PUP PROFILE // NELLIE + TUCKER + MEGAN GILGER

Megan Gilger’s, The Fresh Exchange has become one of my favorite online spots for inspiration.  Megan always offers a positive message in a visually beautiful way that simply keeps me motivated and inspired on the daily.  I have especially loved those moments where she shares gorgeous photos of her two pups partaking in adventures.  Today, Megan gives us a glimpse into the lives and personalities of her adorable dogs, Nellie and Tucker.  Thanks Megan!

What breed is your dog?
Nellie: Golden Retriever
Tucker: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

How old is he/she?
Nellie: 3 years
Tucker: 1 year

How did you and your dog come to be together?
Nellie was a gift from my parents. Mike and I had dreamed of having a larger dog that could travel with us, adventure, and join in our lives living in Northern Michigan. We loved goldens but wanted a smaller more petite field version that was most likely bred to bird hunt. We found her in the newspaper from a local family of five kids that lived on a small lake. It was precious and perfect in every way. The exact way that only Nellie could have been found.

Tucker was a little different story. We had been wanting a second dog for a while. Nellie is a social dog that really truly enjoyed the company of other dogs. She was always wanting to play and so we felt having another dog would be the right thing for the long days at home while we worked. Instantly we knew we wanted a Cavalier. Their disposition and energy was great for Nellie and the size was perfect for our living situation. But as some know Cavaliers are pricey and we thought it would never work out, until my dad heard of an Amish family who was wanting to find a home for their 10-month-old Cavalier male. We jumped at the opportunity. When we went to meet him, he was living in a situation that I would say Cavaliers are not bred for. It was the beginning of Spring and it was cold and muddy. He was living in a wooden barn with horses and chickens. When we got him it was hard to tell his coloring till we got him home and gave him a bath. In many ways we believe we rescued him from a hard life. He is a sweet little guy that has brought much love and fun to our lives and Nellie’s. He couldn’t have been a more perfect fit.

In one word, how would you define your dog’s personality?
Nellie: Sweet
Tucker: Spitfire

What is your dog’s favorite toy/treat/plaything?
Tucker: It changes daily with his toys, but he is deeply attached to a red blanket in the house that if it is not in his kennel at bed he gets very upset. I made this mistake one day and washed it. This is when I discovered his love for it. He kept whining that night and the next day when it came from the dryer I have never seen him more happy. We have never figured out why, but wherever that blanket is, Tucker will curl up and fall asleep.

Nellie: She is a pretty monogamous toy owner. She has this giant stuffed tiger that we are not sure where it came from, but she routinely “dominates” as we very kindly say. She loves to “perform” mostly when we have friends over. This is something she has been doing since she was a pup and it certainly has become a routine.

If your dog were human, what career do you think they would have?
Nellie: She would be a full-time mom that spends her days training for a marathon when her kids are at school.
Tucker: Bartender…always the life of the party

What celebrity does your dog most resemble? (personality counts!)
Tucker: Stephen Colbert . He will be the one who gives you crap but also make you laugh and feel loved.
Nellie: Gwyneth Paltrow…sweet, beautiful, in-shape, and talented.

Where is your dog’s favorite place in the house?
Wherever they can spoon together. Nellie is the big spoon and Tucker is the little spoon. Every single day.

What do you love most about your dog?
Tucker: He is always fun and making us laugh. Tucker loves to have fun and is probably more adventurous than you would expect for his breed. He goes paddle boarding, hiking dunes, jumping in the waves, and even been known to try to take on the squirrels in the yard. There isn’t a day that he does not make us smile really big or where he doesn’t make us feel that he feels very fortunate to have joined our family. He is a true gem under all that feistiness.

Nellie: She is pure sweetness and really only wants to cuddle, but give her the opportunity and she will be running laps around you. There is nothing not to love about Nellie, even when she steals tomatoes from the garden, we still find it endearing in some sort of dog owner way. She is quite possibly one of the most loyal dogs I have ever had. She will never wander too far and when we go hiking she never needs a leash as she stays right with us. Nellie is a dog you know you will only be lucky enough to have once in your life.

Finish this sentence: The love of a dog is__________________
…the purest and most honest love we may ever know.

CHECK OUT MORE PUP PROFILES HERE.

all photos by Megan Gilger