We got Mister Tucker a new bed.
Mum told me there were some things she couldn’t really show me, I would have to learn myself. One of the things was choosing who would be my doggie pals. She told me to be careful and thoughtful when choosing friends, and left it at that.
So now I will tell you one of the times I chose to go out with a friend.
I was in the front garden minding my own business just looking at my wonderful world, when Dweeb came to my gate. Dweeb is a big terrier. He lives down the street. He has freedom, no fenced yard, he can go anywhere he wants. In fact, when I go out with my walker friend, Dweeb often comes with us, no leash, no collar, he just frolics and romps all over the road. Dweeb has one problem, his coat is a little of a mess. He has matted bits and some times seems to stop and scratch fleas. But, he is kind and friendly.
Now about the day Dweeb came to my gate. Do you know what he wanted? I bet you can guess. He wanted me to go out for a neighborhood trot about with him. I was curious. It was an exciting idea, but soon I told Dweeb I couldn’t get out of my gate. He assured me that was no problem and before I knew it he had pushed with all his might until the bottom of the gate was ajar; just ajar enough for me to wiggle through.
Ahha----out without a leash, no dog minder---just out with Dweeb.
First we bounded up the road and stopped at a huge house with bushes and plants all over the yard. Dweeb pranced in with me creeping along behind. He began to sniff in and out of the bushes when in a wink out came a cat. A real live grey cat, not a furry toy like I would have. Dweeb began to play “catch you” with her and then just stopped. The cat arched her back, her legs went stiff and she began to hiss and spit at Dweeb. While my friend stood still staring at her, the little cat quickly bounded away and jumped through an open window into the big house. The game was over and all Dweeb said was,
“Let’s go.”
This time we went back down the street, right passed my house, passed the yellow fire hydrant, and turned into the yard of a man I had heard, was very cranky. This was gossip, I had never met the man. Maybe we were going down the drive for cookies. That would be very nice.
Well, that was no so. Dweeb headed straight for the garbage can. He stood beside it on his back legs and do you know, he was taller than the garbage can. I couldn’t stop watching what I saw next. The can fell over, the lid came off, and do you know what Dweeb did? I bet you can guess. I can tell you, I would not have guessed. I sat very still and watched him. He pulled things out. He got a tin can and poked his nose in and licked and licked. He pulled out a white bag and tore it to bits. I sat. I looked and looked. Dweeb seemed to be having fun when I heard the CLOMP CLOMP of big shoes and a deep voice shouting. I cannot tell you the words I heard because they were not nice. I will tell you the man was mad. Not just mad at Dweeb, but me too. Soon all I heard was,
“Come on Charlie, we’re out of here.”
At the end of the drive Dweeb headed down the hill to his house. I got nervous. I couldn’t go to his house. I best try and find my way home. Slowly I started back up the hill. I was almost crying, and then I saw the fire hydrant and knew I was on the right track. I began to run when I heard,
“Charlie Rose, come please Charlie Rose”.
I ran to the voice. It was Mrs Thistle. There were tears on her cheeks. She swooped down and picked me up close to her saying,
“Oh my dear Charlie, I thought you were lost”.
Soon enough we were back in the house, and I was munching on some treats. Mrs. Thistle left me for a moment with a ball of cord in her hand. The gate is so tied up now I don’t think even an elephant could push it ajar. I decided to curl up in my red plaid basket bed and have a snooze. Often before I snooze, I lie all cuddly and warm and think. That’s just what I did. I thought about what my Mum had told me way back when we lived on the farm. She had said,
“Be careful who you choose to be with”.
She told me how Aunt Bessie had been her friend for many years. They liked to do the same kind of things. They got into some mischief, but I never heard of big trouble like today.
Dweeb was fine to visit through the gate but he was pretty naughty when he was being a garbage can raider. The cranky man thought I did it too, but really, I didn’t. I was scared. I think my Mum was right. I had to be very careful to choose what adventures and friends I chose to go out with. Dweeb was fine to visit through the fence. He knew what he was doing when he was out and about. I am best to let him be the garbage can raider and the cat scarer.
As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I am best to choose friends who care about me the way I care about them.
I think it is fun to be curious about friends, but could you try for me to choose your friends carefully. Thank you.
Love, Charlie Rose.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
from Mum about something she should NEVER do.
Because she didn’t think, she maybe got someone
else in a whole lot of trouble. See if you find out when
you read, or maybe you have to guess if she did or
did not. It just could be we will never know!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
