A picture of innocence and sweetness! :):)
Many bloggers have tons of topics to use as a new posting. When we (I) decide what topic to use, Bill and I will discuss what could be included, or he will say go ahead and write it and then I’ll read it. This is a joint effort – but somehow I think I got the larger portion! I don’t mind because I love to write. This may have been the reason behind me teaching English for over 30 years! I loved teaching and getting the kids to write. (Most days)
I have had students who were prolific writers. They knew what they wanted to say and how it needed to be said. Many of them won writing contests sponsored by the county and/or the state. They won because they had the drive to do so. Others students had aspirations of writing short stories and poetry. They would bring in their “collection” which they kept in an old composition notebook for me to read! Most of what they had written had a lot of potential! I’m sure some of them will go on to better and brighter writing assignments than I could ever have assigned to them. (Wonder if I have former students reading the blog and proofreading my writing? Thank goodness for spell/grammar check!:))
This posting is not going to be about my experience as an English teacher, but how and why we (I) choose the topics we’ve written about. In the beginning it was to give an account of what we had done, seen, or experienced while at Kiawah Beach. Naturally, what we experienced was a lot different than the experiences we have here on Craig Road. Once we were home, we didn’t know if we would continue the blog or not. Many of our friends and relatives said please do so, we enjoy reading what you have to say. So, we have approached the topics to include as many positive events surrounding our lives as possible. We are trying to “honor” family member on their birthdays, commemorate important dates for our family, remember loved ones who have gone home to be with our Lord and Savior, and to include topics we hope that will help you forget your worries and to get a chuckle out of the antics of Toby, Bill, and me!
I know for a fact that many members of the family got a big chuckle out of the way Bill tried to get out of mowing the grass! I pull from live experiences, daily happenings, or even sentimental ideas to come up with a topic – the teacher coming out in me! I know when our granddaughter arrives there will be plenty of stories about her!
I hope we can keep this blog going with topics that are light, enjoyable, and will help take your cares away for just a little while! We thoroughly enjoy other blogs -some are by family members while others we just happened to come across. We hope all who read ours enjoy them as much as I enjoy writing them!
Today’s topic is going to be about Toby – again. In case you haven’t figured it out – he is a part of our life that has given us so much joy and unconditional love. Now that he is older, we are cherishing each and every day with him. There are times when the “puppy” in him takes over, and he will entertain us until we are bent over double laughing. Many years ago, when he was still in the puppy stage, he displayed a very dominant territorial trait. The only other dog he would really play with was Max, David’s Boston Terrier who was several years older than Toby. They would run and play and Max was tolerant of Toby as some older brothers tend to be towards their younger siblings. However, when Max had all he wanted of Toby’s aggravation, he would snap at him and Toby would eventually leave him alone. They really did get along well.
One evening after Bill and I had gotten home from school, two young pups came galloping into the back yard from across the tracks. Toby was on his 50 foot leash and had free range of the back yard. Needless to say, Toby was not at all thrilled about other dogs being in His yard, on His road, in His county, state, continent – I think you might get the picture! He barked, attacked, chased, and growled at them. Bless their hearts; they thought he was PLAYING with them! Next thing we knew, another LARGE pup came running into the yard! Oh boy, the games were about to begin. Toby ran after him with lightening speed and grabbed him underneath his throat. He had gone in for the kill! Scared that poor pup to death; he yelped and ran off – can’t say I blame him. It scared the pup more than anything. The other two pups were still out there frolicking around in the yard having a good time!
Bill finally got a hold of Toby and put him in the house. We checked the injured dog only to find there were no marks on her, and that she had just been frightened. The other two pups decided to come up on the porch and try and play with Toby through the door. Toby was one MAD baby! He did not want those other dogs around HIS house! We finally had to come in, close all the curtains, and keep Toby away from the door before the pups would go back home! Finally, after about an hour, the coast was clear and Toby could go back out into his yard and not be bothered with those intruders! I think he marked every corner, bush, and tree he could reach in the yard to make sure every critter knew who this area belonged to!
David had called later that evening and Bill was telling him about what had happened. Bill said that we had to fill out a report card on Toby and had to mark –“DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS.” This is where the idea for the title of this posting originated.
Last night, Toby earned another check on his report card that states “HE STILL DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS!” It was dark and of course Toby had to go outdoors. As most of you know, he is going blind. He walked down the ramp and headed straight to his post on the car port that he marks! There were two pups out in the yard. One was within reach of Bill and Toby while the other was a little further out in the yard. I walked out on to the back porch and the closest pup came running up the ramp. It was so friendly and wanted to play. Toby did not know it was there! He had not seen it, heard it, or sensed it until Bill grabbed him up in his arms. Then he knew something was adrift. Something was going on for his daddy to grab and hold on to him for dear life. We got him inside and then did his anger come out with a vengeance! The pup was trying to play with him through the glass and Toby was having a conniption fit! I was able to capture some of this on my camera phone. The quality of the pictures may not be the best, but I think you can tell what was happening!
It took Toby a while before he really settled down, and then he slept for the rest of the evening. This experience wore him out! He will always protect his territory and the ones he loves!!!!!
Toby's ears indicate he HEARS something on the porch!
Toby is letting this big pup know he is not allowed on his porch!!
Toby barked and barked and barked and . . . barked!
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