I realized today just how long it has been since I put out a post concerning Torean, and the day to day antics owning a Norwegian Elkhound bring. Even though this post has taken me a few days to write, I certainly have no shortage of material. Torean turned four back in July, and while his celebration was delayed, he finally got to enjoy a day of play outside complete with sardines, a Pupscotti treat, and a new toy which he promptly destroyed with great relish might I add. Because after all, what fun is a toy until you have ripped all of the stuffing out so you can slap yourself in the face with what is left of the toy? Apparently not much fun according to Torean. Most of his toys are in the same condition, just flat pieces of material he can slap himself with, or me, if I am not paying enough attention to him. It is hard to believe that it has been four years with this farking, toy annihilating bun butt who today has enjoyed the sound of himself sneezing and hitting his nose on the floor. I don't ask anymore, it is simply whatever makes him happy. Although I should add that the other day, what made him happy was parking his butt on a piece of cardboard and cutting a fart that was clearly heard in the living room, dining room and kitchen. Once said fart had been released, he simply had to spin around and stare at his butt, not quite believing that his butt had made such a mighty honk. Like always, most of Torean's funniest stories involve farting, because that is what he is best at. .
Torean is a very happy boy now that the weather is starting to become cooler, which makes his morning walks much more enjoyable for him and me. Lately our only companion outside has been the honking of geese and the blankets of fog that fill the air in the mornings. Torean isn't quite sure what to think about the geese creatures, and usually has to let a few audible farks, that is fart barking for those that wonder, to make himself feel better and braver about seeing the noisy creatures. He doesn't think the honking of the geese is comparable to his own honking, a logic that I have yet to see sense in. But given how quiet it is in the morning, his farks sound more like a bullhorn which could scare off any creature in the radius of his backside. So maybe in the 'end' he is the more intimidating creature. We have had a couple foxes visiting the backyard this summer and while Torean has tried his best to sniff them out, he has yet to find them, or the whitetail deer who call the tall grass their safe haven at night. He is however, more determined to find the strange musical creatures that lurk on the banks of the river and sing their shrill song at night. Torean has a massive obsession for anything that hops, especially toads or frogs, and I have lost count of how many I have saved from him. I almost think Torean would willingly go into the river if it meant he had a chance to get one of those annoying hopping creatures, but I do my best to distract him from doing so. Thankfully Torean chooses not to get revenge on me for those acts of refusal, however, the day I denied him a chance to chase a chipmunk, he made sure he farted up every step into the house, waiting until his butt was level with my face before he popped them, giving me dirty looks over his shoulder every chance he got. It is hard to be offended in these situations because I am usually laughing my head off at him.
Torean's fur brother Simon is unfazed by it all, like always, looking at the world in his usual goofy self. Now that the days are getting darker earlier his vision has been noticeably worse, but it doesn't seem to bug him. We keep his environment as familiar as possible and make sure he gets his walks when the sun is brightest making him one very happy dog. Torean may have strength,but Simon has some of the craziest speed I have ever seen in a dog. He would gladly spend his days running full speed if we let him, and he has given more than a few rabbits out back heart attacks when it comes time to run. Simon never pays much attention to the rabbits, he is more focused on trying to go where they go in search of an adventure, or a new place to run like a speed demon. Simon turned three this year, and between the two dogs, there is never much peace in the house, never a toy that isn't being shredded, and never a bone that isn't being scraped across the floor while they chew it. On the good days it is madness at its finest, and I would never change any of it for the world. Whether it be dogs, cats, a demonic parakeet, or two bearded dragons, they all have our complete love and in some way, make our lives just a little bit better.
