Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Not so civil

The "Civil War" between rescue dogs Lady and Scottie hasn't been as civil as I'd hoped. Twice, the two have battled at the bottom of the basement steps, probably because Lady likes to sleep there and Scottie may have stepped on her.

The other day, I was eating in the office and using an extra office chair as a door wedge for "privacy." Scottie tried to get under the chair, and Lady jumped him from behind. No blood was shed, only a lot of noise, but Lady got whacked a few times when she tried to get under the chair herself. Then the two were sent downstairs.

Fortunately, it's been quiet today.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Butterscotch


Here's our new collie, Butterscotch.

Butterscotch, a newly-acquired 10-year-old collie, has been battling my nearly 10-year-old mutt Lady to be my best friend. Lady, who we adopted in October 2002, hasn't had to stay with me much since Katie died in March 2007.

Now, Butterscotch is constantly rubbing that long nose against my arm and leg, trying to get me to pet or feed him. When he gets tired, he'll circle three times and plunk down under a computer table. And Lady, who has spent most of her time downstairs, has taken up vigil on the other side. If Scottie, as we call him, makes the mistake of going out into the hall, Lady will take up a strategic post to my left, blocking Scottie from getting in here.

Scottie has spent most of his time upstairs his few days here, but I finally figured out how to get him downstairs. Instead of trying to talk  him into going down the steps, I just caught him behind the head and gently pulled my hand toward the basement door. He went right down. Lady and Scottie tried to follow me back upstairs when I came up later, but I was able to keep them down there.

The dogs haven't battled, just jockeyed for position near me. With any luck, Lady and Scottie, as well as our other mutt, Buddy, will bond and get past the flanking maneuvers. Otherwise, it'll seem like a fairly civil Civil War between generals Lady Lydia (Lady's real name) and Butterscotch.

May both dogs win.

Monday, July 19, 2010

A dog's life

THEY TOOK THIS SHOT AT COLLIE RESCUE.
WE GOT A NEW COLLIE from Collie Rescue of the Carolinas today, but I haven't seen him yet. I'm at work.

I'll send along photos of Butterscotch, a nine- or 10-year-old collie, later in the week.

Note: I've seen him, and my wife's already calling him Scottie.

NOTE: Scottie died a few years ago. One day, he just quit eating and walking. Two weeks later, they put him to sleep.



CONTACT: Reach me at tgilli52@gmail.com or nc3022@yahoo.com. Also, my Twitter handle is EDITORatWORK.




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Entries from The Dog Blog

Blog entries from The Auto Racing Journal
(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)
 

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Great outfielders

I saw a story the other day on the greatest centerfielders ever, and they listed Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Junior Griffey and Jim Edmunds. Great defensive players all, but I'd add the Orioles' Paul Blair and the Cardinals' (and Orioles') Andy Van Slyke.

It's hard to name just five of anything when you're talking about baseball. Now, with catchers, I'd start with Johnny Bench and add...


EMAIL: tgilli52@gmail.com  TWITTER: EDITORatWORK.


Blog entries from The Auto Racing Journal
(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)

Links to the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW

10 things you never knew about the Fun Girls of The Andy Griffith Show Links to the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW Things You Never Knew About the Andy ...