Sleepyhead Del: A Portland Pit Bull Who Loves His Beauty Sleep 🐾

Some gentlemen wear suits and ties. Others have shiny black coats, four paws, and a million-dollar smile reserved for the finest treats.

Meet Del. Or, as I affectionately call him, Gentleman Del.

Del is a handsome, stocky black Pit Bull living on beautiful Hayden Island, tucked between North Portland and Vancouver, Washington. He's sweet, calm, wonderfully nonchalant and, quite possibly, the sleepiest gentleman I've ever met.

His mom mentioned that Del doesn't appreciate strangers looking him directly in the eyes. But we've gotten along beautifully since day one, and our walks are usually as peaceful as can be.

Getting him out of bed, however, is another story. 😂

Five More Minutes, Please!

I walk Del regularly, usually Monday through Wednesday, and almost every visit starts the same way.

I arrive, call his name, and wait.

Nothing.

"Deeeel!"

Still nothing.

Three, sometimes four calls later, I finally hear that familiar...

THUMP!

There he is, reluctantly jumping down from his mama's cozy bed, apparently deciding his personal assistant has waited long enough.

It reminds me of myself as a little girl when my mom would try to wake me up.

"Mooooom, five more minutes!"

Del and I clearly have that in common.

He's not being difficult. He's simply a gentleman who values his beauty sleep, and frankly, I respect that.

Our Little Hayden Island Walks

Once His Majesty makes his appearance, we're off!

While some dogs burst through the door ready to conquer the world, Del prefers a more leisurely approach. He's calm, easygoing, and completely unbothered by most of what happens around him.

I've never witnessed the reactive behavior his mom described, although I always respect the boundaries she's shared. The Del I know enjoys his peaceful walks, takes life at his own pace, and seems perfectly content doing his thing.

Our routine is simple, familiar, and one of the little joys of my work.

But there's one part Del takes VERY seriously.

Those Pearly Whites!

Oh, the smile on this boy!

At the end of every walk, Del knows exactly what time it is.

TREAT O'CLOCK!

And he makes absolutely certain I see those beautiful, bright white teeth when it's time for his reward.

His mom has quite the collection, too. Not just any old dog treats. She has the GOOD stuff. The premium selection!

Clearly, Del is a gentleman of refined taste.

I love the contrast. This boy needs multiple wake-up calls just to leave his mama's bed, but mention a special treat and suddenly he's wide awake and ready for business.

A man who knows his priorities!

More Than Meets the Eye

One of my favorite things about working with dogs is discovering who they are beyond what someone might expect.

Del is a strong, muscular black Pit Bull whose mom has shared an important boundary he has with strangers. Yet my experience with him is that of a gentle, sleepy companion who loves his walks, his comfortable bed, and especially his treats.

That's something I wish more people understood about dogs.

Breed, appearance, and even past behavior don't tell you everything about the individual in front of you. A dog's responses can vary depending on the environment, their emotional state, and the people they're interacting with.

That's why I listen to what owners tell me, respect their dog's boundaries, and take the time to build trust rather than make assumptions.

Del makes that part of my job especially rewarding.

My Gentleman Del

These days, that familiar THUMP is one of the sounds I look forward to hearing on Hayden Island.

There's something so endearing about our little routine. The sleepy wake-up calls, our leisurely walks, and that million-dollar smile waiting for me when we get home.

He's not a morning person. Neither am I.

He appreciates a comfortable bed and the finer things in life. Same, Del. Same.

And although he isn't particularly interested in impressing the world, he's certainly made an impression on me.

My sweet, sleepy Gentleman Del. A little man with big muscles, excellent taste, and absolutely no intention of getting out of bed before he's ready.

Have a Gentleman Del of your own? I'd love to walk him!

Let's Chat!

Love,Adriana

Doggywalkie | Portland, Oregon

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