Linus Golden Retriever & Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler Mix Bellingham, WA

Linus was born on 30 sept 2020, with a golden retriever mom and a blue heeler dad. A feisty and strong-willed puppy with big eyes and droopy triangle ears. He was brought to his first home, a big tree farm in Mount Vernon. Running around the farm and warming himself in front of the woodstove made for a pretty content life. He chased and played tug with his favorite toy, a foam ring. Mom and dad took him to beaches and parks. He never cared too much for swimming, but sure loved to run.

He was neutered at age 1. A very tough dog, the cone seemed to be a much bigger burden than the discomfort. He healed quickly.

When he was almost two, he came across an especially enticing scent trail. He trotted off in pursuit, away from human-dad who was loading hay in the field. Dad called him back repeatedly with escalating panic, but the scent trail was far more important. He ran right into the highway where many wild and domesticated animals meet their end every year. Linus was hit broadside by an SUV. He tumbled into the shoulder, then ran back to dad with a bloody nose and knee. They went to the emergency vet for X-rays and to get stitches in his knee. Incredibly, nothing was broken. He was back to his normal self in a few days. From that fateful moment on, Linus was not allowed off-leash outside of the fenced areas again. Dad started running with him every day to keep him in good spirits.

A few months later, Linus became a big dog-brother to twin human girls. Their parents worried Linus's rambunctiousness would make for a bad combination with newborns, but it proved to be a non-issue. He proudly and immediately realized his role was as a gentle protector. Maybe a little perplexed and annoyed at times: why did mom and dad spend so much time with these loud little hairless goblins? He got to clean up their food though, and everyone got in their groove. Linus ran or biked with dad after dark every day. The trips to the beaches ended, and the endless fussing was enough to put even Linus in a grumpy mood. He rediscovered his crate as a place of peace amidst the chaos, where he could let his mind rest.

Around this time, Linus met a neighbor dog who he loved like a sister. She was about the same age, also a cattle dog, and 2/3 the weight. At first, there was a split second their owners were afraid: the dogs were tackling and chewing at each others' necks. This was unusual for both Linus and his new-found friend. Linus is usually awkward and shy around stranger dogs. His tail kept wagging though, and they began a ritual of playing together a few times a week then onward. Every one of those nights, the dogs would both return home soaked in each other's slobber and completely in love.

When human-mom got a job at a bakery, Linus's love of baguettes became apparent. When given bread as a treat, he'd take it into the middle of his sleeping area and circle around it in a wiggling dance before chowing down. Dad sewed treats into canvas pouches with handles for Linus to pass the time with.

Despite his parent's adoration of his soft triangle ears and precious long schnoz, they know one run at night is not enough. Linus deserves a bigger world. At four years old, perhaps someone else can take his strong and warm heart into their life to continue his story.