About Mason (long)

[Ril-Mas]

OK, so I’m probably taking this personal when I shouldn’t be, but I’ve been getting questioned a lot lately about where Mason is and why he’s not there and why he’s not doing this, etc. I’m really starting to feel like my love for him is being questioned. So, I just want to set things straight.

When Mason came home as an 8 week old puppy Riley had already been here for a little over a year. By that point he and I had a very close bond. Mason was my puppy too in that I was responsible for training him and taking care of him, BUT he CHOSE to bond closer to my parents than me even though I did everything for him including training, walking, feeding, etc. Riley on the other hand chose me. He was constantly by my side. At times Riley would get a little testy with Mason when he tried to get closer to me. I think that’s part of the reason why Mason chose my parents.

When I lost Riley I lost a HUGE piece of me. Even though Mason is technically my dog, he has his bond with my parents and he prefers to be with them. I missed the bond that I had with Riley. He was my heart. I had to get another dog, not to take Riley’s place, but to try to help to fill the void. That’s where Logan came in. He and I have a great bond and he is almost always by my side. Almost a year after he came home my father fell in love with Abby’s picture and things snowballed from there so that’s how she came in. Seeing as Logan is still very young at just a year we agreed as a family that it would be best to keep the younger two together. That’s why we keep Logan and Abby downstairs with me. This gives them the companionship they want while giving Mason his space.

I rent the finished basement level of my parents house. It works well for me, it works well for my parents, and it works well for the dogs. The doorway between my floor and the upstairs is ALWAYS open. Logan and Abby will go upstairs to play from time to time (they’re up there playing as I type) and Mason will come downstairs from time to time, but he spends most of his time upstairs with my parents. He’s definitely more than welcome to come visit me when he wants. Me personally, I’m downstairs about 95% of the time. Even though we share the house, the lower level is “my home” so I’m down here doing my thing most of the time.

So, just in case anyone else is wondering… I DO love Mason. I DO play Mason. I DO walk Mason (he’s always first when I take them on their individual walks). I’m the one who trains him, bathes him, clips his nails, cleans his ears, brushes him, pays for his vet bills, buys his food, buys his toys, wraps his presents, video tapes him, takes pictures of him, etc. When I bring Logan and Abby outside to play, Mason is always invited. Sometimes he comes, sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he stays out a long time, sometimes he does his business and wants to go right back in.

Everything I do for Logan and Abby… I do for Mason. The only difference is that Logan and Abby prefer to be downstairs with me for the majority of the time while Mason prefers to be upstairs for the majority of the time. That's why I post more pics of those two and that's why I post more stories about them. I'm with them more because Mason chooses to be upstairs. That certainly does not mean I don't love him any less. If he’s happy upstairs, I’m happy for him.

One last thing. My reason for posting this is just to show that Mason is an important part of this family. He gets just as much love and attention as Logan and Abby, probably more since Logan and Abby play with each other so much. This post is not a direct response to any one person directly. I have been asked multiple times about Mason from several different people so I just wanted to clear things up. That's all.


Now for the Mason fans out there... here are a couple of pics from Sunday. He stayed out for maybe 10-15 minutes to play before asking to go back in.

[Ryleigh's Mom]

I completely understand. I raised a 3 pound Chihuahua for 5 years (he's 6 now). When my grandma died my mom took in her Chihuahua (also 3 pounds) and they quickly became best friends. When my boyfriend and I got our first house and I moved in with him my mom asked that I leave Sammie, my chihuahua, with her since he was already comfortable in that house and he and my grandmas dog are absolute best friends. It was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make because I've raised him since he was 8 weeks old and took care of all his vet bills, food, everything!!!! But when I thought about it he was already a nervous dog and moving him to a new home would be traumatic for him and taking him away from my grandmas dog would be even worse since they had grown so close. I had a lot of people asking me "How could you leave him? How could you replace him?" I left him with my parents for his own good and I did not replace him. I even purposely got a female boxer so I didn't have another boy. I have never lived without a dog and didn't want to in my own home so we made the decision to get Ryleigh but she in no way replaces my Sammie. I love them both inncompletely different ways. I still go visit him ALL the time and give him plenty of love. He's happy and well taken care of with my parents and that's all that matters.


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[boxerlove84]

I always just figured he's a grumpy old guy and preferred to be a loaner.



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[Wyatts_Momma]

I was just worried where you have been:-)


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[boxerlove84]

I want to add that I have different bonds with my guys as well. I got Gabby first. She was with me through some of he hardest times of my life - one being the death of both my grandparents one month apart from each other. Some people aren't that close to their grandparents, but I was. Because Gabby was there and provided me unconditional love and comfort during that time, my bond just isn't the same with Maggie and Benjamin. I love them just as much but, Gabby's my girl and she knows it. So, I totally understand where you are coming from.


