Failed Experiment

Dear Oscar, I heard you were getting a little brother. How did the experiment go? -- Puppy-Watcher









Dear Watcher,
I'm not going to make any excuses; I was a schmuck. I growled, I snarled, and I jumped the fence in our yard and ran away -- twice. I was the opposite of a gracious host.

But, hey, I'm telling you, this puppy wasn't the right fit. Or maybe I was jealous, I don't know. All my life I have heard the legends and lore of that beagle-god Hunter. And then in the front door waltzes this 6-pound black, brown, and white beagle-lab mix? I put my foot down and said no way. No beagle is going to come in here and take away my attention. Spoiled? Maybe. Bratty. Okay. But when you've played first fiddle as long as me, it's hard to give it up.

That puppy was a great dog, but not the right fit for us. Good luck, pupper. I know you'll find a forever home somewhere.

Feeling happy-but-not-overly-proud-of-my-behavior, Oscar

Undisclosed Dog, Undisclosed Lift

I received the following letter last week from a reader-slash-dog-buddy. Please read...

Dear Oscar,

I was reading your blog today and it made me think two things: I miss hanging out with you in Vermont and also, dogs can ride lifts (just keep it on the DL)! You just have your human stick you in a big backpack, cinch the drawstring around your shoulders, and then put the flap over your head! You can stick your nose out a little but don't bark or move too much when you're in the lift-line! Tell your human to just carry you up in his or her arms... it helps to shoot through the lift waiting area and right onto the chair to avoid detection! Usually I hike up too, but on the rare and special occasion it can be cool to ride the lift!

-The Big K