Name:
Frodo
Age:
9 Years
Gender:
Male
Pack:
Strays United
Rank:
Scavenger
Desired Rank:
Content
Species:
Dog
Subspecies:
Miniature Pinscher Mix
Appearance:
Frodo is a very small canine – seeing as his bloodline comes from the toy and terrier groups. He stands at a miniscule thirteen inches tall, barely coming up to the shoulders of most dogs within the pack. With his small stature comes a measly weight of twenty one pounds. His structure makes him look like a true mutt – incredibly difficult to decipher the majority of the breeds in his bloodline. There are only a select few breeds that can be picked out from his looks alone. Besides the very obvious miniature pinscher aspects, attributes from schnauzers, yorkies, and german hunting terriers can also be seen. Though, all of these are minute compared to his miniature pinscher characteristics. The main structure of his body is composed of said min pin properties, taking on a sturdy yet lean build. Not hard to push over (seeing as he is a smaller dog) but strong nonetheless. The majority of his muscle is found around his legs and shoulders. He also has the typical head-strong, “I’ll take them all” posture that this breed prides itself on. His large and pointed ears (once again coming from his min pin bloodline) add to this posture and cause to be rather expressive. His tail is short and stubby like most of the breeds in his background, but especially like those of schnauzers and german hunting terriers (given that they’re cropped). His snout is a clear mix between a min pin’s, with its basic structure, and a schnauzer, due to the design of his fur. Around his snout is a much shorter version of the classic schnauzer mustache, sticking out from his upper lips and the “tip” of his bottom jaw. The rest of his run is short and shaggy, with a texture similar to that of a yorkie’s.
The old man’s coat is a rather simplistic one, with what is essentially just two colors – fawn (which is basically a shade of tan) and black. The fawn seems to have the slight edge in the conquest of his coat, covering nearly every portion of his body in its hue of tan. The black of his fur mainly accumulates around his face, ears, and sides. On his face, the black has been painted along everything but his eyebrows which are fawn in color. Other tiny patches of fawn can be seen breaking the black apart in places, but it is nothing major. A starting hint of gray on his muzzle has become a bit more apparent along his muzzle as well – really exemplifying the “old man mustache” look he’s got going. Meanwhile, his ears are completely black with no fawn in sight. The black along his side takes more of a burn brown complexion, having a lot more fawn mixed into it. It starts just below the spine and a bit after his shoulder, extends down to his underbelly (but does not cross it), and ends part way into the fur of his hind legs. Smaller accumulations of these black hairs coat his lower legs and paws, but are inferior to the reigning fawn of the area. The same could be said for the fur on his neck, but with there being even less black than what is around his legs and paws. His eyes are a deep brown in hue, and often carry signs of wisdom and experience. Though, it is quite common for them to also hold a hint of mischievousness on certain days.
This small scavenger has gathered a few noteworthy scars over his nine years of living. Nothing too much, seeing as he’s lived on a relatively safe farm (or in a safe place in general) most of his life, but still present. A tear in his right ear is the first and most eye-catching of the bunch, seeing as his ears are unusually large. It’s not too terribly big – as it is nowhere near the middle of said ear – but it still leaves a decently sized “hole” in the structure. A “four-fingered” claw mark down his right shoulder is the next to be noticed. It too is nothing major and is one of the few which has known origins. (“A squabble with that blasted feline, I tell you. She got fed up with me being the better of us two at our job and decided to ‘settle the score’ or whatever she meant by that. Well, she got what was coming to her!”). One of the least noticeable scars on his body takes the form of a simply missing claw on his hind left paw. Nothing major or hindering, though. The largest of his scars is also the least apparent, having been covered over by fur due to its age. These scars are in the shape of three large claw marks that extend from underneath his belly to over the middle of his sides – on both sides of his body. They are asymmetrical as well and do not line up with one another. These markings showcase the very first encounter the male had with a hawk. Though, it’s safe to say that this hawk did not make it out of the encounter unscathed.
