The Ecco Tale

Sweetbriar’s Ecco D’Oro was a shining star from the day he was born. The first of 11 in the litter, he entered this world without hesitation and embraced life with vim and vigor. Soon that vim and vigor would turn into “p & vinegar” but we won’t talk about that just yet.  On Labor Day weekend 2009, the Hines family traveled from Virginia to the Sweetbriar Kennel in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to pick up their long-awaited pup while not yet knowing which of the 11 would be theirs.

When the family spotted the bobbing bundles in a pen, the pups were excitedly playing together and were seemingly unaffected by the audience that came to take a peek. Just as the breeder offered the family a choice between two, one pup wearing a thick red collar B-lined straight to the Hines daddy. Two hours later, “Red Boy” was named Ecco. It is debatable who really picked whom first (daddy or dog), but in typical Ecco style, he was the first to break free from the pack and make his intentions known.

Ecco D’Oro (which means “Here is Gold” in Italian) became a confident show dog, as well as a steady hunter. He excelled at everything that was asked of him. As he matured, his “over achiever” persona carried on to the naughtier aspects of his personality.

Ecco grew into a highly intelligent, arbitrary “doggie anarchist” and had no problem communicating how he felt at any given moment. He once cocked his leg on the veterinarian’s desk, another show dog’s head and a sign that read “NO PETS ON THE ATHLETIC FIELDS”. His human was quoted as saying, “Never ask Ecco how he feels about something unless you are prepared to receive his answer!”
He was born incredibly handsome, enabling him to get away with things that others wouldn’t dare attempt. Rules simply didn’t apply to Ecco. He humped in public, had an insatiable panty fetish (so intense he once got a pair stuck on his head while he was stoned on painkillers), drank out of the toilet, slept on a coffee table and partied like a rock star. On any given day you might witness him withdrawing money at an ATM with his human, slurping down an ice cream cone or greeting “his public“at the local bakery.

Ecco might be naughty to the bone but his heart is larger than life. You can often find him counseling friends on his social networking wall or leaving a pawsitive message to brighten someone’s day. He gives an Italian lesson every night (because he heard that chics dig this) and offers a special prayer every Sunday. Ecco thrives off of relationships and helping others in need. He is extremely philanthropic, making multiple donations a month through his Nawty Dawg Big Heart charitable fund. If cash is tight, Ecco assists his friends by facilitating a “BARK OUT” to other donors in his pack who might be able to lend a paw. His trusted network can be called into action in a split second. The “Big Pack Attack” is an impressive display of how a few amazing animals on a social network site can literally touch thousands with the click of a button. Ecco’s wall is a forum where one can always find love, support and laughter. If you would like to join his “pack”, please visit him on Facebook listed under Ecco D’Oro. If you have a prayer request or just need a little extra support, feel free to stop by "The Power of the Paw" on Facebook.