Spike

Spike: The Big Softie with the “Sad Puppy Eyes”.

Spike is the kind of dog who makes a massive impression the moment you meet him. Our journey together began during a brutal July heatwave. I was out doing my rounds, providing cool water to the street animals, when I saw Spike looking confused and exhausted by the sun. I gave him a long drink and cooled his belly and back with water; he was absolutely over the moon.

For a while, Spike was like our favorite “guest star.” He would disappear for a week at a time, showing up just once a week to say hello to me, Tommy, and Jack. One day, I went down to feed the rest of the pack and found Spike happily playing with Bolt and Basbousa! He looked at me in total shock, as if to say, “Wait, the human with the cool water belongs to you guys?!”

While he quickly made friends with the dogs, the transition wasn’t without its “puppy problems.” Spike had a bit of a naughty habit of nipping and biting when he got excited during play. Because we want our pack to be good neighbors, my husband stepped in with some training. Spike proved to be an incredibly fast learner, quickly trading his bites for gentle tail wags and respectful play.

Spike is a massive boy, but deep down, he is a total softie. He has mastered a look of “sad puppy eyes” that is so convincing it has charmed the entire neighborhood into giving him extra treats! While he’s finally getting used to his daily kibble, his heart (and stomach) belongs to chicken and liver. He spends his mornings greeting Tommy and Jack, and his afternoons playing with the ladies — though Bolt and Basbousa still get a little jealous if I give him too much attention. Spike is proof that no matter how big a dog is, they just want a cool drink of water and a place to belong.