Total self indulgence today. Here's our Barney! Fresh from the brine, awaiting a biscuit treat! He is a very peculiar furry person, is our Barney. He has barked on only three occasions since he arrived - and in almost 8 month's that has to be some kind of record. He howls when he dreams - and he dreams a lot; legs galloping through dreamed meadows and woodland chasing goodness knows what or perhaps running around in circles baying at the moon! On the 3 - or perhaps 4 - occasions he has barked the house has shaken on it's foundations! The onslaught of these occasions was brought about by other doggy people barking in the distance, and lasted little time. I mentioned the other day his penchant for eating everything and anything. This is typical of any creature kept in confined conditions for any length of time, as he was. He has always had to compete for food, so now, understandably, it is embedded in his psyche. However - we have found one source of food - or rather drink - he will not give a second look - or lick - to! No 1 son was making himself tea. As he carried the spent tea bag to trash bin, it fell on the floor. Barney and son reached it together, with son telling Barney it was exceedingly hot and not to touch it. It was sort of 'Barney! Hot! Leave!' which Barney did. But as my son went to get paper to clean up the residue, Barney pounced, tongue at the ready, and into the teeny puddle in a flash! It took all of a second for the bitter taste of the tea to register in Barney's brain and the resulting look on his face was a sight I don't think I shall ever forget! It was exactly the same look as you get if you suck a lemon! His jowls creased up into he eyes, and he shuddered from his muzzle to the tip of his tail with such gusto, his back legs gave way and he ended up on his backside! Had I been able to record it, it would have most certainly looked photo shopped! It was, despite the discomfort for Barney, one of the magic moments one carries for ever! No 2: I've told you that he's bright. During one of our forays down the valley and on the way back to the car, Barney spotted a squirrel. All dogs first notice movement, and Barney is no exception to this doggy rule. He was off like greased lightening - and believe me, he can move like a greyhound - and the little squirrel chappie did what all his species do - he took a running leap at the nearest tree. In a moment, Barney was standing upright, paws as high as he could get them on the trunk. He jumped a couple of times, then he turned, ran to where the squirrel had made his leap from and did exactly the same sort of leap! He had actually believed that if he did the same run at that tree, he could get higher and follow the squirrel up to the top! My son, daughter and I just stared at each other in silence. I was so pleased I had witnesses, and that they saw and came to the same conclusion I had, without any words being spoken! Then he did what a cat would do. He sat down, gave himself a quick lick, then pretended to notice something in the distance that needed his attention. All this was without once glance in our direction. I can't prove it - nor do I wish to - but I'd bet our Barney was feeling embarrassment! Last but not least: He washes like a cat. From top to toe, then he licks his paws and washes behind his ears, and finally the muzzle! That tells me that during his very young years a cat was in his company, probably in the rescue centre he was born in. End of somewhat indulgent ramble! ^=^ Thank you for taking the time to look. ^=^