Now you listen up, Bear. Take it from someone older and wiser - I'm six years old, so am both those things...Sometimes you have to just relax and do whatever it is your Dad and Mum ask you to do. Like last night, when I let Mum put my lead on me and keep me next to her all evening in the sitting room. She told me it was "in case Storm (the cat) comes in". Storm did come in, but I was sprawled out asleep, enjoying the warmth from the fire (I know, I know, it's only Stillwater, not Invercargill, but hey, who am I to complain!) and Storm never even saw me either - until he was just about on top of me! Storm got a hell of a fright and I was too relaxed and soppy to be bothered chasing him when he took off! But it was awesome to be able to spend the evening being part of the family, instead of being in Chloe' and my bedroom all evening - comfortable though my bed is. Anyway, this is completely the opposite to what I told you before - or rather, I asked you to tell me how to get one of them furry things - but I've been thinking and worrying about it ever since and have come to the above conclusion. All part of living with a human family, I think.

Dudley #511, Chloe & Alison

Oh no Aunty D, I DO SO WANT to STAY here, but but but I also want all the other things I want, like freedom out the gate WHEN I WANT and a furry wee critter WHEN I WANT inside Mum and Dads cave WHEN I WANT, you getting th picture yet
My dont wants include "On your mat", what the heck is with that, THEY get to wonder around the cave at will, "Wait for it" when its MY FOOD in MY BOWL, sheeesh the things a fella has to do to keep humans happy.
And as for that embarrassing harness thingy, crips what a performance they can do to make me wear it.

No disrespect or nuffink Dudley, but me thinks at your age you may just be forgetting wot bein' a young'un is all about. I mean, fancy being sutch a softy that you would rather lay in front of the fire than catch you a furry wee critter AND be proud of it, sheeeesh.
Although, if you got knowledge, thru age, of how to open the cave door or better still the mobile caves door let me know

Bear, I may "just be forgetting wot bein' a young 'un is all about". Or maybe I never knew what it was all about. I think the latter is true. When I hear of the wonderful life you're living - you and that Mischievous Manny - I don't think I HAD a life, staring at the four close walls of my wire crate all day, looking out over a valley I could never explore...anyway, Bear, just remember to lap up all the love and attention you're getting and long may it last.

Dudley #511 & Chloe-the-even-older-one (oh, and our Mum!)

Aww, Dudley, sorry to hear all that stuff matey, makes me sad to just hear it, I meant no harm to you, OK?
Maybe us young'uns can teach you junior stuff that you missed out on, huh? Because despite all my complaints, it can be real fun

Sorry, didn't mean to sound like a misery-guts! (No offence taken, by the way!). I'm actually really enjoying hearing about everything you and MM get up to - keep it up! As I've said previously, I've got it pretty good here and I get lots of games with my almost-indestructable ball (when Chloe's not looking) and walks along the Okura Walkway etc, so life's much more exciting and fulfilling now. Ciao,

Dudley #511, Chloe & Mum

Naw, yer no misery guts dudley, you jusy got a different start with humans so look at it different. Good you found some neat humans to be with, hard to understand that there is bad ones out there though, huh?
Today Dad went away in MY mobile cave and, the cheek of him, brought back more of his human pack, least I think they are, they got that same family smell if you know wots I means. Anyways, I am getting ahead of meself, mainly cause I think that was not only a cheek but I was taken advantage of, him using MY mobile cave.
Anyways, this week things seem a bit strange, Dad goes away and does what eva it is humans do when they are away and Mum does what eva in the day. BUT, that means I get to play wiff Dad in the morning and the afternoon
Went for a big walk wiff Dad before, any of you guys know how to get humans to at least allow you, if not themselves, to sniff them branchless trees you see on the footpath? Maybe if I could get Dad interested in sniffing he would let me do it more, some real interesting wiffs to be had there
And guess wot, tonight I got SO CLOSE to one of them wee furry things that I could smell it, not old scent but fresh straight off the furry scent. WOW that was so cool, then I lost me cool and tried to catch me one Dang thing got away AGAIN!
Anyways, Dad must be due back any minute now.
Cheers Ears to you guys (cause I got cutsie fluffy ears )
ps, aint heard Manny on for a while, hope he is having a great time and has many adventures to tell us about, you go Manny me mate

Hi Bear,

Manny here. Mum's been away and Dad was on the puter the whole time so couldn't get on to say Hi!

I've behaved myself while mum was away and didn't eat, bury or chew anything at all! Mum doesn't believe Dad and she went hunting in the back yard to find the evidence. She told me i'm not good at hiding things as she found her skirt under the chewed up rose bush.

I got a taste of the furry thing tonight. It turns out if you sit nicely and don't try to eat it, you're allowed to give it a lick. Strange thing was, the furry thing licked me back. THEY TASTE GOOD! Then I tried to take a bite and the furry thing bit me right back on the nose!! It hurt and I cried. Mums said it served me right. Something about a lesson blah blah blah....Can't remember, I was too busy chasing flies down the hallway after that.

Manny

Hi Bear and Manny,

Sasha here sounds like you guys have been having been giving those furry things a real hard time. I don't know what they are cause we don't have any. They only furry thing here is me and I'm kinda cute hehe. Well thats what I keep getting told. I'm of to the vets tomorrow have to have some kind female doggie thing done. Not sure what but mum and dad have been giving me heaps of hugs tonight, but i just want to sleep in front of the fire. Well mums of to bed soon as she has got a early start in the morning taking me in the car to the vets. Going all the way to forrest hill. Mum says I will be a bit sore after it and im not allowed to run around and jump after it. Boy thats not fun. I love chasing them and the ball. Guess I have to go bed now to.
See ya later you to.

Aww, Sasha, if my memory serves me right, you will be fine, them vets things are all good for doggies Look at the bright side, no playing or jumping up, heaps more pats and cuddles Just remember to try and get you atreat, them nice ones they have at doggie grabbing hight on the shelves, just snaffle one on the way past.