DORA-DOG'S DAILY DOG BISCUIT TREAT

 POST # 692

I've lost track of the countless number of times that I have taken Dora-dog for her daily walk into town and back.  It has become part of our routine, and an enjoyable part for sure.

About a week or so ago, we had finished our outbound journey which ends at the marina at the north end of town, and turned around to begin our homeward trip.  On this part of the walk, we always pass by an ice cream shop along the way, and up until this recent time, we just walked right on past, as if the place never existed.

But one day, Dora-dog decided to stop, and look up at the counter.  I guess she must have sniffed out the dog biscuits that were situated there, and she sat down in anticipation of a treat coming her way.

Sure enough, she got what she came for, and after thanking the person, we headed back home.  I figured that would be the end of it, and come the next day our walk would be back to its normal routine, without the ice cream shop stop.  WRONG!!!  Stupid me.  Every day since that first dog biscuit, Dora-dog makes a little left turn from the sidewalk, and parks herself smack dab in front of the counter to await her next treat.  It has now come to the point that when I am ready to leave, she just continues to stand there, and look up at the person, hoping to get yet another treat.  A couple of days ago, I started to walk away, and she looked at me, then she looked up at the counter, pondering her options. What to do?  Hmmm!!!  She continued to wait for a treat.  I guess I know where I stand in her order of priorities.

Here she is in action, just the other day.  All the people working there have come to know Dora-dog by now, and they all are happy to see her arrive for her daily treat.

Once she returns home, she is happy to hang out on the back deck and enjoy some sunshine, and while she's doing that, she is probably already thinking about tomorrow's walk to town, that will once again provide her with her daily dog biscuit treat.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

FENCED IN AGAIN

 POST # 691

Some time ago, I can't quite remember when, there was a very windy day here in Shelter Bay.  It was so windy in fact, that the fence separating Mary's yard from her neighbour's yard buckled under the pressure, as the posts holding the fence, broke.  Even though the fence was still standing at that time, it was going to have to be repaired.

Mary found someone who could do the work, so he came out here last week to tackle the job.  In the photo below, you can see some of the old posts that were rotted at their base.  It was time to get some new ones in the ground.

It took a few days to complete this project, and while the section remained open for Dora-dog to go into the neighbour's yard and chase the cats that are there, she managed to stay on Mary's side, so that was a good thing.

Old post

New post.

Finally, the job was completed, and Mary (and the neighbour) now have a solid fence between the two properties.  The contractor, Scott, did an excellent job, and so I imagine that this fence will be able to hold up to any strong winds in the foreseeable future.

And Dora-dog now has her yard back to run around in, without having to be tempted by any cats in the neighbour's yard.

                                                    

                                                                   Fenced in again

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

BORDER BLUES

 POST # 690

Border Crossing

When I travel to the USA via Amtrak, I don't have to wait until I get to the border crossing in order to clear US customs.  That procedure is done at the train station in Vancouver.

In recent times, I have commented to various people that lately, going through customs has been very simple, and in fact, prior to this recent trip, the border agent didn't even ask any questions.  He just stamped my declaration card, and I was on my way.

So imagine my surprise last week, when once again I was standing in line at the train station, waiting my turn to go through customs.  I had a bad feeling about the agent even before I stepped up to his booth.  Perhaps it was the look on his face.

In any event, it took a very long time to go through the process.  He just kept asking more and more and more questions.  Questions that I have never been asked before, like how much is my income, how much do I have in my bank account, when did I retire, etc. etc. etc.  At one point I was beginning to wonder if he was going to let me through or not.

Finally, for whatever reason, he decided to allow me to continue, and I made my way onto the train in preparation for my southbound journey.  It was without a doubt, one of the longest times that I have ever spent going through customs, and I wonder if that is going to be the way it is from now on?  Only time will tell.

As always, Mary and Dora-dog were there at the station to meet me, and drive back to her home in Shelter Bay.

It had been a long day, as you can tell by the look on Dora-dog's face.

It was time to call it a day, and be thankful that I was successful in making the journey.  My border blues for today had come to an end.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

THE IMPOSTER

 POST # 689

What the heck?  I went to bed last night with the Ollie that I knew, and I woke up this morning with this updated version of him.  Black and white, long hair, and larger as well.  Who is this imposter?  

Don't get me wrong, the new Ollie is a wonderful furball, but where did the old Ollie go?

Ah, here he is after all. He never really left, but when I told him about the other furball, he had this rather shocked look upon his face.  I had to then explain to him who this imposter was.

His name is Bandit, and he has found a home at my friend's place here in Vancouver.  I was over to visit them a little while ago, and that's when I had the good fortune to meet Bandit.  As I told Ollie the story, he settled back down, and then went right back to sleep, happy with the knowledge that in this house, he is still number one.

I have to say goodbye to him tomorrow, but we still have a little more time to spend together, so we'll make the best of it.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer