For all her demure ways, Ruby is still very much the two-month-old puppy she was when Sandra adopted her from PAWS 10 years ago.
She still springs into action at the word “walk”, gets excited at the sight of food and plays rough with her “sister” Emma, every single day.
A creature of habit, her version of “playtime” doesn’t vary that much.
“Every day after breakfast, she’ll slowly make her way to the sofa, then launch into a frantic ‘digging’ action, pupils dilated, ears back, using her front paws to scratch the sofa as she dives under the cushions, flinging everything into the air and on the floor with her nose,” Sandra says.
Then comes the mock growls and the crazy spinning on the spot as she and Emma engage in their “pretend” dog fights. This can last anywhere from five minutes to way longer, Sandra says, adding that it’s pure chaos when this happens.
A light sleeper at night, Ruby wears her badge as “security guard” with great pride.
“One night when she was just a tiny pup, she awoke me at 4am with her persistent barking. Worried there was a prowler outside, I switched on the lights to check.
“No, no one outside. Nothing whatsoever. Oh wait… a fat snail sitting on the wet grass, moving its tentacles back and forth. Still, I had to commend her for her attention to detail.”
Years later however, she did alert everyone to a spitting and hissing baby cobra lurking outside the door, and in so doing, restored her credibility as top security dog.
Ruby is rather territorial and detests the sight of another canine walking past her door – well, how dare they? When they do, she breaks into a hysterical half-howl, half-bark, pawing at the grill and telling them off in dog-speak.
Although friendly by nature, Ruby is rather skittish – so don’t try petting her head when you meet her. She will snap and growl. And bite if need be unless you’re someone she totally trusts and loves.
When she does forge that bond with you, it’s special. She will literally howl in delight when she spots you on the street or when you come to visit.
A master manipulator, Ruby has perfected the art of getting what she wants by turning on the charm – at full blast.
“If she wants a tidbit bad enough, she’ll shamelessly walk up to you under the table and gently place her chin right between your legs, looking at you with her dreamy eyes and glistening nose.
“While some of our friends stiffen with fear when she does this, others laugh out loud and give her a treat – mission accomplished as far as Ruby is concerned.”
If there’s one thing that totally unravels Ruby however, it’s a raging thunderstorm. “Ruby is miserable when it rains. Even the sound of leaves rustling from a strong breeze is indication enough that a thunderstorm is brewing.
“And when there’s a downpour, she shivers and shakes and runs to her ‘father’ for comfort, pawing at him to keep her safe.”
She hates the rain so much, she doesn’t even like walking on wet ground and will wear a positively morose look if you insist on taking her out.
To keep her precious paws dry, she’ll walk in the middle of the road where it is the driest, ignoring the potential of oncoming traffic.
As eccentric as she can sometimes be, Ruby is loving and intelligent, and a great companion to Emma. In fact, she and Emma are soul sisters and very protective of each other.
If they’re separated for even a few minutes, their reunion is an emotion-filled event, with both lunging at each other, tails wagging, eyes bright, happy to be in each other’s company again.
Although Ruby is considered a “senior” dog, Sandra wishes Ruby many more happy and healthy years ahead.
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.