Charlie Sue And the PARK! Command

Two of my undergraduate students fell in love, so I brought some Falling in Love roses to the college. The rose is pink and white, fragrant. I went to their wedding and they now have several children.

Charlie Sue has one distinct hint about going to the PARK! - that four-letter word that puts her energy at the 100% mark and beyond. She does not explain with barking all kinds of noise and gestures. Her singular thrill is going to the park and running full speed in large circles in that meadow that was once a daily farm. She has to go wild to make sure I get the message immediately.

I was sitting on the ground recently, dealing with the clay soil and a potted rose bush when Charlie began her soft chewing and wild looks. She was on her back using her legs gently to make sure I got the message. Her gentle chewing was hilarious - a real drama queen. Planting a rose is difficult enough, but she demands full attention to release her energy at the PARK!

Charlie dug up two rose bushes from the new, soft soil. One was pulled out, as I mentioned before. The grandest David Austin Rose - Elizabeth - was pushed over on her side. The buds were wilting, but I straightened up the queen and pointed at the strange position of a very big lump of soil and roots. Charlie accepted the guilt, hanging her head. The next day the buds were healthy again and Charlie got another finger pointing at the scene of her folly.

Afterwards, at the PARK!, Charlie raced even faster than before. She loves to grin at high speed and dodge this way and that.

 

Charlie Sue Delivers Flowers on Easter

 

Today Charlie had to have her minimal trip to the PARK! - a grassy area at the end of the cul de sac. Yesterday she raced in circles to amuse two men who were installing new trees. She had a great time repeating that in larger, faster circles today.

The tornado warning was over and the sun was out, so we discussed sharing some Easter flowers. Charlie went next door and surprised Doggie DayCare with potted lilies from today. The yellow tulips went with Charlie across the street - another fan of flowers. 

 

Charlie Sue's Outside and Inside Fun

 

Charlie even got special artistic modeling from Norma A. Boeckler.

I knew life would be different when the vet's office did not know what a Patterdale Terrier was. They had to look it up on the Net. She is part chihuahua, so that may balance the cute with the terror. 

Charlie has two natures. Outside she wants to dig for food, manage three groups of dogs, and practice Patterdale kung fu on me. She flies by hoping to chew on my forearms in flight. That creates some scratches and little bite marks. Later on, inside, she checks out my wounds and plays the nurse. If I remind her to be gentle she gently licks the latest wound and looks quite contrite.

Inside, Charlie is a cuddler. She enjoys the end of the day streaming videos - currently a history of food in America and great country houses in England. We work on ancient history, engineering marvels and disasters. She rests her chin on my shoulder and goes to sleep over time. Charlie likes to rest her head in my hand and slowly relax. It makes me think she did that in her first home.

"Why do I need to bark so much? I'm cute!"

"Where's my groomer?"

Today Dustmop (toy poodle) and Porchie came to the fence for some attention. The Great Pyrenees appreciates lavish appreciation and finger combing. He likes to hear how handsome and athletic he is. Dustmop uses him to jump and chew (lick) my fingers. Porchie stood up against the fence, and also turned each way on all fours for some high-end finger combing. He starts by pointing East on all fours, then turns to face West for the other side. Combing his head and chest is welcome and expected.

Shortie (Corgie) was our guest for a few days. He had the best time, and so did we. Both dogs were fun, totally at peace with each other.

Two Smiles

 

Charlie Sue is the leader for four areas:

1. Our backyard for digging, chasing animals, coaching her dog friends in races.
2. Doggie Daycare for visitors coming and going to the northside fence.
3. The trampoline inside the southside fence, guarded by Porchie and Dustmop, her boyfriends.
4. The pug on the northside and canine visitors along the grass alley.

My Ball :)

I bought an overpriced ball for Charlie but she was openly disgusted with it. Noise came out of it, and it was too hard  and big for her to handle. I wanted to give it to Porchie and Dustmop, but only if an older person knew. The time came and I rolled the burping ball into their yard. 

Later that day, one of the little ones on the trampoline were jumping up and down on the trampoline. A little girl with lots of curly hair held onto the ball, grinned, and said, "My ball."

Postal Smile

 The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941

I needed to go to the post office to send off a box to Canada. The paperwork is equal to the IRS, without the refund. I waited in line for my paperwork, filled it out, and went to a second line. The postal worker was new to me but clearly a veteran. I waited while he filled out everything quickly. He inhaled sharply when the cost came up. I said, "Two of the books are hard to find in good shape and triple this price."

He was intrigued. "How did you get those books?" He smiled at the thought of sending them away.

I said, "They are hymnals. I got them from my house because I am a pastor."

He went from a small grin to a big one, "That is wonderful. That really makes my day. I am so glad we got to talk."

