Miniature Dalmatian?

Scout (the Jack) is developing tan spots all over. At first glace, the spots appear to be ticking showing through his coat, but with closer inspection, you can see the coat has color pigmentation. He looks like a miniature Dalmatian.

Speaking of miniature, today, I threw a tennis ball at least a thousand times for Scout to fetch. He likes the little miniature size tennis balls--won't even look at a standard size. The game lasted for about three hours. I didn't get much exercise though. I was sitting, reading, and tossing the tennis ball between page-flips.

I'll have put an pedometer on him to find out how many miles he runs when playing fetch.

Budding buddies

Finally, Casey (the Westie) let Scout (the Jack) lay his head on her to sleep.

Their relationship has always been amiable. They liked each other from day one, but until now, Casey wouldn't let Scout lay next to her. This as a positive step forward in their relationship. And it was so cute!

Terriers: The poor person's Thoroughbred

Terriers are the poor person's Thoroughbred.

Have you ever seen a Thoroughbred run free in an open pasture? It's one of life's most magnificent sights.

However, keeping a Thoroughbred requires acres of land and globs of financial resources, both of which are beyond the average person's means. You could, of course, visit a ranch that raises Thoroughbreds. If you're lucky the owners might grant you the privilege of watching their horses run about.


Five-day-old Thoroughbred running. See original photo here.



Mature Terrier running with a ball. See original photo here.


On the other hand, have you ever seen a terrier run free in an open field? It's another of life's magnificent sights. And it's a spectacle even a person of average means can experience.

Not that keeping a Terrier is cheap, but keeping a Terrier is a lot less expensive than keeping a Thoroughbred--and yet Terriers are just as thrilling to watch run.

Terriers are the poor person's Thoroughbred.

Visiting Abby

In this video click, Casey (7 years old) and Scout (4 months)
are introduced to their new little pal Abby (8 weeks).
Shot in Castro Valley, California. To download a high-
resolution copy, click here. (0:00:56)

My dogs Casey and Scout were introduced to my parent's puppy Abby at my parent's house tonight.

Ever since I got Scout, Mom wanted a puppy too. She's always had terriers, as you can see under Generations of terriers past. Now she's got Abby, an 8-week-old Jack Russell Terrier. Yep, that's right, she got a baby to care for while Dad's at work.

Mom is enjoying raising the puppy. She loves the cuddly puppy stage. At her age, though, you'd think what she'd like best is a grown-up Abby--a sturdy gardening buddy and weed puller, ball fetcher, silent listener, and all around faithful companion.

Dad's being a really good sport about the whole thing. He mended the fence in the backyard so Abby is safe, assembled a crate for her, and attached a gate to the kitchen doorway so Abby can play in the kitchen where they hang out the most, and where the flooring is puppy-proof linoleum. When I asked, "Dad, how do you like Abby?" He nonchalantly looked up from his newspaper and said, "She's okay." And then, when he thought no one was looking, he smiled, pat her on the head, and slipped her a piece of cheese.

As for me, I'm hoping raising Abby gives Mom some delightful experiences to share with the family. Mom never has been very good at having fun.

After their first visit with Abby, Scout and Casey didn't want to go home. They liked playing with Abby. That's good because it'll be up to Casey, Scout, and me to make sure the little gal gets plenty of exercise to grow strong.


Abby (born April 7, 2008. Photo taken July 13, 2008.)

Better than staying home

Anna wearing a muzzle so she can ride a tram in Italy. In Italy, dogs must wear a muzzle to ride on trams, trains, and other public transportation. While being a nuisance, it's better than leaving your dog at home.


Like so many other dog owners in the good ole U.S.A., I think my little West Highland White Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier are the most free, most lucky, most liberated puppies on the face of the earth. But, that's simply not true. Anna, a Greyhound in Europe, is really the liberated one.

Have a look at Anna's adventure photo blog, and you'll see she's been everywhere, is loved by many, and has experienced so much!

Anna goes on trams and trains in Italy, as long as she wears a muzzle. Can your pup go on a tram up the Colorado mountains? No! Can your pup ride the train from Emeryville, California, to Reno, Nevada, and beyond? No! They're not allowed on government-owned AmTrak--not even with a muzzle. I'd be happy to muzzle my dogs so they could travel with me on the train. Of course, if the dogs wear muzzles, they won't be able to carry on their own luggage.


Two dogs with their luggage at train station.
For poster, see posters.com.

Introducing Scout

Scout, a Jack Russell Terrier, at nine-weeks of age sitting on a blanket.

Scout joined the pack of Casey and me Saturday, April 26, 2008. He's a Jack Russell Terrier, all white, with one tiny tan spot on his neck, behind his floppy left ear. I call it a "kiss target." His paw pads are pink like the color called salmon in Crayola crayons. I'm well acquainted with his satin tongue and needle-like teeth because in the past few days, I must have reached in his mouth a hundred times to retrieve items that don't belong there--leaves, lint, litter.

And those eyes! Glossy black olives. Long white lashes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul--he's a new soul.



Video introducing Scout (45 seconds).

Presenting Casey

Video clip of Casey running circles around the late, great Duncan at Carmel by the Sea, California, U.S.A. Video taken August 2007 (30 seconds).

Overall, my dog Casey, a West Highland White Terrier, is a kind and gentle little gal. She is somewhat athletic and has a sweet temperament. For example, she:

• Tolerates a child's rough handling


• Stands still when having her nails clipped


• Climbs up the back of my chair to look out the window but won't sit on my lap


• Loves to go "car bye bye"


• Demands her independence


• Thinks she a big dog


• Holds a grudge when insulted, criticized, or scolded


• Bolts when off leash and won't return when called


• Requires frequent brushing because her rough coat doesn’t shed on its own


• Gets very protective when I'm eating


• Bites through bones like butter


• Walks mile upon mile with her nose to the ground and tail in the air


• Kills rats, mice, snails, flies without remorse


• Chases cats, squirrels, geese, ducks, children with glee


• Runs in circles like a thoroughbred at the race track


• Swims a perfect dog-paddle stoke


• Rolls in anything dirty, stinky, or both


• Watches dog food commercials on TV and dog videos on YouTube


• Barks when an animal or human approaches her territory


• Enjoys the company of humans and canines

Casey's old-world ancestry shows in her dignified expression.

West Highland White Terriers probably suffer from inbreeding more than any other breed. As everyone knows, excessive inbreeding results in health problems, and mental and physical degeneration. Casey is from old-world stock. She's blessed with excellent genes, and a vigorous body, sound mind, and hardy spirit.

Tomorrow I fly to Colorado to pick up Scout, a Jack Russell Terrier. We'll be a pack of three again.