Ya think?
A question I
am often asked by friends back in the U.S. (and sometimes by those here as
well) is: How has Scout adjusted to the new environment and to becoming a city dog? I
can only say that it took her almost as little time to feel at home here as it
did for me.
Granted, when we first arrived last year, she was obsessed with finding just the right place—any nice little
patch of grass, or even a mound of sweet-smelling earth—to leave her calling
card. But it was dead of winter, and as far as the eye could see or the nose could
smell, there was only paved street, sidewalk, and cobblestone. But by Day 2, when
nature’s call could no longer be postponed, and she relented to peeing (etc.)
on concrete, Scout became a true Wienerin
(Vienna resident [f]). Now it's winter again, and all is ganz regelmäsig (completely routine).
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| The Lady of the Manor poses for her audience. |
And as for
apartment vs. house living? Kein Problem
(No problem)! Scout has had to recalibrate her ball chasing speed somewhat,
since without the reliable traction of pile carpeting, she tends to slip, slide, and skid in a variety of hysterical positions across the parquet and tile floors—a marvelous source of many laugh-out-loud moments. But even
careening into table legs or the occasional wall doesn’t seem to faze her.
She’s apparently always had a high tolerance for pain (is that where the term
numbskull comes from?), and it’s hard to resist a good chase every now and then.
So as long as the water bowl is always full and the kibble bowl gets
replenished regularly, life is good.
And speaking
of the good life, I think you'll agree that Scout doesn't look stressed about living in Vienna (see below). When
she’s not out for a walk, playing, chewing her toys (especially the one stuffed with peanut butter), or getting mega doses of
affection from me, she just chills in the cozy, comfy surroundings she has come to
know as home.
And so, a day in the life ... (captions welcomed!)
P.S. The sheet on the sofa may not be the most attractive look in home design, but it's an absolute necessity when you have a dog that sheds enough hair to provide coats for at least three more dogs, and you have children who spoiled her in the early years by allowing her to join them for a cuddle on the furniture! Underneath, it's a really pretty gray tweed sofa!
