David at Home
Life in Ottawa Hills with family, community, and Reno.
A Heart for Reno
For David Karmol and his Australian Cattle Dog, Reno, life in Ottawa Hills is defined by long walks, a friendly community, and a unique bond that transcends sound.
(The text of the story is printed below the picture, so you don't have to try to read the tiny print!)
David Karmol was born and raised in West Toledo and Sylvania Township. After spending thirty years working in the Washington, D.C. area, he returned to the region and has lived in Ottawa Hills since 2013. David is widowed, as his wife Colleen passed away in 2003. He has an adult daughter named Asian and a grandson named Jack, both of whom live in Boca Raton, Florida. Today, David shares his home in the Village with his very affectionate and friendly dog, Reno.
Reno is a male Australian Cattle Dog mix who was born deaf to a breeder in southern Indiana. When the breeder discovered he could not hear and could not be sold, Reno was chained to a fence. A kind woman rescued him and gave him a home in her barn, naming him Reno because the breeder had left the little dog behind to take a trip out west to Reno, Nevada. David discovered Reno two years ago on a website called DeafDogsRock.com while searching for a new companion after his previous Australian Cattle Dog passed away at the age of fourteen. Reno immediately won David over with his face and happy attitude.
Despite being deaf, Reno has a loud and piercing bark and several distinct quirks. He is convinced that every vehicle slowing to a stop is doing so just for him, and he waits expectantly to see if the driver will offer him a treat. He also loves to roll on his back to scratch himself, particularly on flat concrete surfaces. Because he cannot hear, Reno is not much of a watchdog. David often returns home to find Reno sleeping soundly on his bed, requiring a gentle nudge to wake him up.
Reno is well known in the Indian Road area because he is quite pampered, receiving three to four walks every day of the year. While he is generally friendly, he can sometimes be reactive toward big trucks or children with balls, bikes, and scooters, though he is easily restrained. When David travels, his friend Helen McOwen, who lives on Manchester, steps in to take Reno on his essential daily walks.
David truly appreciates the friendly people and the overall small town community vibe of Ottawa Hills. He values the ability to walk safely through the neighborhood and the close proximity to the schools. For David and Reno, the neighborhood provides the perfect backdrop for their active life together.
Story reprinted from STROLL Ottawa Hills magazine.