Tail Ends

News from Sydley

Dear Mum and Dad,  

I meant to write earlier but have been so busy, what with running around the yard and, when I can, the neighbourhood!  It’s been rainy here, but I am putting up with standing quietly while I get my feet wiped before coming in the house.  I had the best time last weekend, running in the woods and playing in the river with Chili.  He’s a pretty cool old guy, even if he does get growly around his food dish.  He’s challenged me a couple of times, what a nut, since I am obviously bigger, stronger, and much younger than him!  They say he is this way about food because he’s from a place where he had to fight for food or go hungry.  Poor guy.  He’s learning though J, not to mess with the ol’ Sydster. Speaking of food, I was keen on the Orijen, all free-range, wild-caught food, until the purchase of the “big bag.”  Then I wasn’t quite as excited about it.  Janine’s taken to mixing in cat food with it, since I am always keen for the cat’s food.  Janine’s sometimes a little slow on the uptake, but I have to be patient with her, you know, teach her one thing at a time about how to make me a happy boy.  Oh, did you know the cat’s name is Ted?  Weird.  He’s ok, not very playful, but we just give each other our own space.  Well, that’s not quite true; I can’t seem to get enough of sniffing Ted’s head, and he keeps thinking I’m going to give in and let him eat my kibble!  NOT.  So, yeah, I’m actually ok with the Orijen, as long as it’s on my schedule.  The cat food is a last-resort, guaranteed final step if I’m just not into eating.  The thing is, I’m just not a wake-up-and-start-eating kind of guy.  If I run around outside for a while, then I’m good to eat.  So I guess I’m more a brunch kind of dog than a breakfast one.  The other issue with my food is, well, I’m pretty smelly when it comes to watching a movie in the evening.  I’m able to produce eye-watering, room-clearing, toxic green clouds, but that little problem might go away once I adjust to my new food.  If it doesn’t, I’ve been threatened with changing to Chili’s food, which would be a drag.  I’m sure he’s producing his own green clouds, but since he stays on his bed downstairs, rather than try to share the couch upstairs, he’s flying under the ol’ radar.   

I imagine you’ve heard about me and the burro.  That one is simply a riot to chase and bark at—he just asks for it!  I’ve taught Chili to bark his head off while he’s running, no small feat, so that now he’s the one who gets yelled at and has to go inside (heh heh).  I’m ok with the horses, unless they walk by the fence and look like they want to get into it with me, in which case I’m all for a tear around the yard to get the ol’ blood pumping.  There’s an old Belgian here, a draft horse, who’s pretty neat, but he has something called “ringbone” that makes him really sore.  I think his time is limited, so he’s being spoiled by being allowed in my yard to eat clover and dandelions.  I’ve taken to grazing as well; not so sure about the appeal, but the odd bit of grass is a nice change from kibble.  I also am treated to smoked beef marrow bones, not too often as there’s a concern for my teeth, but every once in a while Chil and I get turned out with a couple of chewy treats.  Chil’s more into them than I am, but once I see him all drooly and eager, I figure the bones are a good deal—tasty enough, plus they pass the time if someone is trying to vacuum or go for a bicycle ride.  Oh, Janine’s caught on to our latest escape route, so we’re homebound for a while, but no worries, we’ll come up with something new.  We like to keep her on her toes.  It’s not like we go far; usually just to check out the woodpile, but the foxes are never there when we call ‘round.  

Anyway, I’m hoping to get some photos to you soon; same old story, no digital camera.  No Skype, either.  Very basic technology here, out in the sticks—can you believe there’s only a dial-up connection?!    Primitive!  Say, we had a big wind/rain storm here; maybe you heard about it.  Funny, but we all slept through it; you know that weather doesn’t freak me out though.  Whatever, I tell Chil, it’s outside—we’re inside.  Just chill! (ha!).   I feel a roll around the carpet coming on, so I guess I’ll end here.  If I’m well behaved, I might get some peanut butter in my Kong—now that’s a good time!  I miss you a lot, but don’t worry about me.  I’m getting lots of attention, having fun, and enjoying having the couch to myself when I emit those toxic fumes J.  All part of my master plan.  

Lots of love from your boy, Syd  

p.s. Janine wrote out this note for me; I’ve so got her wrapped;  all I have to do is drop my 50-lb. head on her lap, or her arm, or the table, or her desk, or the keyboard,… well, you get the picture.  She finds it “adorable,” and I find it effective in getting whatever I want.  Like I said, her training is coming along nicely.