Rusty The Zen Earl.

Rusty is Steve's dog. He is more than 13 years old now - and behaves appropriately, like an elderly gentleman. Steve tells me he had come across this small puppy on one of his runs, and the puppy had followed him home - that was 13 years back.
Since then, Rusty has been a part of Steve's household - and his constant companion.

He is a friendly chap, this Rusty - as long as you don't feign the antics of a normal dog lover. You need to make him comfortable with, and acceptable of your existence before he'd warm up to you. Much like you'd expect from one of the sherry soaked, disaffected old earls in Wodehouse lores. But once you have won Rusty's approval, you will find that he is a right friendly chap, with a beautiful way of communicating that is as clear and direct as it is charming.

Rusty communicates beautifully - whether its enquiry on why steve has not yet brought him his rusk, or, once he's gotten it -to clearly indicate to Steve that his holding on to it is doing fat good to him and that he should place it in an area accessible to Rusty with a sharp pointing of his head downwards.

He is aware of and keeps his timings - and escalates requirements appropriately - when he wanted to go for a walk - started with raising his head and letting Steve know it was time - as Steve kept speaking on another subject, Rusty started unfolding himself in his cot till he was sitting like the Sphinx and letting Steve know in no uncertain terms that he needed to get his act together and take him out for a walk.

He is a dog of a different breed entirely, one that followed his destiny and found his way into a loving home, where he remains to this day, a shining example of how making a life is so much more important than being born into one.