 Porchi goes eye to eye with me for hugs and finger combing his beautiful fur; Dustmop gently attacks my fingers, jumping up if I reach over.

Charlie Sue Time

 

Charlie Sue is a Patterdale Terrier

A member wanted more Charlie stories.

Every day is fun with the prankster Charlie Sue. Her breed is sociable and that hardly begins to describe her. She is friends on the south fence, the north fence, and the west fence in the backyard. She loves them all and enjoys teaching them to race along the fence. She never barks indoors but she cheers the dogs on whenever they get lax.

Porchi and Dustmop are shaggy white dogs. One is huge and the other is half the modest size of Charlie. If I go out with the squeaker toys, they race with Dustmop and Charlie barking away. 

Can Charlie come over and play? And how about a thorough finger combing from her staff?
He turns around so both sides are thoroughly combed by my fingers. Fur flies.

We are getting more 60 to 70 degree days, so Charlie stays out most of the day, often digging holes (a Patterdale skill) and always staying along the fences with various dogs. 

Inside she is just as lovable, but always quiet. She does not bark for food, but twirls, which is always funny. To go out, if she is on her bed (which I lease from her), she twirls, jumps down, twirls, jumps up, twirls, just to show her joy and make sure she is going out. In the kitchen, going out is signaled by a wagging tale, especially when she hears the chatter and woofs of her favorite male friends.

 Charlie, Dustmop, and Porchie worked together to create a tunnel under the fence. Dustmop crawled under both ways and my helper quickly put down a lot of chicken wire. Even then, Charlie tried to go under the wire, so more obstacles were place on the wire. Ever have a big bucket of useless rocks? I did and they now rest over one wire roofed tunnel.

If the Doggie Day Car residents dare to challenge her, Charlie rushes over to sass them one and all. Sometimes that gets them so noisy that they are called into their quarters. However, the chief of staff has learned that all the yakking is part of racing the fence, Charlie teaching and coaching and yipping. I have even seen Charlie walk away when a DDC dog begs to run along the fence with her.

Charlie is the ultimate cuddler. She loves to hear what a special dog she is and how much her friends love her. She must store up her kisses by the 50s, because she never wants to stop. Charlie makes it clear how she wants petting and where she wants to lie on her bed. I made a square of MyPillows and covered them with a sturdy blanket, more of a square donut with an indentation in the middle.

We watch documentaries together and she rests her chin on my shoulder. Right now we are on the series Tea, One Cup, A Thousand Stories.

If I am immersed on the computer, she rests her chin on my knee. That can be a request for a treat or a trip outside. She is more likely to go outside in the dark if her boyfriends are making some noise. A "woof woof" is a clarion call for her. Above the low "woof" I often hear the chatter of Dustmop. They may be greeting human guests, but Charlie just has to see them one more time.

We have a lot of fun tossing her squawking plastic balls - about six of them. She will bring one back full speed and then will veer away to hide it. She often carries one to do a full circle, Indianapolis 500 style race with a big grin on her face. If I reach out to catch her, she runs even faster. 

I noticed her stash of multiple toys in one place or another. The DDC dogs often have a pile of colored toys on the other side of Charlie's fence stash. Charlie picked the worst and most thorny rose she could find as her little safe.

Charlie Sue's Playtime in the Snow

 

Charlie Sue loves the backyard, not only the space for racing and chasing balls, but also visiting her dog friends along the South, West, and North fences. 

I went out with her twice to have some fun. She also had a third romp much later.

She loves to race full speed toward me and change course instantly. She also runs on her back legs for a short distance, no doubt to find prey. She loved the snow fell asleep after each adventure.

All the dogs stayed inside.

Our Over-the-Fence Greeter

Charlie Sue trained our fence guard in chasing up and down the fence line. He is a Great Pyrenees, known for their ability to protect the flock. He is gentle, high speed racer. Once Charlie got him going, he circled the trees, sheds, and the whole yard. 

I saw his eyes light up when I first told him about his attributes. When I go outside, he stands up at the fence for a conversation about how gentle, kind, and handsome he is.  He loves to have his thick white fur finger-combed, so I drag my fingers on one side, only to have him face the other way for a thorough combing of his other side. 

Sassy Sue loved finger-combing too and really hated various brushes.

Charlie Sue and Friends

 

Charlie Sue is very bright, easy to teach, timid indoors, fun and always unpredictable. When asked to do things (like coming indoors), she sometimes puts her head down, walks sadly away, sits, and looks proudly as if to say, "You are not my boss."

Drought plus Charlie racing in the back = no grass.

Charlie Sue is a Patterdale Terrier, a prankster, a remarkable digger and runner. 

