Friday, 26 April 2013

Dolly Gray

I think I have misunderstood the dog.  In spite of her treatment of the gate crashing coypu, despatched on our property the other week, I continued to think that she was, in the main, a gentle natured biddable dog, happy in her home and loving in her temperament.    But I may have been wrong. 

We were invited to Paula and Alan Taylor-Moore’s the other night and, as they have two dogs of their own, Dolly was also invited.  She started out fine.  The younger of Paula’s dog, Rosie, the half schnauzer, did the expected barking and growling as a strange dog entered her home.  Dolly did not retaliate and was soon rushing round outside in the very large back garden.   Rosie did some rushing as well and they even, at times, did mutual rushing.  However, as the evening progressed and the stars appeared, Dolly moved in closer to Mike and I at the table and began to defend us from all comers.  She allowed people near us but refused to tolerate either of the other dogs.  She did not bark.   She snarled, she growled and she showed her teeth in a very menacing way.  She did not get as far as biting but we considered putting her in the car and did end up putting her firmly on the lead.  

This could, of course, just be a symptom of having been in a dog rescue shelter for six months before she came to live with us.  Now that she has her own personal mummy and daddy, she may wish to make sure that no other dogs have the use of us.  Or it could be that when she trots down countryside paths by my side, she is actually on duty as my bodyguard, and marches with honour like a samurai warrior or that man in The Godfather whose name I forget who ended up sleeping with the fishes. 

Incidentally, we had a lovely time at Paula and Alan’s sitting outside in the heat of the evening.  Paulette and Norman Peterson were there too and there was good conversation and plenty to eat and drink.   I tried to take pictures but my camera batteries were going and no-one who was there that night would thank me for posting the boss eyed blurry images I managed to capture. 

Here, though, is a picture of Dolly about to make someone an offer they can't refuse.
      




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