Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Naughtiest Dog


The Naughtiest Dog

The lovely magazine, Country Life, recently published a list of the naughtiest dogs in Britain.  That is Rabbit pictured above, posing with his adorable mistress, Violet.  She would agree with me, I know, that “naughty” is merely a matter of opinion, despite the fact that Rabbit has some pretty impressive credentials in that department including, but not limited to, stowing away in an Amazon delivery truck and chewing up all the parcels before being discovered by the distraught driver.  Our adorable Apple, not being British, was of course not eligible for this contest, therefore I can only picture the spot on on shelf where her trophy would go.  But here are some of her claims to that prize, and I’ll let the reading public decide.

In the realm of child psychology, it is widely believed that the most carefree child is the youngest child.  I can empirically state that this fact carries over into the canine world as well.  Apple, being a year younger than Edward, exhibits all the characteristics of a child without a care in the world.  If she happens upon someone or something that gives her pause, she simply barks for Edward to come take care of things and on the occasion when she gets herself into such a pickle that even the infinite capabilities of Edward are stretched too far, she knows full well that The Songwriter or I will be on hand to bail her out.  For example, there was the morning she dug underneath the fence and became wedged like a sausage between our fence and the one next to our property.  She summoned Edward immediately, of course, and he, seeing he was seriously out of his depth on this one, came trotting inside the house to stare meaningfully in our faces.  We know that stare. The Songwriter quickly followed him outside to find Apple, stuck fast.  She put her front paws up like a toddler for him to pull her out. 

Though she is undeniably a large dog, Apple feels entirely comfortable climbing over into my lap whenever I am occupying the passenger seat of the car.  She began doing this whilst still a tiny puppy and does not consider her current size to be any sort of impediment in continuing the delightful habit. From this vantage point, if I am accommodating enough to roll down the window for her, she can hang her head out and fly, ears in the wind.  Her obvious glee in this activity is what causes me to indulge her, though, if I’m completely honest, it’s never the most relaxing situation for me.  Of course, Edward would never dream of doing such a thing and can always be found sitting in his back seat like an Edwardian gentleman being driven to the park in a coach and six.  But Apple?  Apple is another story altogether.   

There have been countless evenings we’ve returned home to find yarn strewn all over the house, the result of a foray into my knitting bag.   And in case you're thinking that perhaps I’m judging her too quickly,…. after all… it could be Edward, right?……. there was the night she ran with the yarn round and round and round a large rocking chair until she managed to tie herself to it as tightly as a damsel on the railroad tracks.  We came home to find Edward lying beside her, looking both protective and irritated. I swear I think he rolled his eyes.  She’s been known to run through the house with my undergarments on her head and just last week as I was writing I heard a strange rustling sound coming from my office and rushed in to find her finishing off a dozen or more foil-wrapped Easter eggs that had been carefully hidden in a sealed bag beneath my desk.  This latest escapade saw the two of us rushing to the vet for an emergency “purging”, an event that gave neither one of us any pleasure. 

 Squirrels drive her crazy, but chipmunks are the bane of her existence.  A couple of years ago, she chased one with such vigor she tore the meniscus in her knee, necessitating a three thousand dollar surgery and twelve weeks of crate rest.  If we let her outside at night when it’s raining, she disappears completely and ignores our calls and whistles.  The Songwriter finally pulls on his raincoat and troops out only to find her far back in the garden, standing stock still with her head tilted back, mesmerized by the sound of the rain in the trees.  You simply cannot get mad at a dog so enamored of the world’s wonders, now can you?

She’s always thinking, always busy - but then there are times when she sidles up to me and makes it clear she’d like a hug.  I sit down on the floor and she snuggles up to me, sometimes with her head on my shoulder, sometimes climbing atop that shoulder to look around.  She’ll stay like that till she’s ready to tear off someplace new.    If I’m ever ill, she exudes the sweetest sympathy, sticking beside me for hours.  And she thinks The Songwriter hung the moon.  A naughty dog?  Perhaps, but a thoroughly beloved one.


24 comments:

  1. Pretty naughty but then again my weenie Sister doesn't listen to a thing I say.

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  2. I would say that Apple sounds mischievous - more playful, than naughty :-) What a wonderful dog!

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  3. And there was our Kaiser who tore and ripped up our sofa that was placed at the front window while I was at work. Or the time I came downstairs into the kitchen to get my morning cup of coffee and peering through the dining room door saw white stuff hanging over my newly reupholstered wing chair. He ripped it up. I had it sewn back but one part keeps coming apart andI have left it as is in memory of our beloved Kaiser .
    Before Kaiser we had our first basset Bridget. I had to take my daughter's playmate home so I left the television on when we left. Upon our return we found her in the bean bag eating from a bag of pretzels and a can of soda (she pierced the can with her teeth) that she had gotten out of the pantry and watching I Love Lucy. We installed baby locks on the pantry double doors after this episode. Previously I arrived home from work to find a trail of flour from the pantry to the upstairs master sitting room!
    Dudley just sleeps and Charlie guardsπŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–
    Apple is answeetheart. They make like so beautiful don't they?

