Jack had to go to the vet today for his flea treatment as they only allow you to have it on prescription once you have taken your pet in for a quick once over. As the flea treatments available in shops are without exception a total waste of time it was worth the inconvenience. Jack has lost weight but not dangerously so, this might be because last time he went I hadn't taken him to the park for a while as I was still wary after his fight with a staffie so he could have gained a little weight due to not running as much. He is perfect fitness for a dog his age and size, and the vet receptionist took her life into her hands by attempting to make friends with him. Remarkably he treated her like an old friend and set aside my fears that he would bite her. When her assistant came out she put her hand out as if to stroke his head and he reacted, which in turn made me pull him back. I was told that I shouldn't do this as it means that he sees the other person as a threat and gets defensive. That's easy for her to say but sometimes small children see how cute he looks and think they can go in for a stroke and that really pisses Jack off. If he was to bite a child then the parent would report me and the worst case scenario would be that Jack would have to be put down. That wouldn't happen as I would just go on the run from town to town with Jack, living off our wits as fugitives. Actually that sounds pretty cool.
But seriously, dogs see the hand over the eyes as a threat and as Jack is a rescue dog I have no idea what he has had to cope with in the past as they don't tell you. All I know is that if you give him a chance and let him approach you he is a wonderful and affectionate dog, although he will try and shag your leg the first time he meets you. As I write this blog we have just returned from the park where he was quite happy to run after a ball without once getting bored and he is now asleep in a suitcase full of old jumpers in my office. If someone knocks at the door he will run downstairs barking and growling which is something I will never tell him off for as it is a good job he is doing as he wants to protect us, and maybe one day he will frighten away a potential axe murderer rather than someone delivery takeaway leaflets.
The Sunday Alternative #52 is available from here.
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August housekeeping
We are now in the eighth month of the year and at a standstill as far as work is concerned. In unrelated news, it is my birthday on the 27th of this month so a nice present would be a donation using the PayPal button. This would be spent on creating podcasts, documentaries, short films, comedy sketches and various other entertainments that I will make available to enjoy online for free.
The above t-shirt and bag is also available to buy, all the money goes to the same creative fund. They are on my shop page.
I'll play you a kazoo song request, find out how here.
Letter of complaint written for you for £2, here.
steveEoliver@gmail.com