Frodo’s voice is what one would usually expect from a “grandpa” such as himself. It is slightly airy at times, and always raspy and gruff. Not in a teeth grinding way, but in that odd soothing way that only old men can make work. Speaking of old men, that is exactly what he sounds like (aside from the raspy elements). An old man filled with wisdom and enjoying what is left of his life. As such, his tone is typically upbeat and positive – even during his… angrier moments in life. His pitch is relatively medium, like one would think to find from an older farmer. And, funnily enough, he does carry a slight southern accent. The kind that could only be heard in the countryside. Honestly, if not for being a dog, he truly would be an old timey farmer.
Personality:
Brave || Feisty || Wise || Friendly || Likable || Kind || Caring || Jokester || Slightly Mischievous || Stern || Good at Reading Others || Observant || Free Spirit || Independent
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog… but the size of the dog helps too!”
Frodo has the mentality of most small dogs, being brave and feisty towards all creatures. It does not matter whether or not his opponent is ten times larger than himself. Nor if they can squish him like a bug or swat him like a fly. If they try anything or say anything stupid, they’re going to face his wrath – which may as well be the flames of a forest fire itself. And he’ll do this without a second thought or any amount of hesitance. He never backs down from a fight either. Once one breaks out, he will not stop his assault until he can no longer stand (or if a call for all stop is initiated, but let’s be real. That’s highly unlikely to happen). It’s best to know of his whereabouts when calling for a retreat. It is highly unlikely that he’d follow willingly. Picking him up and running off is likely one’s best bet at keeping him alive. Outside of physical fights, he is known to become quite feisty towards those that show no respect to anyone or are just flat out rude. Especially towards himself, nursing mothers, pregnant ladies, and higher ups. Such disrespect typically launches him into a fury driven “argument” (where he listens to not a word they say and just yells with much vigor). Though, outright lunging and snapping are not uncommon either. But that is mainly reserved for the more severe actions of others. All in all, it is best to stay on his good side. He can be quite the menace towards those who find themselves on his “naughty” list. He’ll make their life miserable in any way possible. At least, for a short period of time. Until he believes that they have learned their lesson for the most part.
With age comes wisdom. That is an undeniable fact for most creatures in existence. And, for this min pin mix in particular, it is of no surprise that he has gained this trait. He has gone through a lot in his lifetime. Various households. Numerous walks of life. While he certainly hasn’t seen it all, he’s still seen a large portion of what the world has to offer. An odd thought, given his size, but it’s best not to question it. His accumulated experience ranges from interesting hunting or gathering tactics all the way to romance and relationships in general, as well as most things in between. He is keen on sharing this wisdom too! He loves sharing any amount of tips to the multitude of topics he has gained knowledge on. Minus pack structure, of course. He hasn’t bothered learning much about it past alphas and betas, but he’s willing to learn it means he can be of some aid!
The black and fawn canine is quite the friendly fellow. He’s very welcoming and accepting of others, no matter their background or past transgression. If they prove to be trustworthy, that is. He won’t be outwardly hostile at first – just… stiffly friendly for lack of a better term. He’ll play nice, test the waters, and even throw in a joke or two. But he won’t be dropping his guard anytime soon. Though, once they show that they do not mean to harm him or any of his companions, he’ll be a very friendly individual. At any “stage” of friendship or acquaintanceship with this male, he is viewed as someone who most everyone can get along with. He blends well with most personalities, being able to handle a large quantity of quirks, mechanisms, and the like. As such, he’s the type of “person” others just want to be around. His laidback and understanding ways draw a lot of canines in. Very few dislike beings have come to hold a disdain towards this male. And those that were were typically disliked by him first. He’s in no way nonchalant about his dislike of others, either making harsh jabs when nearby them, granting them harsher looks, or talking about what he takes issue with behind their back. Though, his distaste never comes without reason. And it would be beneficial for those he’s not fond of to reevaluate themselves in his opinion. In other words, it’s a “you” problem. (“Did I use that right?... Eh, it’s better than what the youngsters say anyway.”)
