Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: How I Matured

The average lifespan of a male West Highland Terrier is 13.9. I made it to 15.

So how did I become a senior West Highland Terrier?

One of most important factors was discipline and training. I am uncertain if puppy school had a definitive role but as a pup I learnt who was boss. It was The Stephen Family. Constant repetition about doing this and not doing that. Eventually it sunk in, at least for certain characteristics I can pawn off based on instinct! There was no violence or striking me. But if I really messed up there were harsh words right upon the felonious act being committed as we dogs often have short memories so any reproaches after the act are often fruitless. But if there was anger there were reinforcing assurances and pets afterwards “that it wouldn’t happen again”.

I also learnt from other dogs particularly when I was a youngster. Go too far with another dog you just might receive a responsive growl. Approach other dogs by their side instead of face to face to reduce any perception of aggression. Don’t assume if you are frisky the other dog is in the same mood. As I hit my senior phase I thought those probing puppies were a pain and if they got to close a growl would teach them to respect their boundaries and their elders.

By the time I reached 12 it was senior years. Less energy and stamina and a desire to sleep more. There is nothing wrong with being a senior Westie. It is part of the cycle of life and I enjoyed each cycle and learnt along the way. I became more of a cuddler too.

RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow Tragically Vidal: Can They Elevate the Vacuous Vidal?

Stag’s Hollow in British Columbia has shown it can do wonders with Vidal. Much is grown in Ontario primarily for ice-wine. As a table wine it is about equally uninspiring as Muscat. Cloying without personality. Wine snobs might point to Vidal as a lowly French Hybrid grown in marginal wine climes. I am no such snob. If a Pennsylvanian Chambourcin can wow me as a French Hybrid why not Vidal if managed properly?

The grapes are picked just after the first frost as the tough grape skins soften enough to maximize flavour.

1,200 cases produced.

I liked the 2021 vintage so what about the 2022?

Aroma: No shortage of mango, apricot, peach with a cut of fresh ginger. It is almost as if it was a cousin of Viognier.

Palate: This Vidal is miles above Ontario Vidal table wine. No way it is cloying. Peach, Creamsicle, all with an acidity beautifully melding with the fruit. Moderately long finish.

Personality: I refuse to be labelled a common Vidal. The winemaker certainly gave me some pizzaz unlike so many of my boring cousins.

Food Match: Thai curry. The winery suggests as a classic match pork, chicken, duck, fruit salads and foie gras. An adventuresome match would be Cajun/Creole dishes, Thai/Chinese/Mexican/Vietnamese/Indian food.

Cellarbility:   Will cruise into 2025 but my preference enjoy with a Christmas turkey in 2023/4.

Price: $20 CDN.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.

(Stag’s Hollow 2022 Tragically Vidal, BC VQA, Okanagan Falls, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia. 750 mL, 12.5%).

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: Sweet Emotion and Understanding a West Highland Terrier

Do you know the song “Sweet Emotion” by the American boy band Aerosmith? Many humans think a dog is just a dog. In my mind that is hateful ignorance.

Master Robert had two dogs before me Suzy and Ginny. Both were French poodles. Suzy was the daughter of champions Pierre of the Studio and Josephine. She was with Master Robert for 23 years. And there was Ginny a white poodle who he helped raise as a puppy but her owner died tragically bashing his head on the sharp edge of a television set after too many gin and tonics. Much to the chagrin of Master Robert Ginny was sent to elderly parents of the deceased in a small Saguenay town in Quebec but the parents could no longer care for Ginny and she returned to Master Robert six years later. She lived until 17 and even Mistress Fotini met her and they went for a few walks on Mont Royal in Montreal. Suzy and Ginny tell me they received the best care, love and attention from Master Robert. But they too were euthanized so we all have that in common. We are best friends in The Land Beyond.

