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The Singing Patriot

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H

e sings. It’s a howl, yes, but as howls go, it is suave. And if you were to put a dinner jacket on him, he couldn’t be much more debonair than he is now with that sleek tan-gray coat. For all his elegance and fine manners, and for that singing, Rhino is Mr. August, Pet of the Month.

Rhino. Mr. August, Pet of the Month at Georgie’s hair salon.

Rhino is a rescue dog, but Rich Wertin says it was Rhino who picked him.

About three years ago, Rich was living in Illinois, and decided he wanted a Weimaraner, a hunting breed originally from Germany. He found that in the entire US, there were exactly two Weimaraners needing a rescue to a new home. One was in far-away Idaho, and the other was in Indiana. His name was Rhino, he’d been found as a stray on the streets of Indianpolis, adopted out once and then returned to the pound and was staying with a “foster family” until a new home could be found.

Rhino in his familiar chair at Errands Plus.

But not any old home would do. The foster couple who had Rhino were, as Rich puts it, “very particular.” Rich had to fill out a 12-page questionnaire. What’s more, the foster family was adamant that Rhino decide who his new owners would be, and not the other way around. A dozen other people had tried and didn’t pass muster: when they came to visit, Rhino politely greeted them, then walked across the room and plopped down on a cushion and ignored them.

Rich was Number 13. He says he sat down on the couch in that Indianpolis house and that Rhino came over and laid his head in Rich’s lap. That sealed the deal.

Rhino with Rich Wertin.

At the time, Rhino was about 8 months old, his coat wasn’t in great shape and he was 25 pounds skinnier than his current 85 pounds.

There’s little risk of Rhino becoming skinny again. In early 2007, Rich opened his shop, Errands Plus, on Broad Street and Rhino came to work with him every day. “He’s like a Wal-Mart greeter,” Rich says. Many of those he greets reward him with a treat.

The greeter.

But it is next door at Georgie Powell’s hair salon where Rhino really works the room with his courtly manner. He’s part of the scene there. (And once returned to Rich with his nails painted a bright red.)

Rhino and some of Georgie’s customers.

A big day for Rhino is Thursday, when many of Georgie’s long-time customers come. He knows them well, Rich says and he knows “whether they keep their treats in their bag, or in their pockets.” Giving Rhino treats is such a part of the salon experience that one woman, who didn’t arrive with treats one day, “felt bad that others were giving and she wasn’t.” Rich says that “she went to the grocery store” after her hair was done, and came back with treats for Rhino.

On the next page, you get to hear a singing dog… >>>

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Know a pet that is a standout? Send in some details and a photo to pet@towndock.net. Tell why that pet deserves the coveted TownDock.net Pet of the Month Prize Package --- accolades, a pat on the head (snakes excluded) and a box of Milk Bones ( or snack suitable for the species). We regret that we cannot offer a college scholarship to Pet Of The Month winners. Animals caught near the HarborCam attempting to suck up to the judges will be disqualified.