Well at least we think so. I'd wanted a Labrador for years. There is just something about their athletic good looks and gentle yet exuberant nature that I find so appealing. Add to that the fact that they LOVE people and I can't imagine a better dog to have around the house. They're almost too friendly and we often joke that if a burglar ever made it in to a house, the owner's Lab would probably point out where all the good loot was located.
In February of 1999 Chela got me my very first Labrador puppy. He's a purebred Yellow from Champion lines and he's just about the sweetest dog I've ever known. Of course I am totally partial and completely biased, but then as his "father" I suppose that's to be expected. His name is Corsa Chili which comes from our love for Italian motorcycle and the men who race them. Corsa is an Italian word which means "race", "racing" or "to race". The factory Ducati race effort is called Ducati Corse. Here in America the name is often spelled with an a at the end so as not confuse Americans. Chili (pronounced "keeley") is the last name of one of the most beloved racers to ever race for Ducati, Pierfrancesco Chili.
Here is a picture of Corsa the night we brought him home.
Corsa Chili-2.19.1999, Palo Alto, CA.
If this picture does not melt your heart, you simply don't have one.
The first few months with young Corsa were challenging at times. The little guy had pretty severe separation anxiety which led to the destruction of more than one somewhat sentimental object (books, baseball caps, photo albums). Despite his tendency to chew, he was and remains one of the calmest Labradors you'll ever meet. Labs are known to be pretty exuberant dogs, sometime too high-energy. We feel truly blessed with Corsa as he is as active as any dog you'd ever want, but around the house he is sweet, calm, and very good natured.
Here's another picture of Corsa and I, at about 6 months old.
TJ and Corsa, Palo Alto, CA
Corsa and his first ball
Finally, no dog-related picture album is complete with a picture of a dog, his master, and a truck. Here you go.
TJ and Corsa 3.2000-Los Gatos, CA
TJ, Corsa and the Cowpoke Racing race support vehicle the day we brought it home. Corsa's already thinking about going for rides to the school to play ball and to the reservoir to go swimming. If he had a website, we're pretty sure it would be dedicated to "the school" and "swimming".
Things were going well for our little family and Corsa grew up to be a wonderful dog, but something was missing. That something was a little brother with whom Corsa could explore the property at Summit House. Someone to chase balls and go swimming with. Another being in the house with a tail that didn't meow and hiss. We had to face facts..............we needed another dog.