We all know Red is a sweet dog, but he is also a sly dog. Red loves women, especially blonde women, and I noticed he has picked up on how to look sad so they will give him some extra love and attention.
Whenever Kelly Patrick, who works night at the Mansion, sees Red, he puts his paw on her knee and looks crestfallen, and down at the ground. Kelly, who has a giant heart, drops to the ground and consoles him, usually saying “Red, you look so sad!” I try to tell her Red always looks the same, he has only one mood really, quite and attentive, he does not do any kind of drama, one reason I love him so much.
I notice he has perfected this trick whenever he meets a new person, especially a woman. He puts his paw up and looks straight down at the ground, as if he has lost someone dear to him.
The new person then drops to the ground and consoles him with love and kisses, and Red eats it up. I’m suggesting he is calculating, but this is a new trick and it works for him and he knows it. Red knows how to play a crowd and at least several times at the Mansion, I see someone – usually a woman – kneeling down on the floor hugging him and consoling him, “he looks so sad.” You are a rascal, Red.
I wonder if he’d mind if I tried this.
The first time I met Red was at the Creative Fiesta at Pompanuk Farm. He was working the room like a pro. When he got to me, I said hi, and he walked on by. A few hours later, I encountered him at the top of the stairs and he looked me in the eye, and I scratched his ears.
A year later, I found myself face to face with Red again. He looked me in the eye, and I scratched his ears while I spoke my piece. And then some.
I am a very good ear scratcher, but I will not be goaded into it. I have some pride.
Just a good ear scratcher. That’s all. Not forced to scratch anyone’s ears. Not ever. Really.
I have a good friend who has border collies. He loves them but he also says they are big con artists. And that is part of the reason he adores them!