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[Future]

Originally Posted by boxerlove84

I always just figured he's a grumpy old guy and preferred to be a loaner.



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This is why I asked also, it was never meant to offend you at all and I'm sorry if I did. I simply asked cause he is never in the pictures or anything. I'm sorry for making you feel this way.

[Katielovesleo]

Awww Mason! Love those ears!


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[DandD]

Mason is such a beautiful senior, I love seeing the pics of him out enjoying himself with Abby and Logan; but I just assumed he wasn't playing as much simply because he is a senior, and I know he had a rough go of it after losing Riley.

I never, for a second, questioned your love for him and I'm so sorry you are feeling this way

I also understand, when we first got Daisy and I joined the forum I heard everyone talking about their "heart" dog and I didn't get it because I loved my 2 clowns equally, now that they are older though I totally get it. Dodger is more Daddy's boy and I love him to bits, but Daisy is Momma's girl and is definately my heart dog

[Ril-Mas]

Originally Posted by Ryleigh's Mom

I completely understand. I raised a 3 pound Chihuahua for 5 years (he's 6 now). When my grandma died my mom took in her Chihuahua (also 3 pounds) and they quickly became best friends. When my boyfriend and I got our first house and I moved in with him my mom asked that I leave Sammie, my chihuahua, with her since he was already comfortable in that house and he and my grandmas dog are absolute best friends. It was one of the toughest decisions I've had to make because I've raised him since he was 8 weeks old and took care of all his vet bills, food, everything!!!! But when I thought about it he was already a nervous dog and moving him to a new home would be traumatic for him and taking him away from my grandmas dog would be even worse since they had grown so close. I had a lot of people asking me "How could you leave him? How could you replace him?" I left him with my parents for his own good and I did not replace him. I even purposely got a female boxer so I didn't have another boy. I have never lived without a dog and didn't want to in my own home so we made the decision to get Ryleigh but she in no way replaces my Sammie. I love them both inncompletely different ways. I still go visit him ALL the time and give him plenty of love. He's happy and well taken care of with my parents and that's all that matters.

Sometimes the hardest decisions to make are the right ones. It sounds like you made the right decision for your boy.

Originally Posted by boxerlove84

I always just figured he's a grumpy old guy and preferred to be a loaner.

He does tend to be a loaner, but he will play with the others when the mood hits him. For the most part he'll get his toy and go off into his own little world while the two younguns race around the yard.

Oh, and yes he can be a grouch at times.

Originally Posted by Wyatts_Momma

I was just worried where you have been:-)

Thanks for the concern. I've been resting and trying to figure out what the heck is going on with me. My doctor and I are getting things under control now though and I'm feeling a LOT better! Especially now that I can wrestle with the dogs again!

Originally Posted by boxerlove84

I want to add that I have different bonds with my guys as well. I got Gabby first. She was with me through some of he hardest times of my life - one being the death of both my grandparents one month apart from each other. Some people aren't that close to their grandparents, but I was. Because Gabby was there and provided me unconditional love and comfort during that time, my bond just isn't the same with Maggie and Benjamin. I love them just as much but, Gabby's my girl and she knows it. So, I totally understand where you are coming from.

That's what Riley was to me. We went through a lot together too. I love all my animals dearly, but Riley was extra special to me. He was MY first dog and he was constant shadow. Such a love bug too.

Originally Posted by Future

This is why I asked also, it was never meant to offend you at all and I'm sorry if I did. I simply asked cause he is never in the pictures or anything. I'm sorry for making you feel this way.

No problem. As I said, it wasn't intended to go after any one person. I'm sure someone would've asked again so I just wanted to say something ahead of time.

Originally Posted by Katielovesleo

Awww Mason! Love those ears!

We love his ears too. He's got flying nun ears at times. LOL

[af_wx_wife]

Good to see you posting. I had figured that Mason was like my Maggie & just preferred to go about doing his own thing. Maggie would get a wild hair up her butt & that is when she'd play with Pheona. Maggie was my go to dog for YEARS. She was with me each time my husband left for schooling or deployments, she was there for me through having my youngest son & surgeries. I am dreading deployments or schooling in the future as I won't have my rock to lean on. Now with my current 2 girls, the bond is stronger between Pheona & myself than Murphy & myself. Does that mean I love Murphy less..heck no. Pheona was my baby that I was up doing feedings through the night, taking her potty (we got her at 4 weeks due to irresponsible breeders or what we believe was a puppy mill) & a lot of cuddling. Mandy, I think Mason is adorable & you are doing a wonderful job with all 3 of your furbabies.