We really didn't do a lot in April because it kind of sucked. Both of our dogs died within weeks of each other. Everyone was pretty devastated, the kids had grown up with those dogs.
The big dog was an early birthday/Christmas present for me as I'd decided I wanted a dog. The kids were 5, 3 and 1 at the time.
The small dog came to us three years later. J's dog had since died and we were considering getting another puppy when a friend asked if we wanted another dog as her parents were downsizing and unable to keep all of their animals. We said sure and after a trial run, the small dog moved in.