Despite their major differences, these two loveable sisters will always have a special bond along with their memorable moments.
Ever since we were little, my brother Lucas and I had begged our parents for a puppy.
A lot of whining and pestering later, they gave in and allowed us to adopt not one, but two labradoodle puppies.
Standing before us were four dogs of the same litter up for adoption. They were running around the yard happily, all with black and white curly fur except for one — I fell in love with her instantly.
The first puppy that walked up to me stood out from the rest. She had straight white fur, making her dark brown eyes bigger and brighter. She was looking up at me as if she knew she would be spending the rest of her life with our family.
I brought home my dog, Linda, nine years ago, when I was six. My parents gave me the opportunity to name her myself, hence ‘Linda’, which definitely does not suit a dog. I did, however, think it was brilliant and hilarious at the time.
Lucas, meanwhile, named his dog Blackout, due to her black and white fur (again, not a great name for a dog, but we love them regardless).
Fast forward to today, and our dogs haven’t changed a bit.
Linda’s energetic, attention-seeking personality is stronger than ever. Blackout’s laziness is all the same.
They did, however, pick up new habits along the way.
From barking at delivery drivers pulling into our driveway, they’re now convinced anyone who walks by our house is intruding, making sure to, loudly, express their concern.
From happily travelling in and out of the house through the doggy-door, they now sit and pout, waiting to be let in rather than doing the difficult job of going in themselves.
Although the dogs often look as if they can’t stand to be near one another and get jealous when one is getting pats and not the other, they couldn’t be closer.
They have always been inseparable.
If one is going to be taken on a walk, she won’t leave without the other.
If one is going to the vet, the other will scratch at the door, begging to let her come with us.
The dogs have had their moments though.
The first funny, yet concerning, situation that comes to mind is the time Linda somehow ended up with the family stash of Easter eggs.
Clearly, she didn’t learn from her stomachache. The following year, she was again overcome by her love of chocolate, which led to her finding the stash once more.
Instead of being surprised Linda was able to rip open the cardboard box in which the eggs were stored, we were amazed it wasn’t Blackout who ate them, since she’s the one who loves food more than any dog I’ve seen.
Even though they may not be the best at learning from mistakes, or getting over their attention-seeking habits, you can always count on these dogs to make your day brighter.
• Gemma Lindsay is completing work experience at the News.