I was beyond excited when Chris Jordan-Clark accepted my invitation to talk all things Ruby.
Says Chris: Roger, Ruby and I live in Northern Tasmania on the Tamar River in (unceded) Tommeginne country. I'm studying (LOL) and Roger is retired so Ruby is completely spoilt.
How did you come into each other’s lives? Ruby was advertised by Newcastle Dog Rescue. Her pregnant mum and pregnant aunty had been surrendered by their (irresponsible!) owner and she was born into foster care. 50 families applied for her and we got lucky. It was 4 years after my bestest doggo died and I was finally ready to risk the remnants of my heart again. Her adoption pic will show you why we fell for her. This photo was the cover of the 2020 Dog Rescue calander - and no surprise there.
How did you decide on Ruby's name? When we had our first meeting with her she looked like Ruby. Roger then added "Tuesday" which has confused two vets so far. "Oh, did you get her on a Tuesday" they ask while we look at each other and feel positively ancient*.
What is she like? She is a delight. I think mixed breed (and I mean LOTS of breeds in one) dogs are the best. She has such a sunny playful personality. Very terrier tho with persistence and hunting things high on the list. But also food, walks, cuddles, BARKING and lying in the sun.
What makes her the goodest girl? She has helped to heal our broken hearts. She is the first dog I have had that is equally attached to two people instead of being more attached to just one person. She is OUR dog, which was what we needed.
What is her favourite walk? Any walk is a good walk! She always gets to choose direction and take her time smelling all the things that need to be smelt. Lines are drawn at rolling in dead things (mostly - Roger has been caught unawares!)
Does she have a favourite toy? Llama is her favourite. Although it is bigger than her and does not have a squeak, she absolutely loves it. Occasionally it gets underneath her and she then has to accidentally hump it. She always looks so confused when this happens, like she really does not understand WHY she is doing this. Never met a dog who loved actual toys so much (but she rarely destroys one and never on purpose). She has TWO toyboxes!
What is her favouritest thing to do? This is hard and we had a long conversation about it. She would like to catch a skink. She would like to meet Brownie (next door dog) instead of barking through the fence and just threatening to kick his hairy butt. She would like a walk and a meal together! She loves visitors - and by visitors I mean anyone who walks past, or comes to the house. She is on first name terms with the post delivery man (Tim) who always greets her before humans.
Where does she sleep? In her own bed at the end of ours, at night, but during the day she'll sleep wherever we are, so under my desk, on the lounge, in the front garden, or somewhere in the sun.
What are her most loved noms? She only eats human grade food which we make ourselves (how fucking hipster is that?). But she is the first dog I've had that doesn't scratch or smell or fart terribly so I think its worth it. And its cheaper than anything but the cheapest tinned food so there's that. She loves treats which we buy from https://www.thedogshoptreats.com.au/ as they are mostly home made or sourced from ethical, high grade places. She also loves milk and has some every day (did you know you don't have to buy expensive puppy milk, you can just buy lactose free uht milk - it's the same stuff!)
Has she had any transgressions? Well, she does eat things she shouldn't (she says its because she's H U N G R Y!!) like rocks and bits of plastic but she's getting better at swapping them for treats. I swear she looks for bits of plastic so she can get a treat. She steals socks if she can find them but she only likes the chase, not chewing them up thank goodness. She also likes to be involved in changing the bed sheets (thanks to our friend Sonia who encouraged this!!) so if you want to just get it done you have to close her outside. Cue sad face.
What does your pup do when you go to work or out? Sleeps. We leave kibble but she won't eat it until we get back. Roger thinks she is saving it in case we don't come back. I have videoed her while we were out and she just gets on our bed and sleeps. Boring but reassuring. She is rarely alone for more than a few hours though.
What are her biggest lols? See llama story above. And bed changing. And sock stalking. She boops new things to see if they have a squeak which I think is adorable but is probably part of prey drive. She has the most adorable range of sitting positions and sweet little feet. She loves us.
