AI image of John the Dog - Collaboration DALL-E and Nancy Forrester
John The Dog
An extraordinary Key West Canine
Circa 197O to 1984
when island dogs roamed free.
Circa 197O to 1984
when island dogs roamed free.
MY DOG MORGAN. A BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER
I begin this otherwise happy story with the sad story of my dog Morgan. Morgan was a pure-bred Black lab, typically heavy in appearance, He was a large boned, stout bodied strong dog with a broad head and an otter tail which was thick at the base and tapered to a point. This tail shape aids in swimming. He weighed 80 lbs. and was 24.5 inches tall. Morgan as a pup had metal challenges with fear. Two major fears were tiny birds namely red robins on the green grass lawn and going up and down stairs. I was not aware of any issues he had with humans, dogs or other animals. His puppyhood was spent in Pennsylvania with me and my husband on our 120-acre farm with its ten-acre lake. When we separated my husband wanted our cat but not our dog so when I moved to Key West in 1969, Morgan came to live with me. He had a smaller fenced-in one acre property with two buildings in which to live. It was a short walk to the Gulf of Mexico on one side of the island and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side for exercise, swimming and water fun. He adjusted to Florida life well. No problems, but trouble was brewing. Our lives were about to become unbearable.
I begin this otherwise happy story with the sad story of my dog Morgan. Morgan was a pure-bred Black lab, typically heavy in appearance, He was a large boned, stout bodied strong dog with a broad head and an otter tail which was thick at the base and tapered to a point. This tail shape aids in swimming. He weighed 80 lbs. and was 24.5 inches tall. Morgan as a pup had metal challenges with fear. Two major fears were tiny birds namely red robins on the green grass lawn and going up and down stairs. I was not aware of any issues he had with humans, dogs or other animals. His puppyhood was spent in Pennsylvania with me and my husband on our 120-acre farm with its ten-acre lake. When we separated my husband wanted our cat but not our dog so when I moved to Key West in 1969, Morgan came to live with me. He had a smaller fenced-in one acre property with two buildings in which to live. It was a short walk to the Gulf of Mexico on one side of the island and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side for exercise, swimming and water fun. He adjusted to Florida life well. No problems, but trouble was brewing. Our lives were about to become unbearable.
THE DOG FIGHT THAT CHANCED OUR LIVES
Our introduction to John The Dog got off to a very bad start. My sister, our favorite cousin and I hired a grandiose self-taught arrogant man, who I will refer to as BuilderMan in this story. BuilderMan lived nearby only a couple blocks away. We hired him to design and build a two-story back porch on to our newly acquired Conch House. BuilderMan informed us that a dog (I presumed his dog) would be accompanying him to the construction site daily or he would not work for us. This canine was a slender boned tall long-legged mixed breed black male Labrador type known as John the Dog. This complicated my life because I had Morgan a big male dog. Sadly, when Morgan and John the Dog met, they fought, and Morgan lost his sanity. On the first workday these two dogs engaged in a horrific fight on our downstairs' back porch right next to Builderman's legs and mine. With lightning speed BuilderMan reached down grabbed the thick skin on my dogs back and with both hands violently threw him off the downstairs porch onto the ground which was about a four-foot drop, Morgan swiftly recoiled to kill BuilderMan. Somehow, I managed to restrain him by grabbing his collar. BuilderMan angerly warned me that if Morgan lunged for him, he would kill him. It was clear to me dog and man were mortal enemies. It became my serious responsibility to keep my dog safe from BuiderMan and visa versa. I wanted to fire Builderman but it was not my decision alone. My sister and first cousin were paying two thirds of the building cost. They wanted BuilderMan to continue construction. Morgan had to be tied up, caged or locked in my room for his safety. To make matters worse I never knew when BuilderMan was arriving for work or an overnight stay with my sister because she started to date him. His dog was often in the house overnight and had free range of the whole property while my dog spent most of his time locked in my small upstairs bedroom. Morgan became more and more aggressive towards BuilderMan and he began to distrust anyone wearing a tool belt. He showed increase aggression by growling at the mailman and my boyfriend.
Our introduction to John The Dog got off to a very bad start. My sister, our favorite cousin and I hired a grandiose self-taught arrogant man, who I will refer to as BuilderMan in this story. BuilderMan lived nearby only a couple blocks away. We hired him to design and build a two-story back porch on to our newly acquired Conch House. BuilderMan informed us that a dog (I presumed his dog) would be accompanying him to the construction site daily or he would not work for us. This canine was a slender boned tall long-legged mixed breed black male Labrador type known as John the Dog. This complicated my life because I had Morgan a big male dog. Sadly, when Morgan and John the Dog met, they fought, and Morgan lost his sanity. On the first workday these two dogs engaged in a horrific fight on our downstairs' back porch right next to Builderman's legs and mine. With lightning speed BuilderMan reached down grabbed the thick skin on my dogs back and with both hands violently threw him off the downstairs porch onto the ground which was about a four-foot drop, Morgan swiftly recoiled to kill BuilderMan. Somehow, I managed to restrain him by grabbing his collar. BuilderMan angerly warned me that if Morgan lunged for him, he would kill him. It was clear to me dog and man were mortal enemies. It became my serious responsibility to keep my dog safe from BuiderMan and visa versa. I wanted to fire Builderman but it was not my decision alone. My sister and first cousin were paying two thirds of the building cost. They wanted BuilderMan to continue construction. Morgan had to be tied up, caged or locked in my room for his safety. To make matters worse I never knew when BuilderMan was arriving for work or an overnight stay with my sister because she started to date him. His dog was often in the house overnight and had free range of the whole property while my dog spent most of his time locked in my small upstairs bedroom. Morgan became more and more aggressive towards BuilderMan and he began to distrust anyone wearing a tool belt. He showed increase aggression by growling at the mailman and my boyfriend.
EXIT MORGAN
It was as if Morgan had lost his sanity. He began growling at me. I hired the best dog trainer in Miami. She was famous for turning the most vicious dogs imaginable into gentle ones. I remember her telling me the story of her most problematic dog an Airdale that nearly cost her her stellar reputation as a dog trainer. I felt a sigh of relief. She was confident and proud to have never failed a dog or a client. She drove the 150 miles down to Key West to pick up Morgan. She arranged for him to live with her in her home full time, he accompanied her to work and everywhere she went. She took him to shopping malls, schools, etc. He participated in all the normal activities of her day which also included being around kids. Two weeks into training she reported to me by phone saying he was very smart, learned quickly and was well behaved. She was elated because the training was going better than expected. During week three she surprised me by appearing at my doorstep in tears saying that in her long career she had never experienced a failure in training. Morgan was to be her first failure. She said Morgan's behavior was perfect until she relaxed or let her guard down. She said that when she answered a phone call he went for her throat. She said he was untrustworthy, dangerous and he could not be placed anywhere even as a guard dog in South America. She recommended euthanizing him. We cried together. She said she would take care of putting him down in Miami. She did. I was sad. I was traumatized. I disliked BuilderMan who nastily tried to lay a lot of blame on me, saying it was all my fault. He made innuendos, that my dog was vicious because I was vicious. I was grieving and bewildered, I felt guilt. I lost a lot of energy ruminating "if only I had done this or that". The backyard two story porch was completed. My sister left our house to live with BuilderMan. I breathed a sigh of relief as BuilderMan and John the Dog faded away at my domain and in my mind. I was not predisposed to either like or dislike John the Dog based on this history. I remained dogless for several years.
