call "jelly legs".  Marley will walk towards the door, and then collapse into a pile on the floor, and refuse to move. If I say "Come on , lets go." Marley will roll onto her back and look adorable, but still refuse to move. When she sees me reach for her leash, she knows that I have a had enough, and she is left with no choice. Quick as a flash she will jump to her feet, and go outside, before I even have a chance to attach her leash. It's really hard to keep a straight face when Marley pulls "jelly legs". She is being so naughty, but she is sooo cute and funny, that it's hard not to laugh!