Asher

Toys

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The Young Asher

From the time I was a pup, I loved my toys. My birth mom made me a neat rope of tangled fabric. I dragged it around everywhere. I got to take it with me when my real mom came to get me.

When I was a little older some friends gave me this cool pink stuffie. It didn’t last long, but I sure enjoyed it.

There have been so many toys: hippos, hedgehogs, soft soccer balls, an elephant, fake sausages. I can’t even remember them all.

So when Tess came to live with us I could hardly believe she didn’t know how to play with a toy. I started working with her right away. I’d walk up to her and shove a stuffie in her face. I kept messin with her until she grabbed it. Tess hasn’t learned to love toys the way I do, but at least she’ll play with me if I bug her enough.

Poor Jack is hopeless. I even gave him my special fox to play with, but he just looked at it and turned away. Once when he was sleeping I put it by his head, but he didn’t even notice.

Jack and the Fox

I guess you gotta learn to play when you’re a pup. Your people have to give you toys and show some interest in you. Maybe Jack and Tess never had any toys when they were little. I think Jack is a lost cause as far as toys go, but I’m still workin on Tess. In fact, here she is now. Gotta run!

Tess

My Turn

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Tess

Ash has been doing the DailyBark a lot lately. I thought he needed a break, so I’m barking today.

I got in big trouble yesterday. Ash was strutting around the house with his favorite hedgehog stuffie. I was in no mood for him showing off, so I tore into him.

Bad move on my part. Mom was right next to me and before I could even get a good grip on Ash or the stuffie, she had me by the scruff of my neck.

She told me we don’t do that in our pack. She made me lie down and stop looking at Ash. She also took the hedgehog away from Ash and put it out of reach.

Once I got over my redhead temper, I felt bad about what I did. You see, Ash never fights back. He just wants to play and have a good time. When somebody is mean to him, he gets this real sad look on his face and goes off by himself. I knew I hurt his feelings, so as soon as mom let me up I went over and started licking him.

The thing I like about Ash is he doesn’t hold a grudge, at least with his friends. He started playing with me right away and we both forgot about my bad behavior.

I only saw Ash get really mad one time. Some people brought their dog for a visit. When the dog jumped out of the car he didn’t even bother to say hello. He just ran over and attacked Ash. Mom wasn’t close enough to stop it right away and Ash had to really fight to protect himself. He did real good. He made awful sounds and kept flashing his nasty face. Fortunately nobody got hurt, but I learned that Ash could fight if he has too.

That’s it for today’s bark. Think about Ash the next time somebody is mean to you. Maybe we should all try to be more like him. Respectfully, Tess.

Asher

Bartender!

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Ash and Cody

Mom likes wine, dad likes gin, I prefer toilet water. But after I watched Jack wrap his tail around a bottle of scotch, I decided it was time for me to have my first drink.

I hopped up on a stool and put my paws on the bar. Cody’s mom was in the kitchen. She asked me what I’d like.

I didn’t want to look like a fool, so I was trying real hard to remember the name of some fancy drink when Jack came up behind me. “He’ll have bourbon and water in a bucket with lots of ice,” Jack said softly. Wow. How did Jack know what to order? “Drink it slow, Ash” he said, “and be careful when you get off the bar stool.”

I never had alcohol before. I don’t like how it smells. I was beginning to wish I had minded my manners and kept all four paws on the floor. Cody’s mom was looking for the bourbon. I was wishing I had my nose in some nice cold toilet water. Jack knew I was looking for a way off the bar stool. He suddenly barked real loud and ran out the kitchen door. That was our signal. Cody and I jumped down and went flying out after him with Tess right behind us.

There wasn’t anything to bark at. Jack just did that to help me save face. I told Cody’s mom that after all that barking I didn’t feel like a drink anymore. She said that was fine and poured some nice fresh water with ice cubes in our bowl. It tasted really good.

Later that night I thanked Jack. He said not to worry. He feels he owes me plenty for all the times I’ve helped him out. I don’t feel he owes me anything. We’re pals. That’s what matters. Think about it. Gotta run.