It was as if Morgan had lost his sanity. He began growling at me. I hired the best dog trainer in Miami. She was famous for turning the most vicious dogs imaginable into gentle ones. I remember her telling me the story of her most problematic dog an Airdale that nearly cost her her stellar reputation as a dog trainer. I felt a sigh of relief. She was confident and proud to have never failed a dog or a client. She drove the 150 miles down to Key West to pick up Morgan. She arranged for him to live with her in her home full time, he accompanied her to work and everywhere she went. She took him to shopping malls, schools, etc. He participated in all the normal activities of her day which also included being around kids. Two weeks into training she reported to me by phone saying he was very smart, learned quickly and was well behaved. She was elated because the training was going better than expected. During week three she surprised me by appearing at my doorstep in tears saying that in her long career she had never experienced a failure in training. Morgan was to be her first failure. She said Morgan's behavior was perfect until she relaxed or let her guard down. She said that when she answered a phone call he went for her throat. She said he was untrustworthy, dangerous and he could not be placed anywhere even as a guard dog in South America. She recommended euthanizing him. We cried together. She said she would take care of putting him down in Miami. She did. I was sad. I was traumatized. I disliked BuilderMan who nastily tried to lay a lot of blame on me, saying it was all my fault. He made innuendos, that my dog was vicious because I was vicious. I was grieving and bewildered, I felt guilt. I lost a lot of energy ruminating "if only I had done this or that". The backyard two story porch was completed. My sister left our house to live with BuilderMan. I breathed a sigh of relief as BuilderMan and John the Dog faded away at my domain and in my mind. I was not predisposed to either like or dislike John the Dog based on this history. I remained dogless for several years.
I MET HAROLD & JOHN THE DOG REENTERS MY LIFE
I met Harold at one of the few natural occurring sandy beaches in Key West. It is now privately owned by a resort known as The Reach and no longer accessible to the public. A tiny portion of what was once everyone's free place to go, meet friends, swim and sunbathe is still there, it is called Dog Beach. It is the size of a boat ramp and it is still a place for dogs to access the water.
Harold and I spent hours talking. He was an Austrian who had spent several years living on his boat in the Bahamas before ending up at BuilderMans compound in KeyWest. While we talked many dogs of all kinds amused themselves in the shallow water next to us. I was not aware that the big black dog there was John the Dog. Harold was a peaceful man who loved the natural world and was much wiser and more spiritually evolved than BuilderMan. BuilderMan had a habit of causing friction over petty things. When something as simple as where Harold hung his towel became unsolvable, he came to me fleeing BuilderMan's rath, John the Dog came too thus beginning my second meeting with John the Dog. Harold and John The Dog were separatable soul mates.
I met Harold at one of the few natural occurring sandy beaches in Key West. It is now privately owned by a resort known as The Reach and no longer accessible to the public. A tiny portion of what was once everyone's free place to go, meet friends, swim and sunbathe is still there, it is called Dog Beach. It is the size of a boat ramp and it is still a place for dogs to access the water.
Harold and I spent hours talking. He was an Austrian who had spent several years living on his boat in the Bahamas before ending up at BuilderMans compound in KeyWest. While we talked many dogs of all kinds amused themselves in the shallow water next to us. I was not aware that the big black dog there was John the Dog. Harold was a peaceful man who loved the natural world and was much wiser and more spiritually evolved than BuilderMan. BuilderMan had a habit of causing friction over petty things. When something as simple as where Harold hung his towel became unsolvable, he came to me fleeing BuilderMan's rath, John the Dog came too thus beginning my second meeting with John the Dog. Harold and John The Dog were separatable soul mates.
HAROLD RETURNED TO AUSTRIA
I was surprised that John the Dog continued to make my house and property one of his homebases. He was free to roam wherever he pleased.
I was surprised that John the Dog continued to make my house and property one of his homebases. He was free to roam wherever he pleased.
JOHN THE DOG CONTINUED TO HANGOUT WITH ME
THE STORY OF OUR FRIENDSHIP
John continued to make my house and garden one of his primary places to live. If he was at the door he was welcome to enter, stay awhile, spend the night. Whatever his heart desired. He made himself comfortable in my house on the floor. I don't remember any special places in the house or garden he liked but he was welcome to use the place at will. He was never intrusive or underfoot. He chose to rest quietly in out of the way places. I lost track of whether he was on the property or not. Most days in the late afternoon, he would appear and wait patiently for me or someone at my place to begin his dinner ritual. He was delightful to be around.
THE STORY OF OUR FRIENDSHIP
John continued to make my house and garden one of his primary places to live. If he was at the door he was welcome to enter, stay awhile, spend the night. Whatever his heart desired. He made himself comfortable in my house on the floor. I don't remember any special places in the house or garden he liked but he was welcome to use the place at will. He was never intrusive or underfoot. He chose to rest quietly in out of the way places. I lost track of whether he was on the property or not. Most days in the late afternoon, he would appear and wait patiently for me or someone at my place to begin his dinner ritual. He was delightful to be around.
JOHN'S INTERSPECIES FRIENDSHIPS
HIS PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
John lived in District One also known as Historic Old Town Key West. He was frequently seen there moving about always with serious intent. He had several properties that he used as home base. He had a fondness for certain people but not a dependency. He took turns visiting his chosen people including the homeless, If he liked you, he hung out with you, sometimes he stayed for as many as three days at a time. He was loyal to his pack of humans making the rounds to stay in touch. He coerced them into participating in his dinner ritual. His pop-up visits were always sudden joyous surprises. He would burst out of the bushes, fall into step or stride and accompany his friends whether they were on foot or bicycle. He was loyal to his human friends, I do not know if he stayed in touch with BuilderMan or his compound. Rumor had it that BuilderMan was physically ruff on the dog as a puppy because he wanted the dog to be independent self-sufficient and take care of his own needs like feeding himself when Builderman was off island for long periods of time.
HIS PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
John lived in District One also known as Historic Old Town Key West. He was frequently seen there moving about always with serious intent. He had several properties that he used as home base. He had a fondness for certain people but not a dependency. He took turns visiting his chosen people including the homeless, If he liked you, he hung out with you, sometimes he stayed for as many as three days at a time. He was loyal to his pack of humans making the rounds to stay in touch. He coerced them into participating in his dinner ritual. His pop-up visits were always sudden joyous surprises. He would burst out of the bushes, fall into step or stride and accompany his friends whether they were on foot or bicycle. He was loyal to his human friends, I do not know if he stayed in touch with BuilderMan or his compound. Rumor had it that BuilderMan was physically ruff on the dog as a puppy because he wanted the dog to be independent self-sufficient and take care of his own needs like feeding himself when Builderman was off island for long periods of time.
