DOGTOBERFEST

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

October is an extra special month for dogs in the Little House On The Swamp because Franklin joined our family in October, 2010, and Penelope arrived in October, 2015. In today's edition of Dogtoberfest, we'll focus on Franklin.

In 2010, Franklin was a stray dog living in a park with another dog. A woman who drove by the park each day wanted a watch dog, so she stopped to pick up Franklin and his pal. She kept Franklin's friend and gave Franklin to her elderly parents, who provided him with his name and veterinary care. 

Franklin was not content at their home. He was expected to live in the backyard. He is much too sociable for that, so he jumped over the fence regularly to run to their daughter's home nearby. He wanted to be with his friend from the park. His new parents felt Franklin was too wild for them and sought a new home.

I was fortunate to be the person who could provide that home. I've never regretted adding Franklin to our little family. He is sweet and gregarious. He barks enough to frighten strangers, but he welcomes friends. Faulkner, the collie Franklin refers to in some blog posts as The Original Dog, had died that summer. Franklin helped to ease my grief.

Franklin was frightened the day he arrived, though. My son carried him to the backyard and he took off running. I knew he was looking for a place to jump over the fence and discovered the fence was too tall for that. 

Then he saw the late great Harper. They exchanged a look and a playful jump. A bromance was born.

Harper taught Franklin how to go up the steps to the deck. Then he taught Franklin about going potty in the yard. Harper and Franklin were buddies until Harper's death in 2015.

After finding a friend in Harper, Franklin was able to befriend me toward the end of his first day in our home. He showed his affection by licking my toes. He also learned basic commands quickly, or maybe he'd had a bit of training in the past.

Scout was part of our family at that time.

Scout was a friend to no other dog. He was a grumpy alpha male. As my daughter used to tell him, Scout, I don't think you're a bastard. You're just kind of a son-of-a bitch.

Scout never gave Franklin a hard time. The two of them didn't interact. Scout must have sensed that Franklin was no threat to Scout's iron rule of dogdom.

Franklin also gained a boon companion when I met Sweet Cheeks in 2013. Every weekend, Sweet Cheeks spends some time with Franklin on the floor, where they cuddle and talk.

I often say that Franklin is made out of love. He's devoted and sensitive to my needs, and I to his, I hope. Sweet Cheeks has commented that Franklin, Penelope, and I are in tune with each other. 

I love my boy so much. His fur is long. It's as soft as velvet where I like to stroke his head.  He still loves my toes and will sometimes steal a sandal or a slipper from me. He never chews on them. He licks them a little, and might sneak one outside when he gets the chance.

Franklin is also a blogger extraordinaire, as most of you already know.

Thank you for your interest in Franklin over the years. If he met you, he'd give you kisses and sit on your foot.

More Dogtoberfest coming up.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug  

P.S. I had a bad feeling about Hurricane Ian. The horrible storm has devastated so much of Florida. I'm sure you've seen photos in the news. Ian was a tropical storm when it reached my city, and it was the weakest tropical storm I've seen. Other than having some branches down in my yard, nothing really happened.