In the Fall of 2009, a friend found two red standard poodle pups at a breeder’s in Illinois. She would not split them up, so we got a “two-fer.” They flew into Atlanta on Delta where we picked them up and it was love at first sight. They were three months old.

I’ll never forget driving back to Savannah how both pups huddled together in the back, one on top of the other.John wanted to name them to give them a Southern identity. He remembered the Confederate General, Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard, thus “Gus” and “Touy.”

They’re first visit to my office.

In 2010, we travelled to PA with the pups and stayed with some friends. That’s Gus and their dog, Maria.

“I’ve got your back.”

Smooch attack!

Share and share alike.

John and Gus at the beach.

Asleep on the deck.

Gus on his favorite beach couch.

“Think we could take him?”

Touy, the watch dog.

“Yep. Split the uprights.”

Sun screen, Gus?