MY CLOSER LOOK AT JOHN THE DOG
My intent- Capture John's silhouette & joy of his body motions as he mullet fished.
Collaboration AI & Artist Nancy Forrester
Collaboration AI & Artist Nancy Forrester
TRIBUTE TO JOHN THE DOG
JOHNS PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Johns figure was impressive and deserving of attention. I would never describe him as cute, pretty or cuddly. John was a handsome dog but he was not the product of impeccable breeding. He had well-defined features. He was genetically a tall MUT bearing a strong resemblance to Labrador retrievers. He had short shiny black hair. He had a nicely sculpted sleek body, medium sized muzzle and brow, a deep chested torso, long slender legs and medium-sized brown eyes that contributed to his gentle and expressive demeanor.
John was a rare example of canine beauty. His appearance was so striking that people stopped to admire him when we went on walks. His goal was not to capture attention. He presented himself as strong and dignified with an air of self-confidence. He left a lasting impression on the viewer.
John was a rare example of canine beauty. His appearance was so striking that people stopped to admire him when we went on walks. His goal was not to capture attention. He presented himself as strong and dignified with an air of self-confidence. He left a lasting impression on the viewer.
JOHN IN MOTION
John always set his own pace. John did not race or saunter. He seldom meandered leisurely. Johns strong, determined stride said a lot about his mindset and spirit. He had an air of importance, He moved with purpose in life. He moved in concert with his mission. He was a dog that walked with head and tail held high. I never saw him cowed with his tail tucked between his legs or slink. He strode purposely at a brisk pace. His strut, trot, prance or amble were always fluid and graceful. John was so nimble he could jump from the ground into a cargo van with its doors closed. With one leap he could flawlessly navigate thru an open front van window.
John always set his own pace. John did not race or saunter. He seldom meandered leisurely. Johns strong, determined stride said a lot about his mindset and spirit. He had an air of importance, He moved with purpose in life. He moved in concert with his mission. He was a dog that walked with head and tail held high. I never saw him cowed with his tail tucked between his legs or slink. He strode purposely at a brisk pace. His strut, trot, prance or amble were always fluid and graceful. John was so nimble he could jump from the ground into a cargo van with its doors closed. With one leap he could flawlessly navigate thru an open front van window.
JOHNS HEALTH
He was not bothered by skin problems or fleas, There was no incessant scratching, itching, licking and shedding of fur all over the house, He had no digestive problems no vomiting, gagging, no weight loss or gain, no dragging butt on the ground, no bad breath, no doggy odor, no coughing, no sneezing, I never saw him go poo or lift his leg on objects to mark his territory. He pooped in secret, and it was hidden away in places never to be encountered, smelled or stepped on. I never carried a bag to collect his poo for the garbage. He got wet in saltwater daily without freshwater rinses afterwards. No health problems, I am not sure if he was neutered. As he aged, and white hair appeared on his muzzle. He became more distinguished looking.
He was not bothered by skin problems or fleas, There was no incessant scratching, itching, licking and shedding of fur all over the house, He had no digestive problems no vomiting, gagging, no weight loss or gain, no dragging butt on the ground, no bad breath, no doggy odor, no coughing, no sneezing, I never saw him go poo or lift his leg on objects to mark his territory. He pooped in secret, and it was hidden away in places never to be encountered, smelled or stepped on. I never carried a bag to collect his poo for the garbage. He got wet in saltwater daily without freshwater rinses afterwards. No health problems, I am not sure if he was neutered. As he aged, and white hair appeared on his muzzle. He became more distinguished looking.
A GASH NEAR JOHN'S EYE & A VISIT TO THE VET RAISES QUESTIONS OF LEGAL OWNERSHIP
John got an open wound on his eye lid. This sore looking gash did not appear to be infected. Days passed with no sign of healing. I thought he needed vet treatment. I got up my nerve and called BuilderMam. who I thought was his legal owner. BuilderMan could care less and took no responsibility. He said the dog needed to learn to heal himself. He said he would either heal himself or he wouldn't, It was up to the dog to take care of himself and become more resilient. I took him to the Vet to get needed sutures. Florida Law states when a human feeds an animal and spends money for vet care, they become legally responsible for the animal and their behavior. Technically I became his lawful owner. He got the required rabies shot, heart worm medicine, distemper, etc. Legal ownership did not change anything in John's lifestyle, he had the same freedom to come and go as he pleased. After I helped heal his eyelid, he showed appreciation by spending more time with me and he gave me nearly exclusive rights to his dinner ritual. During his lifetime John had no chronic health problems, he incurred no big veterinarian bills. He showed no signs of illness before his sudden death.
John got an open wound on his eye lid. This sore looking gash did not appear to be infected. Days passed with no sign of healing. I thought he needed vet treatment. I got up my nerve and called BuilderMam. who I thought was his legal owner. BuilderMan could care less and took no responsibility. He said the dog needed to learn to heal himself. He said he would either heal himself or he wouldn't, It was up to the dog to take care of himself and become more resilient. I took him to the Vet to get needed sutures. Florida Law states when a human feeds an animal and spends money for vet care, they become legally responsible for the animal and their behavior. Technically I became his lawful owner. He got the required rabies shot, heart worm medicine, distemper, etc. Legal ownership did not change anything in John's lifestyle, he had the same freedom to come and go as he pleased. After I helped heal his eyelid, he showed appreciation by spending more time with me and he gave me nearly exclusive rights to his dinner ritual. During his lifetime John had no chronic health problems, he incurred no big veterinarian bills. He showed no signs of illness before his sudden death.
JOHN THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR
HIS LIFESTYLE AND HIS ACTIVITIES
HIS LIFESTYLE AND HIS ACTIVITIES
THINGS JOHN NEVER DID.
John The Dog never wore a collar, a dog tag or a leash. He was not trained to respond to vocal cues or hand signals, He did not come when called because no one taught him to do so.
I never saw him feeding on free meat scraps put out on the sidewalk by the local grocers for stray dogs. I never saw him raid garbage cans. I never saw him trembling, salivating, begging or sniffing around for food or treats. I never saw him chewing or gnawing on bones or eating things that were not good for him, I never saw him chewing socks, shoes or destroying property.
With the exception of my dog Morgan, I never saw him pick a dog fight, follow a female in heat or sire offspring, I never saw him leg humping, marking territory with urine or excessively sniffing around where other dogs had left their scent.
He did not resource guard anything, a territory, a house, our van, his food, his food bowl or his people.
I never saw him fearful, bored or overstimulated. Hè was never menacing to humans or other living creatures. He did not bark at people or other animals. He did not chase animals like squirrels, birds, chickens, racoons, cats or lizards.
He was not a touchy-feely kind of dog. He was not needy for petting or scratching anywhere on his body. He did not engage in snuggling, rolling over, squirming, shimming up or excessive tail wagging to be noticed or get affection. He accepted physical touching to be polite but did not seek it.
