PRISM is a storytelling series amplifying the experiences, creativity, and imagination of Black, Brown, and Indigenous storytellers based in Kentucky.

By Royal Lockhart 

As told to Shaun Lockhart

I guess my name is Royal. Because every time the two humans I live with say, “Royal,” they are staring straight at me. I don’t know the humans’ real names. I just listen for “Royal” mostly. But I did name them based on my needs. When I’m ready for my morning stroll and breakfast, I bark once. The same human comes to my rescue, so I call him One-Bark. He has an interesting patch of hair atop his head, and is up at the crack of dawn sitting in front of some neat device typing away. Many times I’ll sit in his lap and rest my head on his arm.  

Royal with One-Bark aka Shaun

Usually I start interacting with the bald, lighter-skinned one in the afternoon. By then, I’m ready to play and wrestle around the living room.  I grab my plastic tug-of-ring and stare straight into his eyes and give him two barks. Meaning, let’s play. The second human darts across the room after me and game on! So I call him Two-Barks.    

Two-Barks can be so cool at times. He’ll feed me from his plate if I can catch his eye a certain way, with a look of pity.  However, I really think it’s payment for all the wrestling matches he loses.  

Royal with Two-Barks aka Jeffery

They both call me Royal. But I never knew you could say Royal so many ways. There’s the call, “ROOOyaaaal!” That lets me know Two-Barks either has a treat for me or wants to get beat at another wrestling match. Then there’s the stern “ROYAL!” That is usually served with a look of strong disapproval over either an oopsie I made in the house or getting into the kitchen trash…yet again. But I swear there’s always something smelling so good in that kitchen trash! The stern call of “ROYAL!” is always followed by the empathizing One-Bark saying, “You know better.”  To which I always look up at him, my head tilted sideways like, Do I?

 I also get the stern “ROYAL!” during our evening walks for barking too much or trotting too far ahead of One-and-Two Barks. But I’m just doing my job. When I see the furry creatures darting up tree trunks, I’m trying to catch dinner for all of us.  But they don’t understand.  

Royal is king of all he surveys.

They’re strange. Very strange! When we go on walks they carry these small plastic bags with them. When I do–ahem—my business, they watch me. Talk about embarrassing, right?  And then–brace yourself–they bend down and pick up my business! No barking joke! They do! So I have to spend the rest of the time walking with extra attention being paid to the business end of a dog named Royal, and the Barks who serve me.

Shaun Lockhart is a professional organizer, caregiver, and owner of A Cleaning Task, where he provides ongoing personal care management services for senior citizens, busy families, and those with disabilities. He is passionate about his career and providing assistance to those who need it most. When he’s not working, Shaun enjoys scrapbooking projects as well as stamping and decorating in his journals. He resides in Louisville with his partner Jeffery and a dog named Royal. 

www.shaunlockhart.com