Bits 'O Honey

Like MJ, Texas, and Big Charlie, our Charlie has some great bits. Here are some particular favorites.

The Ridge. Like his predecessor, Husker, Charlie has a a slight ridge of fur down the center of his face. A spot where the fur angling from one side of his face meets the fur angling in from the other; in humans, I guess we'd call it a cowlick.

In some dogs it's wild and crazy. In Charlie it's understated and perfect; in some lights you almost can't see it. But it's there. And it earns him the endearment "my ridge-faced boy."

The Featherdusters. I suppose I should clip them, I know many people do, but I just like the look of these little wisps of fur sticking out between Charlie's toes. Not to mention they help keep the floors dusted. And then of course, there's that whole bitey, keep-away-from-my-feet, get-away-from-me-with-those-clippers aspect.

The Eyes. Big, brown, expressive, and ringed in permanent mascara, Charlie achieves effortlessly a look that human women daily slave to imitate.

The Nose. Often encrusted with kitty food or the remnants of a licked pan, Charlie's nose is a very well-used part. It not only smells out good things, but is used in smooshing (that's where the food encrustments are particularly useful), and is key to a really good sneeze-in-mom's-face.

It's turned slightly dudley over the winter, but I expect it'll be back to fighting form this spring.

The Teeth. Lest all these quiet pictures give you the sense of a lazy mellow dog, I give you Charlie's favorite part of himself -- the teeth! Charlie is all about teeth, more than any other part.

As a puppy, Charlie's teeth were razor sharp and usually clamped or trying to clamp onto my arm. They shredded every toy and, within the hour, put great holes in his money-back-guaranteed chew-resistant dog bed. As an adult, they're employed more selectively against me for control, yet they can put away a small retriever roll before we can eat dinner.

Despite such power however, Charlie's never chewed a shoe or piece of human furniture or anything else off-limits in the house (kleenex excepted). And considering what his puppy sister Sophie did to a kitchen floor, we're very grateful. Outdoor plants and humans watch out, though!
-------------So these are some notable parts of Charlie. What are your best bits?