Vladimir Putin has not been alone in his mission to expand his territory these past few months...
I wasn't long residing with Gail before dissatisfaction with my assigned living space (the kitchen and sunroom) set in and my quest for Lebensraum commenced.
I was keenly aware too, that the empire of my predecessors had extended over a far wider portion of the house than I was initially allocated.
The first conquest was the easiest. Having mastered the dog flap, and peed and pooped on the kitchen floor once too often for Gail's liking, free access to the enclosed back garden was surrendered without opposition.
My next manoeuvre was an occasional sortie into the relatively well-defended front room. Even the most watchful border patrol can be outwitted by a fast moving and quick-witted fox terrier. Before long came an acceptance that my annexation of the comfy sofa was legitimate according to international canine law.
Gail's study proved a tougher nut to crack. But the fiercest opposition can be defeated by the heavy artillery of a terrier's determination, and finally my 'Special Operation' bore fruit.
Gail is still expressing doubts as to whether I should be allowed to permanently occupy 'her' study and so I have decided to put the matter to a referendum. Readers, please leave a comment below to give your views (and remember that I shall be counting the votes with no independent supervision and I have the sole authority to declare ballot papers invalid...)
Oh and yes I am aware that the matter of access to the two upper floors in the Aberdeen house is still to be addressed. But for the moment I am happy to consolidate my gains and maybe regroup for a bedroom campaign later in the year...
No place your human can go should be denied you Nobby (my human doesn't share that view but human views on the subject don't count). I found that scratching doors and tearing at the edges of carpets worked to free up access to formerly forbidden places. Paw smacks and good luck on your campaign. Mr T
ReplyDeleteYes well. International canine law seems to apply to one maremma when it comes to occupying the two couches in the back living room.
ReplyDeleteoooh congrats for masterin the flap of freedom, that is a huge milestone ;O) we remember that gates for the stairs... and the mama remembers too.. efurry day, because there is still a screw our dad furgot to remove and it makes holes in da pants LOL
ReplyDeleteNobby, it seems to me that you and Gail will have to come to an "understanding"! You are a very bright little chap and well advanced for you age - especially if you've mastered the dog flap and the fact that certain bodily functions need to be done outdoors and not on the carpet!
ReplyDeletePersonally I think you should have the freedom of the ground floor of the house. We don't have upper floors here, but I'm reliably informed that they are pretty boring - it's just where people sleep and store their clothes, and there are rarely any treats. That brings up a whole new conundrum - will you be allowed to sleep on the bed!
Love,
Inca xx
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby... surely it is not 'permanent residence' if you leave on a regular basis. Gail could, perhaps, think of the ground floor in the same terms as the Schengen Area. You have earned your visa for access to all 'countries' within it without having to all the time produce your credentials. The upper floors, though, you may have to consider making appropriate application and abiding by any local laws... was that of any help to you??? Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Beau and I both give one vote each, that you should have access to every room in the house as long as you remember to use that door flap. Beau said to tell you he has access to everything but the big kingsized bed, cause mama can't sleep if anyone is moving around and also can't go back to sleep if someone wakes her by walking on her. beau has no idea what Upstairs Is, so will not vote on that one. You look so cute and your legs are so much longer and we can tell how much you have grown in your new header pic.
ReplyDeleteUse your dog flap lots, Nobby, and Gail will give you more and more privileges.
ReplyDeleteWe forgot to mention that we love your new header photo!
DeleteBOL BOL BOL: Nobby this words pretty much describe my opinion:
ReplyDelete" legitimate according to international canine law", aka you da Boss Man. Gail probably knows (that it is your house) it but has yet come to terms. Good things come to those who wait. OMDs you have very very long back legs too.
Might I also point out that if there was a resident cat, it would be taunting you from the stairs. Angel Madi accomplished one of her more memorable moments jumping thru the banisters to the top of the Grandfather clock.
Inquiring minds want to know if you have access to all of the cottage?
Hugs Cecilia
Gail says: Inquiring minds should know that Nobby currently has downstairs only access in the cottage too. He is only allowed in the garden under supervision as on our first visit he managed to squeeze himself through the wire mesh of the perimeter fence, much to my alarm. I suspect he's already now too big to pull the same stunt, but I'm going to play safe there for another few months until I'm absolutely certain!
DeleteWe think you should have access to the whole house, Nobby. It isn't right for you to have to be separated from Gail for any reason. We hope you get enough votes to present your case.
ReplyDeleteWe also are on the side of "international canine law", which we are sure states you get free reign of the whole house....of course, Mama says there may be a clause stating the pup must be "1 human year old before this law applies"...We think you should have no problem redacting that before Gail sees it though!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
xoxo,
Sunny
Two votes for full access to the house! (we have found digging holes through walls by closed doors, really opens ups the space). Also, Lee would love to kiss a jellyfish - has kissed toads, snakes, squirrels, groundhogs . . . Lee and Phod
ReplyDeleteWe say if Gail is in the study, you should be too - after all, she needs supervision, right? Now about that international low, apparently our nation or maybe our household is in serious violation since we three do NOT have access to the sofa - something about too many fur deposits:(
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Soon all the land in Europe will be yours.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely think you should have free run everywhere. As for that gate on the stairs....you should be able to scale that soon. No Worries. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely vote for permanent annexation.
ReplyDeleteSlow and steady wins the race, you WILL have access to everything in good time, how could Gail put up much more resistance!
ReplyDeleteRosie and Redford