Kindness is something that the small scavenger, for the most part, takes a lot of pride in. Not necessarily in a “I’m always nice” way, but kind nonetheless. He always makes an effort to put others before himself and shows great consideration for their well being. If someone is down, expect him to be one of the first by their side. He’ll be cracking jokes and making silly remarks in no time, if it means he can see them looking bright once more. Though, he’s also able to just simply sit beside the being if they don’t want any sort of conversation or verbal comfort. He just prefers it the other way. This same habit carries over to the darker times for the pack where he’ll do his best to keep everyone up in spirits, if at all possible. Of course, he’ll likely feel the same as them but he’s not going to let that stop him from helping out. He can sort through his emotions in his own time, after all. But, do not mistake him as an optimist for this. He’s more of a… middle man, if you will. He can swing to either side of the “glass half full-glass half empty” divide. All just depends on his mood. Overall, he cares for all those who have been hurt in every manner of the word – physically, mentally, or emotionally. He will constantly put the needs and desires of these dogs above most of the rest of his pack members, but especially above his own. They will be the first ones he goes to care for every day. At least, until they are better.
Frodo is nothing short of a jokester. He is constantly telling jokes (which are totally of the “dad joke” archetype) or incorporating puns into most of his statements. The majority of these jokes are typically reserved for those he is fond of, as he knows that he can say practically anything he wishes without being snapped at. Not that he’d be rude or offensive with his jokes, but still. He’s also been observed making jokes during times of conflict or high tension. Though, these tend to be on the harsher side of things. On his “better days” (which are the days where he’s in less pain than usual and are relatively common), he can become… mischievous. Just a tad though. He does enjoy messing with others – again, if he’s keen on them – when they are in a good mood. It’s sort of a way to show he cares while also ensuring that he gets some form of entertainment. Thankfully, his actions (or pranks) during this time are incredibly harmless and are simply made to make another laugh. He’ll even join in on other pranks that his packmates are setting up. As long as they do not cross any lines, that is.
If they do cross a line, however, he will absolutely become incredibly stern in a moment’s notice. The male holds no patience toward those that go too far in their own jokes or pranks. He is absolutely fine with those just trying to have fun, but cannot stand those who have it at the expense of others. It’s despicable in his eyes. In fact, he views those who constantly (and maliciously misbehave) as treats to the pack. Just one disobedient dog is enough to spell disaster, after all, no matter how “harmless” their action was meant to be. If one finds themselves to be one of these canines, expect to be scolded rather quickly – and he’ll do so like the “grumpy old man” he is. His more severe scoldings are reserved for those who keep up in their disgusting behaviors and either refuse to acknowledge their wrongs or do it despite knowing how wrong it is. Of course, he’ll leave… the majority of the punishment to the alpha or parents. But, if they go too far, he’s going to snap at them himself. Though, do not take his stern actions – particularly the scolding – the wrong way. They all come from a good and well meaning place. He just wants to see everyone well and watch others improve upon themselves.
One of the major reasons for everyone’s fondness of this scavenger is his ability to read others. To him, most creatures are just open books with easy-to-pick-up habits. He can tell almost exactly what someone is thinking, planning, or feeling just by glancing at them. Honestly, it’s almost like he’s telepathic, in a way (“Who says I’m not?”). For those who are harder to read, he will make it a point to spend a lot of time getting to know them just so he can pick up on any changes and – quite possibly – help them through whatever they’re dealing with. It’s rare to find him stumbling over his words when dealing with others. He nearly always knows exactly what to say or do for each and every canine he comes across, and will adjust his own stance and expression to one that would work best for them. He is also pretty observant. Not just in general – where he picks up on any changes in the environment – but with others. Even if one tries to hide or bury their emotions, there is a high chance that he will notice. Though, he won’t bring up or push for anything that they do not wish to talk about. He’ll just provide them a… body to cry on and as many jokes as he can muster.
