Tim reads his weekly copy of The Lincoln County News with help from Grammy Sally Smith. (Erik Brobst photo)
The Stinky, Little Sir, Potato, Bubba. These are just a few of many, many names we have given this handsome boy who now allows us to share the house with him.
His real name is Tim, a perfect name given to just about the perfect dog. Brought back to the shelter twice before; when me, my brother, and my sister-in-law went to pick him up they told us to be absolutely sure we wanted him, in fear another return may affect his mental health. But one look at his face and we knew, this pup was going to not only live with us, but be the star of the house and any gathering we have in said house.
A pit/terrier mix, and a certified old man (we believe him to be 13 years of age), Tim is one of the most snuggly and relaxed dogs I have ever had the pleasure to be around.
Are there some issues? Of course, no dog or person is perfect. It is true that sadly he cannot for any reason be around other dogs without trying to harm them. The full reason is unclear (we have our theories) but we made proper adjustments on walks and around us.
Sure he is also a known blanket stealer and snores so loud sometimes that we have to adjust the TV volume. And, yes, as one can gleam from one of his nicknames, he can be rather stinky most days. I still wouldn’t have it any other way.
Walks with the boy have often proven the best stories of him. We live near Bath Iron Works and a lot of food or other tossed items are around the sidewalks … much to our dismay but to his upmost joy. When he prances around he is always on the hunt for what we have labeled “street bread” or he will spend two minutes on one spot of upturned dirt, what he smells we will never know.
The best example of him perhaps not being the smartest boy, however, has to be the time that upon one walk he successfully ate part of a days-old devil egg on the grass near the sidewalk. A deviled egg that had been there long enough you could tell other animals had saw it and deemed it too gross, while our boy only thought “how amazing is this going to be”
But at the end of the day what I truly will never tire of is his ability to always be ready for snuggles and love. If you are to put a blanket on yourself, understand that that is prime real estate from him to snuggle in his two favorite spots: between your legs, or in the nook of the back of your knee.
Just the other day, while I was feeling rather under the weather, I had switched positions on the couch to lie on my side. Noticing that he was no longer leaning against me, Tim adjusted himself as to lay exactly where my arm and chest meet, in what felt like holding a stuffed animal. Only this time it I was holding the relaxed, loved, and completely content Tim; something I hope to continue to do for years.
(“Paper Pets” spotlights the animal companions of Lincoln County News employees.)
