Oh you all are wonderful!

After failing trying to post the pictures I assumed the post would fall into oblivion (otherwise I would have asked Betaman to remove it - for some reason Tazzie Two could not use her/his moderating powers to delete the content of the post!). Anyway, Paddie and I have been busy getting ready to leave town so I did not check back until now - woops time out - Paddie likes to scratch scratch scratch . . . and scoot, scoot, scoot ??? Needless to say, I was surprised to see all your posts - Jerry, Wyatt (we share the same profile - I'll send you a pic of my profile sometime soon), Tazzie One, Maximutt, Gerry, Comet, Trouble, Maggie, OMD I should not have started because we can't end.

No big story - browsed rescues in the spring but wasn't really in the position to adopt. Met a few lovely candidates, but they despite spending over 2 years in rescue, they were scooped up before they could meet Pup the cat to see if they'd get along.

On May 30, anniversary of my father's passing, I kind of thought it was time for some new life (our family seems to have been at its 40 yr cycle of passings the last few years = ok long generation time here), so I went to the local pound to meet "Nacho". Also met Macchiato at another rescue, so might be a two-dog family if he is still hanging out at rescue when we return in July.

There was not a single moment the way there was with Orko (Tazzie's predecessor) or with Tazzie. In fact, little Nacho (now Paddie) sat snoozing on his cot until I called him! But when he joined me in the meeting room, he immediately jumped into my lap (a tad smaller than Tazzie or his photo suggests!).

I am just getting to know the little guy so we are just starting to have moments now, and in fact haven't even settled on a name. Certainly he is an affectionate and gentle guy, but weirdly well-behaved, at least for his estimated age of 1 & 1/2 yr. He is smaller than he looks - somewhere around a skinny 45 lbs (more border collie than shep sized - or half-grown shep). I think he gets along well with dogs but haven't had much chance to see that yet - he plays rough with ones he likes.

What matters to me in a dog is to have a good tail, shed excessively, be an incorrigible food hound. Having four legs was a drawback - I did meet a 3-legged but she just wasn't really ready for a new home yet.

His history: it sound as though he was passed around. Someone had a bigger dog they really liked, and not so keen on this guy so gave him away; then that person gave him away; and so on; not sure how he ended up at the pound because he is a velcro dog that has better recall than any dog I have ever seen regardless what name I use ("Hey You - Shortie - Paddie - Nacho - Lennie . . . little guy").

I hate to tell you this, Wyatt's pawrents, but so far Paddie is ridiculously well-behaved. Gentle, doesn't jump people at the door, barked and lunged at the cat once but was sleeping and playing with him within one day. And comes when he calls?!? He doesn't even pull on a leash?!?  What's with That, Tazzie might say! Given he is a velcro dog, I expected MAJOR MAJOR separation anxiety with him eating through the walls, but not any hint of that. I thought all dogs had separation anxiety! At least I will never ever forget drama queen Tazzie.

As for the name, initially he was giving bear hugs to everyone, such as the woman at the pound when we left, so that led to Paddington of course. But other names are still in the running: Shortie, Nacho, or Lenard (or Leonard as in Cohen) which I just learned was his first name.

We drive to Alberta tomorrow for fieldwork. He sits in the car quietly, no anxious pacing or drooling like Tazzie. His good behaviour is a bit freaky.

On the bright side, he is a food hound and will sneak downstairs to break into any food that is available. And I know he has a penchant for small vulnerable animals that would make Yoda proud. Not sure he would see it through though (hopefully not!). Did someone say - SQUIRRELS?!?!?!?!

Thanks everyone - hope you all are well

Susan of Tazzie Two

Thanks for the tip, cometdog  

a tattoo led the pound to find out about an initial vet visit with his first family, but there seems to be a big gap last year, probably when he was being passed around - he lingered at the pound for a month or so, not terribly long but long enough! time to start getting the attention he deserves! those pics were taken at the pound - I'll get some of my own soon.

Hello Y'all

Wyatt, aren't you going to bring your family to Canada sometime?

I like Leonard, but don't know what his association with the name Lenny is like - was he happy or mistreated then? Probably just ignored. He sure does answer to the name Lenny.

Apparently "Paddie the wanderer" is an extremely famous dog from New Zealand to the point where they have a statue erected in his honour many years after his death. Many will just think he is a drunken Irishman (main association of "Paddie") whilst others think of Paddington the bear.

We'll see - I'll give it a few days. Nacho doesn't sound so bad now, although I did not really like it at the start. I am horrible giving a dog a name!

Tazzie Two also had the long blonde look that tended to make most think he was female - it was not only the name!

Susan, Paddie and Pup (the cat) from a crappy motel in Moose Jaw - en route to Alberta