Grizzly : Cole Gets another Nickname
Everyone who meets our dog Cole has a different impression of what he resembles and what breed he may be. The funny thing is that almost every comparison that we have heard appears or at least could be correct. Since he was supposed to be a miniature schnauzer but has grown into an 85 pound giant shaggy puppy we obviously do not know his heritage. People have said he was a Black Labrador, A Giant Schnauzer, A Black Labradoodle, A Irish Wolf hound, and combinations of all those breeds. He does appear to be a mix of all of the above. People have also told us that he reminds them of a large black Grover from Sesame Street, a long limbed black monkey, a drunken sailor who flails arms & legs before collapsing into a deep sleep, Cole the Big Black Dog (like Clifford the big red dog), a hairy black sock puppet, a black stallion, a lump of a dog, a big dust mop, or in my case Huck Finn (Tom Sawyer’s best friend). One new comparison however occurs when something of special interest is in the distance like we experienced on a recent walk in the Hills of Hocking. We were on a lovely hiking path which usually heightens Coles sensitivity to his environment and he nervously runs from side to side sniffing everything and touching trees, moss, stay leaves, fallen twigs and everything else of interest with his big black nose. All of a sudden he must have sensed something of great excitement in the distance through the dense yet barren trees. Cole raised himself on two legs as if he was a giant Grizzly Bear sneering at some intruder before combat begins. He held that pose, standing tall on two legs, peering deep in the woods, ready for any required action. Perfectly balanced like a warrior captured in a great painting .This alerted his brother, Bart, who cannot stand on his powerful hunches and appeared jealous, annoyed, but in a nervous frenzy sensing something could require his involvement. As Cole stood straight up he is an imposing height of almost six feet . The amazing aspect of Cole rearing up on his hind legs is that he not only can hold the stance but actually walks a few steps, on two legs, in order to get an even better look. Cole had used this stance a few times before but deep in the forest he certainly deserved Grizzly to be added to his long list of nicknames. *of course I am unable to get a photo as I never know when he is going to do this and he refuses to do on command, actually he does very little on commend.
Cole’s Facial Expressions:
There is something just irresistible about the usual expression and countenance exhibited by my furry friend Cole the big black lump of a dog. His normal position is seated directly in front of me wherever I am and he moves as I do. Sitting with his hind legs folded beneath his big body and his long front legs stretched out in front of him. His head is raised with those round black eyes looking right into mine or waiting for me to look at him. His expression is that of a three year old looking up into Santa’s eyes on his lap for the first time. It is a look of wide-eyed complete trust, dependency, helplessness, bewilderment ,or patiently waiting for instructions and guidance as if asking “what should I do for you now”. He does not wine, bark or generally annoy me but stares at me wondering what comes next. He may wants me to say “walk, “treat” “out” or “give Daddy a kiss” at which time he puts his wet black nose on mine and gives me a gentle lick as if to say “Thanks for everything, Dad”. How can I ever be mad at this lovable companion with this simple look usually on his face? It takes great effort not to spoil him, too much. I knew that I had gone too far when my wife said to me “Tom, you don’t have to apologize to the dog for making him get off your chair.
Insights: Overheard Conversation between two adopted brothers- Cole and Bart
Bart “Let’s go see what Mom & Dad are doing.”
Cole “huh?”
Bart “Get up! Let’s go see what Mom & Dad are doing.”
Cole “What, Where do you want to go? I’m resting comfortably.”
Bart “Com’on let’s go, time to move, you big slow lug, get that lazy butt going or if there are treats to eat you won’t get any.”
Cole” What kind of treats”
Bart “ I don’t know but Mom always has treats.”
Cole “Ok I am right behind you”
Bart “Look out the window, I think I see Dad, let’s go outside, no that’s not Dad but something is moving out there that should be investigated” “ Hey look that door is closed, is Dad in there?” “Let’s find out.”
Cole “I thought we were going for treats”
Bart “Oh yeah, latter”, “What the hey, no one is in here” “Is Dad away or hiding from us”
“Let’s check the other room” “Look out this window, I think I see Dad, no that is a Deer, A DEER COLE QUICK TELL MOM!, COLE A DEER, A DEER, I THINK HE IS POPPING IN OUR YARD!”
Cole “WHERE IS THE DEER? I DON’T SEE HIM! ARE YOU SURE?”
Bart “DON’T YELL AT ME YOU BIG LAZY THING, I’LL BEAT YOU BUTT”
COLE “OH YEAH, LET’S SEE WHO IS THE LITTE BABY BROTHER.”
BART “ I’M OLDER THAT YOU ARE AND EVEN THOUGH I’M SMALLER I AM A MUCH BETTER FIGHTER.”
COLE “ LET’S SEE HOW STRONG YOU ARE YOU LITTLE ANT.”
BART “ OK THAT’S IT, I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU THAT THIS LITTLE ANT CAN WHIP SOME BIG WORM.”
Bart “HEY LOOK, HE’S GONE NOW, I SCARED HIM OFF. Cole, WOULN’T YOU LIKE TO CATCH HIM? I WOULD. WILL DAD LET ME OUTSIDE? I THINK HE WILL. I HOPE HE WILL”
Cole “ Bart,Let’s get those treats you told me about”
Bart “OK, Where did I say Mom was? Oh yeah, in the kitchen.”
Bart “Hey there is the door, maybe we can go out and look for that Deer.” “Why are you sitting at the table?”
Cole “ I want that treat, and Dad usually gives me something good when I behave like this and not jump around like a lunatic. I don’t mean to cast aspersions but you are quite hyperactive and run around like that kid Catcher looking for chocolate.”
Bart “Cole you big dummy, Mom isn’t even in here so you won’t get any treat.”
Cole “ If you don’t stop acting like some wild animal Mom will put you on that thing that makes you run but you don’t go anywhere”.
Cole “Well I think I will just lay down and rest now.”
Bart “Well I’m going to run and find Mom or Dad. I’ll let you know when I locate them. I’ll call out to you and you can come but I’m not going to sit still when there are many things we don’t know. Once Mom and Dad go into their reading & snoozing chairs we can rest but until then the search and actions for attention are on”
Cole “Whatever.”
