Rowdy

This perfect boy turned 14 a few days ago.

It’s not every day a dog turns 14. I’ve been struggling for two days to write something that fully captures Rowdy.

And, I’m sort of giving up! I can’t do it! Every time I start, I think of more things I want to say about him, more things I love about him, more quirks he has, more superlatives to heap on him. I get tongue-tied, and my usual effusive vocabulary vanishes into ether. Instead, let me just spam a bunch of dog pictures at you and I’ll gush.

Rowdy originally belonged to my grandparents. I have known him since he was a wee puppy – the latest in a long line of Shih Tzus they owned. His official name, on his official Kennel Club Certificate (certifying his pure Shih Tzu breeding) is Justa Rowdy Boy. He goes by Rowdy, Rowds, Big R, Rowdster, Lil’ Rowdy, Peach Pit, Peaches, Chicken Noodle Soup, Noodles, Borkums, Sir Borksalot, Stinkbreath, and a hundred other nicknames depending on Lona’s mood.

He likes to play, especially with his favorite toy, Lambchop. Rowds first stayed with Lona when my grandparents went to Florida and discovered their condo allowed two cats – or a dog and a cat – but NOT two dogs. The new puppy, Snickers, was still bonding with my grandparents, so Rowds was shipped back to Kansas City and became Lona’s companion during her time living alone, working for the KC Film Festival. He helped keep her sane, and the two became fast friends.

A few years later, with my grandma unable to give Rowdy all the care and attention he needed (and clearly deserved), he came to us. He settled into life in St. Louis pretty quickly. Here, he enjoys himself at the annual Purina Pet Parade in Soulard.

He has become the most treasured part of our household. He travels with us wherever we go, and enjoys his walks around the neighborhood. He is spoiled with an extreme amount of treats and an even more extreme amount of love from Lona and I.

His vacations include a trip to Table Rock Lake, which he did NOT enjoy. Rowds hated the water. BUT, there was a large female dog living next door, named Ellie. Rowds LOVES large female dogs. When Ellie came on the dock, Rowdy practically pranced. His tail perked up, and he had eyes only for her. Unfortunately, he did not walk where he was going and plunged straight into the lake.

Later, he sneezed too hard on the deck and pulled a muscle in his leg. Poor Rowdy had to limp around on three paws for the next month or so. Suffice to say, he is not a fan of the lake.

He loves holidays, though. Look how horrifying he is on Halloween! He enjoys frightening trick or treaters.

He gets into the spirit of things at Thanksgiving. Wiped out and time for a nap on top of a clean plate.

Rowdy is less fond of winter. Especially snow. He would like to go inside, please.

He has many dog friends. Someone made the mistake of touching the dog treats, drawing the instant attention of Max, Tucker, and Rowds. He waits patiently for his turn, though – he is a good boy.

Sometimes, I think Rowdy misses Snickers. He went back to visit her once – she rode him like a pony and later (pictured) defeated him in mortal combat. He enjoyed playing with his much younger sister, but she exhausts him. I think Rowds was happy to get back to his own house.

His other hobbies include photography – Lona’s influence, no doubt.

For me, Rowdy is always associated with Papa. I can’t disentangle the two in my mind. Every time he barks at me because I am insufficiently speedy and generous with the treat supplies, I can hear Papa’s gruff voice growling in my ear, “You bein’ mean to my dawg?”

I’m so, so grateful that Rowdy is a part of my life. I love him so much.

Sometimes, his little dog body can’t contain all the beauty that is his tongue, and it leaks out a tiny bit.

This happens a lot.

Our little family would not be complete without Rowds. I know that everyone thinks that their dog is the best dog in the world. I know it’s impossible to put into words how special Rowdy is, or how much my heart overflows for him.

So, imagine how you feel about your dog, or your pet. Such is Rowds, to me.

He likes us, too. Every afternoon he would insist that we go outside and wait for Lona to get home from work. He would sit, enjoy the sun, and watch the neighborhood – but when she got back he was instantly ready to go back inside.

Once there, he would take a well-deserved rest from being so perfect all the time.

Happy birthday, Rowds. I love you.