He did not pant, drool, snore, snort or sneeze. He did not jump up on people, furniture or take over beds hogging sleeping space. He did not fetch sticks or play with dog toys. He did not swim in the Ocean for the sake of swimming, He was never underfoot. He did not dug holes in the garden,
John The Dog never wore a collar, a dog tag or a leash. He was not trained to respond to vocal cues or hand signals, He did not come when called because no one taught him to do so.
I never saw him feeding on free meat scraps put out on the sidewalk by the local grocers for stray dogs. I never saw him raid garbage cans. I never saw him trembling, salivating, begging or sniffing around for food or treats. I never saw him chewing or gnawing on bones or eating things that were not good for him, I never saw him chewing socks, shoes or destroying property.
With the exception of my dog Morgan, I never saw him pick a dog fight, follow a female in heat or sire offspring, I never saw him leg humping, marking territory with urine or excessively sniffing around where other dogs had left their scent.
He did not resource guard anything, a territory, a house, our van, his food, his food bowl or his people.
I never saw him fearful, bored or overstimulated. Hè was never menacing to humans or other living creatures. He did not bark at people or other animals. He did not chase animals like squirrels, birds, chickens, racoons, cats or lizards.
He was not a touchy-feely kind of dog. He was not needy for petting or scratching anywhere on his body. He did not engage in snuggling, rolling over, squirming, shimming up or excessive tail wagging to be noticed or get affection. He accepted physical touching to be polite but did not seek it.
He did not pant, drool, snore, snort or sneeze. He did not jump up on people, furniture or take over beds hogging sleeping space. He did not fetch sticks or play with dog toys. He did not swim in the Ocean for the sake of swimming, He was never underfoot. He did not dug holes in the garden,
DOG CATCHER STORY
The ASPCA began rounding up homeless and stray dogs in Key West in the Mid 70's, John was apprehended when young, captured and driven to "dog hell" on Stock Island, Rumer had it that BuilderMan wanted him to sufferer a long term confinement in order to teach him a lesson.
Lesson being DO NOT GET CAUGHT AGAIN. After a couple of weeks BilderMan paid the fine and bailed him out, only one day before John's euthanasia was to take place. Maybe this harsh method worked because John roamed the island freely for many years after that episode always avoiding the dog catcher.
There were no complaints against him. He stayed out of trouble.
The ASPCA began rounding up homeless and stray dogs in Key West in the Mid 70's, John was apprehended when young, captured and driven to "dog hell" on Stock Island, Rumer had it that BuilderMan wanted him to sufferer a long term confinement in order to teach him a lesson.
Lesson being DO NOT GET CAUGHT AGAIN. After a couple of weeks BilderMan paid the fine and bailed him out, only one day before John's euthanasia was to take place. Maybe this harsh method worked because John roamed the island freely for many years after that episode always avoiding the dog catcher.
There were no complaints against him. He stayed out of trouble.
INTERSPECIES FRIENDSHIP
PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
All Johns favorite people lived in District 1 or Historic Old Town Key West. He used several properties as home base, He had a fondness for certain people but not a dependency. He had multiple homes and human friends including homeless people. If he liked you, he hung out with you on and off. He took turns hanging out with his chosen people. He would be gone for days than suddenly appear and fall into step with me if I was on foot or bicycle. He was loyal to his pack of humans making the rounds to stay in touch with all of them. I do not know if he stayed in touch with BuilderMan or his compound. Most of the time he was out of sight but nearby keeping a close eye on everything. He preferred watching from hidden vantage points. He stayed in the dense foliage along the sidewalks and streets and sought brief moments in the limelight, maybe because he was famous in the area and did not want pawing human hands all over him. He did not enjoy petting, Maybe he stayed hidden because being in the shade was cooler, maybe this strategy helped him avoid the dog catcher or maybe he loved physical encounters that surprised or scared people to death. He was like a kid jumping out of hiding and saying Boo! His element of surprised always raised my heart rate.
PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
All Johns favorite people lived in District 1 or Historic Old Town Key West. He used several properties as home base, He had a fondness for certain people but not a dependency. He had multiple homes and human friends including homeless people. If he liked you, he hung out with you on and off. He took turns hanging out with his chosen people. He would be gone for days than suddenly appear and fall into step with me if I was on foot or bicycle. He was loyal to his pack of humans making the rounds to stay in touch with all of them. I do not know if he stayed in touch with BuilderMan or his compound. Most of the time he was out of sight but nearby keeping a close eye on everything. He preferred watching from hidden vantage points. He stayed in the dense foliage along the sidewalks and streets and sought brief moments in the limelight, maybe because he was famous in the area and did not want pawing human hands all over him. He did not enjoy petting, Maybe he stayed hidden because being in the shade was cooler, maybe this strategy helped him avoid the dog catcher or maybe he loved physical encounters that surprised or scared people to death. He was like a kid jumping out of hiding and saying Boo! His element of surprised always raised my heart rate.
JOHN THE DOG & JOHN THE MAN
HOMELESS IN KEY WEST
John the Dog introduced me to John the Man. We became friends. John the Man and John the Dog were tight friends long before I met either of them. John the Man was well liked in town. He wore a black patch over a blind eye which he had lost in a mugging which caused a concussion. John the Man was a treasure trove of wisdom beyond his years. He was homeless and he preferred it that way. For many years he slept hidden at night in a safe spot concealed by tropical bushes along the sidewalk leading to the Key West Aquarium near Front St. This place was bustling with business in the daytime and a quit place to rest at night. John the dog used to accompany him around town in the daytime and bed down with him at night. John the Man told me, one night a policeman came by holding a flashlight searching the bushes with the intention of arresting him. John the Dog came to his rescue. The dog rose up silently with a surprising fast and agile leap, grabbed the policeman's flashlight and ran away with it. Together the two John's successfully fled never to sleep there again. Back then I knew and liked many of the homeless people who slept in plain sight on the downtown streets. One of them was elderly white haired Mr. Biddle who dressed in black and carried a medium size black bag that contained all his possessions. He lived in the alcove entrance of a shop on Fleming St near Fausto's Food Palace. He appeared to have unlimited funds for the finest food at the store. It was rumored that he was a member of the wealthy Philadelphia Biddle family and heir to The famous Bailey, Banks and Biddle Company, The rumor was true, Such was life in Key West in those days. We had an elite group of homeless people, . see Winthrop Lee Biddle (1896-1971) - American Aristocracy
HOMELESS IN KEY WEST
John the Dog introduced me to John the Man. We became friends. John the Man and John the Dog were tight friends long before I met either of them. John the Man was well liked in town. He wore a black patch over a blind eye which he had lost in a mugging which caused a concussion. John the Man was a treasure trove of wisdom beyond his years. He was homeless and he preferred it that way. For many years he slept hidden at night in a safe spot concealed by tropical bushes along the sidewalk leading to the Key West Aquarium near Front St. This place was bustling with business in the daytime and a quit place to rest at night. John the dog used to accompany him around town in the daytime and bed down with him at night. John the Man told me, one night a policeman came by holding a flashlight searching the bushes with the intention of arresting him. John the Dog came to his rescue. The dog rose up silently with a surprising fast and agile leap, grabbed the policeman's flashlight and ran away with it. Together the two John's successfully fled never to sleep there again. Back then I knew and liked many of the homeless people who slept in plain sight on the downtown streets. One of them was elderly white haired Mr. Biddle who dressed in black and carried a medium size black bag that contained all his possessions. He lived in the alcove entrance of a shop on Fleming St near Fausto's Food Palace. He appeared to have unlimited funds for the finest food at the store. It was rumored that he was a member of the wealthy Philadelphia Biddle family and heir to The famous Bailey, Banks and Biddle Company, The rumor was true, Such was life in Key West in those days. We had an elite group of homeless people, . see Winthrop Lee Biddle (1896-1971) - American Aristocracy
My desire to create a picture to illustrate the story of two homeless Johns fleeing a policeman did not take the shape or include the detail I was prompting for. I had to give it a rest!
