I've been bad!

I'm sorry to report that I've been a bad boy! Yesterday afternoon I was cranky that Jude wouldn't take me out for another walk (after all, I'd only been for two walks that day) ... I took out my frustrations by taking Craig's favourite Merrell boot into my bed and chewing the inner sole. Worse - I got caught in the act! I got a hard smack on the backside from Craig. Oh, the shame of it all!

Jude said it was partly Craig's fault and that he should have put his shoes away in the wardrobe - but I note that he didn't get a smack!

Later I was trying to get back into the humans' good graces by being super good and compliant. When Jude wrapped a scarf around my neck I left it there for ages, and even sat still to have my photo taken. You'll see from my face that I was still feeling very sad.

Here you'll see me wearing a lovely scarf ... I just hope the other dog's in the neighbourhood don't find out about this!

Woofs
Toby

I'm having a grrrreat week!

We're just back from a few days in Mansfield, where we stayed at a lovely B&B - Rosedale House (see picture below). I think it was lovely because it was a dog-friendly place and I was allowed inside (yay!). The house was large, well equipped and had a beautiful big log burner. It was very quiet, and had fabulous views to Mt Bulla. The best thing about the place from my perspective though, was that there wasn't a dog-proof space outside, so I had to go everywhere with Craig and Jude - it was brilliant!!! 

Jude and I went for long walks each morning to buy the papers and get Jude a coffee - while Craig got the fire going (or so he said ... I think he just slept in, and stoked up the fire at the last moment). I had to go with them when they went out for lunch - which meant that they had to sit outside the 'Produce Store' no matter how windy it was - lucky it wasn't too cold. The food must have been delicious there because I didn't get passed anything. LOTS of people stopped to give me a pat and say how cute I am. I must say that the people of Mansfield seem particularly insightful! 

Craig took us on a walk around a local wetlands - a place he'd read about in the visitor informaton centre. Jude found out later when chatting to a local that the wetlands are infected with tiger snakes and that the locals don't go there when it's warm because the snakes come out to sun themselves! Maybe Craig was trying to get Jude and me killed for the insurance money - I think I'd be insured for a large sum, not too sure about Jude! 

Anyway, we had a great time. I'm even getting better at clambering in and out of Jude's car, which I have previously mentioned I didn't like. I've worked out that it's better to go with the humans (even if the car's suspension is a little firm) than to stay home alone or worse, be sent to a kennel. 

While we were away I must have really bonded with Craig and Jude - they went out this morning and bought me a smart new bed! Jude had been worried that I was getting too big for Ted's old bed ... How cute do I look? I got other booty from the petshop too - my special very expensive dog food, some new charcoal biscuits (not sure why they got the charcoal flavour?) and a new hair brush. 

So all in all I'm having a GRRRRREAT week. Hope you are too.

Woofs,

Toby

Bathurst Day!

Jude was laughing her head off when she saw this Mark Knight cartoon in the newspaper today ...  The humans think this Bathurst thing is a big deal - they were watching qualifying and practice sessions with great interest over the past few days - lots of 'arghhh's and 'eeeeks' when drivers crashed - which happened a fair bit from what I heard. Don't tell anyone but I think Bathurst is a bit boring! It goes on all day and no-one in this house wants to throw the ball for me while they are watching. I'll have to see if I can time things for the ads. 

Went for a walk early this morning, so the humans could be home in time for Bathurst. The only thing that might make this a less boring day for me is if Craig shares some of his delicious 'big race breakfast' with me 

Woofs,

Toby

Plant is blossoming

Hi ho and woofs!

I've just been enjoying the evening on the verandah - noticed that one of Craig's plants has flowered. It looks good - I just wish it wasn't so high up on the wall because I'd like to taste it.  Turns out Craig is a good at gardening ... who knew?

No post on my blog would be cmplete without a picture of me ... so here it is. If I look pensive that's because I'm thinking about which toys I'll be taking on holidays next week. We're going to Mansfield, to a lovely dog-friendly place. Should be fun - though Jude is a bit worried about my smelly farts. Ooops!  Woofs, Tobes.

I love my elephant toy

Parul bought me a great toy to play with when I visited work - it was an elephant climbing up a rope! I thought it was strange that an elephant would climb a rope and what do you know, somehow he fell off the rope. Now I have two toys - an elephant and a rope - who's a lucky boy?

Happy birthday Stephen!

Picnic at Williamstown Gardens

We went for a picnic at Williamstown Gardens yesterday to celebrate Stephen's birthday, and to say a belated happy Father's Day to Lloyd. All the family came along, even Hamish (my best canine friend). It was a beautiful day, and the humans all sat around in the sun and ate delicious looking sandwiches, and birthday cake. I say it looked delicious because I don't really know - no one was sharing with me except Cate, who gave me what she called the crusts of her sandwich (but was actually about half of it) - yum!!

After a while Cate, Nick and Jude talk me for a walk. The kids loved seeing how fast I could run - I was able to convince them that I was the fastest by sprinting ahead and running in front of them so they had to slow down or stop (or fall over me at speed) ... he he he ... so I was the winner. After a while I needed a rest (the sun was shining and I'm wearing a warm fur coat at the moment so I was pretty hot). I thought I'd join Cate sitting on the park bench. I like the view from up here! 

Cate was in the State School Spectacular last weekend (that's why I couldn't upload a post to this blog last weekend - Jude was too busy going to see Cate - humph!). Anyway, Cate's Mum bought her one of the costumes frm the show - a monster outfit, consisting of a headpiece, arms and hands. Cate brought it alomg to the picnic to show the family - and we were all interested in it. Nick wanted to take it away from Cate to tease her and so that she'd chase him. Gran wanted to try it on and see how it felt. I wanted to chew it - after all, one can't be too careful with monsters. 

After a while Cate let people try it on - what do you think? Looks pretty crazy doesn't it.

Hamish was a bit shy with me. I can't understand why - I am pretty sure he thought of me as a beloved cousin and totally loved spending time with me last time we were together - see my posts from February. He was happy enough to share my water bowl, but he didn't want to play rompy-bompy with me. Hmmm - I'll give this some thought. 

We all had a wonderful time - though there really could have been more food for me and Hamish! The only bad part was having to travel in Jude's car - which as you'd know, I don't like the feel of. I stood up for about half of the journey to the park (about 30 minutes) but I was so tired and relaxed that I lay down almost all the way home. So who's a clever boy now? 

Woofs

Toby