Tue - October 2, 2007

Diary of a Mad Peepist


Here a Peep, There a Pepys. Everywhere a Peep Pepys.


Illustration by Gimlet. @ 2007 Nigel Enterprises

S'More on Peeps .
Is that a new variety?
We couldn't help noticing a bit of history's caprice: Doodle and blogging wire Sam Peeps (we wire fox terriers are hoping to have Peeps made in our image) and 17th century English diarist and eminent civil servant Samuel Pepys ("Peeps").
Is history written by the winners or by the Peepists?
It can be no coincidence that Sam, our new humor columnist and consumer dog toy reporter, has adopted the non de plume of Sam Peeps. Raymond Chandlersque, you say. Yes, but travel backwards in time like H.G. Wells and you'll meet up with diarist Samuel Pepys. The most modern of men, as forward-thinking a man as can be (he did, after all, write his journal entries backwards and upside-down to spoil those who might sneak a peek) Pepys kept his journal for ten years, from 1660 to 1669. His musings provide us with a clear look at the English Restoration .
Avid diarist Samuel Pepys gave us first-hand accounts of the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London. He often wore a curly wig. We would say he touched upon greatness in more than one way. He certainly added to the mystique of bureaucracy.
And Sam Peeps? Novice blogger, forward-thinking (loves to pull on the leash) and on hand for the Great Destruction of the Cell Phones, Mauling of Favorite Comforter and Great Mess in the Florida Room. He often has curly fur.
Could history have given us any more of a Separated at Birth, by the Centuries and by Species?
Who will the folks at Just Born, Inc., the manufacturers of Peeps, select as their next Peep? Which one of these two is destined for Peepdom?
Sam ... wire fox terrier, blogger, humorist and often sporting curly hair, or Samuel ... 17th century English diarist who often sported a long, curly wig?
Of course, the Just Born, Inc. people might sidestep the entire Peep/Pepys controversy and go with Nigel. It was Nigel, after all, who ignited the Fox Terrier Peeps controversy .
Sweet revenge for Nigel ?

Posted at 08:17 AM      

Wed - July 14, 2004

The Scottie Processional


Watching a Scottie grow ...


Photos courtesy Linda Winkler

For years we have enjoyed reading the posts of an Internet terrier group member on the antics and trials of Geordie,The Scaly Scot. A couple years ago young Flossie arrived on the scene. Geordie's life has not been the same..
The author of these terrier reports, and the constantly bemused housemate of Geordie and Flossie, is Linda Winkler. She writes remarkably well for a being of the two-legged persuasion. Ms. Winkler has graciously allowed Mr. Doodle's Dog to post one of her recent Scottie Chronicles ... her reflections on the passing puppyhood of the tempestuous Flossie.
Enjoy.
--Nigel and Gimlet

I have begun to realize, a bit sadly, that Flossie is now almost an adult. She is 2 ½ years old, about 16 I think in dog years. Still a teenager. But it's at about age 2 ½ that you know what kind of dog you will have in the case of Scots. They are a bit slow to mature I've found. But at around Flossie's age you recognize the adult dog.

At this age Geordie suddenly stopped being naughty and took on a new dignity. At age 5 he became like the Old Man of the Sea; sort of wise and smart but still with his naughty moments. He's always had a twinkle in his eye.

But Flossie is quite different in temperment. She's pretty high strung, much less laid back than Geordie and really has attitude. She bristles and growls and barks and is very very active. In spite of her growly nature she is also very affectionate. Geordie will lie next to me but only Flossie climbs right onto my face and tucks her head under my chin. Or puts both her paws around my neck and gives licks. She likes to be very close with her affection.

I call her my Bipolar Scot; I don't know if this combination is common with Scots; I suspect it is with females. The males seem to be more easy going. She is also a very pretty dog with her nice brindling, cobby body and short compact ears. She has pale grey pantaloons on her hind legs and a few pale hairs on her chin. Her breeder said she had a "milk" chin. She's a series of compact squares.

To have a dog like Flossie requires some experience with terriers I would say; she would not be the best choice for a novice owner. Too complicated and difficult, requiring a firm hand but gentle treatment. Like all Scots she is sensitive and needs careful handling; being too firm with her doesn't work. It hurts her feelings and she will mope.

Geordie loves Flossie and they make a great pair because they are complementary; he only wishes she would stay in her own part of the yard and let him watch birds undisturbed.


A very young Flossie and mentor and housemate Geordie watch for birds at the feeder.

Posted at 10:45 PM      

Wed - April 7, 2004

Have patience


Gimlet refines her hunting skills.


Photo by Joe the Cat
Gimlet waits for a squirrel to appear ... but with no peanut butter on the
board, the chances of that are slim.

We have an oak tree off our patio that is home to many squirrels.
There's a cedar board on the tree, and it's slathered with peanut butter every morning.
Our squirrel tax.
Wire fox terriers that we are, we enjoy a bit of hunting ... and baiting.
Now we're refining our skills... we're learning the concept of .... waiting.
Even with our urge to jump into the fray, we recognize that it's sometimes best to view a conflict as a series of battles ... rather than a brawl.
Even when the opponent cries out for a good boxing.
No, we don't harm the squirrels, they just indulge us in our hunting practice.
The rats are a different story. We like to snare them.
Nothing better than bagging a greedy rat, especially as it's poised to steal some prize to add to its coffers.
Oh, we enjoy our ratting, we do, we do.
And now that we're learning the tactic of patience, we think we can only improve.

Posted at 09:24 AM      

Tue - February 24, 2004

The Unbearable Lightness of Cattiness


A detailed look at French Rococo.


Ah, it's a sweet toot!
Recall the painter and master of French Rococo Antoine Watteau ?
Of course you do.
He had a good run in the early 18th Century. Well before the French Revolution, he painted small confections of courtly life and heavenly landscapes.
That's what they say, anyway.
Joe the Cat has uncovered a fascinating tidbit:
Watteau's black studio cat Whattoe (we know, the name is cutesy. An obvious reference to the cat's toe fetish) and his talented long tail is responsible for all those Watteau paintings in all those world museums.
Every single one!
Joe the Cat used his own (and patented!) process of cattailography to examine the delicate brush strokes of such (presumed) Watteau masterpieces as Return from Cythera and L'Indifférent ....
Joe found undeniable evidence of cat tail strokes... and ... he found little-known paintings of a small black cat who was constantly by Watteau's side in the studio.
Do we have to paint a picture for you?
The cat did it.
Whattoe the Cat is the unsung artiste of French Rococo.
It's a tantalizing tidbit of history.
God, and cats, are in the details.


Posted at 09:06 AM      

©