AI Collaboration DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
AI Collaboration DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
I WAKE UP TO JOHNS LOYALTY
THE PIERHOUSE STORY
In the 70's I did plenty of walking and bike riding. If John happened to be around when I left my property, he would bound out of the bushes and accompany me everywhere I went. If I was doing a series of errand's I would stop, park my bike, lock it and disappear into a building. He would wait nearby no matter how much time passed. He always waited patiently hidden somewhere nearby in the shady bushes until I reemerged, ready to escort me to my next stop. He accompanied me by walking or running out in the open on the sidewalks to be safe and avoid cars. One afternoon I went to the Chart Room at Pier House for Happy hour. The Chart Room was a famous place where locals and celebrities mixed. I locked my bike in the parking lot and went to the bar using the main entrance. John curled up in the bushes nearby to wait. That evening was particularly fun, and I stayed late. I ended up getting a ride home and left using a different entrance. Next morning I realized I did not have my bike. I remembered where I left it. When I went to retrieve my bike, John the prince of loyalty suddenly bounded out of the bushes into view to great me. He had stayed the night providing company for my bicycle and waiting for me to show up even though it meant skipping his dinner ritual and going hungry.
THE PIERHOUSE STORY
In the 70's I did plenty of walking and bike riding. If John happened to be around when I left my property, he would bound out of the bushes and accompany me everywhere I went. If I was doing a series of errand's I would stop, park my bike, lock it and disappear into a building. He would wait nearby no matter how much time passed. He always waited patiently hidden somewhere nearby in the shady bushes until I reemerged, ready to escort me to my next stop. He accompanied me by walking or running out in the open on the sidewalks to be safe and avoid cars. One afternoon I went to the Chart Room at Pier House for Happy hour. The Chart Room was a famous place where locals and celebrities mixed. I locked my bike in the parking lot and went to the bar using the main entrance. John curled up in the bushes nearby to wait. That evening was particularly fun, and I stayed late. I ended up getting a ride home and left using a different entrance. Next morning I realized I did not have my bike. I remembered where I left it. When I went to retrieve my bike, John the prince of loyalty suddenly bounded out of the bushes into view to great me. He had stayed the night providing company for my bicycle and waiting for me to show up even though it meant skipping his dinner ritual and going hungry.
PERFECT TRAVELING COMPANION
OUR TRIP TO NAPLES FLORIDA A visiting friend and I decided to take a long weekend camping trip in my van to visit Everglades National Park and Nap[es FL As we were lifting our bags into the van just minutes away from leaving the curb in front of my house John the Dog appeared and invited himself on the trip by jumping into the van. We discovered that travelling with him did not slow us down or alter our plans. Whenever we parked and went off to do a planned activity, a hike, a meal in a restaurant, an hour air boat ride or a long sunset walk on the beach in Naples, John preferred to stay with the van. He didn't have separation anxiety or want to accompany us on our adventures when we took leave. His did his own thing by staying in the van or hidden nearby when not in it. He did not resource guard the van by barking or growling if strangers approached the vehicle. It was winter so the temperature in the van with the windows open was comfortable. I made sure the two front van windows were completely rolled down so he could jump in and out of the van as he pleased. He easily cleared the metal window framing as he leaped in and out of the van. He had the skill and precision of a Cirque du Soleil gymnast. His high leap was executed flawlessly in and out the front window. He took short discreet walks to pee or explore, He would shimmy under the van for cool shady naps where he was hardly visible, He proved himself so savvy that I never worried about him getting hit by a car. getting lost, getting into trouble or being picked up by a dog catcher. He was smart and self-assured.
OUR TRIP TO NAPLES FLORIDA A visiting friend and I decided to take a long weekend camping trip in my van to visit Everglades National Park and Nap[es FL As we were lifting our bags into the van just minutes away from leaving the curb in front of my house John the Dog appeared and invited himself on the trip by jumping into the van. We discovered that travelling with him did not slow us down or alter our plans. Whenever we parked and went off to do a planned activity, a hike, a meal in a restaurant, an hour air boat ride or a long sunset walk on the beach in Naples, John preferred to stay with the van. He didn't have separation anxiety or want to accompany us on our adventures when we took leave. His did his own thing by staying in the van or hidden nearby when not in it. He did not resource guard the van by barking or growling if strangers approached the vehicle. It was winter so the temperature in the van with the windows open was comfortable. I made sure the two front van windows were completely rolled down so he could jump in and out of the van as he pleased. He easily cleared the metal window framing as he leaped in and out of the van. He had the skill and precision of a Cirque du Soleil gymnast. His high leap was executed flawlessly in and out the front window. He took short discreet walks to pee or explore, He would shimmy under the van for cool shady naps where he was hardly visible, He proved himself so savvy that I never worried about him getting hit by a car. getting lost, getting into trouble or being picked up by a dog catcher. He was smart and self-assured.
JUGLER VEIN FIGHT AT MASCOT BAR
I used to look up and try to see into the Mascot Bar on Caroline Street as I walked by. It was elevated. It was not possible to see inside. I never went inside. It was a busy place near the seaport frequented by hard working fisherman and shrimpers. The place was notorious for fights and drunken behavior, sometimes people got killed there, shot to death. One day as John the Dog and I were walking past the place a large Pitbull shot out of the bar with a roar and before I could think or blink this dog had John in a death grip. There was no preliminary dog fight. John was instantly pinned to the sidewalk upside down. The Pitbull had a death grip on the underside of his neck. John lay limp, motionless; I screamed for help. Several big men dressed in motorcycle garb emerged from the bar. They acted in haste when they realized the gravity of the situation. They tried pulling the dog off of John, they tried to unset his jaw, they failed. These were strong men using their brute force to no avail. I remember the chilling sound of teeth grinding bone as the Pitbull tried to kill John. A small crowd had gathered. Fortunately, someone in the crowd had a beer in hand and poured it into the nostrils of the Pitbull. The dog let go immediately, the owner grabbed hm. John somehow got to his feet and we left. I was surprised that he was alive. Miraculously the grinding Pitbull's teeth missed his Juglar vein and spinal cord. He had a close call with death.
