Muttluk Love …
When we first told our friends in Maryland that we planned to move to Vermont, most responded by asking “how will you deal with the cold!?” Since we honestly had no clue what the answer to this question was, we eventually established a sort of party line response: “We don’t mind the cold, it’s the commuting in the cold that we don’t like.” This is true. Sarah and I are both more comfortable when we are cold than when we are hot, whether it is inside or out. We also hated commuting to our jobs in the city on cold days.
On cold works days we had to bundle up to walk a mile to the Silver Spring Metro stop, where most days we had to wait on the elevated platform while the wind whipped around us. Once we were on a train, it would inevitably be blasting the heat, and as more people got on at each subsequent stop the train would get very warm. The fact that more people took public transportation on colder days—especially if it was snowy or icy—meant that in addition to being hot, one would have a great deal of difficulty removing layers for the 30-45 minute ride due to the extra bodies, all of whom were wearing extra layers themselves.
Once we arrived at our respective stops, we had to walk various distances to our offices, again bundling up against the cold and or wind. Once at our offices, we would strip our layers to work. I can’t speak for Sarah’s office, but mine was frequently warmer than I would have liked. (My office mate next door to me, however, was always cold and blasted the heat in her office.) If we didn’t bring lunch, we had to also bundle up to go out for food as well. At the end of the day, we’d turn around and do it all again in reverse.
When Ginger Met Haley …
Josh and Lori brought Ginger over to romp in the yard with Haley this past Saturday, and much fun was had by all. Haley was completely knackered afterwards, and spent most of the next day snoozin’… which was a nice break for us, as well.
Here’s yet another music video by our toxic-arsed dog masquerading as content. (Note: Quicktime video with sound. 8MB)
Dogs Don’t Speak English …
Dogs don’t speak English. They don’t speak French or German, for that matter, either. And yet I, and many, many others, continue to speak to them as if they understand what it is we are saying in our native tongues. There’s nothing wrong with speaking English (or any other language) to a dog—it is the only way we have to communicate after all—but it does seem a bit silly at times. Especially when one finds themself not only speaking to a dog, but speaking to them as if they are baby humans.
Despite the fact that so many people seem determined to claim otherwise, Haley is not a Training BabyTM. We didn’t get her to find out if we are somehow meant to be parents or to prepare us for parenthood. Still it is a bit disconcerning when I find myself muttering under my breath to the dog at 6 AM, saying things like “Go potty, Haley. Good puppy, go potty outside. Goooooood puppy, go potty outside!” or “Where’s your ball? Where’s you little ball, Haley? Where’d it go?!”
Why do I speak this way? The dog doesn’t speak English; and it certainly isn’t going to pick up—or repeat—any “bad” language we may utter. So why am I not saying things like “Take a shit, dog. Good dog. Take a shit, girl.” Why don’t I tell her to “Cut that shit out, Haley!” or to “stop eating those f#@ing worms!”
I mean, the dog does not speak English, after all.
Leader of the Pack? …
When we bought our house, we did so for many reasons. We wanted to move to a more community-oriented neighborhood. We wanted to make a good investment. We wanted to personalize our living space. And, among other reasons, we also wanted to get a dog.
After spending the first eight months settling into our new home, we’re ready to add another member to our “pack,” specifically a Boston Terrier: smallish, athletic, friendly, and easy to groom. And after carefully researching local breeders, we think we’ve found a woman we like. (We can’t quite decide if it’s an added bonus, or just a random twist of fate, but she has puppies that were born on my birthday!)
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be studying our Boston books and training guides, and stocking up on supplies. In about six weeks, we’ll have an in-person visit with the breeder, and if all goes well, we’ll be able to pick up a pup in two months. Then, let the training begin! Whether we successfully train our puppy, or whether it has us wrapped around it’s paw, well…we’ll see who ends up as Top Dog.
He Followed Us Home. Can We Keep Him?
A bit of a confession… When we agreed to doggie sit for the cute little feller in the ransom note above, we were under the impression that he barked a bit much, begged all the time, and was a little high-strung. However, what we failed to include in the intelligence that led up to this position is that every time we have seen Fox it has been in a social setting—and usually one involving barbecued meat. What we have found is that His CutenessTM is a very well-behaved, sweet little dude who has been one of the best house guests we have ever had. As much as we would love to keep him, we know he misses his family. Glad we will still be able to visit him… as well as Lori and Josh too, of course.