“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date! No time to say hello, goodbye! I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!” (The White Rabbit in Alice in the Wonderland)
Yes, I am late with this post – again. I was late last week too. The White Rabbit’s lament runs through my head whenever I think about being late and sometimes I sing it right out loud. Who knows when I last actually saw that White Rabbit saying those words Isn’t it funny how our minds grab something like that and pop it up like toast out of a toaster whenever something triggers the connection. Like being late..
I can’t remember what was going on last week, but last night we had a bushel of beans to snap. So many that my husband was groaning that it would take until midnight to get them snapped. He wasn’t far wrong. The eleven o’clock weather was on as I was cleaning up. I stuffed all those beans in grocery bags and put them in the refrigerator. No room for anything else in there right now! So I’ll be keeping company with the canner today.
And Frankie will be keeping company with his new buddy. Marley is one of the family now. His previous owners brought his basket of toys and beds and gave him over to us yesterday. From the looks of one of his super plush bed, I’m thinking Marley may not have made the best deal, changing them for me. Looks like he was a spoiled puppy with his last owners – they even brought him a container of hotdogs already cut up for his treats – but they couldn’t keep him any longer due to their travel schedule. They were looking into a rescue group for older dogs, and so I decided to take him in. I’ve dog-sat him before, so I knew what a good dog he is. He actually listens when I tell him to not chase something. We tested that out this very morning when three deer chased across the field in front of us on our walk. Frankie went crazy to go after them, but I had him on leash. Because I know that’s how he is. He would have been in the next county in two minutes chasing after those guys. Well, he might not go that far, and he does always come back – eventually. Marley, not on leash, ran a few steps and stopped when I told him to come back. He did think about it a minute but then he trotted obediently back to me.
A dog that comes when you call even when temptations are there in front of him is a treat. That’s not Frankie! Oh, as I said, he has always come back eventually. He comes after he chases whatever it is out of sight and then maybe lies down to rest a while and then goes to get a drink at the creek. Once the fun is over he comes dragging back. Maybe Marley will teach him better. I’m hoping it works that way instead of the other way with Frankie teaching Marley worse!
They do say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. And Marley isn’t a young dog. He’s already eight and now on his third owner. The people that gave him to me got him when he was three. And now he’s mine. And Frankie’s. Another thing some people say is that having two dogs is as easy as having one. Some even say it’s easier. I don’t know about that. I have had two, even three dogs at the same time before. But never more than one inside dog at a time. The others were outside farm dogs. But of course I’ve had multiple dogs in the house when I’ve kept Marley or my kids’ dogs now and again. Frankie is very ready to make it work. He loves having a dog buddy. This morning he must need a sleeping buddy. They are both here behind me, snoozing away. Maybe dreaming about chasing those deer.
So what do you think? Is Marley going to like his new place? Is Frankie going to teach him to hunt turkeys? Is Marley going to teach Frankie the meaning of the words “come now?” Or was I crazy to take in a new old dog?
Comments 23
Ann I think that they will get along fine and that he will teach him a lot of things. Even though he brought all of the items he will love the home he is in now. We just got a 10 wk teacup chihuahua and our 4 yr old chihuahua/pug didn’t like him at first but now they get along great and she has taught him some things in the 2 wks that we got him. The only things he came with were tons of fleas and wow a horrible horrible smell that got him in a bath as soon as hubby walked in the door then it was the flea medicine. We got rid of all the critters and he smells wonderful and loves our house and is at my heels when we go outside. So if I stop the scooter or i try taking my cane instead he is right there. I am so glad that you got an older dog than us as it is less work and with all those beans I bet they are wonderful once they are canned.
Author
What did you name you new little friend, Peggy? That’s a very small dog. Marley isn’t that little, but he and Frankie are doing well together. They like to be in the same place, but Frankie does steal Marley’s more comfie bed at the first opportunity. Plenty of beds to go around, but that one of Marley’s is the super deluxe model. 🙂 And Frankie knows it! Glad your new pup is doing good. I am glad Marley isn’t puppy age, but he’s almost to the age where he might have some older dog problems. But right now all is good except he has some ear issues. He does like to be wherever I am or where Frankie is.
I think Frankie and Marley will be best of buddies. Much of life is better under the buddy system.
Author
You are so right, Jolene. For those furry buddies and for those of us not so furry. We need friends.
I think you are going to love having 2 dog buddies instead of one and lucky us, we are going to get twice as many dog stories, yay!
Author
About fifteen minutes ago I was ready to give them both away, Connie. Well, not really, but I did get stern with them. Mostly they’ve been good. They’re just having to sort things out between them. Both of them are very friendly dogs and like other dogs so no major wars. Just figuring out how to play together.
