Roy

Mom Heather and Roy

Vance had made his decision. He wanted a red dog. And so it was that Mom Heather began researching where to find the new family pet.  Certainly an Irish Setter is red, she thought. Also, a Dachshund, but Vance needed a big dog. Maybe one he could bring hunting.  After all, he was already 11.

When Heather learned that a litter of Golden Retriever puppies were available for adoption, she loaded Vance into the car. Off they went. “This is great, Mom,” beamed Vance.

Vance meets Roy

As he stood among the cacophony of excited puppies, Vance was overwhelmed with joy. They wriggled. They bounced. They jumped and dashed about with great abandon.

Soon, a little red ball pranced directly to Vance and looked up at him with soft raisin eyes. Vance scrunched down and picked up the 8 week old puppy. He kissed Vance’s nose.

“This is our dog, Mom,” Vance told Heather.  “He’s the sweetest, most cuddly puppy. Look! He wants to come home with us.” Vance held him tenderly in his arms.

It was in the summer of 2018 and as Vance walked to the car, balancing the puppy in his arms, Heather opened the door and helped Vance and Roy crawl into the back seat. “He can sit with you as long as he is quiet,” Heather told Vance.

“He’ll be quiet, won’t you Roy? We’re going hunting and we’re going to play catch! Just you wait, Roy.” Vance knew this was a great day.

“Roy?” asked Mom Heather.

“Yeah, it’s a great name. It’s from the TV show Arrows, that I’ve watched with Dad,” explained Vance.

Heather stopped in the wide driveway at their home in an exurb of St. Paul. Another puppy rushed to the car. Navigating the circus, Heather and Vance lifted Roy and placed him on the ground. Wild abandon ensued. Roy was jumped on, sniffed at, and welcomed by his new pibling (pet sibling) Willard, a Border Collie, who was only a few months old himself. Willard circled around Roy and ran. Roy looked up to Vance. Vance began running after Willard. “C’mon, Roy, let’s play,” Vance exclaimed as he gestured for Roy to run, too.

Roy meets Willard

Off they went. Around and around. Back. Then forth. Willard even showed Roy where the horses, donkeys, and chickens lived. With that introduction, it was clear that Roy had been christened as an official part of this family.

Vance and Heather began teaching Roy all the dog obedience skills a new puppy needs. He was a perfect learner.  Goldens are known to be good hunters, so Vance was excited to teach Roy to catch.

As time trotted on, Vance’s hopes of Roy being a great hunter diminished. If only Roy could catch. Anything.

This is an important component in the life of a good hunting dog. Catch something. Anything. Alas, after a dedicated commitment to teaching Roy to catch - in his mouth - anything, Roy’s hunting ambitions were retired. 

Roy retires from hunting

Okay. Roy wasn’t that perfect hunting dog. What he did become is an incredibly cooled-out, patient, smart, and loving dog. He was extremely easy to train. He had only one accident growing up.

Hunting? Not to worry. By the time Vance was at shooting practice In 2019, Heather had saved another dog - Hogan - a Labrador Retriever - who happens to be not only good at catching things in his mouth, he loves to hunt.

Whew. Roy was off the hook. So, he pivoted. He knew that this family was mighty fine. And he knew who has the food. And who has the treats. And who will go for walks. And who will take him on car rides!

Mom, Roy determined was the holy grail. She had access to everything!  And she gave him lots of love. Soon he found himself going with her everywhere. She laid out a soft, clean blanket in the back of her SUV so he could stretch out while they drove around. This became Roy’s happiest of happy places.

Willard and Roy with their forever family

Heather’s work means she regularly drives around the south suburbs of St. Paul.  When the weather and situation permits, Roy gleefully hops into his happy place in the back of the SUV and lies down, ready to savor his time with Mom.

Perhaps there’s a stop at Home Depot. Roy likes shopping there. Or Lowe’s. But paws down, Roy’s favorite shopping excursion is at Sierra! He is familiar with the magnificent array of toys and treats they have for him to sniff!  And eat!

“I love you, Mom!”

Back at home, Roy discovered his special skill would ensure that Willard will forever be in his debt. Once Roy was big enough to reach a door handle he happened on a fun trick: Roy can, with his nose, hit the sliding glass door handle “just so” and it will open. Much to his great delight, Willard will then dart outside where he can do what he’s built to do - run.

Should it be a warm summer day, Roy will join him outside. As he meanders toward the pool, Roy glances up to see where Willard is running. He throws his long snout into the air to collect a whiff of him. Yes. Willard is out there, but he’s off in the field with the horses. Roy guides his nose around the edge of the swimming pool. As the heat of the sun warms his red back and coal black nose, he steps gently onto the top step. One paw. Two paws.

Determined to cool off, Roy cautiously places each of his rear paws into the refreshing water.  Slowly he stretches out his red legs in front of him, his body encompassing the entire top step.

He pants softly. Heather leans over to scold him for opening the door but realizes he may not comprehend her long, compound sentences at that moment. Instead, she grabs the floating lounger and struts in the water toward Roy.

“C’mon, Roy.  Do you want to come in the water with me?” Heather pats the large blown up water mattress.  Roy follows Mom’s gesture and cautiously  maneuvers his long body onto the floating contraption.  Heather swished cool water on his back.  Roy is very happy here.

Roy and Vance enjoy a dip in the pool

In 2022, Mom brought home a little pip squeak puppy that brought great joy to Roy. Marty, a young poodle mix was welcomed to the family with a rousing game of chase in the back yard. Willard, Roy, and Hogan all tower over the small black fur ball.  Roy was especially taken with Marty. Today they are best friends.

Roy prefers to sit on top of, next to, or as close to his Mom as possible. Now, little Marty has the same idea. Since Marty is 15 pounds, not 80 like Roy, he finds a surplus of ways to be near Mom. Observing Marty’s obsession with Mom, Roy inches closer to her. He plops his paw on her arm and looks at her innocently. Heather melts and gently rubs his paw and pets his head. Roy ensures Marty can see who really is the Top Dog.

Each of the canines in this home have their own distinction: Willard is the working dog; Hogan is the hunting dog (it’s okay, Roy, you’re forgiven), Marty is the Foo-Foo dog; and Roy is Mom’s side kick.

Roy will never be a hunting dog.  But whatever he lacks in hunting acumen, he makes up by being the calmest, most friendly, and smart fur baby Heather has ever had the joy of loving.