Snap By Snap

Elroy is now Banjo. He did not know his name, so renaming wasn't a problem and he now readily answers to Banjo. He is learning quickly - he's mostly housebroken, knows how to sit, comes to a clicker or whistle and mostly to "come!" But he is indeed a strong willed terrier. He has had few moments of aggressive barking and training is in full swing. We think he might be a Yorky/Mountain Goat cross, because he climbs everywhere - the back of the couch, the table if he can get there, and from footrest to footrest across the living room couch and chairs.

Or maybe he's a little known kind of terrier - Insect Terrier. Flies, June bugs, or anything that flies is hunted down with single minded determination. He also loves to chase the water from the hose across the yard. On the hot days we've had, this has been loads of fun!

A new family member is an adventure. We don't know all of his history, and he does come with a little baggage. Was he abused? Frightened? At just three months of age he was found wandering on the south side of Indianapolis and taken to Animal Care and Control. His family, if he had one, had just four days to find him before he would be slated to euthanasia. No one came for him. Fortunately, Rescue Farm regularly checks the shelter for adoptable dogs who are slated to be euthanized, and they picked up the unnamed pup and took him to their shelter. Unlike the overwhelmed county facility, they believe in naming their dogs, and so they gave him the name Elroy. We are grateful for their work - in the process of finding Banjo we read the stories of dozens of dogs in their care. Some had homes they were happy in, only to have their families abandon them due to life circumstances. Some grew up in puppy mills or with abusive owners. Rescue work is not for the faint of heart, but I'm so glad they do what they do so that Banjo's bright spark was not lost.

Obedience classes begin for Banjo (or for us?) today, back at Petsmart. Rescue Farms will be there again, with another van full of dogs that need loving homes. It's probably better that I not look too closely - Banjo is all we can handle. But maybe next summer there will be another Elroy for us???