Terry’s dog, Simon, is an 11-year-old, Jack Russell, Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, 27-pound puppy. Apparently, the term WIRE in his
breeds’ name is not the only thing “wired” about him.
“When I adopted Simon, he came wired with energy,” said Terry. “All he wanted was to be
walked morning, noon and night. He had a strict 'open door' policy meaning that if a door is closed, he will push it open and run. Both behaviors may have resulted from being locked up in the shelter. I should have named him Rocket because he takes off and runs like a flash, and he doesn’t come back unless he wants to, which can be dangerous. Having dog biscuits in my pocket motivates him to return when called.”
Simon loves to run with a
squeaky toy and have Terry chase him for it. When she says, “Use your words!” he will madly squeak the toy in response which sounds like, “Try to catch me if you can!” Part of his game is letting her get close to him before he rockets off with his toy – squeaking. He also loves running on ocean beaches chasing seagulls.
Oddly, Simon doesn’t pay attention to their mail carrier. However, no cat or dog walks by a window or the fence without him barking
hiss-terics! On the other hand, Terry’s friends walk in unannounced by her dog but he 100% expects them to greet him. Their neighbor’s crazy cat taunts Simon every day by running back and forth, on its side of the fence, whipping him into a responding running-barking frenzy.
On Halloween, Terry and Simon open the door together otherwise, “He barks like crazy if he can't see the costumed children!”. She holds him on his leash and he quietly sits beside her as
the children choose their candy. For their “trick” they pet him and for his “treat” he paw-furs to give out doggy kisses instead of candy kisses!
Several years ago at a park Terry let Simon off his leash to run and play with another dog.
“I will never do that again,” confesses Terry. “A train appeared on the opposite side of the park’s chain link fence. Simon ran towards the fence and along it chasing the train! I called
to him, but he kept running after the train.”
Then a terrorized Terry watched her Terrier dart through a gap in the fence and run straight for the train tracks!
“I was horrified! I ran after him thinking that I would be retrieving his body,” said Terry. “Then, out of nowhere, I saw three girls holding Simon. ‘Is this your dog?’ they asked me, ‘he almost got hit by the train!’
I rushed to them,
shaking all the way. They had called to Simon and because of his love for children, he veered away from the train and ran to them. They saved him from certain death! The girls happily went on their way as I stood in shock hugging Simon. I couldn't even think or I would have offered them an ice cream treat.
I often think of those young ladies, and wish they knew how much I appreciate them. My father had recently passed away and I think
that he had something to do with placing those three little angels there that day, so I wouldn't lose Simon too. Thank you to them if they are reading this!”
