THIS IS FAT

This is FAT. It’s not his real name. We call him Cisco, shortened from his real name, which was Francisco when we rescued him.

However, Fat is the name that’s been given to him not because he is actually fat, but because of his attitude about exercise and overexertion, especially when he has determined it to be totally unnecessary. When Moosie and Whiskey and Rosie and Russell and Lily and all the other dogs who passed through this house for a few weeks (fosters/rescues) or months or, in his case, a lifetime, run without abandon, Cisco just says, “Dudes, why? It’s so sweet under this chestnut tree.”

While Whiskey and Moosie will play tug of war for hours on end, Cisco just plops down on your foot. Yes, every time — full body on my foot. I call Cisco our cerebral dog. No matter what you do, where you go, what you give him even in the way of treats, he has to think it over. You can give them all treats and Moosie will be on his third yet Cisco’s is still between his front legs while he ponders, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” He won’t let anyone take that treat, but he is just too sophisticated to act like a silly dog.

True story. We took the dogs for a long walk. Cisco came up limping. We checked his paw. Nothing. Checked for ligament or muscle pulls; seemed fine. The pavement was not hot. We were so concerned for his limping, we shortened the walk and I carried him home.