We’ve always had 2 chessies – 1 male and 1 female. In 2015, we unexpectedly lost our male, and after about 7 months decided we were ready for another male. I submitted an application to CBRR&R – not for any particular dog, but just looking for one that wasn’t too big (80 lbs or so), friendly (we had recently had our share of shall we say “grumpy” chessies), and one that could tolerate our 1 ½ year old female. What I really wanted was a chessie that wouldn’t just tolerate Tillie, but would play with her. We didn’t want a puppy – something around 3 years old or perhaps a little older would be perfect. Before we heard back from CBRR&R, someone posted in the facebook group that a chessie needed a home as the terminally ill owner had to go into the hospital a little sooner than expected. After a whirlwind of emails, a few phone calls, faxes etc – we drove to New Hampshire the next weekend to pick up Roux. The idea was to foster him, to alleviate the immediate need. That first day was a bit rocky – but we understood the upheaval Roux had gone through. But on the fourth day, he and Tillie start wrestling and playing – and we were sold. With the approval of the previous owner, we adopted Roux.Roux had/has some issues. But all dogs do. He can be food and toy possessive. They told us not to even try to put him in a crate. What they didn’t tell us is that he can open doors – sliders and anything with a lever handle. That actually has become quite amusing. When he’s really tired – he can be really grumpy (who isn’t?). But what really stands out with Roux is how good he is with people. And he looks at them with those eyes – those soulful eyes that you can’t help but trust.So Roux is now a therapy dog. And although he can be toy possessive, particularly of tennis balls – he somehow knows that tennis balls on walkers do not belong to him. And Tillie taught him a crate isn’t necessarily a bad place. And he loves, loves, loves dock diving. He is up for trying just about anything. He went to chessie nationals last year and almost got the triple crown award (2 qualifying scores in rally, but he dropped a bar in agility). And even though he’s extremely gun shy, he tolerated being near the noise while Tillie was testing for her WD. But at the nursing home – nothing phases him. Fire alarms, bed alarms, oxygen compressors… I usually jump, but not him.
So we’ve had Roux for just over 3 years. When people compliment him, I tell him he came that way. His first home must have been awful, but his second owner must have been amazing (the man we got Roux from). Three years doesn’t seem like very long when I say it, but it feels as if Roux has been a part of our family for much longer. He just fits.
