Contributing Writer, Graci Vlattas
Disclaimer: quotations and answers to interview questions come from Professor William Engel, but are shifted into the “perspective” of Rory for creative effect. Thank you, Professor Engel, for working with us!
Here at Sewanee, the best part of college life is the unique community. Students from near and far and locals congregate together throughout the beautiful campus, and as the weather grows cooler, aesthetic walks by the quad and Stirlings become a staple of the day. Because of this, students have been running into more and more furry friends out in the open, even sometimes in class buildings. Dogs, the canine cuties, are extremely well-liked within the student population, so we at The Sewanee Purple decided to look into the lives of one of our most popular dogs on campus.
The dog of William Engel, the Nick B. Williams Professor of Literature here at Sewanee, Rory Killian–nicknamed Rory the Dog–is well known around campus for his energy and constant presence. Going on twelve years old, Rory is an Irish Terrier, one of the smartest dog breeds, and is very well trained under Engel. Polite and a true gentleman, Rory was excited to join us for an interview!
What is a day in your life like?
“My owner, Professor Engel, is busy with both teaching classes at night and acting as the fencing master here at Sewanee, but that does not stop us from spending time together,” said Rory. “I rise with him in the morning, eat breakfast, and take many walks throughout the day. I excitedly wait for Professor Engel to get home for our night walk most nights.”
Rory adores hiking and nature exploring, making Sewanee the perfect campus for him. Growing up here, Rory would walk six to eight miles around Sewanee every day, just going down to four to six miles as he has grown older. Professor Engel said, “It’s his domain…this dog would clamber up the dried waterfalls on part of the Perimeter Trail. And we like to call him the Mountain Goat dog because he’d get up there.” Some of Rory’s favorite areas to explore are Abbo’s Alley, a detour that makes his and Professor Engel’s walk home just a bit more long and scenic, Rebel’s Rest by the Fowler Center, and Clara’s Point. Rory has a natural sense of direction, “dragging” Professor Engel through off-road paths to the Cross and Greensview. The night sky, with the stars or fog, is a favorite of both hikers.
Do you, Rory, enjoy the company of the students?
“I live for the students. Some of my favorite parts of the day are students coming into office hours to sit on the floor and be with me while chatting with Professor Engel,” said Rory.
Even during the interview itself, Rory was well-behaved and very loving! Students stop by Professor Engel’s open door to say hi to Rory all the time, and we at The Purple will be sure to visit again as well. “Rory grew up with my kids, so you can tug on his ears and everything, and he will be friendly,” explained Engel. Rory loves everyone [cats, students, strangers, armadillos, etc.] and is always welcoming to all new faces–except for Sewanee squirrels, those are still foe.
What is your favorite part of campus?
“I do love Professor Engel’s office because I love to take naps and snooze during office hours,” Rory emphasized. “But I also love water.”
Unlike most terriers, Rory loves everything to do with water. He was able to learn to swim by watching summer dogs and has since never looked back. Lake Cheston and Clara’s Point are distinct destinations for longer hikes and visits.
“I think it’s because of his dog friends who were running in and out of the water,” said Engel, “If there’s a puddle of water or a creek, he wants to go right in.”
One anecdote Rory shared was from the 2024 spring fire station tryouts. To simulate chaos within an emergency scenario, dogs and locals were encouraged to play around the firefighters. The fire hydrants and hoses were on, and Rory had a wonderful time goofing around in the water with other furry friends.
Overall, Rory is a sweet and civilized dog that absolutely adores the Sewanee community–and definitely makes it better for those who know the canine. We are lucky to be blessed by amazing dogs like Rory and amazing dog owners like Professor Engel here on campus, and we hope to visit Rory again soon! Thank you to Professor Engel and Rory for working with us, and be sure to say hello to one of our lovely community dogs on campus.