Once upon a time there was a dog.... a unique and very special dog. He could anticipate what I needed before I knew I needed it. He was a comedian. A genius in a clown suit. Whether we were in the conformation ring winning AKC and SKC championships, winning his obedience title, pheasant hunting with the family, loafing in front of the wood stove, or being filmed by the producers of the old Babe Winkleman outdoor series as a rare breed pointing retriever, he gave 110%. When I taught obedience classes, he was my demo dog and he never let me down. He allowed my baby grandsons to use him for everything from a pillow to support for walking. He played gently with my nieces and nephews. He was that once-in-a-lifetime dog, and when he died at my feet after flawlessly returning a training dummy, part of me died. I lost the heart for showing, grooming, and training dogs. I was done. I thought.
Through the years we’ve had other dogs. Ken just can’t live in a house without one. And I liked them all, but not as much as I loved that amazing Flatcoat. Maybe I was trying to make them into him, and simply couldn’t give up to them that hidden part of me that they deserved. Until now. An Irish Wolfhound was a 40 year dream in the making and our beloved Fiona has far exceeded all of our expectations. She’s a gem in a big doggie body and I just can’t imagine our lives without her. I adore her. I know she won’t be another genius, but she sure has the “clown” part down! And now this new little guy has come to add his own special spark to the family. How did we get so lucky with what will most likely be the last dogs of our lifetimes?
For two weeks I tried to decide on a name for the puppy that was joining us. I threw out name after name. Nothing fit. Tam and Ken and friends offered dozens of suggestions. Nope. So I figured I’d wait until he got here and maybe then something would click. Nope. Either I hated it or Tam hated it or Ken hated it. He was destined to be LittleNoName - until I gave him his bath today. The moment I wrapped his fluffy little body in a warm towel his name just slapped me across the face. I’d seen that pose and that intelligent, intense but oh-so-gentle face before. I know now why I wasn’t satisfied with any other choices - God or Fate, or whatever other force was out there, was waiting for my brain to tell my heart that this was the time to open wide that hidden corner Fiona had already wiggled her way into. LittleNoName has a name, and he’s Rueben James. It’s not a name I’d share lightly, and the new RJ has a mighty big pair of paws to fill. But his face tells me he’s got it nailed, and Rueben James (the elder) looks like he approves.
View attachment 2054615
AKC/SKC Ch. Norwynd’s Rueben James CD. Little Rueben James
to your husband.
Folks in Wyoming and Wendover felt it. One of our daughters felt it. Said table shaking hanging lights swinging..we are in the same town, but it was miles away from us. Power out in the area it happened, plus water leaks. Guess those water bottles will come on handy for some.
.
