Joshua Fisher originally wanted to buy a horse for his wife and three boys for their home in Long Beach. He settled, instead, on two large dogs, making for one big, lovable family.
Joshua and his wife, Bee, decided to get two Newfoundland dogs–who both way over 125 pounds–for their three young boys. The couple has since documented the lovable bond the dogs have formed with their boys. Joshua and Bee have made the dogs famous through their Instagram pictures.
“They are gentle giants and we can take them anywhere. But it’s like they’re celebrities,” Joshua said. “Everyone wants a photo or to pet them and we have crowds of people.”
The couple chose the Newfoundlands, Ralphie and Bosss, because of their reputation for being great with children, even at their enormous size. Newfoundlands can grow to be six feet long from head to tail.
“We didn’t realize how big they were in person until we went to get Ralphie from the breeders. When we first saw the older dogs, we were shocked and we were laughing,” Bee said.
The three boys have grown to love the dogs and consider them big brothers. The dogs even pitch into babysit when mom is busy around the house.
“The kids are fascinated by their size. The oldest, Lenox, likes to relax with them and lie on them,” Bee said. “Three-year-old Cruz wants to play with them – they let him poke and prod. And Tegan, he’s only eight-months and he’s not quite crawling yet but will be exploring with them soon.”
But, according to the father of the house, Joshua, everything is not wonderful all the time, as some might think. Big dogs come with lots of drool.
“[The dogs] slobber on work clothes – they shake their heads and it goes flying everywhere. We have to keep emergency towels around the house. And their hair gets everywhere,” Joshua said with a smile.
But Joshua and Bee would choose the dogs over a horse again,
“It can be crazy but it is worth it,” Joshua said.