Travis the Pointer

June marks Travis's 4th year in his forever home. He has learned many tricks and continues to be interested in learning more. He has become quite the hunter. He is an excellent indoor dog, and has learned to walk on a loose leash. I am so pleased and blessed to have such a wonderful dog. He enjoys riding in the car, running along side my bike, long walks, swimming, visiting neighbors, hunting, and playing with his toys. In my first year owning Travis he helped save my neighbor. It was a cold winter day and I was working in my garage, Travis started barking and seemed agitated. Was my music too loud, was he annoyed I was working, was he cold, all these things went through my mind wondering what was up and why he was barking. I finally got down off the ladder, turned the music down and still he barked, I went out on to the driveway and I faintly heard a whistle blowing, then it hit me, my elderly neighbor has a whistle, I ran to see if she was okay, she wasn't, she had fallen and couldn't get up, she had slipped on wet plastic trying to cover her plants from the expected freeze. She was wet from the light rain and cold. Travis could hear her faint whistle over the music and partially closed garage door and knew she was in trouble. If it wasn't for Travis I might have never known my neighbor had fallen. They now have a strong bond, I can never pass her driveway without Travis wanting to go see her, he is very gentle with her and sits so she can pet him. He knows she is frail, he usually sits on her feet when she is standing as if to anchor her so just doesn't fall. He has claimed her as his and I know he will protect her. Travis is not a nuisance barker, but he has his ways of alerting me when something is not right.