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Switzerland is famous for its incredible awe-inspiring beauty, and rightly so. When I viewed my first mountain with its cap of white snow, I almost reached out to see if it was a painting or real.
The people of Switzerland are polite and well-educated, and the unemployment rate is near to nothing. And most have a dog or two, which are also polite and well-trained. The canine walk on leash, silent, and discreet in relieving needs, which the owner promptly removes with a Swiss provided bag and disposal sites along the sidewalks.
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| Scrumpy and Porter (these are types of English beers) |
My daughter Mary and husband Richard have two dogs, Porter and Scrumpy. Porter has a stoic dignity about him; he will keep feet warm, let my grandson climb over him, and considers himself to be superior to his fellow dog, Scrumpy.
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| Benjamin (almost 2?) hanging out with Scrumpy |
Scrumpy is a fun-loving and likable mutt, with mixed terrier tendencies and low on the intelligence scale. If there is to be something destroyed in the house, Scrumpy is guilty while Porter shakes his head. Scrumpy..Scrumpy.
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| Porter, the ever-patient-Porter |
The Swiss also have professional dog-sitters: people who are prepared with all the needs a dog might have. Mary and Richard have left Porter and Scrumpy with a lovely lady on many trips, where dogs are happy.
This last two week holiday had an unusual twist in the regular day's activities. Life for Porter and Scrumpy had been proceeding just fine, until this one afternoon.
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| How to Care for Your Tortoise |
The lady had two sizable
So it was a big surprise to all when Scrumpy raced toward one, and scooped him up. He shook Bernard side to side to side. Then Scrumpy threw him in the air, where Bernard turned end on end, landing with a thump on his back.
Scrumpy moved in for the kill—he somehow knew what to do. With his front paws, Scrumpy disemboweled Bernard.
Porter had been laying under the shade of a tree, observing his impulsive friend do all this, gave one bark, which said it all: Damn it, Scrumpy, you idiot! Scrumpy happily jogged over to Porter, a jaunty wag of his tail singing his victory.
The owner lady came screaming and cursing. How it all ended, I don’t know. Mary and Richard are rather silent on this, while Benjamin still loves to chase Scrumpy around the house.
But I do know this: Scrumpy and Porter will no longer be welcome at her house.
This is a re-post from 2015 or 2014. Benjamin is now 6 and has a brother James, aged 2. Scrumpy is less spry, not as feisty. Porter is as Porter has always been.
With Christmas coming, I will be putting up some old posts. New ones will appear in the New Year.
This is a re-post from 2015 or 2014. Benjamin is now 6 and has a brother James, aged 2. Scrumpy is less spry, not as feisty. Porter is as Porter has always been.
With Christmas coming, I will be putting up some old posts. New ones will appear in the New Year.
Wow, he must've moved fast to kill that tortoise before she could intervene. I thought it would've been harder to kill one.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Susan!
I wondered, too. But she must have been inside.
DeleteMercy, but he is rather destructive! Very sad for the owner of the tortoise.
ReplyDeleteHe is a spontaneous dog.
DeleteDear oh dear. Poor turtle.
ReplyDeleteTurtles may not have much of a brain pan.
DeleteWe had such a pair, once. One who know right from wrong and one who fooled us constantly about her ability to exercise self control (because she knew right and wrong, too). We returned once to the little one having eaten all the hand made angel ornaments except the one her big brother had in his mouth. He spit its sodden self at our feet and his big brown eyes screamed "I saved this one!"
ReplyDeleteHa! You had a Scrumpy and a repentant Porter.
DeleteHow sad for the turtle. I wonder what made Scrumpy suddenly go in for the kill.
ReplyDeleteScrumpy has a very short time between think and do. Something like "Squirrel".
DeleteDear Susan, like Liz A said in her comment, "I wonder what made Scrumpy suddenly go in for the kill." Living with cats since 1972--for for 46 years--I find myself often wishing I could be one of animal whisperers who could communicate with my feline companions. Oh, the stories I think they have to tell! Peace.
ReplyDeleteThat would be amazing.
DeleteAwww, poor Bernard. Wonder what made Scrumpy'g behavior change?
