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Taylor Lautner says the rescue pups, Remi and Lily, he shares with his wife, Tay Lautner, are “our family” and summer adventure buddies
Remi the dog loves hiking and is slowly overcoming her fear of water with treats and toys
Taylor teamed with Blue Buffalo to share how he keeps his dogs fueled for the outdoors
Taylor Lautner tries to get his pup pack, dogs Remi and Lily, out into the wilderness, so the canines don’t lean too hard into their homebody tendencies.
During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the Twilight star talks about raising his two rescue dogs — adventurous 4-year-old Remy and 9-year-old Lily, who’s more of an indoor type — with his wife, Tay Lautner, and how the summer has been all about hiking in the mountains and exploring the great outdoors.
“We really wanted to put an emphasis on spending this summer outdoors and in nature a lot,” says Taylor, who’s recently partnered with pet food brand Blue Buffalo Wilderness. “They got their Blue Buffalo in them, helping fuel them along the way. It’s been a great summer so far, and we’re going to keep it going.”
Taylor and Tay are also helping their dogs confidently face their fears.
Taylor Lautner
Taylor Lautner with Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Remi, a Belgian Malinois mix rescued as a 10-week-old puppy after she and her litter were abandoned in a field, thrives on hikes and off-the-beaten-path adventures — with one notable exception.
“She loves everything except for water,” Taylor admits with a laugh. “She’s so picky, even about surfaces. If she steps on a surface she doesn’t like, she freaks out. So she definitely doesn’t like stepping in water. [She’s] like, ‘Something got on my feet and it’s gross.'”
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But attentive pet parent Taylor is working to push Remi out of her comfort zone gently. “We’ve gotten out on the lake, and I think she’s entertaining the idea more,” he says. “There’s definitely some coercing that goes on with balls and treats that helps with that, but it is a work in progress still.”
Lily was part of Tay’s life before she met Taylor, and the American Staffordshire mix — with some chow chow and pit bull in her lineage — prefers couch time over trail time.
While Lily loves the indoors, Taylor says the older dog always enjoys the outdoor adventures she joins. The entire family, both two-legged and four-legged members, is happy when spending time together.
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“People ask, ‘Do you have kids?’ and our response is, ‘Yes, we have two. And they’re our dogs,'” Taylor says of the relationship he and Tay have with the pets. “They are our family. They are our children.”
This summer, Taylor is teaming up with Blue Buffalo to showcase how his pups stay fueled for outdoor fun. The pet food brand’s high-protein, meat-rich Wilderness line is packed with real meat and wholesome ingredients, making it ideal for active dogs like Remi (and even Lily when she’s in adventure mode).
Through the end of August, Blue Buffalo is also hosting its “Made for Adventure Sweepstakes” on Instagram, where dog owners can share their favorite adventure with their dog, with the hashtag #BLUEWilderness, for a chance to win a year’s supply of Wilderness dog food and a Jeep Wrangler.
Taylor says what’s most important to him and Tay is that Remi and Lily are healthy, happy, and always part of the journey.
“It’s a match made in heaven,” he says. “They’re perfect for each other and they’re perfect for us.”
Read the original article on People