I’ve been in disgrace

Sometimes when I’m on one of my long walks, and off the leash, I find things that are so delicious I just have to roll in them. Well, I think they’re delicious, but mum and dad say that what I roll in is ‘unspeakably disgusting’, whatever that might mean. And, believe it or not, when I get home they make me take a shower, literally! They put me in their shower room and turn on the hose until I’m absolutely soaking wet—I’m not making this up—and then they wash my coat with some kind of liquid that smells like… Well, I don’t know what it smells like but it’s certainly nothing a puppy would want to roll in! Anyway, after I’d had three showers in less than a week, my dad said, ‘Josie, that’s it. Three strikes and you’re grounded!’ Meaning, as it turned out, total withdrawal of my computer privileges; hence, no blog. Frankly, I think this was a total over-reaction by my dad, but I have been ‘good’ for the past ten days—no rolling—and now I’m allowed to use the computer again, ‘on a probationary basis’. I think that means I’m on parole for the indefinite future. Talk about Give A Dog A Bad Name…

So, while I can, I better bring you up to date on my news:

First, and most exciting, IT’S OFFICIAL!: Simon and Becca (see my post of 22 February 2007) are having a boy. His name is going to be Jack Charles Paul Eddy and this is a picture of his proud mum, known to my dad as ‘FDiL’ (Favourite Daughter-in-Law).

Though Simon and FDiL live in Melbourne, Australia, they actually met in the village which is now my home, which only goes to prove that it’s a very small world. Doesn’t she look great?

Meanwhile, my very best friend, Basta—who went on a trip to the United States with her mum and dad weeks and weeks ago—still hasn’t come back, which is very worrying. No emails from Basta, either. Do you think she’s also been grounded? Anyway, I do have a new friend called Alf, who’s the smallest puppy I’ve ever seen, and we sometimes go on walks together. I’ll try and get you a picture of Alf but dad says we’ll have to use the macro lens, whatever that means.

Finally, before my time on the computer is up (a condition of my parole, apparently), I wanted to tell you about Jackson, who lives in Washington DC and who sent me the following email:

Dear Josie,
I understand your people are really quite with the program. However, might I suggest one mechanical addition to their life which will have positive effect on yours? A motorcycle with sidecar is the ticket. Its maximum speed, at least in the country, on grass, is slower than a galloping horse. So you can chase it, it won't kick you and the people on board think you're funny and laugh at you instead of yelling ‘No, Jackson, NO!’ Then, when you're tired of barking at the machine, the people pick you up and drive you home.
Love, Jackson

Looks like a plan to me.