Meet the new Official TUAK Dog!

Introducing Tobie.


Tobie is – well, they say 1 year old but I think much younger, 30ish pounds, the result of a shepherd mating with something rather smaller than a shepherd.


I got tired of waiting for my next dog to come to me, and so Neighbor L drove me to a shelter in the big town about 50 miles away.


There I met a whole bunch of traumatized dogs who did not want to be my friend, a few hyper dogs who too enthusiastically wanted to be my friend, and Tobie.

And Tobie is a sweetheart. I have no idea what he’s been doing with his life: He’s perfectly healthy and happy, but appears to have no useful life experience at all. The one skill he has down pat is passive-aggressive: When faced with a demand that he do something scary he lies down and goes completely limp. But he doesn’t get unpleasant when you insist. I think he’s already seeing possibilities in the Jeep.

We got back to the Lair after altogether too long a day: He balked at the porch stairs and we had to have a patient little lesson until he’d give it a try. He had no problem with food and water, though – At his age he understands that.


And then he carefully studied every inch of the Lair…


…with emphasis on any part that seemed to suggest “more food”…


…and then he came over and wanted to be petted more. So far he hasn’t made a single sound.

We went for a tour of the pee path, and pretty soon we’re going to try the Jeep again.

Aaand he just copiously threw up on my living room rug. Have to go clean up a mess now. More later.

About Joel

You shouldn't ask these questions of a paranoid recluse, you know.
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28 Responses to Meet the new Official TUAK Dog!

  1. John says:

    Awesome. Good looking dog! And the adventures begin 🙂

  2. M says:

    Those eyes. Congratulations on the addition.

  3. Claire says:

    Oh, Joel. I’m delighted for you — and Tobie. (Other than the throwing up, I mean.)

    I foresee many great dog-and-his-human stories to come.

  4. Robert says:

    Good on the both of you!

  5. Brian says:

    But…can the lad herd cattle?

    Years of fun and companionship for the both of you, we all pray.

  6. winston smith says:

    My sincere congratulations to the both of you. I foresee many many happy years and stories in your futures.

  7. Joe says:

    Congrats on the dog sir. I wanted to also mention that I have a screen shot of Brad Torgeson giving Ian and Forgotten Weapons a mention on his Facebook

  8. Ben says:

    Great news! Hello Tobie.

  9. Mark Matis says:

    Agree with Brian. And how is he with snakes???

  10. Thirty-to-forty pounds is a great range, especially as we get a bit older and tottery.

    Sounds like a good start. You can always say that on your first night together you drank until one of you puked.

  11. Joel says:

    And how is he with snakes???

    We’re probably going to find out before long. The bull snakes are common as flies so far this spring.

  12. The Old Man says:

    Hermit my posterior. You’re a normie judging by a standard that er, bears a striking resemblance to me… You have always missed Laddie due to his abrupt departure. And Tobie ‘sharing’ his food with the Lair is a one-time occurrence. God bless both of you.

  13. Terrapod says:

    Congratulations and you are a smarter man than I. Took in a new puppy 2 months old, now she is at 6 months and boy they are a great pile of fun and frustration. Toby is going to be fine, has the right attitude for the Gulch. Did you ask the shelter what they were feeding him? A sudden change in diet and the stress of a new environment are probably what triggered the rainbow. Look forward to new dog tails, ah, tales that is.

  14. doubletrouble says:

    Hooray!

  15. Joel says:

    Did you ask the shelter what they were feeding him? A sudden change in diet and the stress of a new environment are probably what triggered the rainbow.

    They were pretty smart about that, actually. Sent me home with a bag of what he’s used to, so I can transition him to … well, something better actually.

  16. PaulB says:

    Good to hear you took the plunge. Dogs are great companions,

    May you and Tobie have several years together

  17. R says:

    This is the best news all week!

  18. Michael says:

    Delightful. Here’s to your new companion, cheers

  19. Phil says:

    I’m glad to see you get a new companion Joel.
    Talking to yourself is OK in small doses but it’s nice to have another being to interact with.
    IMO, just looking at Tobie, I see JEEP DOG writ large.

  20. Spud says:

    Rescue dogs , can be frustrating. Yet oh so devoted. Once they figure out that you’re their alpha forever , and not going to be abandoned again. They give devotion unlimited !
    Happy trails to ya both .

  21. Mark Matis says:

    Are you starting him on the RIGHT water? Or does he get to drink from the well???

  22. coloradohermit says:

    Happy dance! Welcome to the family Tobie!

  23. Joel says:

    Or does he get to drink from the well???

    I try to limit my serious mistakes to one time each. Tobie will drink the same water I do, unless he finds the toilet bowl. And that little bit won’t hurt him.

  24. I’m glad you have found yourself a new companion. Of course, the universe being what it is, you’ll find another soon. 🙂

    Pet the pooch for me.

  25. Klaus says:

    Glad to see a new partner in crime has moved in. A little extra patience may be needed and I agree with Spud they can be frustrating for a bit. Once they realize they are in your pack you good. Rescue dogs can be the most loyal. We foster rescued GSPs so shelters aren’t involved unless they are being rescued from a shelter that is. Couldn’t imagine life without dogs running around in it. Here’s to happy days ahead in the gulch.

  26. makerofgames says:

    Hello Tobie! Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy!

  27. mattexian says:

    I’m glad to hear you have a new fuzzy buddy at the Lair. I see from later posts that he’s settling in well to his new domestic life.

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