Monday, January 29, 2007

Mission Accomplished

On Friday evening, it was like all my birthdays happened at once. Peter arrived (after a week's seperation) bearing both a shiny new red Kitchen Aid and a goofy dog named Toby.

Toby is a medium-haired German Shepherd with one ear up and one ear down. His age is open to question, but it appears that he is not less than a year old and not more than two years old. (I know, it doesn't seem like it should make a difference, but it does. Even though the physical growing part is over, the emotional/behaviour part is not. Seems to me like puppyhood for some dogs can last until age 3.)

He sheds enough for us to construct life-sized models of him each day. So far, he's been doing well in the housetraining department and not-too-bad in the obedience department. He's even neutered and up to date on all his shots.

Peter found him in the Buy and Sell and he has a little bit of a history that makes him prone to some minor neuroses. But sure, any dog of mine would have to be a little neurotic, if dogs are going to resemble their owners. The people who gave him to us have had him for six months and got him from the pound. His background is not really known, but it probably involved time spent alone in a backyard being a "watch dog."

Despite possibly dubious beginnings, he's a lovely dog. Yes, he has a slight tendency to chase his tail and he has to follow us from room to room and he's not real keen on us going out, but the signs point to these issues abating as he settles in.

Pictures will be coming soon as we still don't have broadband.

11 Comments:

At 30 January 2007 at 09:11, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We used to have a collie with one ear up and one down, a serious flaw in confirmation, but we weren't interested in showing so she was perfect for us :)

Hope Toby settles in well.

 
At 30 January 2007 at 11:14, Blogger Justin said...

hahah!! it seems that he is after hei tail all the time. Our dog Max loves to play that too with Jack's tail. LOL!!!!

And hey, just check this out dogs questioning a cat!

 
At 31 January 2007 at 01:59, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't wait until we're able to get a dog. German Shepherds are my favourite, I'm so jealous! Good luck with Toby, I hope he turns out to be a great dog for you guys :)

 
At 1 February 2007 at 22:57, Blogger Steven said...

I love your new profile pic :-)

 
At 3 February 2007 at 18:53, Blogger Terri said...

Toby sounds just perfect for your new life in the middle of nowhere. I'm glad you've managed to put some posts up - I've not been here in a while so it was good to do some catch-up reading. Can't wait for photos!

 
At 5 February 2007 at 01:45, Blogger Jack Steiner said...

Everyone needs a good dog.

 
At 5 February 2007 at 12:28, Blogger Sweary said...

I just realised that according to your Blogger profile, you're 250. Well done, you nubile ould hag, you.

 
At 8 February 2007 at 20:09, Blogger -Ann said...

Anonymous 1 (whom I believe to be Fence) - I was reading that the floppy-down ears for breeds that should have sticky-up ears are called "Friendly-tipped ears." In Toby's case, it's fairly fitting.

Justin - Max and Jack sound like fun. Great picture of the dogs and cat.

Angela - Thanks. I think he will be - he wants to be a good dog, but he's missed out on socialisation early in his life. But every day he settles in a bit more and learns a little more about how to act.

Steven - Thanks. I'm still looking for a camogie team.

Terri - Thanks for reminding me about the photos. Finally got the broadband so I have to get on that.

Jack - I agree, good being the operative word in the sentence.

SL - Yeah, it's all those Omega-3 fatty acids and beta carotene.

 
At 9 February 2007 at 23:29, Blogger laurie said...

oh, you're breaking my heart.
my old dog was named toby. he was the best dog ever--chased tennis balls till he dropped from exhaustion, watched my face constantly, kept by my side. a beautiful golden retriever-border collie mix. we called him a "golden border collie," a beautiful new breed.

good luck to you!
i look forward to piectures.

 
At 12 February 2007 at 07:06, Blogger -Ann said...

Laurie - Your Toby sounds like a great dog. I love mixed dogs and a golden border collie sounds like the perfect pup.

 
At 12 February 2007 at 14:20, Blogger Fence said...

You believe correctly, anonymous was me. (evil new blogger)

 

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