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Thursday 9 June 2011

Old dogs and new tricks

The Lady Of The House learned the lovely story behind the picture of the dog that appears on the cover of the latest album by American blues singer Seasick Steve.

It turns out this handsome old fella (the dog, I mean) was cruelly dumped years ago on the M4 motorway at Swansea - but ten years ago he chose a nice lady owner who came to the rescue shelter where he'd been taken.

Now they live happily together in Portsmouth where she took this picture of him - his name is Twm - paddling in the sea.

Apparently, Seasick Steve spotted the picture she'd uploaded to Flickr and thought he'd be the perfect illustration for the cover of his record which was called: "You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks".

How lovely!!

By coincidence, we also got sent an email story about wise old dogs yesterday which I thought I'd also share and dedicate it to the GSDs who visit my blog and say hello from time to time as well as all dogs of more mature years (like me). Here it goes:


One day an old German Shepherd Dog is out enjoying a run in the woods when, eventually, he realises that he's lost.

As he looks for a way home he suddenly sees a hungry young panther running towards him determined to eat someone for lunch.

The GSD thinks to himself: "Oh, oh! I'm in big trouble now!"

But then, noticing some bones on the ground nearby, he lies down to chew on them with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the GSD says loudly: "That was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Phew!" says the panther. "That was close! That old dog nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had seen the whole thing from a nearby tree, decides he can put this knowledge to good use and earn protection from the panther. So, off he goes.  

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans about the trick the GSD has played and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.  

The young panther is furious at being made to look a fool and says: "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that old dog!"  

Now, the GSD sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks: "What am I going to do now?" But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to the panther and the squirrel pretending he hasn't seen them.

When they get close enough to hear, the GSD says out loud:"I wonder where that squirrel's got to? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"  
 
The moral of this story...

Don't mess with the old dogs... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery!

28 comments:

Adien Crafts said...

What a great story and so true! We love the photo of Twm, his eyes say he has a story to tell but at least he has a happy ending with a great forever home. Have a lovely day Winniw and Mum, Dex & Lou x

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Good one, Winnie!

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Sam said...

Mom always likes to know the stories behind the dogs on album covers - thanks for sharing this one!

Cute story too!

Sam

Tucker The Crestie said...

What a great story! Thanks for sharing!

pet supplies said...

Thanks for sharing this story! It is true, the old dog(s) are loyal and intelligent! They have a wisdom that allows them to overcome and win out in a lot of situations that the younger dogs don't always have. "With age comes wisdom" :)

Sharon said...

How lucky for TYM!
The story of the GSD was a great one, had never heard it, great start to my, later then usual, day!

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That is great about TYM!!! We love the story of the GSD...very good!!!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly

rottrover said...

Thanks for telling us the story, Winnie. We liked it a lot!!

-Rottie Kisses

Elizabeth Keene said...

Now there's a good one Aesop didn't think of!

Anonymous said...

How clever of the old dog. Words have much more power than strength, don't you think?

The picture on Seaside Steve's cover is a great one. I can see why they chose it.

Woofles and Waggles

Hector and Gang

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Wonderful Winnie... Just Wonderful!!!

Sue said...

Love the picture used on the album.

Can you imagine the look on the panther and squirrels faces?:)

WFT Nobby said...

Great story Winnie!

3 doxies said...

Oh how I love dat they used dat foto of a rescue on an album cover...wish more would do stuff likes dat.

Yep, them squirrels is always up to no good. Fabulous story!

Puddles

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Great story about Twm - he was a lucky boy to find such a great furever home.

That story was great - Phantom, our senior canine, really got a chuckle out of how clever that GSD was.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Kolchak Puggle said...

What a great photo!

Two French Bulldogs said...

What a great story. Thanks
Benny & Lily

George The Lad said...

I enjoyed that, and it was intresting about the album cover, mom likes seasick steve :)
Have a good week
See Yea George xxx

houndstooth said...

What a cool story about the album cover! I'm glad he went on to live such a happy life!

Lilac says you're not supposed to reveal her tricks for taking over the world! She also says that you're not even close to being old!

Bunny

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Golden Thanks for sharing this story. Happy Friday Weekend. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

petdoginsurance said...

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Amber-Mae said...

Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That is one BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL picture of Twm on that album cover. You can tell he has star power. Most rescue dogs do, you know.

Oh, and I also luved that story about that old GSD. It was very funny and so, so true!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

An English Shepherd said...

Great funny story :-)

Road Dog Tales said...

That's a fabulous story about the album cover! If Dad ever makes a record, we hope he'll put our pic on it!
We especially love the GSD story :)

The Road Dogs

Pup Fan said...

That's so cool about the album cover, and I loved the GSD story too!

E.A. said...

Hello!

You have been given an Inspiration Award!
Stop by my blog to pick it up:

http://whatdogsdo.blogspot.com/2011/06/inspiration-award.html

x E.A.

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