“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog ” : Bob and Fay Speak About Reggie

When we first met Reggie it was a chance meeting at Sherwood Park in Toronto at an off leash trail. Reggie was with his foster parents. Our West Highland Terrier Dillie and Reggie hit it off. Reggie was well mannered and even shook Bob’s hand. Buddhists believe in auspicious connections meaning that a random meeting is not so random. There is a purpose to such a meeting. Call it fate if you wish. We learnt from the foster parents that Reggie was with a rescue society and was up for adoption. We completed the application too late and missed out on our destiny with fate.

Fate came back two weeks later as the new owner was going to be transferred by the bank he worked for to Singapore and Reggie was not in his plans so we became owners of the cute fellow. Aside from nipping Bob on the first day and being a bit surly and hiding behind the sofa he quickly fit into our family life. Most importantly he and Dillie got along like brothers, you know the ones that get along with each other.

What is Reggie like? He is one very smart dog and we swear he understands English! He has a strange passion for watching the BBC and we can’t figure that out. He also loves that British never ending soap opera “Coronation Street”. Dillie hangs out with Bob and prefers jazz and classical music to television.

We know that rescue dogs can suffer from trauma but aside from that first day we see no outward signs of trauma. It was as if some voice had spoken to him after nipping Bob on day 1 as he very quickly nuzzled up to him and whimpered as if he was apologizing. Isn’t that so strange? We know his rough past with the loss of his master Anwar, his time on the street and the injury caused to him by a big dog on the streets of Cairo. If he is hurting emotionally he is hiding it well.

He does have a strange habit of prostrating himself at the same time each morning and evening for 5 minutes or so. It is almost as if he is praying?

Reggie enjoys his kibble and lots of cold water. He looks at us after dinner as if he is thanking us.

One reason we adopted Reggie was to keep our ageing Dillie on his toes and stimulated both to enrich and lengthen his life.

Reggie has only been with us for a few months but is popular with humans and their dogs. He has a very unique story about living on the streets of a tough city. And my goodness he loves his walks especially the long ones. We are apprehensive about letting him off leash until we finish with his training at “puppy school”. But we know he has had enough of wandering alone and we think off leash he will stay close to us like Dillie.

Is he different from Dillie? Both love belly rubs, walking, food, treats and toys but Reggie is quieter than Dillie. Dillie is more territorial when it comes to anyone coming in our house that he does not know well. Reggie might give a few barks but soon is wagging his tail and greeting them looking for a pat on the head. Not exactly a guard dog.

He is now a member of our family!