Dog Day Afternoon

Jack had his regular Saturday meeting today with doggy pals, Jessie, Tara and Billy. It was as predictable as it was typically bizarre. Jack, a Jack Russell terrier, wanted to run and run and run, preferably being chased by Jessie and Tara. Jessie, a border collie, and Tara, a miniature pinscer, were content to stay in the air conditioned outhouse with their mistress. Billy, a Maltese terrier, was content to stay inside the main house.



After tiring of running figures of eight by himself, Jack decided to investigate the garden for skinks. Of course, that requires his demanding that I get up, put down my book and go outside into the heat to watch him looking for skinks. I'm not sure if he expects me to get down on bended knee and help him look, but I am at least supposed to watch him. Eventually, there is a doggy toilet break and we all return to the comfort of the outhouse.

After about twenty minutes, Jack demands that I get up again, put down my book and go outside into the heat to watch him looking for lizards. Again. Eventually, we all return to the comfort of the outhouse. After about twenty more minutes, Jack demands that I get up again, put down my book and go outside into the heat to watch him looking for assorted reptiles. And so on.

Do you see a pattern in this madness?

When in doubt, Jack returns to running figures of eight by himself again. If he's in luck, Jessie will make a pretence that she's chasing him. Then they might have a barking contest. Tara will usually make a half-hearted effort to join this activity. Until a large water skink sticks its head out from under a rock in the garden, and Jack's off again, and the whole game plan escalates to a new level.

Who needs children when you have a Jack Russell?