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Noodle Dog

Noodle Dog became a new member of the TAG caving community on December 9th, 2003. He is a Rat Terrier and his full name is Noodle Bear Dog, so named because he looks like a little grizzly bear and when he is happy he squirms around giving kisses like a sloppy, wet noodle. He was bred in North Carolina at Tiny Dancer Kennels (email: terrier@conninc.com) by Sherri and Guy Chatterton. As you can see they breed very hardy, beautiful Rat Terriers, or Feists, as the locals here in Tennessee call them. Technically a Feist is a general term for a small to medium, mountain-hardy, squirrel and varmint dog. But if an old-timer sees my dog he always tells me its a Feist and then goes into a story about how the best hunting dog he ever had was a Feist...

Through a set of unfortunate circumstances Noodle Dog ended up in a 16' outdoor, covered run (kennel), in Waco, Texas, when he was about four months old. The place where he stayed was nice and he got out to play sometimes but basically he was stuck in the kennel for 17 months, until he was 21 months old. I picked him up in Texas and brought him to Tennessee on December 9th, 2003. Like his predecessor Little Dog, he was up and running within a few weeks of getting here. By mid January, 2004 he had been caving four times in three caves, met about 40 people, been on several road trips, hiked to a waterfall off-leash, and chased and ridden my 4-wheeler.

Noodle Dog, like all Rat Terriers, is smart, highly trainable, adapting to his new environment at an amazingly fast pace, and is just a pleasure to have around. Perhaps Noodle Dog and I will run into you out and about in TAG.

Till Then,

Jay Greene and Noodle Bear Dog

Updated Februray 5th, 2004

This is Noodle Bear and me sitting atop the narrow bluffs at Window Cliffs in Tennessee. This was Noodle Bear's first time on an exposed bluff.

Here is Noodle Dog visiting the same waterfall that Little Dog visited first. This fall is located at Window Cliffs, Tennessee.

Noodle Bear on the ATV trail wondering what I am waiting on. "Whatch'a doin' back there?" he seems to be saying. Rat Terriers are great. They are adaptable, loyal, and intelligent. Those of us that share our lives with Rat Terriers wonder why anyone would even consider a different breed.

Noodle Dog showing a classic Rat Terrier "concerned" look. They have the biggest dark, intelligent eyes.

Noodle Dog sniffing around at the entrance to Kuykendall Cave. This was his second cave trip, but his first time in the woods off-leash. I had him on his leash here because I was busy taking photos and did not want him to wander off.

Trotting towards me for a visit. Kuykendall Cave, exactly one month after gaining "freedom" from his kennel. January 9th, 2004.

Playing with a walnut in Kuykendall Cave. He was batting it around and jumping on it. Then chewing it.

Notice how he is standing delicately on the rock keeping his feet out of the water. How funny. I was, of course, standing in the middle of the creek.

This photo should explain why hunters love these dogs. They are just hardy as can be, even in mountain snow, and they naturally get on scent, and naturally point. I don't hunt, but Noodle Dog looks like he wants to. This guy is only 13 pounds but he is as hardy as a much larger dog. So was Little Dog, and he only weighed 11 pounds. Rat Terriers are BIG dogs in little bodies.

Look how well he blends in. It is hard to see him, even when you know he is right in the middle of the photo.

"Come here, Noodle Dog, Come Here!"

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