WOW WHAT AN ISLAND
by Mizzen Welch

 I had to admit I was expecting way too much of this place after listening to my people go on about it.  They told me about the nature trails, and all the birds, the clean air and wonderful marina; but they didn’t tell me about all the fantastic SMELLS.  You have no idea how great a flock of ibis smells, unless you have been cooped up in a city for all of you six months of age.  And the royal terns and gulls have gone out of their way to make the dock heavenly to any dog’s nose.  Besides all of the critter smells, there are some terrific smelling holes around this island too.  I’ve even seen one of the dudes who live down in there; I’ve never smelled anything like it. You people call them gopher tortoises.  Sure they smell great, but they do not want to play no matter how much I beg.  But they do dig neat holes.  How come they get to dig holes? I’m not allowed.

My people said I could not run and scare all of the sandpipers, or ducks, or herons, which really does cramp my style. But my pal, Dockmaster Scott, said I could chase all of the seagulls I want.  I like Scott.  When I go to the beach my people only let me sit at attention and “count” all of the ibis and sandpipers; it’s a good thing I’m a setter.  But Scott could save a lot of firecrackers and lots of time hosing down the docks, if I came to visit more often.  I’m going to speak to my people about coming more often so that I can give Dockmaster Scott a hand on the docks.

It was great getting to meet Snickers and Happy on this trip.  Snickers even let me play with her favorite tennis ball.  I’m really looking forward to meeting more new dog friends on my next visit here.  I heard there are lots of really nice dogs that I did not even get to see this trip.   I did see lots of cats in the four days we visited, and I guess they are okay.  I have one at home on my boat, and he doesn’t want to play with me any more than these island cats did.  They smell pretty good, but they aren’t much fun.  And they get to play all over without a leash on.  Not fair at all.

I discovered Ospreys on this trip.  They have such a loud screech it is almost impossible to get an afternoon nap on the foredeck with all of their racket.  It is neat how they are always picking up fish and carrying them away; although they don’t come down and play.  I bet they could play a mean game of chase or keep-away if they wanted to.  My people warned me never to play with them; they sounded real serious.  But they wake me up nice and early with their calls, so I can get my people up and out for an early morning walk to catch all of the great smells.

My people had a loud party on my boat one night after we got here.  Again totally unfair; I had to stay in my crate and was not allowed to have any of Carol’s crab dip, that smelled sooo good.  Maybe when I am a grownup dog I can have cocktails and crab dip too. 

Well, I’ll be back soon. My people really like this place and I heard them already talking about the next trip in my boat to Useppa. Until then you can keep up to date on all of my adventures on my webpage: http://mizzen.org