I, Rufus


You may be wondering why there has been very little news from Awkward Hill recently. That's because Victoria has been very busy looking after ME. My name is Rufus, I am a Tibetan Terrier, and I'm 10 weeks old today.
I joined the family at Awkward Hill just over a week ago, and Victoria says I'm getting bigger and hairier by the day. I also like gardening, as you can see. (Just as well...)


We Tibetan Terriers are an honourable and ancient breed. We're not really terriers at all (that's just what ignorant Westerners called us when they first came across us in our homeland). We are working dogs, and for hundreds of years we have herded livestock and even guided travellers along mountain paths.
Victoria says that having a new puppy is like having a new baby in the house (except that you don't have to run round the lawn at 6am with a new baby). I'm training her to feed me on demand, take me outside to play ball every five minutes (yes, I can already retrieve a ball) and generally cater to my every whim. She's slowly getting the idea.
I know some of you will want to know how the cats reacted to my arrival. I'd like to say that they greeted me with open paws, but Luigi swore at me and Mario vanished upstairs. I ran after him to say hello, but he just ran even faster.


Luigi really scared me - he fluffed up all over! He will now agree to come within a yard of me, but he still gives me The Look when he thinks Victoria isn't looking. Mario is still upstairs.



Comments

Diana Studer said…
You live in interesting times. Hope Mario will soon make peace. Is little Rufus going to be a BIG dog?
Carol Michel said…
Cute! He looks like he is going to be a lot of fun.
Great post - Rufus looks a real character. I checked and I was right my uncle and aunt have a tibetan terrier, she is a very hairy and loud dog

Mark and Gaz said…
Rufus, you're adorable!
VP said…
That second picture is guaranteed to melt anyone's heart.

And the first is a great way to get around the usual flak re pictures of snowdrops ;)
Oh Rufus! You are gorgeous! My terrier (patterdale/border cross) would absolutely adore you....
petoskystone said…
Hi, Rufus! You are certainly a handsome young man :) I hope, as you get older, you & the cats will achieve detente ;)
Looks lovely. If Helen is right - may not sound as soft as he looks. 'Rufus' - excellent name. Did you choose it or did it come ready-attached?
Anonymous said…
Rufus, you probably know this already, but you are very cute. I'm sure Victoria will have loads of fun with you.
He'll be about the size of a cocker spaniel, Diana - not too big, not too small. When they're fully grown, TT coats are quite long, but I'll probably keep him in a puppy clip, especially if he's going to go for walks on muddy footpaths...
I was a bit worried when I chose Rufus that he seemed very quiet compared to his brothers and sisters. Now I'm thinking that was probably a good idea...
He makes me laugh out loud, Carol. He likes going out in the garden to play, but he's not keen on the cold (it's freezing here). You look round to see what he's up to and all you can see is his little fat bottom scuttling back indoors. He's a real couch potato
He is, isn't he? My daughter has always been scared of dogs, but she's fallen completely in love with him.
He gets his second jab tomorrow, so in a few days time, he'll be able to go out for walks. I'm looking forward to taking him to Westonbirt for a walk in the woods.
All the workmen who come to the house at the moment are very taken with him too. I'm thinking of telling them they can pet the dog if they give me a discount!
I hope so, too. It's a bit of a stand-off at the moment - the cats pretend he isn't there, and if he shows any sign of noticing them, they vanish.
No, my daughter chose the name. She thought he ought to have a name he would find easy to pronounce - as in: "Woof-us!"
He is very cute, apart from when he is creating puddles on the floor or chewing my cardigan. He has an obsession with tissues as well, which is a bit inconvenient, especially when you're trying to blow your nose. But he's pretty good really.
VP said…
Ooh Westonbirt! Have you seen they're building a sculpture there next month to celebrate the 2,000 year old lime tree?
the veg artist said…
I am now a devoted reader of this blog. I am in puppy-love!
Green Lintie said…
Absolutely adorable! Can't wait to see him grow (& yes, exactly like babies, except you can't put them in nappies).
Cindy, MCOK said…
Rufus, love, I may have to cross the pond solely in order to make your acquaintance! Please tell Victoria she is to give you lots of cuddles and scratches behind the ears for me ... then she must give you a belly rub!
Layanee said…
How wonderful to include Rufus in your new adventure...or perhaps he is including you.
EB said…
Hello - Found you! I've just read your post about country books and grammar and now I feel too paranoid to type... Anyway, Rufus looks very sweet - his coat-colour makes him seem almost ageless, though the body gives him away. So happy for you :) Have you read the Morris book? I love the leafy strips down the side of this blog too. Nice contrast to the windows either side of my screen, full of streaming Surrey March.
Gail said…
Rufus, you are adorable!
Sarah Laurence said…
Rufus is so cute! A puppy is more like a toddler without diapers than a newborn. It's a lot of work but rewarding. I admire you for quitting your London job and following your dream to the country.

Thanks for your comment on my Narnia post and please accept my apologies for being so slow to visit. Life offline has been exceptionally busy, but it's so nice to connect with you!
Oh my gosh, too cute!! You are brave though - a new house and a new dog?? ;-)
Simon.S said…
Isn't it odd how the number of comments you receive is directly proportional to the number of puppy pictures. You could save time & effort by just publishing pics..........but I implore you not to :-)
New house, new floor, new dog. You don't do things by halves! He is gorgeous. I can totally see why you fell for him.

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