A Few Of My Fa-vor-it Things

Teeth into the wind

There are two things (other than the usual exclusions, like wife, friends and family) for which I have a true passion, and they are words and dogs. Words and dogs are both unconditional, loyal and steadfast.

Recently this dog came into my universe and showed me the meaning of the word INTREPID, by bravely traveling 4,000+ miles by air, through blizzards, reroutings and delays and landing without complaint in a strange setting, giving and looking for love with every step of her grand entrance at SFO United Receiving . As I look at this picture and roll the word INTREPID around in my brain I wonder if I am using enough of a word to properly translate what I wanted say about her. A quick GOOGLE has put my fears to rest.

Take a minute and read each of these synonomic-descriptors in turn and as you say each word slowly to yourself, look at her picture.
“Fearlessunafraidundaunteddauntlessundismayedunalarmedunflinchingunshrinking,
unblenching, unabashedbolddaringaudaciousadventurousdashingheroicdynamic,
spiritedmettlesome, confidentindomitable, bravecourageousvaliantvalorous,
stoutheartedlionheartedstalwartplucky, gutsyspunkygame, and ballsy.”

Yeah, I think I that’s a good word. Don’t you? 

 

 

A New Breed of Dog

Bud and Ike

OH  YEAH, YOU WANT A PIECE A ME?

We swore off Yorkies, forever, about a year ago. We replaced all the carpets in the house and settled down with our four year old mellow, house trained, sweet Border Collie, Buddy. Life was saccharine for about six months when my wife had a relapse of a disease she has suffered with for 35 plus years now, Yorkitis. It is a serious infection that attacks the heart the minute you find yourself without a Yorkie.

“Can we please get another Yorkie?” “NO.” “Please?” “No.” “Pleeeease?” “no.” “Please?” “Okay if you promise to house train it immediately.” “Okay.”

We picked the little guy up and brought him home to his big brother, Buddy. We named him Ike, short for Eisenhower. Our males have been named for great Generals. We have had Wellington, MacArthur and now Ike. Ike moved in and completely took over the house. My wife went to work immediately house training him, and low and  behold he has not made a single mistake. Knock on wood. The first Yorkie we have owned that is truly house trained.

Ike actually thinks that Buddy is his brother. They get along famously. They play hard together, fight eachother, run all over the place together, they are nearly inseperable. Buddy has taught Ike everything he knows, giving Ike a four year jump on the lessons of life. Sixty pound Buddy, likes to play tug of war with six pound Ike. Ike digs in and pulls with all his might, seriously thinking he has some skin in the game, and Buddy merely raises up his head and breaks Ike’s traction. As soon as Buddy lets Ike back down, he digs in again.

We have no idea what we have created in this little guy. Is he a Yorder Collie? Is he a Borkie? Maybe a Borkshire Terrier? He runs like a Border, tracks like a Border, herds like a Border, but sure as hell doesn’t look like a Border. What hath we wrought.