Number Three

Peggy: "I can't believe it, did you hear what they talked about on the phone? A third dog. Without asking me!"

Tobia: "But they said it was a well-behaved dog. Of course we have to see how we would get along, after all it is a male and and American to boot. But it is a hunting dog so I'm sure we would have something to talk about."

Peggy: "Which means another good for nothing male sitting around all day doing nothing. And who is to do all the work here? Me, as usual."

Tobia: "Well, each day has enough in its own sorrows - wait and see what will happen. The most important thing anyways is that the tall one will be coming soon."

Peggy: "So what - that just means no more sofas, no more bed room and no more cookies at breakfast. I was beginning to get used to being alone with your master... even to like it. Much more freedom, you know."

Hate

Tobia: "Did you hear our master on the phone yesterday or were you too busy barking at the neighbor?"

Peggy: "I heard him, I'm not a male and therefore I'm able to do several things at the same time."

Tobia: "But what do you think about that man that killed so many people? I really can't understand it."

Peggy: "You would do the same thing if you were let loose in the middle of a flock of pheasants."

Tobia: "That is not the same thing... They were people like himself! When we meet other dogs, we are on equal terms, perhaps we fight... well, some do, it's really not my style, but killing off people like that is not.... excuse the term "human". And what can they do now with a person like that?"

Peggy: "Ha, "human" as you put it is not really what some people are best at! They could and should take a lesson from us. And I could think of a few things, I would like to do to him to re-educate him. Supremacy, my foot!"

Rain

Peggy: "First you kept calling for you dear master because you wanted to go out but after one look at the weather, you turn around and go back to your bed. What kind of behaviour is that?"

Tobia: "But it is raining! I can't go out in that weather."

Peggy: "Nonsense, you're not made of sugar nor of salt, you won't melt!"

Tobia: "But if I get my paws wet, I will get dermatitis and then what?"

Peggy: "Dermatitis, my foot! That comes from using your paw as a pacifier. If you would just stop licking it, it wouldn't bother you so at all."

Telephone

Tobia: "Peggy, I am so content, I just talked with the tall one on the telephone. Or rather: He talked to me but I was too moved, I could just stand there and wag my tail. And he said the nicest things: Dog treat, walks, biscuit!"

Peggy: "Who? what tall one? Ah, ok, I remember him. But he is not here and what good are a few words on the phone, words are cheap! And with him gone, I am the one to take care of everything here. I'll speak my mind to him when he comes back whenever that may be. Some people do just what pleases them, without thinking about the rest of us!"

Tobia: "That is simply not true! You are not the one that has to do everything around here! My master is in charge and doing a very good job indeed!"

Peggy: "All right, I'll keep my mouth shut but that doesn't mean that I agree with you!"

Peggy: "Well, all right, he does what he can but he is always away."

Tobia: "Peggy, you are not being fair and you know it! All that complaining seriously upsets me, you know."

Eau de Terron

Peggy: "Why did he take us upstairs last night?  Well, I guess he was afraid of something and wanted me there to make sure that nothing would happen."

Tobia: "It is because he feels lonely, he needs us more these days and it is our duty to keep him company. And for me it was also a very nostalgic trip down memory lane, just like in the good old days when it was just him and me."

Peggy: "I get it: you are talking about the pre-Peggy era.... Well, I'm here and I'm not leaving!
And if was so goody oldy daysy, why didn't you stay up there when I went down? You could have done that even with the warm stuffy air in his bedroom. And the smell! He complains about us smelling when we are wet. He should take a sniff of his own Eau de Terron!"

Cats

Tobia: "Did you hear that about the kitten? You know the people that sometimes come here, those two that always take us for walks and plays with us, they had a kitten that was run over by a car. Just like that, without stopping, with no motive. Personally I don't like cats and believe that we dogs are in our good right to chase them but at least we are on equal terms."

Peggy: "Well, I really could care less about cats, they are a nuisance.... usually. Did you say that those two people are cat-persons? Hmm, I have to reconsider them."

Tobia: "Peggy, don't expand your dislike of cats to the persons!"

Peggy: "hmm, you're right. I hope they will come by so I can cheer them up a bit. Perhaps tell them to get a dog...

Well somebody ought to do something about cars that drive too fast. Take our road for example: it is only a matter of time before someone gets killed there ... all those mothers taking their children to the kindergarden in four-wheel drives or even bigger cars!"

Going, going, ...

Tobia: "So the tall one has left.... From what I understood he would be going off, just running straigth as long as possible! How beautiful that would be to follow his example. Mind you, I was not meant to be kept in a small garden, always going out with a leash attached to my collar! I was born to run free!"

Peggy: "I bet you were, meant to run free and get lost! You would go running and then you would find yourself miles from here not knowing how you got there, not knowing how to get back. Nah, better stay close to the house, perhaps it is not all we could wish for but at least we have a place to sleep, something to eat and a few caresses now and then. But it sounds almost like you are no longer so satisfied with your dear master! I can't really complain, you know, you just have to give him a smile and lick him a few times and you can get away with anything."

Tobia: "No, I am not getting tired of my master, he is still my master and my love for him is as profound as when I first met him... - it's just that I had gotten used to having two people around and now everything has changed and that always takes some time getting used to."

A note from the secretary

As holiday season is upon us here in Northern Italy, Tobia and Peggy will not be able to keep up their blog for the next few weeks.

Suitcase

Tobia: "Have you seen the suitcases? I don't like the smell of this, changes are coming and of course they are not telling us what it is all about. And then they wonder why I'm licking my right paw! I can't smoke or eat or watch a movie when I'm upset... or even bite my nails. I just have my paw."

Peggy: "Snap out of it, self-pity never did anyone any good! So changes are coming but aren't they always. Life is full of changes - it's not that we live in some stagnant swamp where nothing ever happens... although you do smell like something they pulled out of a bog! Perhaps things will be different tomorrow but why worry about tomorrow, each day has its fill of worries anyway. And then something new will happen the day after tomorrow. Mark my words there might even be new company if one of them goes away."

Tobia: "Yes, and you will not let me come near them as usual, playing the cute little doggie."

It's the economy-...

Tobia: "Why do my master have to work so much, he is always away these days. And when he is home he seems worried by something. I wish, I could do something to help him."

Peggy: "It's the economy, stupid. The tall one is never away, which means that he isn't bringing home anything so of course your master has to go to work. Seems fair to me, he is the one that spends the money too! I can't really feel sorry for them: they must learn the hard way that you can't eat your food twice and at times it is better not to eat all of it right now."

Tobia: "Well, I usually eat my food whenever I feel like it and so far I can't really say that I've been starving. Of course I could desire another type of food.... And do remember that the tall one is the one that takes us for walks and works at home."

Peggy: "I know he does and I know also that he is trying to plan things a bit ahead of time.Not like someone else who never think about tomorrow!"

Friends

Tobia: "Peggy, I was the one to welcome these four women in a civilized manner while you were running around, barking insults at them. Then shortly afterwards you decide that they are alright and will not even let me near them. Every time I get the chance to meet new people, you manage to push me aside. I really must say this is frustrating and it also makes me feel rather sad."

Peggy: "What can I do about that? They were intruding and you never know what people are up to these days. Besides - they were foreigners and that doesn't make things any better. But then I looked them over, saw that they probably meant no harm and I also saw how you wanted to do what any male will do as soon as he sees a female and I decided that it was better to keep an eye on them up close while keeping you out of the way! If it makes you frustrated that you cannot jump on anything female that gets within reach - tough luck!"

Tobia: "But I was only trying to be nice..."

Peggy: "That just goes to show how much you know about females!"