So I suppose I can say it was with huge emotions that Master Robert became master of me Dylan the Westie some 35 years after the passing of Ginny. But it was only when Master Robert met Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog that he started thinking seriously about the emotions of dogs. Reggie was a pet of a middle-class family in Cairo who threw him out on the street when their daughter tired of him. Attacked by a big dog and hospitalized he was brought to Toronto by Snookie’s Rescue Society and all of us in The Stephen Family met him in a park in Toronto. We heard his story and The Stephen Family started visualizing the terror and fear of Reggie. Yes he was terrified and it took a lot of love to have him trust humans again. Some rescue dogs never can regain an emotional equilibrium after suffering abuse. I despise all forms of animal abuse.

Yes we dogs have emotions. I mean I cried when I was in pain. I barked when I was afraid or wanted to make a point. Master Andrew told a story after my death about me being in Kensington Market in Toronto. The Stephen Family were having Jamaican patties at Patty Palace out on the street and I barked saying that I should not be forgotten as I wanted a piece of patty. I also felt shame after biting that poor old guy’s pant legs on the street. I wagged my tail indicating happiness. I nuzzled Master Robert’s pant legs showing my gratitude and happiness at being at Don Valley Golf Course for a walk. I barked to be picked up on occasion so I could nestle in the comfort and security of a lap. I showed anger by growling. In the spring and fall I ran around a planter in circles showing my sheer joy of being alive. When Master Robert sneezed I came running to check out if he was OK. Yes my point is that all dogs are more than “just dogs”. We show our emotions so pick up on them and recognize just how intelligent we are. Of course, we can’t speak so clue into the clues how we are feeling. That is called part of the canine human relationship. If you dare abuse any dog I swear I will pay you a visit in spirit to admonish you low life coward.

RKS 2023 Wine: Is Ontario Chardonnay Any Good?

Chardonnay from Ontario can compete globally with any country’s Chardonnay. The same goes for British Columbia Chardonnay by the way.

Let’s try an Ontario Chardonnay from 13th Street Winery called June’s Chardonnay. It is unoaked. 350 cases were made.

Aroma: Many a Chardonnay has aromatics of apple and pear but this Chardonnay is positively tropical with peach, mango, guava, lychee and wet stone.

Palate: Laser beams of mango and peach rocketing all over the place. With a robust and full finish tinged by some Australian canned pineapple and some gentle minerality. The acidity is well in check. A tiny little millisecond pop up of sweetness on the finish.

Personality: Modesty aside I am an awesome unoaked Chardonnay. Perfect for sipping.

Cellarbility: Will drink nicely into mid 2026.

Food Match: Apple and Fennel Salad.

Price: $21.95.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 92/100.

(13th Street Winery 2021 June’s Chardonnay, VQA Ontario, The Thirteenth Street Wine Corp., St. Catharines, Ontario, 750 mL, 12%)

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: Surviving the Black Walnut Tree!

One of the homes backing the house where I lived in before my final sleep was an old farmhouse. They must have planted a few black walnut trees in their back yard over a hundred years ago. Black walnut trees are well known for providing shade. But they also have walnuts growing in their branches and come late August and September they can crash down in great numbers from quite a height especially in a windstorm! I suppose if any had hit my little noggin they would have hurt. Several times Master Robert thought perhaps I should be wearing a helmet. But buying a helmet for a West Highland Terrier can be problematic. Walnut protection is not exactly a prime concern for Westie owners. So I was under strict instructions to remain in a certain section of the backyard that was a “walnut free zone”. Now when no one was looking I snuck out the zone for a sniff or a pee and after 14 years Dylan the Westie had nary a single walnut graze his noggin! On my last day on earth lying in my backyard a few walnuts hit the ground near me. I knew those were the last walnuts I would hear thudding around me.

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: Could Have I Handled Another Dog?

More than other dogs one sees double Westies with a master. I am not sure why? We West Highland Terriers are independent dogs and manage quite well on our own in a human family. I will admit I was a singleton meaning I was the only pup in the litter. Perhaps this made me comfortable living solo? Master Robert and Mistress Fotini gave some thought in my senior years to adding another dog to the family. A few years before my demise Mistress Fotini found a small dog on a walk that was lost. She brought it home fearing if it strayed to a nearby main road it would be squashed. The dog was a bit bossy and tried to monopolize the attention of Master Robert and Mistress Fotini. Yes I know Master Robert who knows dogs (with some 45 years of dog experience) so well was simply trying to calm down the poor fellow but I was JEALOUS! In any case calls were made to Toronto Animal Control and the owner came to collect the dog. A bossy dog is not welcome in my sphere. Good riddance.

