First post by Monty

I am Monty and I am nearly eight years old in human years. I am a deerhound/greyhound cross. I have longish blonde hair and I am slim and very elegant. I have a very good life with Pam and Ewen. They allow a dog to be dog but with a lot of benefits. These include long walks, holidays (no kennels) good food, treats, toys, games and parties. I am very fond of parties. There is usually a lot of food and the guests are pleased to see me mingling with them. These two points together mean an evening of interesting tit-bits and treats. Once the treats are exhausted

I slip off to lay louchly on the couch.

Up until recently there was Morgan. He left one day after feeling very unwell. We hadn’t been the best of friends but we rubbed along well together and I really missed the little chap. I kept expecting him to come back and even buried a bone in case he did but he didn’t. Pam kept walking about whimpering like a puppy. I had to cuddle her a lot to make her feel better. I was just getting used to being top dog and only dog when Ewen came in with Uncle Mike and this thing. It was a puppy for God’s sake. My life was in ruins. The order of the house became chaos as this puppy took control of the kitchen. He pee-ed and widdled EVERYWHERE. I tried to be supportive but for goodness sake he couldn’t control his bladder. Fortunately he didn’t let dogDom down by doing the other in the house but I was just so not impressed.

Pam said I should remember how supportive Mick and Morgan were of me when I arrived and be that way with Magnus. This is his name. It’s Latin or something. Pam’s sister Linda suggested it as a name. They like names beginning with M. All the family dogs have names

beginning with M. Max, Mick, Morgan, Monty and now Magnus. We did have Kip too but she came to us late in her life. Divorce dog. Needed a lot of support from us chaps, particularly Mick.

That's me on the right with the old gang. I'm on the left, then Morgan, then Kip, then Mick. The two SAGAs together as usual. My full name is Montgomery Gordon of Alamein. Apparently I came home in Alamein week and Pam’s Dad had been there in something called a tank. His name was Gordon. It doesn’t begin with an M, so they added the name of someone else whose name did start with an M, for some reason. It’s all very confusing.

Back to Magnus. I realise that he is going to be so much bigger than me. I think I’d better establish myself as boss…after Ewen, of course. I offer help and advice but he ignores me. I try to show him how to behave. Like the day we went to the beach. I tried to show him that the sea needs to be controlled. You need to show it who is in control by running all over it and throwing it up in the air. He ran away. What can a dog do with a dog like that? Granted, he gave it a good woofing, but he didn’t stand his ground. He woofs at everyone who comes to the house. Apart from Lexi and Janine, he hasn’t got the sense to remember who are friends and need greeted with a nose in the crotch or a good licking and leaning into. He woofs at everyone else and then runs away. I give up. He does seem to have some sense when it comes to treats but in general I despair.

I have to go and lie down now. I have just had a telling off for taking Magnus’s chew bar. He had left it lying around and as far as I’m concerned, finders keepers. He tried to take it back but I told him in no uncertain terms to, “Bugger Off!” I don’t know if it was how I told him or the words I used but I got a lecture. I am feeling distinctly put out and must go and calm down on the couch. I swear my muzzle has got whiter since that boy arrived.

Links to friends of Monty and Magnus.

www.ewenforsyth.co.uk

www.merlinvet.co.uk