My dog Doowie - Sarah

The arrival of Doowie (so-called because he looks like a weird cross between a Doberman and a Chihauhua) in my life was unexpected.

Doowie, Toy Manchester Terrier

A friend who has a habit of rescuing animals in distress (and LOTS of them - she does a great job!) contacted me as she 'had the perfect dog for me'.  I arrived at her Kitchener doggy daycare centre a little unsure - did I really want to take on the responsibility of a dog at this point in time?

The girls at the front looked relieved to see me, and returned with what I can only describe as a weird little Mexican/Italian looking monkey who promptly peed on the floor in front of me. 

This was going to be fun.

I was handed a leash and off we went for a stroll around the block to see how well we got on.  Doowie had no clue of the usual commands and was oblivious to my attemps to make him 'sit' or walk nicely on a leash.  This little terror had his own mind!

And so we drove home, him looking out stunned from his carrier, me looking out stunned through the window.

I spent the rest of the afternoon staring at him and wondering if this was really such a good idea.  A few hours later, my boyfriend returned from work and spent the evening staring at him, wondering if this was such a good idea.

Three years on and Doowie is still with me, and so is the boyfriend.  Both are now house-trained.

Here are a few of Doowie's favourite things:

• Ripping up a box of tissues and spreading them all over the living room floor (and generally through the dining area too)
• Humping the cat
• Having his teeth brushed (more on this later)
• Barking at the post lady, even when we see her while we're out for walks

• Stealing the cat food
• Being Head of Household
• Coming to work with me
• Warren Park after Labour Day!

And Doowie's least favourite things:

• Having his nails trimmed
• Taking baths
• The cats

• Having to stay home



Having a dog in my life is not only fun but a great social experiment.  Everyone always thinks he's a Min Pin, but he's actually a Toy Manchester Terrier.  I've learnt a lot about the breed, which originated in England as a mixture between the Black and Tan Terrier and the Whippet and was bred for ratting, a sport popular in England in the 1800's.  There is a toy and a standard variety, with the toy weighing no more than 12 pounds and having naturally erect ears.  The most famous Toy Manchester was named Tiny and is said to have killed more than 300 rats in an hour during an 1848 rat kill!  Thankfully Doowie has been unable to attempt such a feat, but he'd really like to get his jaws around a squirrel one day!