Due to a significant turn of events in the last 12 hours, I now have a dog living with me. Before you all get huffy and puffy on me about having a dog in a Big City, I'll just let you know that it's not permanent. I picked Bastien up at C's house because he was eating her floors (they're wood, mine are carpet). She was taking care of him while Pennsylvania Boy was away, and he had given her my number for a in-case-you-in-can't-stand-this-dog-any-longer type of emergency. Although she still loves the B-Man, she also loves her floors, and doesn't want the puppy taking them away from her anymore. C and her boyfriend tried to keep him from eating the particular wood corner he seemed so fascinated with by covering it with tabasco sauce. They soon learned that he likes tabasco sauce even more than he likes brand new wood floors. So he's living with me now.
And yes, Pennsylvania Boy will be back in a few days. So yes, this is very short term. But Bastien and I just sat on my twisty chair together, reading the news online, and I sighed a little happy sigh. So did Bastien. And now he's sleeping. This is my idea of dog ownership heaven.
The only problem I have with this dog is that he farts a lot. Not sure if that's the food or the inbreeding or what. But Christ. We used to say that my sister's dog, Jupiter, could clear a room with his gas. I think Jupe would be up for some tough competition around these parts, though. The difference is, Jupiter was a big, huge Greyhound. Bastien is a midget bulldog. If we're talking proportionally, Bastien packs way more bang in his punch.
A and I took the little feller on the bus to get back to my place from where we picked him up. It was too far to walk, what with the bags and the dog food and the dog FREAKING OUT on the street every two steps. And he's small enough that you can hold him for awhile without getting tired. So I thought, Eh, we'll take him on the bus and then get home. No problem, right? The ride is what, like, fifteen minutes?
Bad move. The little guy let one rip that was so foul that the guy next to us stopped reading his newspaper so he could cover his face with it. A and I couldn't contain our laughter, so it became obvious that it had come from the dog (or one of us, which I suppose is worse). We wisely decided to get off a the next stop, out of fear that Bastien would get a "second wind."
Anyway, farting aside, dog ownership (I know, I know, I'm only babysitting. But let me live out the fantasy to its fullest, here. Thanks) is really fun. Thus far today, we have discussed appropriate and inappropriate places to pee (he's paper trained), how to best walk on a leash when on a crowded sidewalk, and why the hell so many stupid-ass democrats keep voting for John Kerry. Oddly, it seems that Bastien is an Edwards fan. Who'd have known?
Now, when Bastien farts, is it a loud raucous fart or is the the silent pfffft of death? Matilda (the new pup) has surprised and worried herself with her farts (and let me say, there's nothing funnier than a dog shocked and alarmed by her own fart), but has yet to clear a room.
Kari - My border collie puppy, Daisy, does that too. She'll fart, and then a couple of seconds later sniff and look up in disgust, before moving to a different spot. Needless to say, the rest of the room usually follows suit.
Lee - I'm ridiculously bored and decided to read your 100 things list. Your favourite music is funk/soul, hmm? The funk/soul band that I'm in is doing a gig on Friday. Too bad you're in the wrong country :P
Kari - no, no... they are always SBDs (silent but deadly, as you may or may not recall from your school days). We've figured out that he usually has a 45-minute gassy spell right after he eats, so we conveniently plan OUR meals around his. Nothing kills an appetite like dog fart in your face.
That is, however, really funny about both Matilda and Daisy scaring themselves with their farts. Bastien doesn't really seem to care any which way.
Lottie - Urgh... I didn't know you were in a band! What do you play/do?
Trumpet all the way :D I also play violin and piano, but that's another story...