Cross-Species

Taught By Terriers

Two terriers ago, after a period of near debilitating grief from the death of Alyssum, the second Norfolk Terrier I had been bound to, we began the search for another.

We discovered a breeder in Rhode Island whose history and credentials suggested a wise, compassionate woman.

Lacey, who has a longer history with Norfolks than she has with me, began to process, which always requires a combination of arcane Terrier knowledge, and the skills of a seasoned diplomat. The more suspicious and probing the breeder, the more likely that she has been a scrupulous overseer of the intricate process.

Lori was all of that, putting Lacey through her paces to test whether this was a frivolous whim, or a serious adoption, understanding the long term requirements of raising a dog and cherishing her over the terrier lifespan.

It became apparent as the negotiations unfolded, that Lori would decide which terrier was right for us. It would not be our choice. It was a mark of Lacey’s coming to respect and trust Lori, that she accepted that, believing that Lori not only knew her dogs, and where they would flourish, but after the grilling she gave Lacey, knew us equally well.

As the litter was born and weaned, Lori emailed Lacey and said there was a black and tan male who would be perfect for us.

“We’ve always had females,” Lacey said. “I’d be much more comfortable with a female. And all ours have been wheaten, not black and tan.”

“This is the right puppy for you,” Lori insisted.

“Would you please send me a photo so we might have a look?”

A day later a photo:

(this photo is from a month or so later)

Lacey and I took one look and quickly declared our love for him, whom we would meet several weeks later.

“Tell me his name,” Lori emailed, “so we can begin calling him by his name.”

Cosmos gave us 13 of the happiest years of our lives. Our time together erased any lingering doubt about different species bonding with pierce love.

I have long thought the notion that humans domesticated dogs, has it backwards.