Mr. Molesley

In the first season of the current television rage, Downton Abbey, Joseph Molesley, the understated butler of Crawly House, professes to Miss Baxter, “I’ve felt fragile my entire life”.

So too was the inspiration behind the naming of the new male (4 legged variety) in my life, Mr. Molesley, a canine of the first order, but with a difficult and unfortunate past. Just shy of three years old, this random mix of German Shepard, Lab, Great Dane, and who knows what else, came to our home with a history of neglect, and as is fast becoming evident, a history of abuse.

To look at, he is a majestic and dignified canine, but one who will drop, cower, and shake if approached without warning. A dog who took three weeks in his new home to utter his first bark. And then seemed genuinely surprised at the laughter it generated. I can only imagine what he may have been used to.

Slowly, guardedly, the true nature of this dog is beginning to shine through. Playful, inquisitive, with a loyalty that manifests as a shadow at our side, and a presence never failing to greet us at the door.

As he is getting to know and trust us, we are discovering the strange quirks and traits that make up this new addition. The oddly human yawns, an awkward body not yet grown into, a penchant for pillows that render the lawn winter white with chicken feather stuffing, and through his stellar ability to covet the entire width of a king size bed, Molesley is slowly showing us who he is.

We couldn’t be happier.