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Funny Little Fellow

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Huck

We’ve had a lot of different guest dogs stay with us at Asherpark. When we’re not too busy learning new stuff and playing with the goats, we babysit dogs for our friends.

This little guy in the picture is Huck. He’s a cranky old Dachshund. He stayed with his pal Pippin, the Corgi.

Huck doesn’t have the best disposition. First time he came to visit he tried to start a fight with Jack. Not too bright since Jack outweighs him by thirty pounds. But old Jack was so shocked anybody wanted to fight him he just ignored the Huckster.

Huck was supposed to spend the day in the outdoor kennel since he couldn’t get along with anybody but the Corgi. Mom washed it real nice and put his favorite crate and blanket in there.

Well, Huck didn’t like the kennel and mom felt sorry for him, so Huck got his reservation upgraded. Next thing you know he’s taken over the studio.

Huck’s owner warned us that Huck likes to be covered up. One day mom let him pick where he wanted to nap. Huck picked an old cushion from the couch that mom stuffed in a dog bed cover and forgot to zip it up. Turns out that was just the way Huck likes it. Took him no time at all to burrow under the cover and start a nice snooze on the cushion.

On a warm sunny afternoon Huck discovered his favorite spot. Like Goldilocks he tried out all the beds in the studio and picked the one just right for him.

Huck and Pippin went home with lots of stories about life at Asherpark. I heard they slept for days. I guess country life tired them out. We’re looking forward to when they come visit again. Maybe Huck will even try and get along with Jack.

 

Nellie

My Special Day

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Nellie

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon. Mom already told Ash that she was leaving and he had to stay home and babysit the rest of us. Jack started moaning and Tess flicked her big tail like she does when she is not pleased.

From the trips back and forth to the car, Ash knew mom and dad were going to a party. He said that meant we’d be by ourselves for three or four hours. I’d never been to a party so I didn’t really understand what Ash was talking about. Then mom told Ash she was taking me.

Next thing I knew mom put a leash on me and lead me to the car. A car ride has never ended up too good for me, so I was kinda scared. Mom put a towel under my belly and hoisted me into the back of the car. She knows I don’t like to be picked up, so the towel works like my elevator.

I smelled the happy smells from when Ash and Jack had last been in the car. That made me relax a little, but I still didn’t understand what was going to happen to me.

Then mom leaned over and whispered in my ear. “You’re going to a party, Nellie.”

We drove about an hour up into the mountains. We finally stopped at the most wonderful place in the world. I could feel the magic before I even got out of the car. It was the magic of kindness.

It turns out the party was at the home of mom’s special friend Jeff. He lives in a beautiful place by the river. His young dog is named River. The older one is Wind. The wind and the river. Neat, huh?

Jeff has the most lovely lady friend. Her dog is the mother of River. Isn’t that perfect?

Jeff is special to mom and dad. They don’t get to see him a lot but they treasure every minute with him. They talk about us dogs, the wild birds and creatures, and books they’ve read.

Jeff and his lady friend were so nice to me. They gave me treats and petted me and fretted that I would get hurt if I stumbled down the stairs. They helped mom take my picture and rubbed my old sore back.

When it was time to go everybody came to the car to see me off. Jeff sat down next to me and told me how glad he was that I came to the party. He said I was a wonderful guest and I could come back anytime I want.

I was overcome with joy. Remember I was the throw away dog nobody wanted. I was the dog scheduled to die. And here I was invited to return to a very special place. I wanted so much to give Jeff a little lick, but I was embarrassed so I just looked at my paws. Jeff rubbed my head and wished me good bye.

When I got home the others pestered me with questions. They couldn’t believe I got to go to see River and Wind. None of them have been there, only Codie went many years ago. I felt so happy. When you’ve been told you’re not worth saving and then you get a second chance at life, every day is a gift. I treasure the day I spent in the mountains. I can’t wait to go back.

Asher

A July To Remember

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Ash

Wow! We’ve never gone this long without a DailyBark. How come? Too much news to make sense of.

It all started the first of July. Our pal Frieda came for her summer vacation. I love it when Frieda comes. She reminds me of Codie and she plays Aussie bump and run with me.

Frieda is getting old and has trouble getting up and down. But she’s still fun and I love her.

While Frieda was here Mom’s brother and her niece Heather came. And guess what? They brought Heather’s pup Jake! Oh, Jake is wonderful. He’s almost four years old and he likes all the same stuff I like.

Here’s a picture of my pal Jake. He’s wearing his Spiderman outfit and protecting us from mean people.

Jake

Me and Jake had lots of fun. He doesn’t have the best arm yet, but he tossed me lots of balls until I was too tired to play.

Sometimes Jake got mad at me when I barked. One time Jake told me he didn’t want to be my pal anymore because I licked him. Oh man, I felt so bad. How could I not want to lick the little guy? He always had something good smeared on his hands or face.

Jake finally had to go home. Then Frieda’s vacation was over and she went home too. It was just us house dogs for a few days until chaos arrived. Mom didn’t tell me we were babysitting two LITTLE dogs!!! We never had little dogs before. It was culture shock.

Our little pal Pippin, the Corgi, and her sidekick Huck, the Dachshund came for a week. Huck has to stay in solitary because he can’t get along with anybody. Pippin could go back and forth between Huck and us house dogs. I never saw mom open and close so many doors before, making sure little Huck didn’t run into the house and start a fight.

At first Pippin kept insisting she was boss dog. She wouldn’t do anything mom asked and she kept knocking over garbage cans. One time mom had her back turned and wasn’t paying attention. Pippin grabbed the new sack of dog food and pulled it onto the floor. Soon she chewed a hole in the bottom and all us mutts were having a snack. Oh boy, you shoulda heard mom when she found us. We all went running for cover except for Pip, who kept on stuffing her face. Mom didn’t have much nice to say about Pip that evening, but I sure enjoyed the snack.

Meanwhile Huck discovered the goats. Even though he could hardly see them through the tall grass, he could sure bark at them. I kept telling Mom she should let him in with the goats, but mom said he’d probably have a heart attack.

Well, all this summer fun is finally coming to an end. The Pipster and Huckman go home on Sunday. That leaves me, Tess, Jack, and Nellie to keep Asherpark running. Tess gets a haircut next Wednesday. Jack and Nellie go see the eye doc in a few weeks. Me, I just had a bath so I’ll be running the fence keeping that fool neighbor dog in line. I’ll try to keep up on the daily barks. Promise!