We all have THAT ONE DOG we grew up with.

Growing up in South Africa "that one dog" he was a boxer named Hippo.

Yes I know the image is of a Hippopotamus, but considering I am now in my mid 50s and Hippo was around when I was born, finding a good printed photo of him has proven difficult.

So lets go with Hippo the Boxer.

I wanted to write this because anytime I think of dogs, Hippo comes to mind, and that lifestyle back in the late 70s. Gee I am showing my age.

Early days in South Africa, TVs did not exist so we spent our time outdoors and one of those activities was exploring; rivers, caves, adventures into the unknown we called it.

"Mom we are going exploring" would be what we shouted and there was only one response from her " Take the Dog", yip, Hippo had to come with.

Wild and free Hippo would walk with us, no lead just wagging away at being included in the adventure.

These adventures could be riding the river down in truck tubes with a quick glance up and Hippo would be following us along the river bank, to walking deep down the river exploring small dug outs and caves with Hippo always nearby.

He was this constant eye that always watched us and if we did not see him through the thick greenery a quick call of his name and he would be there.

Mom had so much faith in Hippo's ability to keep us safe and free, which is just incredible.

Hippo was so much apart of my childhood he is impossible to forget.

Especially those nights hiding under a blanket at the end of a long passage way calling "Hippo Hippo Hippo" he would come tearing down the passage crashing into us trying to get under the blanket.

I remember an instance when I was walking to the store to buy some chappies (chewing gum), of course Hippo would come with. He would just wait outside the store until I came out and off we would go. This occasion walking past an individual who was having a bad day, he lunged aggressively at me near the river. Hippo tore out of the long grass at him so savage it scared me but he stopped just short of the man who was now apologizing.

I had not said a word during this, Hippo just read the scene perfectly.

I think in writing this blog I just wanted to share a snippet of how much Hippo was a part of my growing years and how incredible dogs are.

Please let me know if you to have had "THAT ONE DOG" that is never forgotten.