Porchie is a Great Pyrenees, the first of Charlie's students in racing up and down the fence. All three are diggers, so we added chicken wire and obstacles to the fence. 

Charlie Sue has trained Dustmop, Porchie, and the Doggie Daycare dogs to race along the fence with her. She barks commands at them but never barks in the house.

Charlie Sue's Photo - More To Come

 

Tunneling Across the Border

  

Charlie Sue is a Patterdale Terrier, bred for digging, bossy, energetic, quiet indoors, hilarious with all her tricks, jumps, spins, and games.

I wrote before that the Berlin Wall, stage left, was letting the Little White Floormop dig and pass under the fence, both ways. He is the tiny version of Porchi, the Great Pyrenees, who also digs but not that much. I saw LWF go under the fence both ways, thanks to the digging done by Porchi and him, but clearly facilitated by Charlie Sue.

I let Charlie Sue out in the rain, knowing she would be back soon. When I went to the back door, I had to call for Charlie several times. She came running full speed, grinning, out of deep back yard, cloaked by the green wall of plants and trees. Right after her was LWF, also grinning, his white fur soaked in mud up to his belly. 

LWF wanted to stay and share the mud, but I wrapped him up in a towel and carried him over to the neighbor. I knocked hard on the door (very cold and heavy rain), and it opened up. The father said to the children, "Look. He's back. Say thank you!" They all said, "Thank you! Thank you!" They were grinning and all lit up like Christmas. They might have thought LWF was lost forever, because he was in our yard, in an area surrounded by plants. 

Yesterday my favorite repair guy looked over the multiple Tunnels of Love under the fence wire. He said, "Just like my fence." He fixed the multiple efforts with chicken wire, with a couple of extensions to keep it more secure. 

Doggie Day Care has similar issues, but that fence is largely backed by a series of Clethra shrubs. I intended them for sharing those hummingbird plants, but now I thinking of cutting down on flirting, blocking their view. Charlie loves to socialize and train other dogs to run up and down the fence on their side.

Fun with Charli Sue

 

We were lucky to have a professional photographer at the dog park one day, and Sassy Sue adored a crowd.

Treasure (Treshy) was a medical mess, but we took her on and had a riot of fun with her, Sassy, and Precious II . I think Norma A. Boeckler took this photo.

Ranger Bob recently spotted an abandoned dog at the cemetery and took her in, naming her Lady. She had serious ear infection problems, but that was cured with antibiotics. Lady's antics at the Ichabode were hilarious, because she loved her superhero Bob and found so many ways to  have fun and be funny.



More than one person said to me, "Rescue dogs are special, because they always have that unique attitude from being given a forever home."

Friends asked me when I would fill the void left by Sassy Sue, who died from kidney failure. Looking quickly changed to visiting Lowell Animal Shelter to have a walk with Charli, a female Patterdale Terrier.

"When can I take her home?" They said, "Now is fine." They were wonderful with Charli, who wanted to stay there.



Charli's ambiguous name repeated the question asked about Sassy - boy or girl? I added Sue. Everyone is noticing that Charlie Sue is almost identical to Lady, except she is much smaller. 

The two of them got along at once, and they love tearing around the backyard. Christina asked me to create a green fence in the middle of the backyard, because we were looking right into the backyard of neighbors. A variety of dogs saw a rival dog facing them and barked their terrible threats whenever possible.

I followed the idea of stretching logs across the center of the backyard, letting the birds plant seeds for a green fence. I added elderberries earlier, and soon some large hostas and lambs ears.

I never saw the backyard as a race track, but Lady and Charli Sue did. First they were running up and down the fence with Porchi (aka Snowflake, a Great Pyrenees). Charli Sue demands running because Patterdales were bred for catching moles and rabbits. Charli Sue turned a bit of tag into a madcap race, around the oval formed by the green fence. Nothing is funnier than a small dog identical to a larger dog, racing full speed. To add to the fun, Charli took short-cuts through the green island and practiced zig-zag and spin around running, grinning all the time.

Charli Sue, the Patterdale Terrier - Vimeo

 

Charli Sue's Homecoming

May 26, 2023

Staff - Gregory L. Jackson

Link to 

Charlie the Patterdale Terrier

Sassy Sue - The Three-Legged Dog Who Sang and Made the Dog Park Dogs Jealous

Sassy was the only dog at the park who could catch the orange squeaker ball and bring it back to my hands, the dog owners clapping, the jealous dogs trying to get the magical ball. 

I taught her the "Cattle Dog Blues," and she once got a house loaded with dogs singing the chorus with her.

Sassy had to go to the vet today, because her kidneys no longer functioned. She was 15, a rescue, very old for a German Shepherd mix.

