A Dream About Ark

Last night I had a dream that Arky finally jumped the fence and made it into the next door neighbour’s yard. He then ran across and power-jumped the fence that divided their neighbours, and he did the same on the next property – it was sort of like bionic dog action and nothing could stop him. I cried cause I thought I’d never see him again. Then I received a phone call from an old lady saying that arky had shown up in her yard. Immediately I thought that making him wear a name tag with his address on it was the smartest thing I’d ever done in my entire life. When I woke up, I was so relieved that Ark was safe in my laundry.

Well I suppose he could have been doing the whole bionic thing while I was sleeping. One never knows. I just can’t tell with him.

Fierce Doggie

Arky fails to see that he is no match physically for the next door neighbour’s fully grown german shepherd. The two of them – separated only by a very low fence – have regular barking “arguments”. I will admit that Arky occasionally starts these fights by jumping up on the fence to grab his attention… and I know he acts all heroic cause he thinks the fence is his shield, but little does he know that his itsy-bitsy love-heart nose will be bitten right off – along with the rest of him – if he doesn’t get over himself. I’ve tried to explain this to him many times, but he won’t listen. (Does anyone know how to translate this in dog language?)

This afternoon they were at it again. Arky’s become highly skilled at dodging me when I’m running towards him. I barked and hurled abuse at the neighbour’s canine monster – but he just ignored me, as per usual – and continued to bark angrily at Ark. All the while I’m sure the neigbours can hear me and possibly see me (those on the high side would be able to), and I imagine I’d be quite a sight yelling obscenities at a friggin animal. I somehow managed to get Ark inside and made him stay there, and then went back to the fence to verbally abuse the dog. As I neared the fence, I was amazed to see him crouching below on the other side; that arse of a dog thinking that I couldn’t see him. The fact that he uses this tactic with Arky – as in waiting in the wings, ready to jump up with force and bark deafeningly – just made me angrier. Furthermore, the next door neighbours make no effort to call their dog away when this happens. I am so glad I only have to deal with 3 more weeks of it before all is silent in our new home. The fences are high, so Ark would have no chance.

The Containers

The following words came to me while I was doing some packing tonight; and I’d like to dedicate this entry to my Allied Pickfords moving boxes.

We acquired about twenty of “these babies” back in ‘96 when our belongings were first packed for the pivotal move from Adelaide to Brisbane. Soon after, they were used in another 3 more moves around the suburbs of Brisbane. I then claimed about eight of them when I made the move back to Adelaide from Brisbane. They were of course used again not long ago when I bought my first house down here. Now they are back in action for move #698. Let’s hear it for these boxes. They’ve been through so much and they’re still useable. Though I drink to their everlasting strength (and know my family and I couldn’t have done it without them), I don’t wish to move again for a long while. I think the pickfords will be fine with this decision. They’ll need to rest up for when the next time comes anyway. I just want them to know they were a pleasure to work with, and were so well behaved, and have played a huge part in my life as a nomad.