Remembering Robin (1991–2006)

2006 was The Year of The Dog in the Chinese calendar. It was also Robin's last year. He was born on July 1, 1991, and died 15 years old on December 27, 2006. Sad, of course, but he had a good life and many friends. Robin was a Jack Russel terrier. Below are some snapshots from his life, spent in southern Sweden.

This is the last photo of Robin, taken exactly one month before he died. He could play for days with beeping rubber toys. He was playful to the end, a great way to stay young (2006).

Beds are for sleeping, and for dogs as well as humans. This was Robin's attitude – and he didn't like to be disturbed to early in the morning. Sometimes it became too warm, then he jumped down to sleep under the bed (2005).

Digging for these elusive clams in the lake of Ören, close to the village where he lived (2004). Robin liked water and was unafraid to dive in. He also liked to play in pools.

Robin rolls on the rug in front of two young Belgian friends, Pauline and Emma (2004). Rugs had two purposes for Robin: to roll on, and to gather together in big heaps to hide toys in.

Sitting on the entrance stairs of the house where Robin lived from 1997, when we moved to Belgium (2004). Robin became a country dog, after the excitement of living in Stockholm, a big city. He like the woods as well, though, although he never became a hunting dog. He was very afraid of sharp sounds, and did not like gunshots or firecrackers.

Robin liked sticks, at least as a young dog. In his later years his teeth became to worn down (2003).

Robin sniffing the snow in his home village of Örsåsa in Sweden (2002).

Marianne and Robin taking in the sun in Örsåsa (2002).

One of Robin's first playmates was a cat. Some of his poses made you wonder if he was half cat himself. He also preferred fish, if he had the choice (2002).

There is no such thing as a too small basket. Robin liked the security of tight quarters (2001).

The exhausted parents Robin and Alice, hiding in an armchair to get away from their puppies (1998). They got four healthy doggies, three male and one female.

The puppies of Alice and Robin were a wild bunch (1998).

A serious look (1993).

Robin having breakfast with Max in the apartment at Götgatan, Stockholm (1993).

Relaxing at the farm in Småland, chewing some grass and showing off his spotted stomach (1991).

Robin as a puppy, the first day away from his mother. He took to his new home in Stockholm without hesitation, eight weeks old (1991).

Max picking out Robin from the litter at the kennel (1991). Max got his dog the same year he started school, and after much lobbying. "Dog" was one of the first words Max learned when he started to talk.