FRODO NEWS

Frodo we are glad to say is growing up into an exceedingly conscientious and responsible dog.  He has a considerable concern for solving the weightier problems of this planet single-pawed.

Take for instance environmental pollution.  Frodo's personal crusade against wrongfully deposited litter is an example to us all.  Whilst out walking on a path or green, he will religiously pick up crisp packets, sweet wrappers or carrier bags that have been thoughtlessly discarded in the wrong place by passers by and carry them several yards ahead before depositing them carefully in a far more appropriate section of the path or green.

We can report also Frodo's tireless campaign against human idleness.  The other day we took him down to Brighton beach where something was clearly quite wrong.  Everywhere you looked there were signs about the behaviour of dogs.  Not one was to be seen regulating that of people.  All over the beach there were humans lounging around on blankets or deck chairs when they could have been plunging energetically into the sea chasing stones like the best of us, or running along the shore chasing dogs (who are the best of us).  Drastic measures were clearly required.  As every dog knows, humans thus afflicted are best treated by approaching at a gallop and delivering a thoroughgoing overall sniff and tongue massage, accompanied if possible by a vigorous self-shaking if one has just come out of the water.  This treatment is particularly effective with people one has never set eyes on before, who are always so grateful.  You can tell by the delight on their faces as they wake up.

                                                                                    Martin and Barbara.

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             (Parish magazine of St John the Baptist, Purbrook, July 2000)