Apollo Rambo

All my life, I grew up with animals. In my grandparents' house, there would always be dogs and birds. About a year ago, we got our first cat in the family, Mercury. About to be a year with us, here comes Apollo Rambo. He is a German Shepard. The last time my family had a German Shepard was back when I was five years old. When I met the first German Shepard in the family, he was already an older dog. Whenever I walked around the block with my grandpa, he would put me on top of Regalito like a pony; he was a large dog.

Then, when we came back home. I would take a nap and use Regalito as a pillow. I was too young to understand that he passed away; due to old age. Since then, we haven't had a German Shepard for a long time. My family had a poodle, pitbull/lab mix, and Yorkie/silky terriers. Our last doggy Regalito (Yorkie/silky terrier) passed away in October 2018. He was the mama's boy of his siblings; we didn't want to get a doggy for a while because it was always sad to say goodbye. That was when my grandparents decided; no more small dogs because the burden was heartbreaking. My grandparents wanted to have a guard dog, so they will know when someone is at the door and for more security. Despite his passing, the memories made with him and his parents will last forever.

When Apollo Rambo came into the family in the summer of last year, we were thrilled that he arrived. He arrived as a puppy; he was so small and playful. My family and I have made endless memories with him. Every Saturday, my aunt and I take him to Liberty State Park so that he can run around and play; that gets him tired, all he wants to do is sleep for the whole morning. While he's sleeping, we use that time to do our errands and other things that we have to get done.

Ever since we got him, he's helped me become more active. It brings a smile to my face to see him and Mercury when I come home. As soon as I get home, I will change to my sneakers or come back from the gym and walk him. He and Mercury are like my kids; I feed them, play with them, and cuddle with them.

There are moments where he can be annoying, but I understand that he only wants attention, from being alone all day. For dogs, you are their world; I think the same things apply to Mercury; in his own away.