ReplyDeleteI too thought a turtle would be harder to kill. Callie will occasionally drag one about the yard before I can rescue it.
Switzerland is high on my wish list.
Hope you visit some day. I also thought Bernard could have survived. I don't know its size and weight, but the underside was softer than the shell.
DeleteOh dear.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Christmas.
I know. Enjoy yours as well.
DeleteDear, dear tortoise … RIP! The Swiss citizens sound really lovely; how I'd love to visit someday!
ReplyDeleteIt would be worthwhile trip to take.
Deleteyears later, that turtle probably still has nightmares of the incident.
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be a PTSD event.
DeletePoor turtle, he didn't stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteBernard. What can be said?
DeleteYikes!
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteAnimals gonna animal! They can appear perfectly domesticated 99.99 percent of the time, but every now and then, their inborn instincts take over, and you get a dead Bernard.
ReplyDeleteThat is the basic truth.
DeleteSure wasted no time, poor turtle never stood a chance.
ReplyDeleteOnce on the back, Bernard was vulnerable.
DeletePoor turtle. This reminded me of when my neighbor's huge African tortoise got loose and came walking by the dog yard. My dogs have many different barks for different critters and people too, but they had never seen anything like this before and were stunned into silence. It was the funniest thing to see. Of course it ended well with Kenya returned to his owner.
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness! I bet it was.
DeleteHello Susan. I'm Cruisin Paul and I enjoy new people who write blogs. I daughter has 2 cats and a dog but she has to unfortunately get rid of one of the cats because the one cat just can't get along with the dog and this during Christmas. She's hoping to find a person who loves cats. Me, my wife and I are just waiting for our January 10 day cruise. Have a great day. See ya.
ReplyDeleteCruisin Paul
I enjoy your blog very much. Happy cruising!
DeleteOh dear ...
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, oh dear.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteIt seems the tortoise didn't have a chance. Quite the story, I must say. I've always wanted to go to Switzerland. I'll leave my tortoise back in the UK.
A peaceful Christmas to you and yours, my dear friend.
Gary
Scrumpy has always been kinda loopy. He is about 14 yr. old, lots of gray. Porter is steady as always. Leave your tortoise at home. It would be best.
DeleteGlad to see your name.
Scrumpy sounds like a real character. That poor turtle! But it had to be great fun for him!
ReplyDeleteScrumpy has fun wherever he goes.
DeleteWe drove thru Switzerland once. YES the beauty is there we only spent the night but did enjoy the people.
ReplyDeleteDogs will be dogged at times. Yep, I am sure the madam of the home was extremely wrought, but also should have thought of the resulting possibility..
BUT it makes a great story. I can even smile since it was not my turtle! ;-)
Thanks! Scrumpy and Porter are definitely getting old. Scrumpy's turtle days are over.
DeleteSeveral years too late, but I'm sorry about the turtle. Wonder what made Scrumpy do that out of the blue like that?
ReplyDeleteWith Scrumpy? Who knows?
DeleteOh Scrumpy...how could you do that?
ReplyDeleteWe will never know.
DeleteI stopped by to thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog and became immersed in your blog.
ReplyDeleteI like how you are bringing posts back and several caught my eye, especially Mr. Wilder and Dillard. I laughed so hard, I had to catch my breath. You have such a great sense of humor, timing, and writing style. I truly enjoyed the visit and will definitely return.
BTW, Scrumpy would be on my naughty list!
Glad you stopped by. As a writer, I am a storyteller. My father could tell a story so well. I write. Mr. Wilder (who is half-French) was a fun character.
DeleteAww the dogs are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable. Once they accepted me as an alpha, I could take them on walks.
DeleteNice to hear from you again, Ms. Kane. Love the dogs. We have two cats, sisters, but different, also. My cat is Cleopatra and Lois' cat is Cassandra. Cleo follows me around like a dog. Great fun. A relative set down in Switzerland recently and loved it but noted the glaciers are melting and water was running through the streets - not a good sign.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your name!! Yes, this past year had lower rain and snow fall. It is scary. I hope you someday will visit there.
DeleteThanks for visiting!
ReplyDelete