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  4. Bless. She sounds like our new giant puppy, Karma. She's a terror and a half but we love her to the Moon and back! I could make a list of pages long of her antics. But are they not just the most precious animals?!

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  5. Such is the nature of so many of our sweet pets...to be a bit mischievous!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  6. Your Apple reminds me of my darling Fergus, a naughty American Eskimo, who seldom avoided trouble. Not especially fond of our bathroom tile, he managed to remove one bottom wall of it before I returned from work. Then there was the time my then husband requested that I not use his silk robe, but it was so soft on my skin after a delightful bubble bath. So...one evening while he was at work, I slipped into it, for just a little while, after my bath, but fell asleep before removing it. When I awoke and dashed to the closet to remove it before he returned home, I noticed, to my horror, that Fergus had chewed a hole in it,the size of a large pumpkin, while I was sound asleep. My little man, Fergus, that is, personally autographed every towel in our home, and would parade his handiwork in front of us, begging for a chase. But, his best, and most endearing, accomplishment was lifting his leg and sprinkling the legs of all unwanted male guests. Yet, there is not a day that goes by that I don't miss him terribly.

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  7. Your sweet Apple sounds like a sweetheart to me. My Tulip (Westie) has a habit of drinking out of any glass or cup left beside a chair or sofa. I realize I need to take my drink with me if I get up from where I have been sitting. Husband never remembers to pick up his cup and wonders why it is always empty! Thankfully we only drink tea or water! Give Apple a hug for me.

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  8. Thank you for such a lovely laugh!!!

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  9. Apple is a darling. She simply and dearly loves her life, doesn't she? So much to learn from our beautiful dogs. This is a delightful post, Pamela, and the picture of Violet and Rabbit is just wonderful.

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  10. But how lovely of Edward to look after her like he does.

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  11. i'm so heartened that beloved little apple got a post all her own!!!
    with such an esteemed edwardian gentleman as edward for a famous big brother and the hero of two books... a little wayward girl could feel neglected in turn.
    such a pure delight she is! i share her love for rain.
    and the picture of her wound tight to the rocking chair in yarn! LOLOL!
    thank you!
    love to you all FOUR! XOXO♥

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  12. Immediately upon hearing Apple was wedged in the fences, Pooh came to mind, wedged in the rabbit hole, much to rabbit's chagrin.
    Always love your posts.
    Judith

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  13. Pamela, I have that copy of Country Life!!!
    It's probably my favourite magazine.
    Yes, Rabbit, I remember reading this article and thinking this family has the patience of an entire heaven of saints!!!
    Have loved hearing about Apple and all her mischievous ways. Definitely Edward would roll his eyes!!!
    Your photo too with her, beautiful........ I'm sure you're wearing one of your own creations......stunning.
    Anita xx

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  14. Those stories are so funny, except for you and Edward and the Songwriter.:-) Apple truly has the behavior of a spoiled child! lol
    Rabbit has a little mischief in his eyes. Violet is darling.
    What fun stories.
    Karen

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  15. Let's face it: Dogs rule. Our dog passed away a couple of years ago, but he was a real joy for me and my husband -- despite the fact that he chewed my husband's checkbook register and some important letters. The squirrels had his number, though. Squirrels are pretty smart. When I'd walk him on the leash, they knew just how long that leash was, and they'd taunt him, running in front of him and waving their bushy little tails.

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  16. The hug says it all. What a sweetie!

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  17. Beautiful story Pamela. It made me laugh so hard with the antics Apple gets up to. So precious xxx Lisa

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  18. It's official...I LOVE APPLE! (and Edward too..) ;)
    xx

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  19. Apple would have been a real contender for The Country Life trophy if she had been allowed to enter, Pamela .... maybe someone will do a ' naughtiest dog ' competition in the States !! .... there again, I'm not so sure that Apple is being naughty ..... just in the wrong place at the wrong time !! Edward and Apple are just beautiful whatever they get up to. XXXX

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  20. The joys of having a dog who loves life, adores its family, and provides hours of pleasure to all, even if at times in a mischievous manner, is worth every moment. Think of the people who have never had such a wonderful experience in their life...how sad!!

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  21. Ha! You understand dog psychology very well. I have to remind myself to view the world from Scout's perspective when she does a belly flop in yet another mud puddle and grins at me. She was bred to retrieve shot ducks from bogs and a fussy dog wouldn't be of help in that situation. Still, couldn't she wait to swim in the pond? Apple is one lucky pooch to have such a loving pack.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!