21. About the dog
This post was written for one of my readers đ who requested a story about the family dog. It is a first for me having to write on demand! And for this post I had to draw on family memories ... and move back in time.
A long time ago there was a planet not so far away where people could move around freely and travel to places. Our family used to live on this planet and once took everyone on a trip (more commonly called holidays) with Ralph the family dog.
That particular day was a very hot day, even hotter than usual and the sun was pitilessly scorching everything within reach. That particular day I had the wonderful idea to take everyone (dog included) to visit an olive grove and mill. We could walk among the trees, I thought, enjoy the crackling sounds of our feet on the dry soil, marvel at the trees and then take a tour of the olive oil mill, sample some oil, buy some oil and talk to the oil maker who would be passionate about his work. Then we would head back, dump the kids by the pool, lock Ralph in the garden and head into the village, sit on the terrasse of our - already - usual bar and order Chianti and beer (English husband). I must be honest here and admit that the rest of the family was not as enthusiastic as I was. In fact, Ralph seemed to be the one most in favour of such a cultural outing. The others only wanted to laze around by the pool all day yet Ralph and I managed to convince everyone it was a good idea.
We drove up hilly country on bumpy roads lined up with cypress tress and ... olive trees! How marvellous! Huge clouds of dust meant we could not really see where we were going yet we managed to find the secluded place. Everything was, for once, going as planned and everyone was happy and relaxed: no-one mentioning the pool, no-one asking for ice-cream.
We parked the car. my husband went to make some enquiries and I went round the back to open the hatch door when suddenly I saw a huge long-haired animal rushing towards us. It reminded me of a scene in Marley and Me so I was not worried. The kids were happy to see that hairy monster and ran towards it to greet it. The animal ignored them and headed straight for our car, jumped in and started savagely attacking Ralph. Ralph was like: 'Hey, I am only here for a bit of culture!' and did not have a clue how to respond. He yelped and tried to hide under the seats. Then everyone realised what was happening and started shouting different orders:
'Get that dog out and lock the door.'
'Open that door and leave that dog in!'
'Call dad!'
'Grab the lead and run up the road.'
'Kill him! Kill him!'
So amid all the confusion, big hairy dog grabbed hold of Ralph, sank his teeth in his flank and would not let go.
While all 4 kids frantically opened and closed doors, the big dog kept a firm grip on Ralph. I (mama in control) grabbed the first object I could lay my hands on: a golf-size red tartan umbrella. I opened it. Whoosh!
The attacker got scared and fled and I was left face-to-face with the owner of the dog.
'Hi! Hello!' I said, under my umbrella. 'It is hot, isn't it? Is this your dog?'
'Sooorree! Sooorree!' He said. 'Eees Gustaaaavo. Eee not like ozer male dogs.'
'Gustavo!' He shouted at the dog and the dog disappeared. He ran after him to lock him in the barn. 'Come! Visit!' He said cheerily.
Then we all noticed we were being eaten by mosquitoes. We also noticed that our dog was bleeding profusely. We also realised that it was so very hot, too hot for a walk in the grove.
My husband excused himself, the owner excused himself too. They could not understand each other anyway so after a string of 'sorry' they parted and we drove back to the town.
Ralph has a scar as a souvenir from this great outing. I still want to walk trough an olive grove under a burning sun. Looks like I am going to have to wait for a little longer. # Stay at home.
A long time ago there was a planet not so far away where people could move around freely and travel to places. Our family used to live on this planet and once took everyone on a trip (more commonly called holidays) with Ralph the family dog.
That particular day was a very hot day, even hotter than usual and the sun was pitilessly scorching everything within reach. That particular day I had the wonderful idea to take everyone (dog included) to visit an olive grove and mill. We could walk among the trees, I thought, enjoy the crackling sounds of our feet on the dry soil, marvel at the trees and then take a tour of the olive oil mill, sample some oil, buy some oil and talk to the oil maker who would be passionate about his work. Then we would head back, dump the kids by the pool, lock Ralph in the garden and head into the village, sit on the terrasse of our - already - usual bar and order Chianti and beer (English husband). I must be honest here and admit that the rest of the family was not as enthusiastic as I was. In fact, Ralph seemed to be the one most in favour of such a cultural outing. The others only wanted to laze around by the pool all day yet Ralph and I managed to convince everyone it was a good idea.
We drove up hilly country on bumpy roads lined up with cypress tress and ... olive trees! How marvellous! Huge clouds of dust meant we could not really see where we were going yet we managed to find the secluded place. Everything was, for once, going as planned and everyone was happy and relaxed: no-one mentioning the pool, no-one asking for ice-cream.
We parked the car. my husband went to make some enquiries and I went round the back to open the hatch door when suddenly I saw a huge long-haired animal rushing towards us. It reminded me of a scene in Marley and Me so I was not worried. The kids were happy to see that hairy monster and ran towards it to greet it. The animal ignored them and headed straight for our car, jumped in and started savagely attacking Ralph. Ralph was like: 'Hey, I am only here for a bit of culture!' and did not have a clue how to respond. He yelped and tried to hide under the seats. Then everyone realised what was happening and started shouting different orders:
'Get that dog out and lock the door.'
'Open that door and leave that dog in!'
'Call dad!'
'Grab the lead and run up the road.'
'Kill him! Kill him!'
So amid all the confusion, big hairy dog grabbed hold of Ralph, sank his teeth in his flank and would not let go.
While all 4 kids frantically opened and closed doors, the big dog kept a firm grip on Ralph. I (mama in control) grabbed the first object I could lay my hands on: a golf-size red tartan umbrella. I opened it. Whoosh!
The attacker got scared and fled and I was left face-to-face with the owner of the dog.
'Hi! Hello!' I said, under my umbrella. 'It is hot, isn't it? Is this your dog?'
'Sooorree! Sooorree!' He said. 'Eees Gustaaaavo. Eee not like ozer male dogs.'
'Gustavo!' He shouted at the dog and the dog disappeared. He ran after him to lock him in the barn. 'Come! Visit!' He said cheerily.
Then we all noticed we were being eaten by mosquitoes. We also noticed that our dog was bleeding profusely. We also realised that it was so very hot, too hot for a walk in the grove.
My husband excused himself, the owner excused himself too. They could not understand each other anyway so after a string of 'sorry' they parted and we drove back to the town.
Ralph has a scar as a souvenir from this great outing. I still want to walk trough an olive grove under a burning sun. Looks like I am going to have to wait for a little longer. # Stay at home.
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