Play like you’re a puppy. No matter how old you are.
Having Toby around is teaching me a lot. About lots of things. Or maybe he’s reminding me of things I’d forgotten.
All Scotties are so, so similar, but different in many ways.
Since we’ve been without Stuart for nearly six months – that’s hard to believe isn’t it? – I no longer carry a camera. So I’ll have to tell you about our experiences.
Last evening, Toby and I were fixing a hose that I’d run over with the lawn mower. We were out in the area of Stuart’s Backyard Kingdom near the raised beds. Next to one of the beds is a patch of naturalized irises. I looked up and there was a panting pink tongue surrounded by a glimpse of black amidst green foliage. The nose was covered in dirt. That’s all I could see. No head. No body. Just black and pink. And a dirty nose.
Just like a Scottie.
He follows us around the house. So not like Stuart.
And when he goes on walks, he really walks. Fast. No sauntering. No lollygagging. No sitting around at the street corners.
But most of all, he plays. He loves to play. At 13, he’s more active than most dogs in the neighborhood. Except the puppies. I may have mentioned this before, but he’s latched on to a rubber squeaky that I dug out of a toy box long forgotten. The kind of squeaky with little legs and tiny pointy ears. They come in various sizes. This one’s about the size of an orange. In fact, it is orange.
I never knew it could squeak so loudly. Maybe it’s Stuart. Back for a little visit. Arooing at us through the shrill of the squeaks.
Toby’s teaching us to play like you’re a puppy. No matter how old you are. It’s a lesson we can all use.
The Scottie Chronicles - Winston's World 
Awwww, bless his heart. He is absolutely right with his outlook on life. I’m guessing that is what keeps him so young. I’m so glad you are enjoying Toby’s visit! He’s certainly one lucky pup!
He’s a sweet boy.
to play like a puppy is probably something like to dance like nobody is watching you and to sing as loud as you can even when the berds fly away in droves … probably our heart needs it :o)
Everybody needs it yes. And everybody needs your lovely snacks. You’re a great cook.
Bless him 🙂 Doc still plays like a puppy at nearly 14..but his body reacts like a 14 year old pooch 🙂 so we moderate his crazy with some good old fashioned lazy 🙂 xxx
Love that!
As you know terriers have 2 speeds..asleep and flatout! 😉
I had to smile when I read your post. It’s so true, they’re so different, but the same in many ways. Toby is proving what they say about being as young as you feel! He also has the wisdom Scotties seem to have. Notice he did choose the squeaky toy…and I bet that is Stuart back for a little visit!
McDuff & Mom
Huummm….you’re right. He did choose the squeak!
My peep read this and agreed. Then he went outside and peed on a tree.
What? : > )
I think that might be illegal. To pee on a tree as a 2-legged species.
Toby is having a wonderful visit with you !!! Enjoy my dears !! Toby has a great smile ~~~
He does have a great smile. He’s fitting in nicely.
Yes they are the same but different. My first two followed me every where but Wills goes in a different direction other than the kitchen. If there is a chance for food Wills is not going to miss that.
Toby sounds like a happy fellow.
Sweet William The Scot
Sounds like Toby and Sweet William would love trips to the kitchen together.
Toby looks and sounds wonderful….difficult to believe he is 13. I have missed a few posts. How long will his visit be?
He’ll be with us ’til Friday. Maybe he’ll come back soon.
Great update on Toby and how he was “helping” you garden, and I love his “tip” and outlook on life! My guys love squeaky toys and have the same one (in red and blue) with the pointy ears and feet (they usually chew the feet off). It’s so much fun when they like to play with toys. Maybe Toby will find the cow toe again! Lucky Toby and lucky you for a week together.
He found his toe only once. Now he doesn’t seem to care about it!
Ha! Bonnie saunters and investigates, Kenzie walks so fast pulling forward I think all 4 feet are off the ground! Sometimes I hook them together really close on a shared leash so Bonnie will slow her down a bit. Bonnie wants to know everything going on in her patch, Kenzie wants to know what’s around the next bend. The homebody and the explorer. Enjoy your Scottie week!
Bonnie n Kenzie
Those two sound like great complements to one another!
Toby is good for your soul and your blog for mine!…..Could Toby have a picture of Dorian Gray in his attic ? because his picture looks much younger than 13….
I’m so glad you like the blog. “Dorian Gray” – that’s a keeper comment. Love that story. He looks and acts way younger.
That’s right baby! I’m 9 and act like one
Lily (& Edward)
Go on! That’s terrific!
Aye……spoken wisely! Stuart is ghosting through Toby (although he’s probably really tired of all the activity :)!) Ruby is giving us a run for our money – non-stop. I gave her the “what-for” finally Sunday and she now stays away mostly. Andy still plays with her, but when he gets rough, Mom separates them. It’s “chaos” around here as Maxwell Smart would say. Enjoy the rest of your week with Toby. You deserve to have some Scottie fun!!!
I’m laughing at your comment…..Stuart WOULD be tuckered out from all of the activity. Funny.
Ruby and Andy are two of a kind.
They are all different, just like kids….but we’re so happy that Toby is so full of life! Tessie is just like Stu. The way you described Stu walking, is just the way Tessie acts on our walks! She also hates hot weather like her Mum. She lays down at every shady spot of grass we come to on our walks, and won’t budge until I bribe her with a treat! (Now, I ask you, who has WHO trained??)
Riley is more energetic. He is only a yr. younger than Tessie. Tessie is only 4 years old. Riley just has to raise his leg on everything, even if he has no pee left! He also has to do the feet scratching action at just about each spot after he raises his leg. He also has to pee OVER any spot Tessie pees on! He walks faster than Tessie, but between his raising his leg and Tessie lollygagging it’s not what I would call an invigorating walk. They both also love to stop every couple of inches to sniff! What a pair!
Stu must prick his ears everytime he hears his squeakies, and must be happy they are being used!
Sweet Toby and Stu! They both are different and yet the same…..Adorable Scotties!
Lots of Love,
Riley-Puppy’s and Tessie-Girl’s Mum
Oh…your walk description is perfect. I’ve noticed Toby doesn’t do the “back step” after peeing. Interesting, yes?
Toby sounds like an absolute delight☺
He sure is.
He’s a braw wee lad.
So true!
Excellent advice. My critters play like pups and I play with them too. ArroOOOO! 😀
It’s fun to get at their level and play. I used to lie in the grass at Stuart’s level and the two of us would survey the landscape together.
Having owned and been owned by 12 Scotties over the years, I can say that no two are alike. Sidney has been an old soul from the beginning. I imagine that Sophie will never grow up. Shelby is in a class by herself. They may look alike, but they are not. Enjoy Toby. One of the first Scotties that I met in Florida was a Toby. It was in 1992. I will remember him and his brother Andy forever. Their sister Tiffany gave her name to my Tiffany Sue.
Toby grunts and loves to be rough. And I think the squeaker is gone now.