Happy Birthday Dick

No, really, it is Dick's birthday. Its tough to imagine that we've only had him for a little over three years. And yet, in those three years he's really changed. I know that might sound silly but for anyone who has rescued or adopted a dog that wasn't a puppy, you know what I mean.

As the years roll on their personality emerges. We didn't have this phenomenon when we adopted Hanna or Jane as they pretty much came out of their shells within a few weeks of moving into Chez Radomile. But, not Dick. Our shy loving little boy has earned his baddog#2 badge with great honor.

Dick version 2.0:

• He loves all people, large and small. He digs kids and babies and they get away with far more with him than I ever could.
• He's very conversational on walks as he feels the need to bark at every dog that we pass. Of course his tail is wagging, but that really isn't the point. He just needs to let them know he's there.
• He has learned how to counter surf. (Thanks, Jane.) So when something goes missing, we can no longer just blame Jane. We have two baddogs to contend with.
• He's really well-behaved at parties at the house. I mean, his head is at table level and yet no food disappears. But, if you're not a dog person, watch out. Jane has taught him the all-important guest lean whereas they both lean on the one guest that doesn't care for canine company.
• He loves to go for walks. When its time for his walk, he will push you towards his leash. If you're not careful, he'll push you down the stairs. However, I've taught him the all-important "go" command where he and Jane run full-speed down the stairs ahead of me. Sadly, I can't teach this to gramma and every morning I hear her outside my room telling him to stop pushing her as they walk down the stairs.
• He's become quite the digger. He can do both one paw and two paw digs, depending on the digging situation...quite the talent, let me tell you. Though, thankfully, he now likes to dig the hole and fill it back in.
• He's afraid of large treats he's never seen before. Seriously. Jane is happy to "help" him with the treats and show him how they are to be dealt with. I'm guessing the bully stick I left him is still in his food dish. Unless of course Jane figured out a way to move hers and his. She's crafty. She just might have.
• He likes A/C but hates fans. Even if its 100 degrees in my bedroom, he'll leave if I turn on the fan.
• He likes to "finish" Jane's breakfast, though, truth be told, Jane can move him out of his own food dish as well and he just lets her. Thankfully, no food agression has emerged.
• He's gone from a skinny ex-racer to a phatty chowhound who sticks by your side whenever you're in the kitchen, hoping for a tasty morsel to fall into his range. (We can thank grandma for this. She "drops" quite a bit.)
• And, lastly, he enjoys playing dress up. Jane would rather poke her own eyes out than have us put clothes on her. But, Dick just loves it. Maybe he's reminded of his racing silks.

Happy Birthday Dick!