Man’s best friend is a dog, and sometimes it comes in pairs. For Area Director of Residential Life Ethan Billman, furry friends have never been absent from his life. At this stage in his life, his two dogs, Hunter and Ranger, have been a wonderful addition to his family.
Hunter is the eldest of the two and Ranger is the newest addition.
“Hunter is five years old and Ranger we believe is five months old, but aren’t fully sure because he is a rescue,” Billman said. “We got Hunter first. He was a COVID dog, and he has been spoiled every day since.”
Billiman expressed how the two dogs provide each other company and also double the amount of furry cuddles in his household.
“We decided to get two dogs because it means double the love and affection and also adding to our fur-family! They get along really well and Hunter has helped Ranger to re-learn that the world isn’t so scary after he was adopted from the shelter,” Billman said.
While the dogs are not siblings, they both have some overlaps in breed type.
“Hunter is a Lab-Husky mix, and we just got Ranger’s DNA back as a primarily Husky-German Shepard mix,” Billman said.
The dogs are similar not only physically but also in personality.
“They both love the outdoors, but are also cuddle bugs at home,” Billman said. “They really enjoy running around and playing in the snow, but are also totally okay with binging Netflix and chilling on the couch all day.”
Their husky side comes out often in their simultaneously playful and dramatic personalities.
“Hunter is energetic and spunky with a very vocal bark. He often gets mistaken for being a puppy because of how wild he can be,” Billman said. “Hunter really enjoys talking so he will yell at you anytime he wants something and will put his paw on you while doing so.”
Ranger, even though only a puppy, has also established himself as a strong force in the family.
“Ranger, right now as a puppy, is mischievous, with a bit of a mellow personality. He enjoys exploring and learning about the world, but also has a profound dislike for the vacuum cleaner,” Billman said.
When asked what he would ask his dogs and they could speak, Billman wanted to know more about how we could make them feel as loved as they make him feel.
“I think I would ask them what they think of the world and the life we give them. I think the hardest part of owning a dog is that they can’t always communicate the needs they have, so we have to largely guess, and that can be tricky sometimes,” Billman said. “So, for sure would ask them that, and then probably what they think about pup cups.”
Billman has always been around dogs and it has shaped his adoration for them even today.
“We have always had dogs in my family, usually Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds. My dog I grew up with, Sadie, who was a Black Labrador Retriever, for sure made me the dog lover today,” Billman said.
It is clear that the Hunter and Ranger will continue to provide joy in Billman’s life. The opportunity to spend quality time with the two of them has been nothing short of learning what they all love to do best, together.
“Whether it’s going on walks, taking rides in the cars, or lying on the couch all day, I have learned they really enjoy being with us,” Billman enthuses. “One of my favorite things about dogs is that they spend all their time happy, and we get to be a part of their lives and show them the world.”
But perhaps most important in the world for all dogs alike, but especially for Hunter and Ranger are the famous pup cups.
“I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention pup cups again; they would do anything for them,” Billman said.