*I've been wholesale humming this to myself since reading this. Music fans this is a Rolling Stones classic.
Says Chris: Roger, Ruby and I live in Northern Tasmania on the Tamar River in (unceded) Tommeginne country. I'm studying (LOL) and Roger is retired so Ruby is completely spoilt.
How did you come into each other’s lives? Ruby was advertised by Newcastle Dog Rescue. Her pregnant mum and pregnant aunty had been surrendered by their (irresponsible!) owner and she was born into foster care. 50 families applied for her and we got lucky. It was 4 years after my bestest doggo died and I was finally ready to risk the remnants of my heart again. Her adoption pic will show you why we fell for her. This photo was the cover of the 2020 Dog Rescue calander - and no surprise there.
How did you decide on Ruby's name? When we had our first meeting with her she looked like Ruby. Roger then added "Tuesday" which has confused two vets so far. "Oh, did you get her on a Tuesday" they ask while we look at each other and feel positively ancient*.
What is she like? She is a delight. I think mixed breed (and I mean LOTS of breeds in one) dogs are the best. She has such a sunny playful personality. Very terrier tho with persistence and hunting things high on the list. But also food, walks, cuddles, BARKING and lying in the sun.
What makes her the goodest girl? She has helped to heal our broken hearts. She is the first dog I have had that is equally attached to two people instead of being more attached to just one person. She is OUR dog, which was what we needed.
What is her favourite walk? Any walk is a good walk! She always gets to choose direction and take her time smelling all the things that need to be smelt. Lines are drawn at rolling in dead things (mostly - Roger has been caught unawares!)
Does she have a favourite toy? Llama is her favourite. Although it is bigger than her and does not have a squeak, she absolutely loves it. Occasionally it gets underneath her and she then has to accidentally hump it. She always looks so confused when this happens, like she really does not understand WHY she is doing this. Never met a dog who loved actual toys so much (but she rarely destroys one and never on purpose). She has TWO toyboxes!
What is her favouritest thing to do? This is hard and we had a long conversation about it. She would like to catch a skink. She would like to meet Brownie (next door dog) instead of barking through the fence and just threatening to kick his hairy butt. She would like a walk and a meal together! She loves visitors - and by visitors I mean anyone who walks past, or comes to the house. She is on first name terms with the post delivery man (Tim) who always greets her before humans.
Where does she sleep? In her own bed at the end of ours, at night, but during the day she'll sleep wherever we are, so under my desk, on the lounge, in the front garden, or somewhere in the sun.
What are her most loved noms? She only eats human grade food which we make ourselves (how fucking hipster is that?). But she is the first dog I've had that doesn't scratch or smell or fart terribly so I think its worth it. And its cheaper than anything but the cheapest tinned food so there's that. She loves treats which we buy from https://www.thedogshoptreats.com.au/ as they are mostly home made or sourced from ethical, high grade places. She also loves milk and has some every day (did you know you don't have to buy expensive puppy milk, you can just buy lactose free uht milk - it's the same stuff!)
Has she had any transgressions? Well, she does eat things she shouldn't (she says its because she's H U N G R Y!!) like rocks and bits of plastic but she's getting better at swapping them for treats. I swear she looks for bits of plastic so she can get a treat. She steals socks if she can find them but she only likes the chase, not chewing them up thank goodness. She also likes to be involved in changing the bed sheets (thanks to our friend Sonia who encouraged this!!) so if you want to just get it done you have to close her outside. Cue sad face.
What does your pup do when you go to work or out? Sleeps. We leave kibble but she won't eat it until we get back. Roger thinks she is saving it in case we don't come back. I have videoed her while we were out and she just gets on our bed and sleeps. Boring but reassuring. She is rarely alone for more than a few hours though.
What are her biggest lols? See llama story above. And bed changing. And sock stalking. She boops new things to see if they have a squeak which I think is adorable but is probably part of prey drive. She has the most adorable range of sitting positions and sweet little feet. She loves us.
*I've been wholesale humming this to myself since reading this. Music fans this is a Rolling Stones classic.