Arlington Pets of the Week: Beowulf and Grendel

This week’s Arlington Pets of the Week are Beowulf and Grendel, two bulldogs who enjoy playing together.

Here is what their owner, Matthew, had to say about them:

Beowulf and his brother from a different mother, Grendel are English Bulldogs aged 7 years and 9 months, respectively. Despite what their names suggest, they are not Anglo-Saxon epic enemies and enjoy playing, wrestling and lounging in the sun together. They are as loving and loyal to one another as they are to their human family. In fact, Beowulf likely owes his life to his younger brother.

As you might be able to tell from his picture, Beowulf suffers from a non-contagious skin condition called Calcinosis Cutis, caused by heavy doses of prednisone previously taken to combat a life-threatening autoimmune disease, IMHA that attacks his red blood cells.

Beowulf’s resulting anemia required multiple blood transfusions and additional medications to save his life. Despite these medications and medical interventions, Beowulf’s condition never truly stabilized. That all changed when we brought his baby brother, Grendel home.

Grendel’s puppy energy, curiosity and mischievousness was contagious and Beowulf’s condition not only stabilized, he has regained his former energy and vitality. Beowulf has wholeheartedly taken on his responsibility as a big brother and does his best to teach Grendel the social pecking order (which he thinks goes him, Robin, Matt, then Grendel) and what should and should not be chewed into little pieces.

As our teeth marked sofa, carpet and shoes can attest, Grendel still has a lot of learning to do. All that really matters is that Beowulf and Grendel love each other as much as they love their human family and we love them too.

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.