For Scruffy

January 18, 2026

Folks, years ago, before my time, my missus and ol’ man were at a family home, the Cobbler’s, in Maine, asleep in the bedroom right off the living room. Every morning, they awoke to the cheery (loud) greeting of dear Uncle John, calling out, “Good morning, Scruffy. How are you?”

Scruffy never answered, but he was very much part of the family, tail waving when he was excited or happy, barking at anything that came into his line of vision, and always ready for an adventure.

Scruffy was my distant cousin, a Miniature Schnauzer who lived with his family in Worcester and traveled wherever they went. He was a happy-go-lucky canine who once got picked up by the police, if I recall the story, because he was running away from home. And he didn’t have his collar. I believe the police planned to hold him at the station until he was identified, then he would be released. Fortunately, a friend of the family witnessed Scruffy’s arrest, and got him out of a trip to the slammer.

So, you see the adventures I find myself in are part of our family breed. We Schnauzers are full of adventure. We may be short of stature, but we’re high on personality.

Scruffy, this one’s for you.

Kutter