Monday 16 August 2010

Who'd keep a dog?


Have you heard the expression "hang-dog"? Well, don't you think this photograph epitomises the expression?
It was a lovely, warm, sunny morning. There was just a hint of Autumn in the air, but the sun was warm and there was a light breeze. Just the perfect sort of Monday for doing several loads of washing and pegging them out on the washing line to flutter in the breeze, I thought.
The first load completed the cycle as I was stacking the dishwasher. My cleaner was due to arrive in ten minutes, so that just left me time to tidy things away so that she had a clean sweep through the house (no - I am not one of those people who cleans up before her cleaner comes!)
Carrying a full wash-basket I went out into the garden to peg it all on the line - calling Tess to follow me, so that she could have a sniff around for a few minutes.
I pegged out the washing, raised the clothes prop on the line, turned round to call Tess in, and...........she had gone.
I called and called, walked up and down the hedge, walked across the paddock to the far side - of Tess there was no sign.
Fuming, cursing under my breath, I donned walking boots, got the dog lead and trawled the fields looking for her and calling her all the time. The heifers thought it was great fun - I think they thought I was calling them - and gambolled up to prance around me. After a quarter of an hour's calling I was pretty hoarse and there was no sign - the call of rabbits beats my call any day!
I considered ringing the farmer, who was away rowing up grass to be collected by the silage men - no better not call, after all it isn't an emergency. I trudged back home.
As I approached the back door a little dark, wet bundle of fur crept out of the hedge bottom, crawled to the back door, lay on its back with all four legs in the air and looked suitably sorry.
Well, dear readers, what do I do? Do I chastise her for running away after rabbits or do I praise her for coming back home? I did neither - I opened the back door and she shot in, straight into her bed, refusing to look in my direction.
That's why I ask the question, "Who'd keep a dog?" I ask myself, why do I have a dog.
Here are my reasons:-
1. She is great company.
2. She gives me unconditional love.
3. She makes me go out for walks because she fixes me with a hard stare after lunch.
4. She welcomes guests to the house with unfailing courtesy.
5. I have had dogs for years and I would miss the companionship.

Why do I wish I didn't have a dog?
1. When/if she runs away after rabbits I have to trail around looking for her.
There's your answer. 5 to 1 - its no contest, is it?

22 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Unconditional love is the quality I love most in dogs. This post made me miss my Ralphy. (cute, all those little doggy toys in her bed)

FireLight said...

Absolutely, no contest. My dogs keep me company, keep me moving, and keeping me laughing! I miss them so much this time of year when I must return to the classroom. I can tell your little girl is a love!

Cheryl Cato said...

You are right... no contest indeed! Gertie is wonderful company for me. I would be so lonely without her & the G-man would miss her too. She is one of the best dogs I've ever had the pleasure of living with.

Elizabeth said...

Always a bit frightening when they go missing though......
so glad she got back safe and sound.
Chasing rabbits is a very good thing to do.
Our travels are much curtailed since I'm never quite sure anyone would look after Buster as well as we do....

angryparsnip said...

Dogs win every time !
Every time I see your Tess I remember my Samantha who was a Border Terrier too and the best dog !
I am typing this quietly as The Square Dogs would be extremely indignant !
Whenever they wander off you get that funny pain in the pit of your stomach, just awful !
Glad she came back. Smart little girl.

cheers, parsnip

Arija said...

Your thesis did not take into account the dog's altruistic motive for absenting herself. She only absented herself to make sure you got the exercise you needed before the cleaner came.
That makes it in my reckoning 6 to 0 in favour of dog.

Caroline Gill said...

No contest whatsoever! Dogs and cats love to wind us round their tails!

Gerry Snape said...

I'm desperate for a dog, but the rest of the inhabitant's of the house are not so keen ...that's one you understand!!

Reflections said...

Life gets very boring without the wonderful antics of our buddies. Though most all of my "friends" have lived well into their teens, it is never long between before I have to do the search for a new "friend" as the house always becomes too quiet without a dog.

Heather said...

It's pitiful isn't it? They worm their way into our hearts and we are powerless to chastise them. She knew she'd been naughty and put herself to bed as punishment! This reminds me of when our golden labrador would go courting - he was quite a Casanova in his prime - and muggins would have to go looking for him. I'd call and whistle till I was worn out and suddenly he'd appear just behind me, head down and wagging his tail. How can you chastise them when they have come to you, even if it is eventually?

Gwil W said...

They are all good reasons for having a dog but reason no. 3 is a very good reason. Hail, rain or shine you've got to get out there. And with the wonderful countryside you have it must be a joy. Dogs in cities, growing more neurotic by the day, must envy your Tess.

Dominic Rivron said...

Speaking as a cat man...

Anonymous said...

No contest for sure. Silent companionship, loyalty and that lovely cozy feeling when they huddle over your feet, all relaxed and snoozy and the head resting on your thigh as you are at the computer. Zulu does it all. But he can be a little so and so just like Tess, when he decides to take off across the park, ignoring my calls. But we wouldn’t swap them ever!~

Titus said...

Ah, the rabbit issue. It's also sheep, lambs, pheasants and other dogs for us...
He did learn his lesson about hedgehogs, though.

steven said...

weaver when i was very little we had a border collie. he'd come off a welsh farm and was incredibly tolerant, patient, mild-mannered and loving. i miss him all these forty-five years later because there's not been a dog in my life quite like him. do i understand your story and al its implications and ramifications? oh yes i do!!! steven

Pondside said...

Absolutely not contest!
Last night Rosie tried and tried to let us know that there was a raccoon in the yard - I'd have gladly given her away by 0400, but most of the time I have to say 'no contest'!

Unknown said...

Both my sisters have had several dogs and cats but I never have; travelling a lot made it impractical. Now, despite acknowledging the undoubted affection they offer, I think I am far too selfish!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

came over via Reader Wil. Am interested that your first husband was a prisoner of war of the Japanese. I grew up in Borneo, and my parents suffered very much.

Where was your husband serving before he was captured?

izzy said...

We took our two in from very borderline
situations, both were over 2 years old and had gotten away with wildness....
Our crazy Shepard has absolutely no
in between speeds, 100 miles an hour
or zonked.(She does stick around though)
Our lab cross should be owned by a hunter,his nose takes him abroad and beyond if we set him free-Still and all they are better off then they were; and of course we love them!

Rusty said...

Awwww! A dogs gotta do what a dogs gotta do. (Grin). Better chasing rabbits (a clear duty) than skunks or porcupines. (Some dogs never learn to leave those critters alone). And once her work is done, she comes home to you - happy in the knowledge that things are safe in the universe.
ATB!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Seems that by and large bloggers are also dog-lovers - long ay in continue to be so.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Love ou dog for the same reasons despite the dog hair and when he jumps into a muddy pond!
They always love you.x