I was telling one lady, years ago, that Sassy was a very special dog. She said, "My dog is very special too." I asked, "Does your dog have a blog?" She replied, "No," so I said, "Sassy does."

 Norma A. Boeckler took this photo. Sassy was watching all the action at the dog park.

Do Cats and Dogs Have a Sense of Humor?

 

Sassy grinned up at me, as if to say, "No! I will not sit next to Ronald McDonald on that bench. Never!"

Sassy Sue, the Three-legged Wonder Dog, pretends to ignore me at times. She has seeing and hearing problems, but it is more than that. 

Recently I was moving from the computer desk to the bed, a short distance. I began slipping down, not able to move back to the chair or all the way to the bed. Sassy was lying on her side, her eyes half open, watching me slide to the floor. She had a half-smile on her face but showed no movement or alarm. She seemed to be thinking, "Serves him right."

The solemn doctor said Bethany would not be able to use her eyes normally, but she had perfect vision (Cleveland Clinic) and followed everyone around the room with her eyes. Bethany had an angry fit in my arms, so I asked her, "Is this how you get your way around here?" She relaxed and laughed, conceding my observation was correct.

Today Sassy stretched out near me on the bed. She does not want me to touch her paws, so I stayed close without touching them. I closed my eyes and felt her paw slip under my hand. I looked over - she was grinning at me. That reminded me of tricks played by Bethany and Erin. They did not speak words, but they also knew how to provoke smiles and laughter.

Cats and dogs are four-legged psychologists, carefully listening to our symptoms and supplying remedies. They are very much like children, young and supposedly limited in knowledge, but very insightful and delighted by their own observations or questions.

Nurses were pleased to hear that Erin's middle name was Joy, because that was their private nickname for the ever-smiling and laughing girl. She was such a prankster that she would start laughing before the nurses finished their story about Erin's latest burst of joy. That often came from a spill or a loud, angry naughty word - from a nurse dropping a quart of yogurt or a huge three-ring notebook of patient records.

Sassy is the mouthiest dog ever, and she is eager to order me around. However, she stays just outside the chapel and listens quietly to the entire worship service. Sometimes one short bark will let everyone know she is attendance. What more can anyone expect from using a spare room in a rented house?

 Norma A. Boeckler took the picture and designed the graphic - from the dog park in the Bella Vista area, Arkansas.

Sassy Has a New Friend

 

 Sassy was the ball-catching athlete of the dog park, wowing all the owners and making the other dogs jealous of the magical orange ball.

Ranger Bob rescued a dog shivering and unidentified at the cemetery he visits (his mother and Army Ranger step-father).

I named her Lady Luck, and Bob shortened it to Lady. I will get photos up in a few days.

Sassy is gentle with all dogs and cats, and Lady is very smart, gentle, and obedient. The starving dog routine is now a duet.

Bible Covers

 

Sassy and Ghost - Friendship Through the Fence

Ghost and Sassy have become good friends. This male dog is large, thin, and not eager to bark loudly or growl. He plays doggy tag with Sassy, though on opposite sides of the fence. 

When he was a little puppy, he walked straight into the Rose Garden to become friendly, his family not knowing how to get to him - respect for the garden.

The formerly small dog is full grown and stands on his hind feet to say hello and have some conversation with me. He wants his head stroked and his floppy ears gently tugged.

Sassy's game with me is to give her lovies before she will jump onto the bed. I ask, incredulously, "You want a lovey?!" She grins. Sometimes she fakes the jump to get a second or third lovey. 

An alternative is to pose for the lovey, chest against the bed, and turn 180 degrees and trot down the hallway to go outside - grinning.

Lutheran Librarian Alec Satin says, "Pets teach us to play their games."

Sassy Meets Ghost - Plays Tag

 Sassy has a white mussel now. She normally goes to the front to guard the garden and look for Ranger Bob.

Sassy wanted to go outside in the backyard, so I let her out. Soon I heard a " Wuff! Wuff! Wuff!" It was so gentle that it did not sound quite like a dog. Sassy issues orders with sharp, indignant barks.

I peaked out the backdoor, suspecting it was Ghost (her stage name, to avoid costly lawsuits). She is the beautiful white puppy who invited herself into the Rose Garden when I was sitting on the ground and working with some plants. Ghost seemed to know the coast was clear, the family would not pursue her. We had a little talk and Ghost rewarded me with kisses, licks, and a place on her dance card. The family wanted her back but did not want to trample the garden. After all, I grow real weeds. Ghost went back and everyone was happy.

Ghost is quite large and slender now, with long silky hair. She wanted to play tag with Sassy, and they both jumped around, feigning attacks, and had fun in spite of the fence. I will do some things in the backyard, and Ghost is likely to insist on some talk, petting, and perhaps tennis ball chasing.

Beware! The Tides of March!