Dell and Klaus

Dell's Dog, Klaus, was itself an amazing beast.  The stories of him are legendary.

For whatever reason, Dell decided to get a dog.  Not just any dog, either, but a Rottweiler.  I suppose the breed was based on the fact that he loved Germany and that these large, generously build dogs are working dogs.  He named the dog Klaus, a good German name, and raised him from a pup I believe.

I have not spent a lot of time around Klaus, but he was nothing short of amazing.  First of all, Klaus was totally devoted to Dell.  Rottweilers are a muscular breed to begin with, but Dell had the dog pack its own supplies when they went camping and it could jump amazing heights, especially given his large size.  The dog, even when fully loaded, would ascend and descend steep inclines no human would dare to try.

There were a few memories I am particularly fond of regarding these two.  Klaus had a terrific sense of smell.  He would pick out a stick and that would be his for the day.  It could be tossed anywhere; river, pond, in the black of night, and even stuck high up in a tree and the dog would retrieve it.  Every time.  We would be camping with a fire going, pitch black outside the flame's influence, and Dell would throw Klaus' beloved stick randomly off into the woods.  You would hear crashing as the great dog lumbered through underbrush in the dead of night and wouldn't see him until he found the prize.

He came with us on canoeing trips.  Klaus would sit for hours in the boat with his master and while away the time, being perfectly content to be by Dell's side.  The dog was good with children too.  Dell taught Klaus to "purr", a term he used as a command to get Klaus to produce a deep rumble from his chest.  It actually put enormous fear into me as it sounded like a growl, but there was nothing Machiavellian about it.  The truth was the dog was a gentle, faithful, and very good friend to Dell.  They were together when Dell went to Mexico to get his teeth done.  I don't suppose anyone would have bothered him there, although I am not sure who such a person should be more afraid of.

I think Klaus made a wonderful contribution to Dell's life.  They were completely devoted to each other and I am sure that Dell got both enjoyment and company from him.  After Dell died, his friend Jim took Klaus on as per Dell's request.  Klaus died many years later from natural causes.  I am sure that, if Klaus could talk, he would say that he missed his dear friend greatly.  I don't think sticks were quite the same to him after his master's death.

Thanks for reading.   www.ericspix.com   Eric Svendsen