Hoppy was very intelligent, not just for a dog, but any creature. Some might be surprised to hear me say this knowing that I think dogs, however lovable, are not the brightest creatures that Ma Nat has blessed upon us. Yes, this dog had more intelligence than most adults. Intelligence (my definiton): the ability to USE information learned and APPLY to individual situations that achieve maximum desired output with the least amount of risk to oneself and others.

I had boundaries when it came to the critters in the apartment. Upon arrival to the abode, Hoppy knew that he was not allowed in my room. The first time it happened, we had just settled in and Dave had come into my room. Hoppy, going where Dave does, came into my room without thinking any different and he was immiediately sent out. Being that my door was always open, he learned and remembered that the doorway was the off limits barrier. Anytime outside the bedroom, Hoppy was welcome to play with me, but he learned not to jump on me or sit in my lap unless called. He knew what I didn't like and he respected that. Just the same, I knew that Hoppy would get lonely and pout when Roxy was away, he was scared of loud noises and he loved to eat ice off the kitchen floor. He knew me as well as I knew him.

I observed his intelligence on numerous occasions, but there is one in particular that I will remember. Dave was out overnight one September evening. It was a very dark night as there were numerous thunderclouds and heavy rain, so it was very hard for the streetlights to even come throught the windows. I was in bed, and since Dave was away, I kept my door open. Hoppy had ventured into the living room and was very scared from the thunder that wouldn't stop. He laid at the doorway and would slowly nudge a couple of inches past. I calmly responded, with "Hoppy, out" (I had to enforce the boundaries because once an animal crosses a barrier, it seems to be no longer in place). Hoppy would just cry a little louder and creep in a couple more inches with each crashing thunderbolt. Again, but without raising my voice, "Hoppy, out". Eventually, Hoppy would creep what would be three feet into the doorway and lie at the foot of my bed. I knew how terrified he was of the storm, so I decided to risk my allergies for the night so the little guy could be close to a friend during a terrifying night. Here is where the intelligence comes in: he never tried to come into my room thereafter. He never even tried to come close to making me think he would cross that invisible barrier. He knew in that situation that I might bend, and he promised to himself and me that If he could stay in my room, he wouldn't ask to do it again. After a few months, I decided that the dogs could come in my room when called and he wouldn't enter unless called, unlike his housemate, Roxy, who took advantage of the lax policy and would enter at her own will, only to be reminded to leave unless warranted.

I was glad that Dave had called on me recently to feed the guys, while they were away. I was able to spend about fifteen to twenty minutes with the little guy in the back yard and it was easy to see that his body couldn't keep up with his spirit. My wife and I knew he didn't have much gas left in the tank and it made those few trips meaningful because I knew it would probably be the last I would have to play with the guy.

On the lighter side, I know that I was Hoppy's favorite. Refer to the couch incident of 1995 (this incident is probably another sign of his intelligence). Some will not know to what I am referring, but there are those who are in the know that are guffawing upon remembering the story, so we will leave it at that. We'll see ya later, little guy.

so, let's hear about that couch incident...

Sad news. I still dream about my cat Koetie once in a while. She was 'kidnapped' from our garden by a bunch of children (of drunken parents) in the summer of 1996.

When I feel really sad, nothing can console me like a cat.

I've just read the tribute by your friend which is really touching. Hoppy sounded like a really special friend.

Hope you're hanging in there.





Couch incident? Sharing?