Jenny Long
Just a bit of
Bark and Banter
It all began about five years ago when I was preparing to move from Haven to Wichita. The plan was to move in with my best friend Holly, her son Roman, and their two dogs Brutus and Lucy for a short time. As luck would have it, she had the opportunity to apply for a PhD program in the UK and needed someone to look after her home while she pursued her studies abroad—perfect timing for both of us.
When we first moved in, Brutus was beyond excited to have new faces in the house. Lucy, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She spent the first two weeks hiding under the bed, unsure of our presence. But over time, she realized we were sticking around—and slowly but surely, she warmed up to us.
Not long after, Holly and her son took a trip to the UK, giving us some one-on-one time with Brutus and Lucy. Life with them was anything but boring. They had such strong personalities and even seemed to have their little routines and “jobs” around the house.
Eventually, Holly returned to the UK, and then—COVID hit. She found herself stuck overseas, and things quickly became overwhelming. Thankfully, she made it back safely. But with her permanent move on the horizon, the reality set in: Brutus and Lucy would be going with her. We were heartbroken. Over time, they’d become such an important part of our lives, but we understood they had to go.
One night while we were watching TV, my daughter casually suggested, “We should get puppies!” That was all Holly needed to hear. Not one to do things halfway, she went all in—and surprised the kids with not just one, but two puppies.
That’s how Luna and Scout came into our lives. On a cold, rainy night, we drove to the west side of Wichita to pick them up. They were so tiny—barely eight weeks old. My son Cole and Holly’s son Roman named one Scout, and my daughter Claire chose the name Luna.
As Holly’s move approached, she discovered that relocating Brutus and Lucy overseas was far more complicated than expected. In a twist of fate, it was decided they would stay behind.
And just like that—I officially became the proud mom of four wigglebutts. Let the adventure begin!
