By Scott Leishman

My wife Valerie was browsing the Internet for a cat to rescue. We have had a few cats along the way. Then, a picture of Clyde popped up. He is a white and gray Chihuahua and potentially corgi (or so we were told) mix. We see more terrier in him, especially the way he shakes up his toys. He’s also a little Yoda with the ears…

Clyde came from Tennessee and PupStars Rescue and was being fostered right here in Rye. So we were able to visit him before we began the adoption process. PupStars has a rigorous application and interview process — might be easier to get a government security clearance — but their goal is to make sure their charges are going to good homes. We’re glad we passed the test and were allowed to bring him home, and grateful to the foster family, who were very sad to see him go.

The only time Clyde, now 4, barks is when he needs to go for a walk. It is especially nice to have a new, relatively young dog that is housebroken and friendly to people and other dogs. Even the mailman likes him. He does like to chase squirrels though.

We split dog-walking duties. I usually take Clyde for a three-mile hike at lunchtime behind Playland, and, once the season is over, to Oakland Beach. This has broken up my otherwise sedentary day and I have lost a good chunk of weight since Clyde arrived.

He rotates family members when deciding where he is going to sleep. Having been to camp in Maine, Clyde travels well. He is loved by our entire immediate and extended family.

Scott Leishman and his rescue pup, Clyde    

Photo by Geoff Tischman