Notes on... Boyd

So after much debate K and J decided they would get a dog. After the endless discussions about the responsibilities having a puppy, never in our wildest dreams (nightmares) did we consider that we could get the devil dog himself, aka Boyd.

Initially Boyd's naughtiness was put down to him being a baby and "all puppies are like this!" until it became blindingly clear that he was not a baby any more and that excuse just wouldn't wash. He was just an incredibly naughty hound. The day he was purchased, K and J were debating between Boyd and Boyd's brother and decided upon Boyd due to fact his brother had scary eyes.It could be said now that perhaps he was trying to warn us.

It became apparent that Boyd was particularly mischievous when he attended dog training. K and J were at the class surrounded by other incredibly well behaved dogs. Boyd insisted on trying to entice the other dogs in to games, barking matches and trying to form a breakaway group of naughty dogs of which he was, of course, the ringleader. The teacher became increasingly exasperated with Boyd, saying "Oh try this one again with Boyd" "Oh Boyd doesn't seem to be responding to this" "Oh maybe sit this one out with Boyd" leaving K and J confused as to what actually they were paying for, apart from the free drink at the end, as they watched Boyd get exiled from the group. It was only when the class had finished that did the teacher see Boyd in all his glory, caked in mud running at full speed towards a dad and son football game in which Boyd proceeded to jump up at them dirtying their clothes and nearly nearly knocking the child to the ground, then for a finishing touch he popped their football for good measure. As he came galloping back with his inane grin the teacher looks mortified and we knew Boyd was a lost cause...

Other Boyd anecdotes include the day K returned home from work to find Boyd the most full he had ever been as he had jumped up on to the kitchen side, got his box of treats (very full as never did anything good to deserve a reward), took the lid off and proceeded to eat them. When K arrived Boyd was lay flat out on the floor looking very bloated with the treat box, empty, next to him and a few crumbs round his mouth. Needless to say he wasn't very well that night.

Another incident which is still extremely vivid in the brain is the day when Boyd ate pro-plus. K was observing Boyd out of the corner of her eye whilst being busy doing something else. Boyd was suddenly very suspiciously quiet. K looked over at Boyd to see him with his head in her bag, munching on something which appeared to be very tasty. K thought perhaps she had left a banana in her bag, or maybe a sandwich. K suddenly became alarmed when Boyd's head appeared alongside a packet of now empty pro-plus. K screamed as in fact her worst nightmare was being a reality, as an already hyper dog took it up ten notches to become fully wild. Boyd surpassed all expectations and despite threats to take him back to the Home, he ran riot, chewed through the lamp and gave himself an electric shock.

Despite his naughtiness, and no matter how many times he hides snails in his mouth, or brings rotting apples in to the house and hides them under the couch, K and J do like Boyd. Even though they still long for the day he will behave (never).

Boyd's song (sung to tune of Wizadora) By J. "Little Boydie, you annoying, you're the one that will ruin every day, doing things in your very special way..."