I used to look up and try to see into the Mascot Bar on Caroline Street as I walked by. It was elevated. It was not possible to see inside. I never went inside. It was a busy place near the seaport frequented by hard working fisherman and shrimpers. The place was notorious for fights and drunken behavior, sometimes people got killed there, shot to death. One day as John the Dog and I were walking past the place a large Pitbull shot out of the bar with a roar and before I could think or blink this dog had John in a death grip. There was no preliminary dog fight. John was instantly pinned to the sidewalk upside down. The Pitbull had a death grip on the underside of his neck. John lay limp, motionless; I screamed for help. Several big men dressed in motorcycle garb emerged from the bar. They acted in haste when they realized the gravity of the situation. They tried pulling the dog off of John, they tried to unset his jaw, they failed. These were strong men using their brute force to no avail. I remember the chilling sound of teeth grinding bone as the Pitbull tried to kill John. A small crowd had gathered. Fortunately, someone in the crowd had a beer in hand and poured it into the nostrils of the Pitbull. The dog let go immediately, the owner grabbed hm. John somehow got to his feet and we left. I was surprised that he was alive. Miraculously the grinding Pitbull's teeth missed his Juglar vein and spinal cord. He had a close call with death.
TRIP TO BEAUFORT SOUTH CAROLINA
ACTRESS GLEN CLOSE STORY
In the early 80's I was sharing life with Alexander Elliott Wright a man known as "Ellie." We met in Key West. We lived together for 25 years. He was from Beaufort SC. We decided to spend six months in Key West and six months in Beaufort. We understood John The Dog's Key West lifestyle and we knew he would be fine on the southernmost island without us. Every year when we put our suitcases in the back end of the van, John would be waiting curbside and jump in the van to go with us. We did not round him up, our attitude was if he showed up and wanted to go he could join us, There was no coercion, so off we went the three of us together. Although Beaufort cramped his mullet fishing style, he seemed content there. In SC there were no daily trips to the beach to search for mullet, no cultivation of new friends to hang out with and no accompanying anybody on bike rides. He was older and more of a homebody. We lived in a secluded house on the outskirts of town, so John was free to roam that area. His supper ritual continued every night because we were within walking distance of a Piggly Wiggly Super Market. One evening when John the Dog, Ellie and I walked to the market we encountered tables and chairs, and a food truck set up in the supermarket parking lot. There was a catered dinner being served on the asphalt parking lot for the staff, crew and actors of a 1983 movie that was being filmed in Beaufort. It turned out to be a very popular movie called The Big Chill starring Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, Tom Berenger and JoBeth Williams,
Many of these young actors were unknown to me at the time.
One of the diners got up and started to walk towards us when we emerged from the market. John was leading us home where the can opener lived. A woman was responding to the sight of John the Dog with his head held high proudly carrying his can of Ken-L-ration gripped horizontally in his mouth, Glenn Close was the animal lover who came over to us and initiated a 10-minute conversation, John who was normally aloof to any petting yielded to her repetitive stroking. John dog food can in mouth stood absolutely still. He was stiff legged on all four feet, leaning forwards pressing into Glen Close's legs while she repeatedly stroked his head and back. I watched this with fascination as he allowed her to fawn all over him. He never allowed people to touch him maybe he wanted an audition.
I do not remember ever touching him let alone petting him.
In the early 80's I was sharing life with Alexander Elliott Wright a man known as "Ellie." We met in Key West. We lived together for 25 years. He was from Beaufort SC. We decided to spend six months in Key West and six months in Beaufort. We understood John The Dog's Key West lifestyle and we knew he would be fine on the southernmost island without us. Every year when we put our suitcases in the back end of the van, John would be waiting curbside and jump in the van to go with us. We did not round him up, our attitude was if he showed up and wanted to go he could join us, There was no coercion, so off we went the three of us together. Although Beaufort cramped his mullet fishing style, he seemed content there. In SC there were no daily trips to the beach to search for mullet, no cultivation of new friends to hang out with and no accompanying anybody on bike rides. He was older and more of a homebody. We lived in a secluded house on the outskirts of town, so John was free to roam that area. His supper ritual continued every night because we were within walking distance of a Piggly Wiggly Super Market. One evening when John the Dog, Ellie and I walked to the market we encountered tables and chairs, and a food truck set up in the supermarket parking lot. There was a catered dinner being served on the asphalt parking lot for the staff, crew and actors of a 1983 movie that was being filmed in Beaufort. It turned out to be a very popular movie called The Big Chill starring Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, Tom Berenger and JoBeth Williams,
Many of these young actors were unknown to me at the time.
One of the diners got up and started to walk towards us when we emerged from the market. John was leading us home where the can opener lived. A woman was responding to the sight of John the Dog with his head held high proudly carrying his can of Ken-L-ration gripped horizontally in his mouth, Glenn Close was the animal lover who came over to us and initiated a 10-minute conversation, John who was normally aloof to any petting yielded to her repetitive stroking. John dog food can in mouth stood absolutely still. He was stiff legged on all four feet, leaning forwards pressing into Glen Close's legs while she repeatedly stroked his head and back. I watched this with fascination as he allowed her to fawn all over him. He never allowed people to touch him maybe he wanted an audition.
I do not remember ever touching him let alone petting him.
THE HIGHLITE OF JOHN THE DOG'S LIFE WAS
MULLET FISHING IN KEY WEST
MULLET FISHING IN KEY WEST
JOHNS DAILY JAUNT TO THE BEACH TO FIND MULLET
The island of Key West is small. It is one mile wide by four miles long. On one side is the Gulf of Mexico on the other side the Atlantic Ocean. From my house to an accessible beach known as Reach Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is about three quarters of a mile. Access to an excellent beach or swimming spot on the Atlantic side of the island is limited by shorelines of impenetrable mangroves, jagged sharp coral rock or dense eel grass covered bottoms starting at the water's edge. Water shoes are essential if walking on eel grass because it is full of unknowns. An eel grass bottom is crunchy and sometimes sharp to walk on. I always felt guilty stepping on and perhaps killing so many living creatures in the grass, Reach Beach is a rare beach on the Atlantic side where pure white sand dominates the landscape. It is not a man-made beach. Sand particles have naturally collected at this spot for centuries. It has a sizable pure white sandy beach with an expansive white sandy bottom stretching out into the ocean for over 500 feet. The shallow water is a clear sparkling turquoise in color. A would-be swimmer has to walk offshore a long distance to achieve water waist high. The tidal highs and lows are minimal, the wave action is slow and gentle. There is no surf to speak of, only gentle lapping waves. The shallow water just a few feet from dry land was home to small schools of mullet swimming back and forth. The schools came and went so sometimes there were non in sight. The fish were about a foot long and silver in color. The schools numbered thirty fish or less. They were easily visible and appeared to enjoy spendlng their day swimming back and forth in the shallows of Reach Beach. This schooling was a regular daily occurrence. Maybe they were feeding or spanning. I never saw people netting them in the keys although it is common practice in other parts of Florida.