Marley looks so sweet. I think you’ll probably still have a rough row with that spirited Frankie, but it’ll be worth it. I hope he’ll be a good boy like Marley. 🙂
Author
Frankie is doing better. He just likes to go hunting and when he does he shuts his ears to me telling him to come. But he’s still a sweetheart that remembers to listen eventually.
I’m so glad you adopted Marley! He will love farm life. I am happy he doesn’t have to go to a shelter, Frankie will be a good pal. Just hope he doesn’t tell Marley how much he was spoiled. I have a feeling you are going to spoil him just as well as he’s used to. And good luck with those beans. At this time of year I was always ready, willing and able to rip out the vines. Beans were not my favorite thing to can. I used to break them at night too, and then wash them and put them in water in the refrigerator so they were all ready to go in the very early morning.
Author
Right now the two of them are driving me nuts, Carol. They’ve been good all day, but now they want to play. But Frankie says it’s too hot or maybe it’s thundering somewhere so he’s not wanting to go out. But sometimes a dog doesn’t get to do what he wants to do. I just kicked them both out into the yard. 🙂
I’ve got 21 quarts canned or almost. Just need to process the final seven quarts. Waiting for the canner to cool off a little but the beans are in the jar ready to go. Beans are about all I can and we got ours out late so I’m not ready to quit on them yet. But I have been in the past for sure.
You May be a LITTLE on the crazy side, but I think it’s sweet and wonderful of you! Marley is a beautiful dog and now Frankie has a companion. Hopefully, Marley can teach Frankie some good habits. We’ve never had more than one house dog at a time and now w e have none. Sometimes we miss having a dog, but most of the time we’re good,,,,,,,,,😊
Author
You could be right, Karen, about that little on the crazy side. I’ve only had one dog for a number of years. Oscar, my best ever dog I had before Frankie, didn’t really like other dogs. He endured it when I kept the grandkids dogs but you could see his visible relief when he had the house to himself again. 🙂 Frankie, on the other hand, loves doggie and people company. Oscar loved the grandkid company too as long as they left their dogs at home. I think I would miss having a dog, but not having one does make it easier to go vacationing or wherever.
Your new dog Marley is beautiful.From what you say about Frankie , I would keep that leash handy though!!!
I just got a new dog also. I am not a “dog persn” in general but when I meet a special dog, like I did with my new Gracie, then I love them.
We have had her a couple weeks and she is settling in really well. I do think about your Sunday morning walks she I walk her out in the field in the mornings.
I really hope Marley can teach Frankie new ways.Have a great day canning Ann.
Author
Marley is a very handsome dog. So much so that his previous owner called him she at times and now I have to watch or I do too!! Sounds like Gracie is the perfect dog for you. I like her name. I’ve met other dogs now and again named Gracie but haven’t had one myself. And a good walk is good for dog and companion.
I’ve almost gotten through canning for the day. I’m supposed to talk to a book club in Indiana in a little while so I’m putting off the last canning until after that. Can’t watch that pressure dial and talk on Skype at the same time. Something might blow up. Hope you are doing well.
Where in Indiana? My Dad’s side of the family were and are Hoosiers. 😊
I used to can a lot. No more. Too much trouble and I don’t cook that much anymore. I do think it’s a smart thing to do and, most likely, healthier. 😊
Welcome to the family, Marley! You are adorably cute! 🎉Psalm 115🎉
Author
Marley says thank you, Emily. He is a cute fellow. He and Frankie could have a beauty contest to see which is cutest. But then both of them are cute in their own way. That’s how it is with people too. Everything is beautiful in its own way.
He’s a beautiful dog! I hope he will be a good influence on Frankie! We used to have a Springer Spaniel and she was a good, smart dog. We gave her up after she had a litter. Our daughter was beginning to crawl. We had a small house. We found her a new home through our vet. A family had just lost their Springer to a schoolbus accident.
Author
I am hoping he will be a good influence on Frankie. Right now they seem to want to stay close to one another and close to me. Marley seems very intelligent. He definitely knows what no means. He got up on the couch last night while we were working on snapping those beans, but understood that’s not allowed. I don’t think he’ll do that again. His previous owner said they never let him on their furniture, but I guess a dog has to try. 🙂
I think Marley is one lucky dog and you and your family is a blessing!
Author
Thank you, Lynda. I think Marley is going to settle in nicely with Frankie. Of course he probably thinks he’s just visiting right now since I’ve kept him a week here and there for his owners. But he seems happy here.
I think it’s great that you gave Frankie and Marley each a companion dog. You’ll love that they are so happy together even if they are a little more work.
Author
I do hope the two of them will be great friends and find the right way to play, Suzanne. Right now they are still sorting out which one is the biggest. Of course, that is Frankie in size, but with dogs size isn’t always the deciding factor. 🙂