Thursday 4 August 2016

The dog-human contract

It is part of the dog-human contract, as commonly understood, that whenever our human returns home, from work, social calls or, as we say in Scotland, doing the 'messages', then we dogs are ready to greet them with unlimited effervescent affection. Our role is to make them believe they are the most magnificent individual to ever walk the earth, and that without them our world is not complete.

I like to keep a look-out for Gail, although, unlike my next door neighbour Ruby Briard, I do this quietly. (What's with the constant barking anyway Roobs?)

This way I am ready to spring into action the second Gail crosses the threshold, with tail revved up to maximum wagging velocity and amplitude.

If the thought ever crosses my mind that she is anything other than total perfection incarnate, I keep it to myself.

Unless, that is, she has been been gone a long time out on her bicycle.

In which case she deserves the cold shoulder, and this behaviour on my part should not be considered a breach of contract.

Right?

22 comments:

  1. I dunno, I probably couldn't resist jumpin all over my momma even if she had abandoned me for a bicycle. I get eggcited to see her when she comes back from da bathroom.

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  2. Right! There are times when the peeps need to be taken down a peg....and cycling WITHOUT the loyal friend is just such a time.

    We often don't even open an eye when SHE comes in after abandoning us.

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  3. Right, right and RIGHT! Who does she think she is? Hasn't she got a basket on her bike for you. It's not as if you're a Great Dane or something!

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    1. Gail says: At 43cm (17") shoulder height, Bertie might be considered the Great Dane of the wire fox terrier world!

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  4. Bertie - A cold sausage might smooth things over !

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  5. I don't finks I can resist the 'going mad' when the peeps come home....although I do it quietly, no barking, I have the overwhelming urge to run up and down the stairs in excitement.....no, I don't understand it either!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  6. Hari OM
    Bertie, this shows that you are a thinking and caring dog and have an opinion to be made - a bit of 'cold shoulder' might actually be the tasty treat with which Gail could reassert her image in your eyes... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  7. Oh Bertie you pups are so O B V I O U S with your devotion (which I admire). I'd love to see your WFT tail in action. We felines just can't be bothered with all that. About once a month I might just happen to be passing by the door when the peeps return. I might give them a slight nod but that is it. My philosophy is keep'em guessing.

    Mom did tell my Toto the mighty mini Dachshund was an expert at the wiggles and the shakes when they returned home.
    Hugs Madi your bfff

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  8. WE do our best to make our peeps BELIEVE that they are Fangtastic... butt in truth.. they are a Work in Pawgress... Just sayin.

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  9. BOW WOW, there's never a dull around with Bertie!

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  10. That sounds totally reasonable to me!

    I TRY to keep a watch out for Momma, but we're back in our crates in the bedroom during the day, so it's ruff. But we SPRING into action as soon as she comes in!

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  11. Perfectly correct and I love the picture

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  12. At times you must give her the cold shoulder too
    Lily & Edward

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  13. Totally agreed!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  14. they can be gone 5 minutes and we act like its been 5 yrs
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & mabel

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  15. Love the photo Bertie, and the sentiment. Horatio clearly didn't sign that contract.... Harris signed it twice!

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  16. Bertie you are watching come and watching them go! But when they come home it is so much more exciting
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

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  17. I think Ludo would say totally right. Sometimes when Mum came home from lunch he wouldn't even get off the sofa to greet her. I always make sure I give my very best effort though.
    -Wiggles, Arran.
    P.s. We wanted to say thank you again for being a good friend to Ludo.

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  18. How interesting "messages"! OK, the thing is it appears Gail needs some more training. You obviously are doing your part and then some! BTW, we recently saw a show that indicated the reason people thing a dog can tell time is actually the dog noticing that the longer the human is gone the less they (the dog) can smell their scent in the room. Dogs get used to the idea that once a human scent drops to a certain level that is when they typically return. Interesting, eh?
    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  19. BERTIE WE LOVED SEEING YOU AND GAIL AT THE DOODZ SWIMMING EVENT!!
    I BET YOUR STRONG WFT TAIL MAKES A GOOD RUDDER
    Hugs madi your bfff

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