Animal Chatter
By Iris Winston
PHOTOS BY HANNAH LOPES
The toys all over the floor and under the chesterfield are the first indicator that there is a youngster in the house.
The happy smile and deep play bow tell more about this young dog’s joy in every moment. He is ready to play or snuggle at any time. A friendly paw frequently taps your arm to remind you that he is ready for a game, a walk, a stroke or simply a smile.
His love of life and his readiness to join in any activity are infectious. It is simply impossible to feel sad when Charlie is by your side.
I knew that was how it would be when I first saw him online. The photo on the rescue website was of a dark-haired beauty with his head resting on the ground between his paws. I searched other rescue sites but kept returning to this dog. I was captivated by the look in his eyes that seemed to say “Take me.”
When I wasn’t looking at his photo, I still saw his image in my mind’s eye. I had no doubt that this was the dog who would fill the hole in my heart left when my 12-year-old Irish setter died. I felt incomplete without a dog by my side. I just knew that Charlie, a border collie/Australian shepherd cross would bring a smile to my face every day.
And so it has been from the day he moved in. Charlie, always gentle and joyful, is a constant delight. He is ready to begin each day chasing squirrels or birds around the backyard or meeting up with new and old friends on our morning walks. He is equally happy playing with his next-door neighbours—an exuberant young labrador retriever one side and an older border collie cross on the other.
Generally quiet at home between play times and toy scattering, he also has regular youthful attacks of the zoomies, rushing around with a stuffed toy or ball. There is occasionally a moment or two of worry as the favoured ball of the day rolls under a piece of furniture. He looks to me to find it, confident that I won’t disappoint him.
He is generous about sharing his toys with visiting dogs, with the exception of the newest ball, stuffy or Benebone, which he hides away for a day or two.
He tries hard to listen to commands, but, sometimes, it seems just so hard to be good. You can almost see him gearing himself up to do the right thing—most often not to give into temptation and run after the cat—and sometimes just being unable to restrain himself. Rufus periodically shows slight irritation with Charlie and puts him in his place with a bat of his paw (claws never out). But Rufus still follows along when we walk, as he always did with my Irish setter, and he and Charlie often sleep together overnight, so we are heading towards harmony.
Outings, especially those that begin with a car ride, are worth two paws up for Charlie. He sits quietly, happy to see the world passing by and assuming that we will find a good place for a walk and maybe even meet a new person or dog. As far as he’s concerned, strangers, whether they have two or four legs, are just friends he hasn’t met before.
Occasionally, he’s a little wary if another dog doesn’t return his wag immediately, sticking close by me, while he waits for the right signal from the other animal. Once or twice he has been uncomfortable enough by an encounter at the local dog park to head for the exit, looking over his shoulder to make sure I am following him. I always do as bidden. We understand each other.
I look forward to enjoying Charlie’s companionship as he passes through every stage of our lives together.
Almonte, Ontario, writer Iris Winston is a former executive director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. She has been an animal lover all her life. Her pets have always been important members of her family.
