April 15, 2004

Pet of the Week: Bogart

There have been a lot of changes for one small dog in Almaden valley lately. Stan and Roma Rhamy adopted the 12-year-old canine after his owner died and the husband could no longer keep him. The acclimation proved difficult at first; new home, new people and a cat that would rather not live with another four legged critter; even one as appealing as the crème colored Bogart.

But things are looking up for the long, short legged, barrel-chested canine; known as a Dandy Dinmont Terrier. In fact, Bogart has the run of the house.

“The dog's not trained, I am.” Stan laughs as the dog follows after him wagging a short tail.

Terrier is derived from the Latin terra , meaning earth, and is descriptive of the original purpose of the breed: to hunt down small game and dig it out of burrows. They are known for being highly inquisitive, intelligent and good companions.

Bogart's favorite playthings are a heart and a bone that he carries around the Rhamy's house continuously squeaking. Sometimes, he even takes them to bed with him.

Bogart, named after his first guardians, who watched a certain actor playing the main role in the movie “Casablanca,” even talks. Looking up with large expressive brown eyes the canine utters short whines and warbles very human-like, begging for cookies or other favorite treats. Or maybe he's just trying to imitate his namesake.

And apparently Bogart knows he has a good home. One day he wandered outside to the front lawn. No one noticed he was gone for an hour and then went on a frantic search for the little heart stealer. There the family found him, lying on the grass on the front lawn waiting to be discovered by his new family.

Bogart has been at his new digs for over a month now and he's adjusted just fine. He has a new puppy haircut for the warmer weather. He sleeps wherever he wants. There's food when he's hungry and affectionate petting from the family. And he's even charmed a new friend—the family cat.

—By Jeanne C. Lewis

Photo by Jeanne C. Lewis

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