Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Contestant #2 Winston


Owner name: Elaine & Paul Tweedy
Dog's Name:  Winston
Age: 9
Breed: English Setter


Once upon a time in a land on the top of a very large hill that is no fun to drive up in the winter, there lived a dog named Winston.  Winston was not a very lucky dog in the earlier parts of his life, but somehow he became quite lucky (without the intervention of four-leaf clovers, rabbits feet, prayer beads or rubbing the tummy of a very fat statue) and caught the attention of some very caring rescue people and, as even greater luck would have it, the family that lived at the top of that disgusting hill.  The family lulled themselves into a false sense of security stating “we will foster Winston.”  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….oh, excuse me, back to the story.  
This delusion lasted for about 7 days, until the family finally admitted they had failed fostering yet again, and decided that Winston would stay.  So he was adopted.  (The husband’s therapy bills are mounting.)

In his initial days with the family, he enjoyed loving attention, good food, long long naps, and frequent disturbances by very loud deaf dogs who screamed. (Well, you can’t have everything!) This was something he was unaccustomed to, but certainly valued, and soon he began to blossom.  He gained weight, started using his hips and back legs properly again, and after particularly good naps, would do one or two runs around the yard.  He fell in love with his new Dad very quickly, and insisted with his pattern of two barks, then a space, then two barks, then a space, then two barks ad nauseum…that he wanted to be with his new Dad wherever he went.  His Mom, whose eyes would cross at about 15 minutes into the two-bark pattern, thought that was a fine idea.  That meant sitting in the barn sometimes while Dad was working there, or driving in the truck for hay and sawdust, or heading downtown for coffee.

Sometimes he would go somewhere with his Mom too.  Once she took him to a University to meet some students who needed to relax before their exams.  He really was just humoring her because he likes to be with Dad best (sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do).

In the end, both his Mom and Dad agreed he was a very very good boy, and wanted him to have all the things he may not have had in the many years of his life that had already passed.  And, in the end, all things in the house at the top of the very bad hill met with his approval….well, except maybe for the cat that steals his bed, or the scaredy-cat dog who keeps following him around, or the screamer dog with the orange ball, or the fact that there are 12 steps to the bedroom, or the problem that exists when his Dad waits until he has totally settled in a chair to announce that it’s time to go to bed—what’s up with that anyways!

As part of their need to keep him looking his best at all times, Winston’s Mom and Dad entered him into this contest so that he could have his very OWN wardrobe and not have to share with any of the other pesky dogs in the house.  Winston’s Mom told him about the contest and said “Winston, I’m entering you into a contest, won’t that be neat?”  Winston lifted his head about .000006789 millimeters from his bed, looked at her with that quirky look he has and thought “what did she say about a treat?” (Sigh…)

Like P.F. Flyers used to make his Mom run faster when she was a kid, new collars make Winston’s naps a fashion event.  Certainly, going for hay, sawdust or coffee, one must look their best.  Napping in the truck is a difficult task (especially when Dad drives…Mom is writing this by the way and she can never nap when Dad drives—she has to hold on and grit her teeth…tee hee).  In his regal years, Winston needs to look, well, regal!  We hope you will see the light (or the nightlight in Winston’s case), and choose Winston as the winner of this contest. (The attached photo depicts the quirky look.)

1 comment:

  1. What a great story! Winston, I had those P.F. Flyers too, and they really did work. I don't know if wearing a Lucky Fiona will help you jump higher, but you are going to look great either way.

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