The island of Key West is small. It is one mile wide by four miles long. On one side is the Gulf of Mexico on the other side the Atlantic Ocean. From my house to an accessible beach known as Reach Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is about three quarters of a mile. Access to an excellent beach or swimming spot on the Atlantic side of the island is limited by shorelines of impenetrable mangroves, jagged sharp coral rock or dense eel grass covered bottoms starting at the water's edge. Water shoes are essential if walking on eel grass because it is full of unknowns. An eel grass bottom is crunchy and sometimes sharp to walk on. I always felt guilty stepping on and perhaps killing so many living creatures in the grass, Reach Beach is a rare beach on the Atlantic side where pure white sand dominates the landscape. It is not a man-made beach. Sand particles have naturally collected at this spot for centuries. It has a sizable pure white sandy beach with an expansive white sandy bottom stretching out into the ocean for over 500 feet. The shallow water is a clear sparkling turquoise in color. A would-be swimmer has to walk offshore a long distance to achieve water waist high. The tidal highs and lows are minimal, the wave action is slow and gentle. There is no surf to speak of, only gentle lapping waves. The shallow water just a few feet from dry land was home to small schools of mullet swimming back and forth. The schools came and went so sometimes there were non in sight. The fish were about a foot long and silver in color. The schools numbered thirty fish or less. They were easily visible and appeared to enjoy spendlng their day swimming back and forth in the shallows of Reach Beach. This schooling was a regular daily occurrence. Maybe they were feeding or spanning. I never saw people netting them in the keys although it is common practice in other parts of Florida.
Interspecies Interaction - Dog and Fish
AI Image - Collaboration - DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
AI Image - Collaboration - DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
COHORTING WITH MULLET WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF JOHNS EXISTENCE
Every early afternoon of his Key West life John the Dog crossed the island alone or with a human friend, travelling on his four feet to the Reach Beach to engage with mullet. To get there he had to traverse many blocks of residential and business neighborhoods. This fishing endeavor was the highlight of his existence. Searching for fish seemed to be just as exciting as finding them. He entered the water with the serious intent of finding fish. It was a game of detection. He had strategies for finding fish. He would alternate between tactics, One was to patiently stand still in the water with his eyes fixated on the surface for any movement. The another was walking back and forth in the water near the shoreline where they liked to travel. Once he found a school he wanted to engage all the fish for as long as possible. He would either herd or unobtrusively follow them. Often he would enter into an exalted state of play, frolicking among them, Once his legs were within the school he would dance and prance amongst them with joy. The fishes' wiggles, their breach of water, their splashes and their efforts to retreat added to his excitement. He tried to stay in the school for as long as possible. Occasionally his head went underwater to get closer to a particular fish or immerse himself within the school. He was fast and could have easily caught one but that was not his goal. These fish fascinated him for hours every single day of his long life. He never tired of this game of his own making. His black fur coat withstood the rigors of salt water every day with no fresh water rinses no brushing and no grooming.
Every early afternoon of his Key West life John the Dog crossed the island alone or with a human friend, travelling on his four feet to the Reach Beach to engage with mullet. To get there he had to traverse many blocks of residential and business neighborhoods. This fishing endeavor was the highlight of his existence. Searching for fish seemed to be just as exciting as finding them. He entered the water with the serious intent of finding fish. It was a game of detection. He had strategies for finding fish. He would alternate between tactics, One was to patiently stand still in the water with his eyes fixated on the surface for any movement. The another was walking back and forth in the water near the shoreline where they liked to travel. Once he found a school he wanted to engage all the fish for as long as possible. He would either herd or unobtrusively follow them. Often he would enter into an exalted state of play, frolicking among them, Once his legs were within the school he would dance and prance amongst them with joy. The fishes' wiggles, their breach of water, their splashes and their efforts to retreat added to his excitement. He tried to stay in the school for as long as possible. Occasionally his head went underwater to get closer to a particular fish or immerse himself within the school. He was fast and could have easily caught one but that was not his goal. These fish fascinated him for hours every single day of his long life. He never tired of this game of his own making. His black fur coat withstood the rigors of salt water every day with no fresh water rinses no brushing and no grooming.
JOHN'S CLAIM TO FAME
JOHN'S DINNER RITUAL
A WALK TO THE GROCERY STORE
CARRING A CAN OF KEN-L-RATION
A WALK TO THE GROCERY STORE
CARRING A CAN OF KEN-L-RATION
- KEN -L - RATION
- Popular brand of dog food in the 80's
KEN-L-RATION was a brand of canned and dry dog food. In 1922, canned pet food was popularly known on the market. Ken-L Ration was the first to release horse meat in their pet food after purchasing cheap horse meat. Ken-L Ration was owned by Quaker Oats. The brand was sold to H. J. Heinz Co. in 1995. The brand's name was a play on the World War II-era K-ration, and featured a yellow dog named Fido on its labels.
Image Intention - John the Dog attracting attention as he carries his dinner home.
I failed to get correct label on can, I failed to get position of can horizonal in dogs' mouth
Collaboration AI & Nancy Forrester
I failed to get correct label on can, I failed to get position of can horizonal in dogs' mouth
Collaboration AI & Nancy Forrester
JOHN THE DOGS CLAIM TO FAME
JOHN'S DAILY DINNER RITUAL
JOHN WAS FAMOUS FOR CARRYING A CAN OF DOG FOOD IN HIS MOUTH
John did not nag about being hungry when dinner time approached. John had a preferred agenda regarding food. Supper was facilitated by his human favorites who he rounded up and coerced for support. He needed their physical participation, their time, their walking ability, their wallets and their manual help with the can opener. He trained us. Late afternoon, he would find a friend to escort him to Fausto's Food Palace. The routine required walking together to Fausto's Food Palace to procure a large can of Ken-L-Ration for his only daily meal. He walked to the store alongside his meal provider with his most dignified gait and posture. Upon arriving at the store John would wait patiently outside while his person purchased his dinner. Sometimes it took a while because Fausto's is known to be a social center,
When his shopper exited the store, it was customary for that person to hand John the can of Ken-L-Ration and together they would head for a can opener. On the return trip he would walk even more proudly high stepping like a trained thoroughbred, John moved thru the streets as if he were leading a parade, He enjoyed the attention. Once he had the can in his mouth the destination was to find the can opener, Once the can was opened, he ate every morsel of the food. Sometimes when circumstances got him a can but no can opener, he used his teeth to break open the can. I saw examples of these cans. They looked mangled and dangerously sharp. John knew how to open the tin cans with his teeth and access the food with no injury to his teeth or gums. He never chipped a tooth or had bloody gums He was famous for this spectacle of carrying his dinner a can of Kennel -L -Ration thru the streets. Everyone paused for this spectacle.
It was rumored that if no one could be found to procure the canned vittles he knew how to feed himself by turning over trash cans and he did this so secretly so as not to be the identified culprit and receive complaints. Maybe BuilderMan deserves credit for this behavior. From what I was told BuilderMan left town a lot and taught the dog to feed himself by turning over garbage cans discreetly so as not to be caught.