And two years before my demise while walking in my favourite off leash park in Toronto, Sherwood Park we met Reggie a cute Havanese mix with his foster parents. Man we hit it off big time. Master Robert and Mistress Fotini learnt it was an Egyptian rescue dog from Snookie’s Society a small dog rescue organization based in Toronto. We put our name in but alas it was too late. Then there was another dog we all liked but when I went to visit his foster parents where I said a quick hello and went on a discovery mission in their backyard peeing up a storm. I love discovering and leaving pee mail messages. Needless to say the report was very erroneous in saying I had no interest in the dog. INCORRECT! I liked that dog but sometimes we West Highland Terriers just have other priorities like peeing!

So I am in The Land Beyond now and poor Master Robert and Mistress Fotini are a bit like a ship without a rudder. But the rudder is a dog. I may be in Davey Jones’s Locker but Master Robert and Fotini are on the ship and the seas ahead are a bit rough.

RKS 2023 Wine: South Africa Can Do It All!

Red, white, sweet and sparkling wine which South Africa can do and some very well. We try a Graham Beck Brut made in the traditional method i.e. the way that Champagne is made. It is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.

Aroma: Peach, apricot, wet stone and Challah Bread.

Palate: Classic Champagne “bite”. Peach, peach jam, pineapple and mango. Mid-weight with a short crisp finish with some juiciness.

Personality: So what if I do not have the French hyped pedigree of Champagne. I can hang with the big boys. If the big tech billionaires, cardiologists and captains of industry are too busy holding their noses pooh pooing South Africa it is their loss.

Cellarbility: Will hold until the end of 2025.

Food Match: Fish and chips.

Price: $24.95 CDN.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. David Lawrason 90.

(Graham Beck Brut, W.O. Western Cape, Graham Beck, Robertson, South Africa, 750 mL, 12%).

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Chardonnay From Itata Valley

Chilean Chardonnay encountered this year has been less than impressive. Before writing it off it deserves a couple more chances.

We try a Pandolfi Price Larkün 2018 Chardonnay from Chile’s Valle Del Itata. The Itata Valley is Chile’s oldest viticultural region which has been producing wine for more than 450 years. Its abundant rainfall and rich red soils favor traditional varietals such as Pais and Moscatel de Alejandría but finer more export friendly varietals such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon also flourish in the region.

Aroma: Has that classic pear and apple component one would expect from a Chardonnay so it passes the basic test of a stainless-steel Chardonnay. A bit of a lemon lime as well.

Palate: Run of the mill Chardonnay with acids under control. Pear, guava with some very faint white grapefruit on a medium length finish. Clean and simple lacking any faults.

Personality: Simple and straightforward. Sometimes simple is good.

Food Match: Yes Parmesan cheese!

Price: $19.95 (CDN).

RKS 2023 Wine: 89/100. Jamessuckling.com 93.

(Pandolfi Price Larkün 2018 Chardonnay 2018 D.O. Valle Del Itata, Agricola Santa Inés, Nuble, Chile, 750 mL, 14%).

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: A Couple of Endearing Nicknames

I have previously told you that The Stephen Family had many nicknames for me. I suppose all said and done I most like “Dilby”, “Dilly” and “Pumpkin”.

Alex P down the street was often outside her house on the veranda watching the world go by. Sometimes she was smoking a cigarette and had a Diet Coke in her hand. She called me “The King” as I was so well treated by The Stephen Family. Master Robert was knighted in Portugal a few years back so it was like we had royalty in the family. Regrettably Alex P died a year or so before my death. Yes I missed her and her conversations with Master Robert. As they chatted I would rest on the front lawn.

There was also “The White Shadow”. On a Master Robert and Mistress Fotini trip to Greece the year before I died I stayed for 3 weeks with V my long-time walker. I followed V around the house doggedly so being a white dog was rewarded with the nickname “The White Shadow”.

Could it be that as the cutest dogs in the world West Highland Terriers inspire so many nicknames?