This small mutt is seen as being rather free spirited. He is definitely a “go with the flow” type of dog, not really fighting against anything that happens unless it is very detrimental for himself and others. He’ll do whatever he pleases (as long as it follows his own morals and not so much the prescribed laws of the world he’s in) just for pleasure and enjoyment, simply because he is doing it. He finds not satisfaction in the end result – for the most part – but the journey itself. He goes wherever the wind and his own paws lead him, never really having a destination in mind unless he’s camping somewhere specific. Though, he will not go into any obviously dangerous areas without good reason. He is also independent, working to provide for himself and others without aid. In fact, he actually holds a strong distaste for a requirement for aid – even if he absolutely needs it. But he is not necessarily a loner. While he does enjoy being on his own from time to time, he much prefers the company of others. Better to joke with, after all!
Strengths:
- Stamina
- Agility (Surprisingly)
- Bravery
- Hard To Hit Or Aim At
- Experience
Weaknesses:
- Developing Arthritis
- Unwilling To Back Down From Anyone Or Thing
- Durability
- Flexibility
- Temper
Likes:
- Messing With Others
- Providing For The Pack
- Those With Good Sense Of Humor
- Teaching Others
- His Old Squeaky Banana Toys
Dislikes:
- Those Who Can’t Take A Joke
- Serious Canines
- Most Foxes
- Being Shown Disrespect
- Doubts About His Skills
Affiliations:
Open
Crush:
N/A
Mate:
Open
Pups:
Open
Backstory:
Frodo started his life as a simple farm dog. Beloved by his elderly owner and treated as though he were his grandson. Oh, how he absolutely adores those times. Running around the fields, ducking under the hooves of cows, spooking the sheep, and herd the chickens. Not to mention chasing and catching mice, rats, and other vermin, much better than any of the resident felines could (“Ha! Take that you stupid furball! I can do your one job better than you ever could!”).
Then, one day, the inevitable happened. It was of no surprise to the young mutt at the time. His owner was way past his prime and had already been showing signs of decreasing health… Didn’t make it hurt any less, though. The grandchildren of the (nasty city dwellers if you ask him) came to the property to settle things. He was handed over to the female of the group, much to his displeasure. She seemed nothing but disgusted at this very existence the moment he made himself known. So, it was of no surprise to him to find himself in the pound… multiple times. Yeah, he wasn’t the best pet. He was a working dog. Not a babysitter, cuddler, lover, or anything of the sort.
Eventually, the shaggy male found a way of this constant adopted-to-abandoned cycle and was once more placed on farm duty. This time with a younger couple. They were not the best of owners, seeing as they paid him no mind on most days. But he was fine with it. He could live off of rodents and rain water easily (Oh, how he hated that kibble they insisted on giving him). Which is exactly what he did. Over the span of a couple of years, he found himself wandering further and further from the house until he just didn’t come back. Since his departure, he’s been wandering the woods in search of a group or pack he could join – living off of whatever he could find, catch, or scavenge.
Other:
- Due to declining health and increasing age, the male is likely to retire and become an elder some time in the future. Well, not if he has any say in it, but it’s likely that he would have none.
- Over the past few years, Frodo has found that his joints are unable to bend as much as they used to, and have been a source pain.
-The min pin mix despises those who take life too seriously. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. So, why not have a bit of fun when you’re still around to do so? Conversely, he also has a strong distaste for canines that take jokes too far. Fun is great, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of another.
- Seeing as his main breed was bred to hunt rodents, the shaggy min pin mix has a knack for hunting the native pika. In fact, it’s one of his favorite meals!
Now that I think about it, I do quite like white-black-light brown/tan-gold combos. Just find the ta be a great blend of dark, bright, and shiny.
Winter 
Day 
Blizzard
He takes on from both sides of his parents, his coat is mainly a dark brown charcoal like color, with a black spine, tail, and face. He gets his white pattern from his father, with a full white facemask, white flecks on his back and tail, and a white tail tip. He inherited his eyes fully from his father, sharing his green gaze.
