A week with Winston

Sir Winston came to stay with us for a few days while his parents traveled North. He was definitely the epitome of a gentleman of noble birth - polite, quiet, and content.

You can tell from his stance below how calm and attentive he is. At this point he is surveying the back yard, making sure there are no intruders or unwanted guests. (And yes, that is a pirate bandanna his momma placed around his neck:) Arghhh, he would mumble quietly.
His sweet, gentle demeanor is a tribute to his excellent breeding!
In the past, Winston has had an occasional problem with sudden or high-pitched noises. However, he has mellowed and not once did he bark at the phone or doorbell, or the microwave! We were very proud of him.

Then Monday came...

Monday is garbage day. It is also the beginning of Spring break for the schools. And what's more, my neighbor across the street is getting a new roof!

Winston, who had slept in each morning to nearly nine, was up at 6:30am. He had heard the workmen across the street and sounded a short warning. It was not until the delivery truck arrived that he became alarmed. Beep, beep, beep went the truck, as it backed into my neighbor's driveway. Bark, bark, bark went Winston.

Then the garbage truck came - beep, beep, beep at each stop, as it wound its way down the road. Bark, bark, bark. Of course, we live on a cul-de-sac, so the truck had to return, stopping at several houses on the way back.

I sit on the sofa, Winston in my lap, then suddenly...

A new truck came to the house across the street delivering a dumpster for the old roof tiles to be deposited. Beep, beep, beep went the truck as it backed into the driveway. Pound, pound, pound went the roofers. Bark, bark, bark went Winston.

Vroom, vroom, vroom, came the recycling truck, followed by, you guessed it, bark, bark, bark. First up the street and then back.

And then a third truck, one for yard waste, came and went. Sigh...

Finally, all had quieted and Winston became accustomed to the pounding. He finally settled on my lap once more, but what? Another noise? Yes, it's spring break and where do the neighborhood children decide to play ball? You guessed it, right in front of my house. Whine, whine, whine goes Winston.

The children left. Winston is getting hoarse.

Then the yard man came to spray for weeds. Why today, of all days, I ask myself. He only comes 8 times a year, and out of 365, he picked today? Bark, bark, bark... I go outside and ask the man when can Winston walk on the grass? Three hours he tells me. Not a problem, I figure, as I can walk him in the front area amongst the bushes. He is a boy so it shouldn't be a problem, right? I put his leash on and as soon as I get outside, here comes a neighbor walking his black lab. Thank heaven he was on a leash and the same for Winston. Whine, whine, whine, bark, bark, bark, growl, growl, growl. After seeing the other dog, no bush was good enough for Winston. We wait the three hours.

Thank heaven for wine! No, not whine, but wine, vino, cabernet...

Tuesday. You would think Winston would be worn out from the preceding day. Ahh, no. He knew his parents were arriving today and he began searching. First one window...
Then the next. Back and forth he went. My poor sweet boy. I could not get more pictures because his movement was so fast. Even these are blurred.
Finally, around 7pm, all was quiet. His parents arrived and Winston was happy and content once more, and an hour later, so were we!