Clancy the old, deaf dog
Our
vets like to say that "age is a number, not a disease."
It's certainly true in Clancy's case.
The Bitterroot Humane Association had rescued Clancy from neglect and placed him in foster care. With foster care ending and no adoption prospects in sight, the shelter asked if we could take him.
They believed Clancy was nearly 14, so we expected a little old guy to come shuffling into the house. Instead, we found a spry fellow with a bouncing walk and plenty of energy.
For some reason Clancy developed a real affinity for Steve and follows him everywhere. (Is it because they both have beards?) He spends his days in Steve's office and loves to roughhouse with him.
In fact, many evenings before dinner time he gets downright perky and seeks out Steve to "mix it up" a little.
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Not long after Clancy arrived, a tiny 3-week old kitten named Popeye came to the ranch. Popeye wanted his momma so desperately, and he decided Clancy would do just fine. So for his first few weeks here Popeye stuck to Clancy like glue.
Clancy wasn't sure who assigned him this role, but he became a wonderful substitute Mom for Popeye. You can see a photo of Popeye curled up with Clancy here. However, Clancy was a bit relieved when Popeye finally graduated to the cat house and he could give up his nurturing role.
"Whew," he seemed to say, "I can go back to being a dog again!"
