Ricky’s Best Friends

Ricky’s not a perfect dog. Where food is concerned, he has no morals whatsoever. What’s his is his, and what’s yours is his. He’d steal your croissant soon as look at you. On top of that, he’s stubborn to the point of obsession. Let’s say I want to walk on Turkey Hill, and he wants to walk on Taylor Lane. I can pretty much guarantee we’ll wind up on Taylor Lane.

But he counters these character flaws with the sweetest, most accepting disposition you’ll ever see. Ricky has never met a dog he doesn’t like. His approach is always hopeful — expectant look on his face, tail a-waggin’. And though his circle of colleagues is wide, he does have his favorites:

Jake is his Burying Hill Beach pal — though the April 1 no-dogs-at-the-beach cutoff will be putting a crimp in that relationship. Jake makes better use of the beach than Ricky does, running up and down the entire crescent while Ricky stays in one place forever, trying to sniff every last nuance out of a pee stain in the parking lot.

Ricky and China, a chow chow from the neighborhood, have a tempestuous friendship. Sometimes they’re lovey-dovey; sometimes China greets my dog with scowls and growls. When this happens, Ricky looks patient, but bewildered: Was it something I said?

Jack, a golden (also from the ‘hood), gets along great with Ricky. Trouble is, they’re both strong-willed: Jack is always pulling this way, and Ricky’s always pulling that way. So after a very enthusiastic greeting, they usually head in opposite directions.

Luke, the German shepherd, has an outlook on life similar to Ricky’s: It’s all good. Luke does have a habit of helping himself to Ricky’s water when he visits. Now if this were food, it would undoubtedly lead to bloodshed, but since it’s only water, Ricky’s happy to oblige.

Brodie, a golden from Boston, is one of Ricky’s oldest friends — though in truth, the relationship is a little one-sided. While Ricky has always idolized Brodie, the best I can say for Brodie’s feelings in return is that he politely tolerates my poor little beagle. (Ricky’s not good at playing hard-to-get, and has a tendency to try too hard.)

I’d say Ricky’s healthiest relationship is with Reggie, the lab. Sure, Reggie would rather play, and Ricky would rather sniff, but they work it out. I think what Ricky likes about Reggie is that he’s grounded; he’s never unpredictable, never puts on airs. You know, the dog next door.

Which, fortunately, he is.