Reo dog, a Heinz 57 mutt with a joyously goofy personality, keeps Thor and me laughing during these trying times.
Thor and I waited for several months after our beloved Bear dog died of cancer, as he left a big hole in our hearts. He was our first rescue dog and proved to be a wonderful companion who seemed to be an ambassador of love who drew people to him for petting and comfort. Dignified, wise, and calm, he was an “old soul.”
Our new Reo dog would definitely be classed as a “young soul,” as he’s full of awkward charm, eagerness to please, and a determination to find and roll in the most disgusting, stinky messes he can manage. He is a lover and wants to play with every dog he meets (unless they’re scary) and mooch petting from strangers. You might notice that both dogs show an abundance of fur. Bear dog had toe tufts in addition to his shaggy legs and plumy tail. Reo dog reminds me irresistibly of a Dr. Seuss creature, with odd poufs and fringes that fly in the breeze, especially growing around his ears. He is also a talented yoga dog, who stretches and rests in various loose-jointed positions.
Thor always works with a trainer to make sure his dogs get properly socialized and know what to expect, as they desire predictability. And they become devoted to him, as he takes them on all errands in his Subaru, as well as three long walks a day (or runs behind Thor’s bike.) A friend told Thor that when he died he wanted to come back as a dog — specifically, Thor’s dog.
Reo dog is proving to be a good trail dog, who stays close and minds his manners (except when a really stinky dead creature lures him).
Here are a couple more images of his funny fringes (hard to capture the full glory):
Thor thinks that Reo should have been the companion of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” movies I discussed last week — because they both have “stringy hair.”
(photo credit: Creative Commons)
Moving along….
I’m pleased that Reo loves the water as much as I do. The first time we took him down to our local Semiahmoo Beach, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all. There was an especially alarming rock revealed at low tide:
Now Reo jumps at any opportunity to fling himself deliriously into the waves, fetching sticks…
… or simply wading or jumping into whatever available ditch or bog. (Cue yet another bath back at home.) He loves to carry sticks around, and lately his obsession is finding submerged branches and dragging them along on our walks:
The other day, Thor was working in his shop, with the door ajar so Reo could check in on him. Reo kept sneaking in and stealing pieces of kindling from the sauna basket.
This is what greeted Thor as he stepped out to the back yard:
“Reo’s Poem” (his first doggerel)
I’m Reo dog,
I love to jog,
and jump in bogs
and chew on logs.
I roll in stink –
Sublime, I think!
(Why does Sara shrink
and need a drink?)
I heed Thor’s call
to fetch my ball.
I never pall.
And that is all.
Yes, we love you, Reo dog!
*****
You will find The Rambling Writer’s blog posts here every Saturday. Sara’s latest novel from Book View Café is Pause, a First Place winner of the Chanticleer Somerset Award and an International Pulpwood Queens Book Club selection. “A must-read novel about friendship, love, and killer hot flashes.” (Mindy Klasky). It’s also a love letter to the stunning beauty of her native Pacific Northwest wild places. Sign up for her quarterly email newsletter at www.sarastamey.com
