Meet Hooch, an 11-year-old Staffordshire Bullterrier.
I bumped into Hooch outside the Brixton tube station on a rainy evening, as he was busking along Selwyn, his owner. As commuters were rushing out of the station in a steady stream, Hooch was looking on, his chunky sturdy body, and his wide friendly face unperturbed by the the crowds milling around him. His relaxed attitude had a bit of a real Hooch about him, rather like a warming shot of whisky on a cold day like today, so I just had to stop and have a chat.
His owner, Selwyn, was busy talking to a passer by, so I made my introductions to Hooch myself. Hooch, a true professional, knew how to work a fan straight away. At the first mention of the word treat, followed by my looking for the box in my bag, Hooch stuck his wide face inside it and proceeded to muzzle around, helping me to find it.
Several treats and suggestive looks later, I was seduced. Hooch was not only fabulously expressive in his manner, shooting surreptitious glances at the treat box, tilting his head and being an absolute charmer, but also very polite and gentlemanly, offering his paw and placing it firmly in my hand.
Selwyn, his owner, told me that the Hooch used to stay at home when Selwyn went out busking. Hooch, the natural born entertainer that he is, used to mope about being left behind, so Selwyn decided to take him along, on a condition that Hooch would busk too. And sure enough, once the saxophone sounded the first couple of bars of Gershwin's Summertime, Hooch joined in with a low howl, fully in keeping with the soulful jazzy tune!
Hooch is a real performer and loves dressing up. His favourite outfit is a policeman's uniform, but unfortunately, Hooch was not on duty today. Selwyn promised me that he will wear it next time around so stay tuned!
The light was not that great at the entrance to the station so when I initially looked at the pics of Hooch, I was a bit worried that they did not convey the full character of this very special dog. Then I decided to turn them black and white, and bingo! Hooch looked like a 30s jazz star in a smoky club.
I must say that meeting Hooch was a real highlight of the day. A dog with such a personality and panache is a real find. See you around Hooch!
To meet other London terriers please click here.
