By Bill Rauch
Living out on the farm, as I have mentioned previously here, we take in stray pups. Some are true “rescues,” like Lucky Duck and Dingo. And some are giveaways (to us) like Jack and T-bird.
The sad events of the week have got me thinking about Jack and T-bird.
Jack is middle-aged and T-bird is an old man. Interestingly, without having watched television nor having ever become jealous via Instagram of what some other cooler canine might have, both are uncannily of their respective generation.
Both are handsome male pointers. Both are good – sometimes unmatched — in front of a crowd when they are doing their thing, which is of course finding and pointing game birds. Both are probably from exotic bloodlines, but since they are house dogs too, those credentials don’t count for much here. They, like the rest of us, are simply Americans now.
That’s where the similarities end.
Social media generation Jack is brash and quick to exert himself. To him, it is a matter of honor that he be the first one through every doorway and he shoves his way forward to be sure he is. Sometimes Alpha Jack picks fights with the other dogs just for sport, especially when the dinner bowls start being rattled. When the food comes out, he eats his in a flash and then looks to see who’s around that he can chase off their dinner. He craves attention. But when he gets it, he is distant. Enough is never quite enough. He spends his days hanging around the house looking for more.
Jack sometimes barks about things unseen. He is an angry young man. The bitches love him.
T-bird, the old man, laps up love. But rarely does he ask for it. When the dinner dishes are rattling, he slips into another room to make sure he will be last in line at the buffet table. On the unusual occasion that he hasn’t gotten out in time and is attacked by Jack, his fighting style is superbly defensive. T-bird would never pick a fight. He is a lover. To him the glass is joyfully half full. Although his square jaw, engaging eyes and graceful gaits remind us every day that he is one handsome guy, from his countenance you would never suspect he knows it. He spends his days ranging around the farm enjoying nature’s countless bounties.
I have never heard T-bird bark. He’s the strong, silent type. The bitches love him.
We love Jack and T-bird too. Our household is big enough for the both of them … and more.
R.I.P. Charlie Kirk and Bob Redford.
Bill Rauch was the Mayor of Beaufort from 1999 to 2008 and has won multiple awards from the S.C. Press Association for his Island News columns. He can be reached at TheRauchReport@gmail.com.
