![](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-napping.jpeg)
I grew up with dogs. Samantha, a beautiful and gentle sheep dog, was around when I was first born. When she passed, our family got Mandy, a bearded collie who sadly had to be re-homed because she was too rambunctious for my then-just-a-toddler sibling. When we were all a bit older we got Samantha II, another bearded collie we all loved until the day she passed of old age.
I always dreamed of having my own dog one day. I once made getting a dog a reward back when I was trying to lose weight. I reached the goal I had set, but never got the dog. My life was still heavily oriented around travel, a hectic work schedule, and a lack of desire to settle down.
This past autumn, I made the move from Vancouver and shortly after bought my first house, a bungalow with a fenced-in backyard in a neighbourhood by the Thames River and its beautiful trails.
Once I had unpacked my belongings and felt settled in, I began the search for my first puppy. My initial plan was to adopt, however there weren’t any available in London and very few within a reasonable distance who were either not my preferred breed or too high-needs for my level of experience.
I had decided I was willing to wait for the right dog to come up for adoption, however in early January I found an opportunity to purchase a puppy who otherwise would have ended up at the pound. After meeting with the owner and their 8 week old puppy and feeling its friendliness and energy, I knew I’d found my puppy.
On January 3, Billy Dryburgh came home. A Great Pyrenees mix, Billy is full of energy and lots of love to share with everyone he meets. He loves to chew, play fetch and tug-of-war, and cuddle. His favourite treats are dehydrated pig ears and large beef knuckles. His favourite toy is anything that makes noise.
Oh, and nap. Boy, does he love to nap.
![Billy napping](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-napping-2.jpeg)
![Billy in the Snow](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-in-the-snow.jpeg)
![Billy napping again](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-napping-3.jpeg)
![Billy chewing a beef knuckle](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-chewing-beef-knuckle.jpeg)
![Billy in the car](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-in-the-car.jpeg)
![Billy on a walk](https://patdryburgh.com/images/uploads/billy-on-a-walk.jpeg)
It’s been amazing to see him grow and learn over the last few months. Billy and I begin dog training on Monday and I can’t wait for all of the adventures we’ll have in the years to come.
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