Duke is an eight-year-old Australian Shepherd and Border Collie mix who found his home with Rock Creek Fisherman’s Mercantile manager John Staats and his wife Meg about six years ago when they stumbled upon his handsome face on a Craigslist ad.
“He reminded me so much of one of my childhood dogs growing up,” John said. “I was like, ‘I’ve gotta have this beast!’”
When John went to load Duke in the truck, he jumped in with no hesitation, sealing their bond. “He’s been my buddy ever since,” John said. “We’re partners in crime.”
Duke is the friendliest dog you will ever know. With a distinct personality and intelligence, John said Duke stands out as the best shop dog to date. He greets visitors with enthusiasm, especially enjoys interacting with kids, and can close the shop’s door on command. Plus, if you say “I love you” in a Scooby Doo voice, Duke will return with an emphatic “ahwoo” in the rhythm of “I love you.”
While Duke excels as a world-class shop dog, he sadly cannot go fishing on account of his frequent “splashing, shrieking, barking, swimming in circles, and chasing his own splashes,” as described by John. Duke can spend hours playing in the river without rest.
When not manning the door, Duke loves lounging on his back waiting for belly rubs, scavenging for food, or relaxing on his cozy bed by the fireplace in the back of the shop.