Dexter Dog Diary, Week Two, Monday
Monday (paratesi, 15 mart, 2010)
Quite an air of excitement this morning; Sonny is waiting on the doorstep. The excitement does not abate. I listen carefully and cast my mind back to snippets of conversation from yesterday to figure out what is going on; a dog cannot pay attention to all the drivel that these humans produce. I can see the mountains this morning; aha… we must be expecting visitors; he has cleaned the windows! Sure enough, Helen arrives. The sense of anticipation still does not abate. More visitors arrive amid hugs and kisses. O-oh… they are wearing hike-boots! After cups of coffee etc. they are off. I don’t know whether to feel relieved or miffed because I was not invited.
When they get back, I gather that they have been up the “mountain”, along the path that I mapped out for them the other day, but have added an extra “loop”, going down the far side and along a track that has taken them through a couple of little fords. What a bummer! I would have enjoyed that. However, my disappointment is not long-lasting because, once they have all gorged themselves, they, nay, we are off again. This time it is one of my new favourites: down to the sea. Mind you, I don’t let on that I am beginning to enjoy it; I still play “the old soldier”. Well… it’s expected of me isn’t it? The meadow is different again: so much water and now the sunshine. I hear Paul (together with Pam, they are two new pals) say that flowers not seen for generations will be appearing due to the unusual amount of rain and the flooding.
Helen leaves after lunch to help Tim with something, so I have only the four of them to keep an eye on. Yes, with all these humans around doing their “exploring” bit, I have found out something about myself that, until now, had only been a distant memory. I know it is no a big deal, however, I am intrigued: because of my sleek, wiry and powerful build, I have always looked on myself as being from some noble line of hunting dog. I have seen pictures of my ancestors posing with royalty – no less! Yet, I feel anxious if my humans split-up into groups. I feel compelled to decide which one is most in need of my guidance and protection. This can only mean one thing… somewhere in my ancestry there as been a “herd” dog! My coat is white with black patches: damn-it-all, a small part of me may be Border-Collie! Surely this cannot be true… I have a functional brain, something unknown among that breed!
We climb around the headland again, across the slippery soapy stuff, across the sandstone outcrop and onto the volcanic rock with those amazing pits and pock-marks. Y sits and keeps Pam company while she has a breather. I keep an eye on X and Paul when they go as far out as they can on the narrow spit of rock that juts out across the next bay. I am feeling good: last time I came this way, I tore a dew-claw. This time it is a doddle: even the injured claw does not get in the way. I must be getting fitter! I manage to guide them all safely back to the pebble beach. Great! We’ll be home in time for an early tea. What is this..? Oh, no! They are hiking east along the old coast road again towards the palm trees. I can forget my early tea!
I am definitely getting fitter. Although it is warm, I am not nearly as parched by the time we get back to the freshwater stream. Finally, I get my tea. Almost before I have swallowed the last mouthful, they are all off to meet Tim and Helen for an early supper.
Not surprisingly, after a late night and walking all day, the Axes are exhausted by the time they get back. We are all tucked-up in bed by nine o’clock. My bed, by the way, has not had its daily vacuuming. It’s a disgrace! He should be ashamed of himself!