So I guess while Olive and I were road tripping across the province Chester was back at home making a poor impression. Ches has never complained about the accommodations at the kennel before, in fact the last time I dropped him off he was excited and never even said goodbye – nary a backwards glance nor a puppy dog eye – he was off and running. (Which is why I found it odd that he got a poor report card this time around).
Chester isn’t a dog that garners many invitations – people are hesitant to host a dog of his nature and stature. Ches takes up a lot of room. (If he belonged to someone else I too would be reluctant to invite him over). Which is why he gets to spend my holidays at the holiday inn for dogs. At his heart Chester is a gentleman, if something of a party animal – a little noisy and accident prone – a doofus but nice doofus.
I think Chester gives obedience his best shot, he falls short of the mark on a lot of occasions but I give him a decent grade for effort – at least he tries. He is a very strong dog and could easily run away with me, but generally doesn’t. (He gets points for this in my books, I don’t fancy a face plant). My kids think I’m too easy on the big brown dog, that my low expectations aren’t doing him any favors – they feel his biggest problem is the fact his mother is a grandmother and she thinks he is funny. (They may have a point – I do think he’s funny, until I don’t).
Chester carries his frisbee on all our walks – people think he is adorable, they have no idea the only reason he isn’t barking at them is the fact his barker is full of foam rubber. The frisbee is also a gatekeeper – it’s impossible to sneak a dirty Kleenex past the disc or to eat a discarded half a sandwich off the sidewalk while carrying his favorite toy. (The frisbee is our friend and I credit it for saving us numerous trips to the vet).
Chester isn’t allowed to take his frisbee when he checks into the kennel. He’s not the only dog who has to leave toys at home – something about possessiveness in canines makes sharing next to impossible. He gets to bring his own bed and bag of food, that’s it – they even hand his leash back to me when they set him loose in the exercise area.
The exuberance of the other holidayers at the kennel is always deafening – I’m not sure if they are barking a welcome or a warning as Ches trots off to announce his arrival. He always seems happy enough with the resort and eager to say hello to the staff when I drop him off (which is why it was so disappointing to receive a less than glowing report when I picked him up).
Apparently Chester has picked up some foul language since his last visit and has become something of a bully with the other kids in the playground. (Where he learned this behavior is anyone’s guess). I was told Chester needs to socialize more to become more sociable – he needs to clean up his act. I don’t think he has been banished from the kennel (yet) but I am worried their vacancy rate may vary the next time I try to make a reservation.
He has been such a good boy since I’ve brought him home (sleeping like the dead) I’m wondering if Chester was perhaps fingered for someone else’s crime. Could this be a case of mistaken identity? I mean – this face?
Comments (6)
Absolutely wonderful.
Maureen – thank you
Only a Gramma would think he was framed….
Ali – he took the fall for someone else, I feel it in my bones!
Look at it from a writers pov — you have something interesting and funny to write about. I love reading about Chester. Reading about sweet little Olive could send me to sleep.
Pam – Chester is the dog with the stories,that’s for sure – never dull with that guy around. 😜