“Feynman”

Like the man he was named after, Feynman was a goof. Feynman frequently wore an expression that suggested that he was lost in thoughts that expressed vague worry. But that was just a quirk. Feynman was a social boy who feigns naiveté. He was not too interested in pack hierarchy although he was willing to hold his own as he was a strong boy. He seemed perfectly at home swarming with the pack. He exerted his presence through rigorous greetings, and we had the bruises to prove it.

Feynman was the "Greeting Torpedo." In more quiet moments, when we were typing or taking a sip of tea, he’d give our elbows a good nudge. Then he’d look away as if it wasn't him. When we were cooking, Feynman liked to be there helping. He wasn’t begging, just "helping." He liked to "help" the other dogs in the pack by enthusiastically nosing their muzzles, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they didn’t seem to like it. But nobody stayed mad at Feynman, he was just too innocent and good-natured.

There was no agenda with Feynman, he was a strait-forward fellow. For instance, when Feynman wanted to go out, he was persistent with his nudging - demanding, yet subtle clues. He jumped on our chest and clawed at our neck. Then he would sit down and stare at us, as if to stay, "Must I send you another subtle clue?" It was the type of gentle manners that we here at Horsetooth Whippets work so hard to cultivate. He would also be more assertive than most of our dogs when soliciting pets and scratches. He perfected "the nudge," and we would pet him while on the computer or reading without even being aware we were doing it. Clever boy.

Despite his seemingly naive demeanor, Feynman was actually quite a competent dog while working. He definitely inherited his mom Penelope's "on switch" and he proved himself in the ring and on the track.

Feynman liked to be involved in all family events, joining the pack in barking at ferocious rabbits or other fuzzy woodland creatures, beating up each other while running or even sleeping in a big pile. Besides the S & M greetings, with people Feynman appeared to be a calm, even mannered dog who was able to be highly social - even in a house full of dogs.