Today is National Siblings Day! It’s no secret that Angel Chuck Billy and I instantly made a great team. Unfortunately, the same was not true about Chuck Billy and our older brother, Angel Lemmy, when they first met. At the age of 5, Lemmy was set in his ways, and very much enjoying his status as the only dog, and first granddog. Let’s just say Lemmy was less than enthusiastic when he heard the news that a little brother would be joining his family. Case in point, look at this email Lemmy sent his Momma Butter on the day that Chuck Billy was born.

“Dear Mom, I hear the pitter patter of the footsteps of doom approaching. It’s obvious now that I’m being replaced. No one asked ME if I wanted to be a big brother! I packed Mr. Octopus and will be on my way soon.” (January 30, 2012)  

Now for clarification, Lemmy was a very devoted son, who emailed his Momma Butter regularly, and often sought her sage advice. However, I’m not sure Momma Butter boosted his confidence with her response. “Dearest One, your future is shaky, I don’t know how to advise you.” She then proceeded to give him directions to her house! Alright, based on the previous emails, Lemmy was obviously a Momma’s boy, so it really wasn’t a surprise she wanted him close. However, understanding the situation better than Lemmy, she tried to calm his fears by adding that Chuck Billy’s Momma Sage was very respectable, and “your future sibling does look adorable though, so perhaps you should reconsider.” (January 30, 2012)

Thankfully, Lemmy did reconsider, and rather than run away he decided to take his stuffie friend’s advice. “Mr. Octopus came up with a plan that if I sat real quiet and tried to blend in with the stuffed animals, perhaps the little demon will leave me alone.” (February 14, 2012) This tracks. By all accounts, Lemmy was always more of a homebody, rather than a brave adventurer ready to set out alone on the road.

According to Chuck Billy’s memoirs, “Eventually I arrived at my new home, and I couldn’t wait to meet my new big brother, Lemmy!  Apparently though the feeling wasn’t mutual.  Lemmy took one look at me and hid behind Dad!  Seriously, the dog that was suppose to be my mentor, my protector, and my best friend was hiding behind Dad like I was some sort of monster!  Way to go making a puppy feel welcomed!” Wow, that was harsh! I’ll never complain about the day I came home and Chuck Billy scent marked me…three times! At least he was excited to meet me, unlike Lemmy who retreated upstairs and hid from Chuck Billy for a week.

While hiding upstairs, Lemmy sent his Momma Butter yet another email. “Dear Mom, Please do not tell Aunt Pansy, but I’m getting bullied by an 8 week old puppy! President Obama and Lady Gaga say that bullying is a big problem in this country and that most parents don’t realize their child is being bullied. Mine are oblivious. Chuck Billy is a menace to society! I try my best to stand my ground, but he is unimpressed by my efforts to sound mean. In fact, I think I’m his favorite chew toy. He’s even kicked me out of my own crate! Please come help!” (March 30, 2012)

Calling Chuck Billy a “menace to society” is a bit dramatic! However, in Lemmy’s defense, I do agree as a puppy Chuck Billy was a not the mature dog he grew up to be, and even as an adult could be a bit intense with his rules. Still trying to be cautiously optimistic, Momma Butter gave Lemmy a pep talk about nature vs nurture, and his important role in guiding this puppy. However, she also implied in her response to review the return policy. This is where Lemmy got the idea of following the USPS motto of “if it fits, it ships!” Luckily, he never got that ride to the post office to pick up one of their shipping boxes. By Easter, on April, 8, 2012, Lemmy actually enjoyed having a little brother, if only for the fact that Chuck Billy was tricked into posing for embarrassing photos instead of him. Neither one ever did like dressing up, so at least that’s something the two of them could agree on early in their relationship.

Although Lemmy did still find plenty of reasons to complain. “Dear Mom, Chuck Billy knows no boundaries! Would you believe he figured out how to open the gate intended to keep him out of the living room?! There I was, alone in the living room enjoying a little me time, when all of a sudden he comes bursting in to my sanctuary! And then he had the nerve to take the bone I was chewing and carry it back into the kitchen, while using MY bone to shut the gate behind him! How insulting!” (May 13, 2012) What can I say? Chuck Billy was really good at problem solving, even at a young age! But I agree with Lemmy, that using the stolen bone to brazenly shut the gate was rude. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Overall, I feel like mistakes were made on both sides during those early months together. However, as with all new roommates, they eventually worked out their differences, and became a great team. In fact, I would argue that they brought out the best in each other, while compensating for what needed improvement. Lemmy was never a confident pack leader, and when he eventually handed over control of the leash, was happy to let Chuck Billy take the lead in training Mom and Dad. And Chuck Billy learned patience and compassion dealing with his quirky big brother. Together they taught each other the meaning of being brave. Chuck Billy showed Lemmy that he really didn’t need to be scared of things, such as garden gnomes and visiting new places. And Lemmy taught Chuck Billy the ultimate lesson of being brave when facing a serious illness.

After 10 years apart, Lemmy and Chuck Billy sure had a lot to catch up on when they were reunited in December at Rainbow Bridge. I’m sure they are even having a good laugh reminiscing about those early months together, when they earned the nickname, “The Odd Couple,” after the 1970s tv show. I’m also positive that Lemmy is pleased with the way Chuck Billy became such a great big brother to me. No doubt he took credit along with his Momma Butter, for their positive influence during Chuck Billy’s formative two years with him. So on this National Siblings Day, I want to thank Chuck Billy and Lemmy for being the best big bothers to me. See you at the end of the trail, dear brothers!