He's not exactly an attractive dog. His fur is smooth on his head and legs, and wiry on his body, making his shape something like a tiny albino hyena. His tail - oh, just wait 'til I get a photo of his tail. It sticks straight out the back, with no pleasing curl to it at all.
What the hell kind of terrier mix is he? His ears say Jack Russell; his terrible fur says rat.
He's way too skinny. His skin is black though his fur is white. He has a high-pitched voice. Good Lord! He's Michael Jackson!
But oh, how we love him already. He's just perfect.
And he seems to love us. He learned his new name in a matter of hours, blogfolk - as if he couldn't wait to shed himself of an old life.
Chatty Owner told me that Sammy's very first owners beat him with a baseball bat, and that for that reason he favors one front leg. That's a sad story, but if it's really true, it hasn't affected his present outlook. He doesn't favor any leg at all, and he's absolutely trusting of anybody, wielding any size object, anywhere near his precious body. Last night I was shaking out fresh garbage bags for the cans. Daisy, the Pomeranian, hates this ritual. It's too startling for her. She made herself scarce. But Sammy stuck close and watched with curiosity.
He admires Daisy. They are not pals yet, but she lets him pay homage to her great beauty. Then he chases her around the house. And when she gets tired of him she jumps up on the couch and won't let him join her until he settles down.
All in all, it's going well. We see the vet this Friday. Chatty Owner assured us he has "tags" that prove he's current on his shots, but she hasn't brought them by yet. And as it never seemed to occur to her that one ought to have a dog neutered to keep him from reproducing, we're not going to take her word.
Wiry hair and all, he looks pretty darned cute.
Posted by: Rhea | August 18, 2006 at 08:01 AM
I hate to say it, but it looks like someone Photoshopped the head of Eddie the Dog (RIP) onto the body of Eris-knows-what.
Cute? Talk amongst yourselves!
Posted by: Anthony | August 18, 2006 at 10:19 AM
We're just at the end of month three with our adopted dog. It had been 30 years since I'd lived with one. What amazingly resilient creatures they are.
Posted by: Dan | August 18, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Our sammy is ruggedly handsome, and very affectionate. I am already gone.
Posted by: BB | August 19, 2006 at 10:02 AM
Wait a minute... you adopted another dog??
He's cute in that "only a mother could.." kind of way. Loyal, loving and attached already. These are all good things. congrats.
Yep, sounds like we will have to do a dog and coffee walk sometime this fall. (how about after I get back from Illinois).
Posted by: Debra | August 19, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Excuse me, he is absolutely gorgeous! Those eyes! That head! Do you mind if I had his photo to my desktop screensaver?
Posted by: Daisy | August 20, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Woo hoo! Chasing Daisy is a charter member in Sammy's fan club!
Posted by: pam | August 20, 2006 at 01:29 PM
All I can say is: "Mars Attacks"!
Cognoscenti will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about....
Posted by: Anthony | August 21, 2006 at 05:42 AM
He looks slightly like a Border Terrier, but not quite.
Posted by: Shannon | August 24, 2006 at 07:32 PM
Maybe I'll get Bunny to do a comprehensive examination of all the different kinds of terriers, and really figure out what he could be.
Posted by: pam | August 25, 2006 at 06:46 AM