The picture of innocence
Gus is 21 months old now and a very responsive boy. He likes to please but sometimes forgets himself. That is what happened yesterday.
He had followed Barry upstairs and was waiting for him as he changed his shoes. He became a little bored and so amused himself with one of Barry’s Hideous Sandals. The first I heard of it was, ‘Oh, no, what have you done? Gus, did you do this? Oh, Gus . . .’
Shortly after that Gus came downstairs to sit by me and when Barry appeared, Gus’ ears did a Mexican Wave – up, down, up, down – and grins were much in evidence. He had adapted the Hideous Sandal so that part of the strap had been loosened to provide an interesting focus for Winston as Barry walked.
Now, it’s not entirely Gus’ fault. Each night he gives Barry a pedicure and the sandals carry some of him on them so it was but a short step from nibbling feet to chewing leather, at least in the mind of a young Labrador.
There followed a hunt for the Araldite – ‘I know I bought some, I keep buying the stuff and I can never find it.’ Several minutes later the glue had been located and was put to use to repair the Hideous Sandal and my large soft-grip pegs were employed to hold the strap in place while the glue set.
So the Hideous Sandals have been saved to walk another day, though probably just around the house and garden.
Be thankful for small mercies - they will not go out in public again!
