The Dog Who Thinks He's A Cat

Rick was full of beans on his walk today. We went out early and managed to get home before the rain arrived.  There are a lot of dogs around here, some he gets on with and others (like the two chocolate Labradors) we give a wide berth to. There are bins dotted about the estate to enable dog walkers to deposit their bags of dog poo and keep the pavements clean.  I just cannot understand dog owners who carefully scoop the poo into the little black bag, tie a neat knot, and then hang it from the nearest branch.  What the....  ? 

Anyway, one of Rick’s two favourite people when we are out is the guy from the council who empties the dog bins every day.  He is a giant, with a red beard in bright yellow day-glo waterproofs. Rick can spot him from a mile away and cannot contain his excitement. His other favourite person is Jim, an elderly gentleman who walks with a stick.  I think he is recovering from a stroke. Jim doesn’t say much but he and Rick greet each other like old friends.

Rick is without question a bit of a handful.  His barking sometimes drives us mad but it’s a small price to pay for the love and affection he gives us. He is the first dog I’ve ever met who expresses his pleasure by purring.  When he was in foster care he shared a home with several cats; I think they taught him how to do it.

I just love this scruffy, crazy mutt.