These are my two English Mastiffs, Willy (left) and Mister (right) around the time of 2007. Willy had been in our family for four years at the time, and sadly, had to be put down on a cold February day two years later. We’d had him since I was in first grade, and he’d lived with us throughout three cross-Canada trips. He was my best friend, and he always had a look about him that said, “Hey, I know something’s wrong, and I’m gonna keep my head in your lap until you tell me.” Whenever he’d come up on the bed he’d always weasel his way between you and the wall, and slowly push you off until you were on the floor going, “What the heck just happened?” I miss him every day, he was my family and my friend. ♥

Mister is one of the dumbest dogs I’ve ever met, but also the sweetest. Even though he’s five years old (which is rather old for Mastiffs) he plays with the football he put puncture holes in, snores like a tractor and never ever turns down a belly rub. Over the course of his life he’s brought me to hysterical giggles with the funny faces he makes.

Every time I hear a person argue against Rottweilers, Mastiffs, or other large dogs, I always have to laugh at them. As a Mastiff owner, I know for a fact that a big dog will only become violent if it is raised to be, but if you raise it right (which isn’t hard, really) then it’s got an extra big heart to share.