The Chronicles of Oz, continued

General Info

Name: The Chronicles Of Oz, Continued

Created On: 09.22.07 12:00 pm

Last Modified: 12.31.69 6:00 pm

Description: From: Thurston, David
Date: 9/21/2007 2:23:13 PM
To: Robin Hurt
Subject: The Chronicles of Oz - Schoolboy Edition


Yes, it's true! Our boy has started school! We are attempting to channel his boundless enthusiasm for people and other living things without changing the more charming aspects of his personality. Mission impossible! As his very patient trainer says, "He's a Terrier!" We started classes last week and he's the only Terrier in a class full of docile herding-type dogs. Oz is the one squirming, whimpering with anticipation (at the prospect of more treats), and charging into every exercise without listening to a word anyone says. Sigh! Actually, the trainer is very impressed with him and claims that he is doing much better than most Terriers at this stage. Yeah, right! He does (usually) sit on command, and sometimes even comes when called (but only if he thinks you have a tasty treat.

Regardless, Ozzie is truly the wonder-pup. Despite my wife's initial dismay at his chewing and loud voice, he has become her favorite dog of all time - in fact, I think she likes him a lot better than me!

We are amazed at the way his color continues to change - the top of his head and part of his tail is bright silver; his ears, legs and feet are gray to black mixed, but the rest of him is almost completely blonde! I'll be sending more pictures soon. I guess at 8 months, he's about grown - just topped 16 pounds and seems to have leveled off. He's becoming more and more of a lap dog but still loves running through the house at full tilt, sometimes for no obvious reason. He also has become addicted to riding in the car and if he sees or hears car keys, he's at the door, ready to go.

I believe I told you our daughter got a "Dorkie," a less than impressive choice upon first glance. Ozzie absolutely terrified her the first time they met. I was convinced she was a permanent wimp. Well, at the second meeting, I had to reassess! The Dorkie turned out to have considerable spunk, giving as good as she got in the funniest free-for-all playing I've seen in years. Oz and Skittles (hey, I didn't name her!) ran and tumbled until neither could breathe - and all without any serious biting or other harmful behavior. We now have regular "playdates." Unfortunately, Skittles still isn't reliably house-broken at 5 months. Our daughter calls Ozzie "Einstein" and tells the Dorkie she needs to be more like her "big cousin!"

OK, this is beginning to look like stream-of-conscious writing, so I guess tat's enough. Hope all is well with y'all.

DAVID

Hi, Robin. Good to hear from you. Yesterday was a "down day" for Oz, meaning he spent most of it being a lap dog. His newest activity involves the pond and stream I built in our side yard. It's full of frogs which he loves to chase. One of these days, he's going to end up in the water with them. Despite the fact that he hates being bathed, he has discovered that it's fun to play with the water in the stream. Last night, he couldn't reach one of the waterfalls to bat the water splashing over the rocks, so he just waded into the stream and ended up walking right up the middle (it's only a couple inches deep). Funny to watch.

12/21/07-and Happy Holidays to you! Ozzie sends his usual enthusiastic greetings! The monster (all 19 pounds of him!) got his first look at snow last weekend and then whined to go out every 15 minutes for the next three days. (He has an incredible range of pitiful noises he uses in trying to get his way!) I'm sure you've seen it all before but after an hour of pure Terrier fun (burrowing throught the drifts, jumping like a crazed jackrabbit, eating tons of snow, woofing under his breath at all the snow-covered Christmas decorations), Oz was a sight to behold. It's a good thing he loves to be rolled up in a towel. So far, he's only eaten two treasured decorations, and unlike his Borky (or whatever) cousin, hasn't tried to bite through any wires on the tree! Having sampled various holiday treats (bits and pieces that have fallen on the floor during marathon baking sessions), and smelled chocolate continuously for two weeks now, he's making something of a pest of himself. He's definitely got a sweet tooth and will be joining me on the New Year's diet plan! Hope your holidays are merry and the new year brings health, happiness and prosperity. Dave

p.s. Comparing notes with Denise, it's amazing how strong the Cairn Terrier genes must be. Their "Mason" is a carbon copy of Oz in temperment, behavior (including stubborness) and intelligence. The stories are completely interchangeable. Cheers and thanks as always for helping to put Oz in our lives.

From: Thurston, David [USA]
Date: 1/31/2008 6:47:42 AM
To: Robin Hurt
Subject: RE: Hey


Snow day!! Yes!! If it goes as predicted, our office will be closed tomorrow so I get to stay home and play with the puppy! Of course, Kathy will expect me to do some chores as well, but a day with Ozzie beats going into the office anytime! Hope the snow isn't treating you too badly - should be pretty (I was raised in the northeast and actually like snow). Take care...
Hi, Robin! It seems impossible, but our boy celebrates his first birthday today. As you will see in these photos, he continues to change color and is now more gray and silver than anything else. We were planning a birthday party to include a romp with his "cousin" Skittles, but it looks like winter weather is going to keep us from making the trip to Missouri or vice versa, so he'll get a birthday bath and one or two more toys to destroy. Hope all is well. Dave

From: Thurston, David [USA]
Date: 9/2/2008 1:12:04 PM
To: Robin Hurt
Subject: Mole-Monster


Hi, Robin. Hope the holiday weekend was good for you and yours. Just a note to tell you that Ozzie just found a very fitting way to earn his kibble (and treats, crackers, and watermelon).

I was having a minor case of apoplexy, thanks to a mole that was busy destroying my flower beds. Saturday morning, I was walking Oz on that side of the house when he suddenly stopped in his tracks and then bounded over to a new mole track through the yard, followed it to near where it ended and started digging like crazy. I pulled him out of the way, grabbed a pitch fork and spent a few minutes perforating the area. Haven't seen any evidence of the mole since! (I would have let Oz continue, but he was tearing up the yard worse than the mole!) Anyway, true to his Terrier heritage, I now have a resident mole hunter. And Ozzie got an extra helping of tasty treats. What a dog!! Check the picture - he's beautiful! Cheers! Dave