Schnoodle

This is Ranok, my little Ewok. I could show you pictures, and you'd agree: as a puppy he looked exactly like an Ewok from 'Star Wars'. My daughters thought I had actually found one of the movie's characters and brought it to them as a pet! As Ranok grew, he began to take on more of the characteristics of his Schnauzer father. Still, he's as just about as cute as any Ewok.

Ranok has developed a very different kind of personality. He's very intelligent and a real problem solver. His desire to get his way is only surpassed by the creative means he comes up with to do so. He knows that the girls are much easier than I am, so he works them first.

For instance, when he wants to play he'll find a particular toy and carry it around in his mouth. If I ignore his 'hints' he'll drop it in our toilet'; then he'll go get another toy to carry around...and so on and so on until one of us breaks down and plays with him. I have found two and three of his little squeaky toys in our toilets on days when the family has been too busy to respond to his requests. Just another reason for putting the lid down.

Another thing our Ewok does is he lets you know if a TV show is on his black list. Really, there are some that he just hates. For some reason, he doesn't like Wheel of Fortune. He will bark incessantly at the show and will not cease until you change the channel. Sometimes it's difficult living on his planet but we all try to live by his rules, when rules apply.