JOHN'S DAILY DINNER RITUAL
JOHN WAS FAMOUS FOR CARRYING A CAN OF DOG FOOD IN HIS MOUTH
John did not nag about being hungry when dinner time approached. John had a preferred agenda regarding food. Supper was facilitated by his human favorites who he rounded up and coerced for support. He needed their physical participation, their time, their walking ability, their wallets and their manual help with the can opener. He trained us. Late afternoon, he would find a friend to escort him to Fausto's Food Palace. The routine required walking together to Fausto's Food Palace to procure a large can of Ken-L-Ration for his only daily meal. He walked to the store alongside his meal provider with his most dignified gait and posture. Upon arriving at the store John would wait patiently outside while his person purchased his dinner. Sometimes it took a while because Fausto's is known to be a social center,
When his shopper exited the store, it was customary for that person to hand John the can of Ken-L-Ration and together they would head for a can opener. On the return trip he would walk even more proudly high stepping like a trained thoroughbred, John moved thru the streets as if he were leading a parade, He enjoyed the attention. Once he had the can in his mouth the destination was to find the can opener, Once the can was opened, he ate every morsel of the food. Sometimes when circumstances got him a can but no can opener, he used his teeth to break open the can. I saw examples of these cans. They looked mangled and dangerously sharp. John knew how to open the tin cans with his teeth and access the food with no injury to his teeth or gums. He never chipped a tooth or had bloody gums He was famous for this spectacle of carrying his dinner a can of Kennel -L -Ration thru the streets. Everyone paused for this spectacle.
It was rumored that if no one could be found to procure the canned vittles he knew how to feed himself by turning over trash cans and he did this so secretly so as not to be the identified culprit and receive complaints. Maybe BuilderMan deserves credit for this behavior. From what I was told BuilderMan left town a lot and taught the dog to feed himself by turning over garbage cans discreetly so as not to be caught.
One of my first experiments with animation trying picture to video. The can in mouth becomes distorted
AI Collaboration - Runway & Nancy Forrester (picture to video)
AI Collaboration - Runway & Nancy Forrester (picture to video)
DEATH WITH DIGNITY ON VALENTINES DAY
On Valentines Day Eve the night air was chilly, Ellie and I were spending the night in the cottage rather than the house and John wanted to join us. The property was a bit torn up because professional house movers from Miami had just completed moving the cottage from one lot to another and the cottage porch stairs were not reattached making access up into the cottage not dangerous but a little more difficult to attain. The elevation of the cottage was higher than it had been and the preexisting stairs were a step too short. I helped John get into the cottage safely. About two AM he woke me up by gently nudging my leg with his nose. He wanted to go outside. I remember thinking as I opened the screen door and helped him down the stairs, he showed no signs of sickness, but this was unusual behavior. John had never nudged me before. He always slept thru the night. I thought he probably needed to do his business. I was aware the air was nippy but not cold, When Valentines Day dawned it was bright and sunny. I expected to see John that morning. During the day when he did not appear I did a little sleuthing for him on my property, It wasn't like him not to check in. Later, I worried because he had been gone too long. I went on a through hunt and found him hidden in the jungles most secretive location between what was once the crocodile pit and the edge of the sink hole. It was the least travelled place in the garden, a place where I never walked. He was there deceased. He was in a comfortable curled up pose, nose to tail as if asleep, He looked peaceful. I realized he had awakened me in the wee hours of the morning to choose his final resting place, somewhere hidden out of the way, No fuss, No muss!
I looked down at him thinking what an awesome life he had lived, so intelligent, so independent, and so private.
Ellie dug a grave amidst the roots of our centurion Spanish Lime Trees. John is buried there. It gives me comfort to know his bones will be there for a long time
I've had other animals die and their passing was much harder for me to accept
maybe because they weren't as able to mesh with my human foibles as he was.
On Valentines Day Eve the night air was chilly, Ellie and I were spending the night in the cottage rather than the house and John wanted to join us. The property was a bit torn up because professional house movers from Miami had just completed moving the cottage from one lot to another and the cottage porch stairs were not reattached making access up into the cottage not dangerous but a little more difficult to attain. The elevation of the cottage was higher than it had been and the preexisting stairs were a step too short. I helped John get into the cottage safely. About two AM he woke me up by gently nudging my leg with his nose. He wanted to go outside. I remember thinking as I opened the screen door and helped him down the stairs, he showed no signs of sickness, but this was unusual behavior. John had never nudged me before. He always slept thru the night. I thought he probably needed to do his business. I was aware the air was nippy but not cold, When Valentines Day dawned it was bright and sunny. I expected to see John that morning. During the day when he did not appear I did a little sleuthing for him on my property, It wasn't like him not to check in. Later, I worried because he had been gone too long. I went on a through hunt and found him hidden in the jungles most secretive location between what was once the crocodile pit and the edge of the sink hole. It was the least travelled place in the garden, a place where I never walked. He was there deceased. He was in a comfortable curled up pose, nose to tail as if asleep, He looked peaceful. I realized he had awakened me in the wee hours of the morning to choose his final resting place, somewhere hidden out of the way, No fuss, No muss!
I looked down at him thinking what an awesome life he had lived, so intelligent, so independent, and so private.
Ellie dug a grave amidst the roots of our centurion Spanish Lime Trees. John is buried there. It gives me comfort to know his bones will be there for a long time
I've had other animals die and their passing was much harder for me to accept
maybe because they weren't as able to mesh with my human foibles as he was.
John crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday, Valentines Day, February. 14 1983
AI image Collaboration DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
AI image Collaboration DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
SPIRIT CREATURE
John the Dog possessed special qualities that are hard to describe. I felt his alure came from a magical energy or spirit that lent him great beauty. To see him you had to use more than your eyes and brain to comprehend a more than visual experience. You had to use your gut, your heart and your instinct to feel him! I think he possessed charisma in the form of special electromagnetic charms. His presence commanded respect and admiration. He was an Old Soul in a dog's body.
It is said "Spirit animals are divine pilots on your journey of life" I felt awe, wonder, admiration even reverence for hin, His essence brought greater depth and richness to my life. I have known, cared for and loved many dogs but none of these relationships came close to elevating me to the high level that John the Dog did.
It is said "Spirit animals are divine pilots on your journey of life" I felt awe, wonder, admiration even reverence for hin, His essence brought greater depth and richness to my life. I have known, cared for and loved many dogs but none of these relationships came close to elevating me to the high level that John the Dog did.
JOHN'S WISE ENGAGEMENT WITH HIS ENVIRONMENT
Huddle - Rules of the Game - Whose turn is it?
AI Collaboration, DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
AI Collaboration, DALL-E & Nancy Forrester
Portrait of free spirited John the Dog who never wore a leash, a collar or a tag.
He was not taught to sit, heel, roll over, fetch, shake hands or come when called.
He was not taught to sit, heel, roll over, fetch, shake hands or come when called.
THE PERFECT DOG
I Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Home of Key West Parrots
518 Elizabeth Street, Key West, Florida 33040
HoursEveryday: Including Holidays 10 am - 3 pm
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Telephone305-294-0015
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