Three years ago today, Rick and I set out for the SPA (animal rescue center). We were thinking of maybe getting a dog for Philippe, our local bum who had lost his dog. We'd read of a two-year old female, Mina.
We'd wanted a dog, but were reluctant because of the amount we traveled. If Philippe didn't want the dog we could keep her. We had said definitely an older female that wouldn't have to be housebroken and we might outlive her in case she ended up as ours.
At the rescue center, which we had great difficulty finding, they said they didn't have a female named Mina. It might be the other rescue center. "However, we have other dogs."
The girl went behind a counter and pulled out a three-month old male puppy. "This is Spider. It's his first day available. He's been here a month."
Spider started kissing me. Rick said at that moment he knew we wouldn't leave without him.
It wasn't quite that simple. There was paper work equal to a bank mortgage.
On the way home he vomited as we discussed different names. A best friend is afraid of spiders so the name would not do. We talked about having a Facebook naming contest.
SHERLOCK! The name came to me from nowhere as we neared home.
We both knew it fit my being a mystery writer. It turned out to fit him because he investigates everything.
He sauntered into our flat. We had a stuffed toy that we gave him. He grabbed it, and hid it between our bed and the wall. This would become his horde where all toys and treats are taken. If we put them away he will take out the one he wants to play with. He still puts his toys away SOMETIMES.
He made a hit in the village. When we go out without him, people ask where he is. If he is with us, they greet him before noticing we are on the other end of the leash.
One summer, he was part of a walking club, that we weren't. More than one person has collected him to take on their walks. He blew it with one woman when he refused to go in a direction he wanted to go -- to the Château Valmy rather than toward the river.
We've learned his vocabulary...different barks for different things. He understands English and French to the point that we need to spell certain words W-A-L-K for example or G-L-A-C-E or P-L-A-G-E or B-E_A_C_H. I worry someday he might learn to spell too.
He will come to the command Come or Vien and a hand held up (maybe because he knows there's a biscuit in it).
My daughter has changed her estimation of him from pampered to spoiled. I don't see why just because we consider part of our daily chores is X-number of hours of lap time. Still, she has sent him toys, including one of his favorites Lambchop.
Pre-virus when we traveled we used trustedhousesitters.com and in the process made friends with people from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England and more. This was a plus we didn't expect.
We always figured because everyone in the village knows Sherlock we would hear of any mistreatment. That was never the case. Sherlock just took the housesitters in as part of his fan club.
We've laughed at his antics, loved his sweetness, from time to time been annoyed at his stubbornness. He has enriched our lives and probably taken the place of children we will never have. Yes he sleeps on our bed and sometimes in it.
I am amazed at how much love 6.6 Kilos of fur, muscle and bone can generate. I do hope Mina found a good home.
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