A Thanksgiving Rottweiler

On Thanksgiving Day, 2007, a large but malnourished rottweiler appeared at the home of a dog-loving couple in the Shenandoah Valley. They own a boxer and were watching the neighbors' dogs at the same time, so the straying rottie must have figured it was a likely place to hang out. The home is situated near an exit on Interstate 81 and most likely the dog was dumped by his prior owners. These kind folks took in the dog, called him Buddy, and put him up in an outdoor kennel that their boxer didn't use. He had access to a warm workshop, shelter from the elements, and three square meals a day. This undoubtedly represented a big increase in the dog's standard of living. But he was still thin, had a large goiter-like growth on his neck, needed medical attention, and needed a permanent home.

I was never real clear on the connection, but they knew someone who knew someone who knew me. I got an email from them and eventually, Clay and I made a trip up there and brought Buddy home. It was close to Christmas when we got him, so we called him Nick. The growth on the neck wasn't serious and it was removed along with his testicles. He recovered fully, put on weight, and grew into an absolutely gorgeous rottweiler. He was sweet, friendly, and playful, a typical rottie. Unfortunately, rottweilers tend to attract 10 times as many bad adopters as good ones. Their popularlity with drug dealers gave them a bad reputation that brings out an irrational fear in otherwise rational people who would make good adopters. So many people who do want them are not people I will adopt to, and I don't.

It's not unusual to have a rottie for 6 months to a year, sometimes more, before finding a good home. Nick was lucky, however. His adopter appeared just a couple of months later. She had lost a big male rottie and was looking to fill a void that only another rottie can fill. She actually runs a shelter and rescue operation herself, she lives in the country, and was a perfect match for the dog all the way around.

Nick now lives with cats, other dogs, and even horses. He goes to work at the shelter every day and teaches young male dogs appropriate manners. He is a goodwill ambassador for the breed, but mostly he is a loving companion for his new owner. She is equally devoted to him. That's just about as good as it gets for a dog, or a person. Nick got yet another new name, Griff, but he is too busy loving life to worry about what someone calls him. Just don't call him late for dinner.

When I picked up mail from the post office after our recent Thanksgiving trip to Kentucky, I had a card and a check from the folks who found Buddy/Nick/Griff at their door last year. They have kept in touch with me and are thrilled that he found such a wonderful home. It is people like them, and Griff's new owner, who keep my glimmer of faith in humanity alive.