Who’s that Good Dog?

Persons: Rebecca Field, an independent college adviser, and Chris Delphey, a contractor

Pet: Nitro

Age: 3.5 years

Breed: terrier melange

Adoption story: It all started when we went to get cat food one day. We were not looking to adopt a dog, but a rescue had brought puppies to the store. Nitro was there. I was looking at another dog and Nitro (who was then named “Robbie”) was following me around the store. We left the store but I kept thinking about “Robbie.” (I kept thinking he doesn’t look like a Robbie.) A few days later I went on the website to look and Robbie’s picture was no longer there! I thought, well at least he’s got a good home. Then on my 50th birthday Chris told me he had adopted “Robbie” for us. We drove to Merced that day to get him. There were rainbows in the sky along the way and one double rainbow. On the way home he was sitting in my lap showing us that terrier energy. Before we reached the first truck stop we settled on the name Nitro.

Likes: Cucumbers, watermelon, romping in deep snow in the Sierras.

Dislikes: Carrots, long walks on hot days, riding in the backseat of the car. (He prefers the front so he can better see where we’re going.)

Interesting Facts: Nitro shares our home with Luna, our 16-year-old cat. He loves her, and Luna is great with him, but Nitro knows she is definitely in charge. Sometimes she lets him know, “I’m going to sit in that chair, not you.”

Anything else we should know: Nitro has a natural 1980’s glam-rocker look. He has a little underbite that makes it look like he’s smiling all the time, and he’s got long eyelashes and what looks like dark eyeliner. The soulful eyes and crazy, scruffy hair make a great mix. Oh, and he does have a special trick: he gives kisses on command.