With a gleam in his eye, Thorin snatched the ice cube and happily trotted off to enjoy his chilly treat. “We’ve never figured it out, but since he was a pup, Thorin has loved eating ice cubes,” Sarah Nathan, 30, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
For 11-year-old Thorin, life is full of quirks, but even his name has a special story.
Sarah had rescued a black kitten and named her Loki, so they thought of calling their new puppy “Thor” as a fitting match. But it didn’t quite suit him.
So, they named him “Thorin” after Thorin Oakenshield from “The Hobbit.” With his slightly shorter Labrador build, he became their little “dwarven king.”
When he’s not crunching on ice, Thorin amuses the family with his peculiar behaviour. Instead of curling up on the sofa like other dogs, he perches on the edge, back straight, sitting just like a human. “It’s the cutest, strangest thing,” Sarah says. “He looks like he’s figured out our ways and joined in.”
And for reasons unknown, Thorin also has a surprising passion for raw vegetables. “If we’re chopping veggies, he’ll be right there, waiting for a piece,” Sarah added.
Thorin was bought from a pet shop, and even as a pup, he stood out as the sleepiest and calmest of the litter – traits that stayed with him, Sarah said.
After their previous dog, Cindy, passed away, they spent three years without a dog. Thorin brought joy back to the house, along with a few entertaining surprises.
One of those surprises was his friendship with Loki. At first, Loki wasn’t too impressed by Thorin’s boundless puppy energy, but over time, they became inseparable.
Loki even became a mentor, teaching Thorin some “cat-like” habits – from the way he grazes against people’s legs to his feline-style stretches.
His gentle nature shines in other ways too. When Loki had kittens, he was happy to babysit, letting the little ones climb all over him. If he felt overwhelmed, he’d gently move aside – an ever-patient giant with a heart of gold.
But after two years of happy companionship, Loki went missing one day and never returned. Thorin, usually so playful and upbeat, was visibly upset.
“It was heartbreaking to watch,” Sarah recalled. “We were all sad, but Thorin took it the hardest.”
Thorin’s easygoing nature extends to bath time. Unlike Sarah’s experience with Cindy, who made bath time a challenge, Thorin stands still, calm and content, while they shower him. “He’s an angel at bath time,” she said.
Thorin also loves to swim, often pestering his family for a swim or a walk. “The funny thing is he was so scared when we took him for swimming lessons. He didn’t even want to enter the water. Now, he’s practically a seal!” Sarah enthused.
Though he’s a “lone wolf” around other dogs and gets nervous on vet visits, Thorin’s loyalty and gentleness are unmatched at home. His quirky habits, gentle personality, and deep love for his family make him much more than a pet. Thorin is a beloved family member, filling their home with warmth, humour, and companionship.
“We love him to bits,” Sarah said. “He’s such a gentle dog, a goofball, and our best friend.”
This article was written by Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.