A Day in the Park

* Written by Frankie *

I don't know what you guys have heard about weather in Scotland. But let me tell you; all of it is myth. I know that some of you may hold fantasies of Scotland being green and sunny and beautiful. While it can be all of those things the times that it is tend to be few. Spring is usually nice and summer isn't too bad, but here at the end of winter the weather isn't great.

This past week our weather included of snow, rain, frost, wind, and all other manners of bad things. Mostly, it was fine because Erin and I spent a lot of time indoors. Class, the office, studying at home. We were able to hide away from the weather well enough and were able to take the short windows where the rain or snow would cease and the wind would die a little to take quick walks. Imagine how happy we both were when we woke up to sunshine and clear skies on Saturday.

We ate breakfast and woke up a little. For me that included a good after breakfast nap and a long, hard chew on my favourite bone. For Erin, it included a shower. It's not something that we agree upon really, but to each their own. Then we walked to the park. I'm pretty sure that I did good walking to the park, but Erin got pretty testy with me when we actually got into the park. Well! There was this little, white puff of thing that had the audacity to call itself a dog...a boy can't help but be a little agitated by that. And someone left a perfectly good stick just lying around there in the park. I was simply doing my civic duty by picking it up and running around with it trying to find its owner NOT to play with it. But because I didn't come when called nor put down the stick (just trying to find the owner of course) and because I sort of forgot how to sit when that white, puffy thing walked past...well I wasn't allowed a free run until I proved I could be good.

Instead, we walked through the whole park first just so that I could...ummm...learn the lay of the land. Yeah, that's it. It definitely wasn't because I was acting crazy and not listening. After I got the lay of the land down pat I was finally allowed to run around. Erin threw a bone for me and thus a good game of fetch was started. And from then on when I was told to leave the real sticks alone I would. It was a great morning in the sunshine.

After that we went home for a nap. Well ok, I took a nap. Erin did a little work. Unfortunately, because the weather was still nice after she finished working, Erin took me shopping. Clothes shopping. Clothes shopping may just be the most boring thing on the face of the earth. I mean, they don't even have any doggie stuff in the clothe stores. I would think they would at least of a rack of dog toys for their canine patrons. Ah well. We were in town for a while and by the time we got home I was pooped. So another nap was had.

Then it was time for Erin's roleplaying game. I enjoy these because it gives me some time to catch up on my sleep. While they roll their dice to defeat some evil, chaos monster, I had a nice long nap.

After a day like that I sure was tired when we got home. Erin stayed up a little later reading, but I went straight to sleep. Well, not before I tried to convince Erin that I was allowed to snuggle with her in bed. She didn't let me. Can't blame a pup for trying.

Frankie (yellow lab/golden cross) sitting in front of the bone I was throwing for him at the park.

Frankie running in the sun.

Frankie running back to me with his bone.

Frankie posing with a big grin at the park.

Frankie putting his head on the side of my bed trying to convince me that he's allowed up.

I go back home today, so until next time.

Relaxing Day

 * Written by Frankie *

After a few very long days of two hour lectures and hours at the office and food shopping, today was a nice relaxing day. Just a sort one hour lecture and three and a half hours at the office then home to relax. Auntie Erin had a headache so we sat around the house just lounging. I did try and make her feel as best as I could. I accomplished this by promptly picking up my squeaky, felt ring and flinging it into her lap hinting for a short, indoor game of fetch...it always makes me feel better. She seems to be feeling better now at least.

Tomorrow sounds like it will be another short day. I like short days.

Below you can see some pictures from this afternoon at home. Why yes, I am incredibly handsome.

Frankie, male yellow lab/golden cross

Frankie, male yellow lab/golden cross smiling at the camera

Frankie, male yellow lab/golden cross smiling

My First Day at Work

*Written by Frankie*

Since I was last over at Auntie Erin's house, she got an office job. So guess where I got to go with her today? That's right! To the office! It wasn't the most fun thing ever, but Erin says that I did very good. She also says that this was good for me because I don't like it when she leaves my line of sight and she has to do that ALL the time at work. I started off the shift getting up and following her every time she got up, but by the end of the day I would just look at her and go back to sleep.

I get to go back again tomorrow after the two hour lecture about Social Psychology. Busy days for the rest of the week.

And everyone loves me at the office.

A Belated Birthday for Rocco

I didn't get a chance to post this up yesterday since I was pretty busy. But yesterday was the boy's 3rd birthday! I can't believe he's already three and has been working for almost a year and a half. It feels like only yesterday that Mary and I drove up to Guide Dogs to pick up our Mr.R, his brother, and a Mr. V.

I remember the sleepless nights of the first few months as Rocco adjusted to his crate and had his vomiting problem. I remember stumbling out of bed in the morning after only an hour of sleep with every intention of roasting him on a spit in the front yard. Then I would open the kennel and that sweet boy would bound out, give me a kiss, and go sit by his leash by the door and all I could think was, "Ok, boy...you may live another day." And that is how his nickname of "boy" was born. He grew to be an amazing dog!

Happy Birthday Rocco!!!

Upon Reflection

So, when my landlord gave me my answer he was over in person to look at some mold that was appearing in my flatmate's room. I was also in the middle of washing the dishes in between studying for two exams this week. So, I guess I was in sort of numb shock. I was so hoping he would say yes. And foolishly I had visions of my birthday gift to me being an email to my supervisor putting in for a puppy as soon as he could get me one. Guess I will settle for some material possession.

Even though I have two more exams in this next week, today was my second one for this week and I finally had time to really think about it. And, I'm confused and sad. Obviously I am sad because I will have no puppy. But also because German Shepherd. *sad face* Now I'm just hoping that GDB back home starts using them again. Haha! We'll see. What confuses me the most is his answer to why he didn't want me to raise. He said, "We just don't think a dog belongs in student residence."

Now, that's fair enough. Really and truly I understand that. You don't know if someone will move in in a few years time that is allergic to dogs or they could ruin the carpet and the students can do that already. But, it makes no sense to use that argument when he's allowing me to board. I've had a puppy here every month. Usually it is just Frankie, but with the prospect of different puppies with different relieving habit coming in and out of the house I just don't see the logical grounds for the argument.

I mean, he came to fix the boiler when I was out and I had left Major home because he would relieve and you always avoid situations where there will definitely be an accident and he didn't even realise that I was on a puppy sit because we keep the house so clean.

I'm not going to bring this up to him because that would be like looking a gift horse in the mouth and I might just get it taken away from me. And obviously, it's his decision as it's his house so I'm not going to push it or anything. So, I'm not complaining. I'm just very confused.

Got My Answer

He said no. What are you gonna do right? All I really wanted was an answer and I got one. Oh well...I guess it was worth a try. He definitely wouldn't have said yes if I never asked. Am I disappointed? Yeah. A lot. It would have been nice to have a puppy around again. Guess I'll just have to wait until I'm done with University. Only a year and a half left. I can do that.

At least I still get to puppy sit. That'll keep me tied over until I can raise again full time.

Fingers Crossed

I approached my landlord again about raising a puppy full time. We'll see what he says. It would be so nice to have a dog around full time again. If he does say no at least I'll still be able to be a sitter. It's not ideal, but at least I'll still have a pup when I need one.

I sent the email about 4 days ago and I haven't heard back as of yet. I hope that means he is thinking it over instead of just saying no immediately. It's hard to be patient sometimes.