Jenny Long
Staff writer
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, 8th Street isn’t the place to find it—at least not at my house. I live with four Toy Australian Shepherds, and let me tell you, there’s never a dull (or silent) moment.
Let’s start with the leader of the pack—Brutus. He’s a red merle and the man of the house, in every sense of the word. Brutus is fiercely loyal; I truly believe he wouldn’t trade me for the juiciest steak. He takes his job seriously: guarding the house, keeping the others in line, and making sure everything is running smoothly.
Then there’s Lucy, a striking blue-eyed Merle and without a doubt the Alpha. She carries herself like royalty and has perfected the art of the judgmental stare. If you dare to interrupt her lounging, she’ll make sure you know it. She prefers men, but over time, she’s warmed up to the women of the house—realizing, of course, that we aren’t going anywhere. Soft blankets, belly rubs, and being left alone are her love languages.
Luna—short for Luna-tic—is our tri-colored firecracker. From day one, she’s kept us on our toes. She has the biggest personality in the house and absolutely lives for attention and kisses. If someone comes over, prepare for chaos—Luna is on it. And she always has something in her mouth: food, toys, sticks, or her personal favorite… acorns. (Spoiler alert: those acorns have cost us more than a few vet bills, but that’s a story for another time.)
And finally, Scout. True to his name, he’s the outdoorsman of the crew. Since he was a puppy, dirt has been his happy place. He loves chasing bunnies under the shed, barking at squirrels in the trees, and tracking birds like he’s on a mission. Scout is shy and skittish, but when he smiles—yes, he smiles—you can’t help but melt. He’s a couch snuggler by night, an explorer by day, always scouting around the backyard like it’s his job.
Life with four Aussies is full of chaos, comedy, and the occasional chewed-up stick. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Stick around—there are plenty of stories to come from this wild, wonderful crew on 8th Street.
