Memphis he's now almost 2

It's been about a year and a half that Memphis has been with our family. He's now totally one of the family and has worked hard to earn that spot. He rarely ever chews stuff any more, although he has shown a real taste for my husband's lovely black plush Harley Davidson slippers, I think I can fix them by buying a new sole and some leather for the bottomm......Our grand daughter in law has discovered that he also likes light mauve Italian leather spike heels (well, he did leave her one of them), and no soccer or football is safe in the yard. Other than that, things are improving. Oh, yes, he does go after the four wheelers that go past our house on weekends on a cross country trail that goes by our house. I usually try to keep him on a long chain by a very large dog house during the day on those times. In one of the photos, he's tied up near a pretty bush with white flowers. He and the little dog used to take turns being tied there, but the bush isn't so pretty anymore, since he decided to redecorate. (Has anyone tried to re-grow a hydrangea that was about 3 feet tall, and is now about 8 inches? It looks like it will take a few years.) Now, they take turns on the chain off the verandah. I wanted to replant those flower beds anyway. My husband sits out on the verandah most days, reading and relaxing. It's fly season around here, and he hangs a fly sticky thing right near where he sits at about table level. The dogs walk by and occasionally get caught and their hair has to be cut. Not Memphis...he's one smart dude, took one look at the thing and walked around. At night of course,our dogs sleep in the house, well to be exact, they come to their beds in our room. Lately, Memphis and Budger, the 8 year old male Shih Tzu have taken to trying to one up each other as to who can sleep closest to my side of the bed. Talk about four legged kids! Ah well, it does give one a sense of security. When one of the little dogs wants to get our attention, they kind of talk with little mumbles and talking like sounds. Not Memphis. He simply wanders over, places both front feet on whatever part of you is available and stares straight into your eyes with those soulfull dark brown eyes of his. He does get your attention, and usually is very gentle about getting down.However, if one of the smaller grandchildren come over, he simply lays down and lets them pet and poke and fuss over him. I remember my first post on this site about Memphis when we first got him. What a travesty if he had left us. WE would have missed so much, and our lives would have been far less fun (although it must be admitted, also far less expensive, less hectic, and much less interesting). Memphis is here to stay, hopefully for many many more years.
Oh, yes, our daughter and her family have adopted a new Great Pyr as well (sadly, their part bred passed away last year). Bella has come to live here on the farm, and she's a beauty, with the same gentle but fiercely protective nature as Memphis. She fits right in and will I am sure end up being with us all for a very long time. She's also a real escape artist, but has taken to crate training much better than Memphis did. She's not in it much, and loves to be on her line outside in the back yard where she can see everyone and the other animals and horses. Her hair is pure white and the very thick typical Great Pyr, while Memphis' hair is more like that of a Collie or Shepherd. Still beautiful, but gives him a different look.