Here in the UK we have official bodies to regulate certain key industries, and they are called things like Ofwat (water and sewerage), Ofgem (gas and electricity markets), Ofcom (telecommunications) etc.
Three days into the annual gathering at Inshriach House, one of the guests (Sean the Poet) proposed that there should be a new regulatory body, to govern the behaviour of a certain nine month old fox terrier, and it should be called 'Ofnob'. Or perhaps that is 'Off-Nob!' Or Off Knob. Whichever it is, I believe Sean was trying to make a joke at my expense.
Really, I thought I was behaving rather well throughout the long weekend, despite having to contend with ten humans in addition to Gail, and also Bonnie, a Staffie x Labrador bitch of a certain age who seemed supremely unimpressed by my youthful exuberance and charm.
It is true that the words "Off, Nobby! Off!" were being uttered fairly frequently, for example whenever I tried to jump up onto the kitchen table, or climb all over Gail's friends to distract them from the apparently upsetting contents of the newspapers they were reading. (I thought I was doing them a favour.)
And I'm afraid my high decibel attempts to warn the assembled humans of an impending badger and red squirrel invasion on Saturday night were met with initial indifference and then some rather unkind comments, including asking Gail whether I came with an 'off' switch.
By day, when out and about exploring the beautiful Speyside landscapes, I'm pleased to report that the humans stopped trying to boss me about quite so much, and the words "Good Boy" were even occasionally spoken.
And in time I made friends with Bonnie. Or at least she tolerated my company so long as I remembered not to jump on her...
We said fond farewells to Inshriach House and all my lovely new chums on Monday morning. I'm already looking forward to next year's gathering!
