Dylan Stephen West Highland Terrier Memories From the Land Beyond: A Vicious Snarling Brute: Master Robert Saves the Day!

I love walking all over town and even downtown but as a West Highland Terrier I have my favourite circuit where I walk Master Robert. West Highland Terriers walk their masters in case you haven’t heard! I have serious business responding to replies to my messages…you know pee mail and all that.

One day smelling the warm breezes of spring I headed off with Master Robert straight down the street instead of making our usual circuit around the block. Ten minutes from home we heard the most vicious growl. A killer growl. Master Robert said a naughty word to me saying I should get my ass moving and he was very tense. We Westies sense human being emotions so well. There was a German Sheppard behind a fence with a goofy oodle dog of some sort. Master Robert almost headed into a run but 30 seconds later the Shepp was charging us with murder in his eyes. I turned around and that Shepp had its mouth open and was ready to sink her teeth into my bum. Master Robert pulled me aside away from this Shepp and kept kicking it over and over until it squealed and ran down the street. I could have taken on that mutt with my eyes closed. I would lay down my life to protect my master. This is the heart and soul of a Westie. Master Robert is as brave as a Westie! Actually both of us were shaking but our friendship was deeply cemented. What would have happened if Mistress Fotini was walking me? Of course, Master Robert is half Scottish which explains his bravery! Dylan and Master Robert….the Bravehearts of Toronto!

Oh yes this Shepp was called Layla and as we later found out had attacked and injured six dogs. The result was that Master Robert contacted Animal Control and Layla was ordered to wear a muzzle. Despite that she attacked Walton my buddy and took a chunk out of his leg while wearing a muzzle. I heard Master Robert say to Mistress Fotini if he lived in Florida and had a Glock Layla would be “dispatched”.

RKS 2023 Wine: All That Glitters is Not Gold: Mt. Monster 2019 Limestone Coast Shiraz

Australian wine bottles are often plastered with medal stickers. This Mt. Monster 2019 Shiraz from the Limestone Coast has three gold medal stickers. Irrelevant I say as pay your entry fee and walk away with some sort of medal. And often you must pay the wine competition organizer to affix/buy the stickers. A similar analogy can be made to many films that proudly trumpet they are part of an “official selection” for a film festival.

Does this Mt. Monster Shiraz glitter with its three gold medals? Anyone hear of Fool’s Gold?

Aroma: Plum, blackberry, blueberry and some black cherry. Perhaps I should simply refer to this as a wine “full of black fruit”.

Palate: No Frankenstein tannins looming in the shadows. A bit of a burn on the palate and unlike some Shiraz that has tinges of pepper at 14.5% this Johnny Storm has 14.5% alcohol. There is some creaminess in all the heat. Lots of blueberry pie. Short hot finish. Lack of complex fruit.

Personality: Perhaps the Incredible Hulk with lots of muscle but not a lot of brain. Certainly more of a Lex Luthor than a Clark Kent.

Food Match: Like swirling intestines in “Night of the Living Dead” substitute a spicy lamb sausage for intestines. I said sausages not Frank-n-Furter like in the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”.

Cellarbility: Count Dracula sleeps well for years in a coffin but this wine will not.

Price: $21.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating:  85/100. The gold is not glittering.

(Mt. Monster, Limestone Coast 2019 Shiraz, Morambro Creek, Padthaway, Australia, 750 mL, 14.5%)

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Black Lab Attack

As I am now in the land beyond you know my last days were not pleasant. So let me recount some memories of my life on earth to divert focus away from those unpleasant last moments.

The Black Lab Attack

If you are familiar with West Highland Terriers much has been written about their character. Stubborn, loyal, independent and loving but little is mentioned about bravery. West Highland Terriers will fight to the death to protect their human family. It is in our nature.

I have been the subject of four dog attacks. I can give you one example.

I was with Mistress Fotini and Master Andrew walking in one of my favourite Toronto parks called Sherwood Park and it is more of a forest than a park. Heavily shaded by many trees with my absolute favourite off leash trail. Yes a trail not a penned in play area.

Well we were enjoying our walk in the leashed area. I had my leash on. Suddenly an off leash black Labrador with its teeth barred and snarling came charging at us. Master Andrew dropped my leash in shock and I roared into action. A twenty-pound Westie against an eighty-pound dog! Like some medieval jesting contest, we charged each other head on. As I leapt in the air with my jaws aiming for that nasty Labrador’s neck which I intended to rip apart he squealed in terror swerved and took a chunk out of a Sheltie.

That Labrador was owned by thoughtless humans who simply mumbled that they had never seen this before. Yeah sure. They also had their brute off leash in a mandatory leashed area. They failed to apologize.

Master Andrew and Mistress Fotini gave me a hug and said how brave a Westie is. For me just another day as a West Highland Terrier.

Next: Master Robert and I fight off the attack of a mad German Sheppard.

RKS Literature: Mrs. Dombey’s Mourning Period (Charles Dickens)

“That small world, like the great one out of doors, had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said it was the common lot, and the butler had said who’d have thought it, and the housemaid had said she couldn’t hardly believe it, and the footman had said it seemed exactly like a dream, they had quite worn the subject out, and began to think their mourning was wearing rusty too.”

Charles Dickens, “Dombey and Son”

RKS 2023 Wine: Malivoire 2019 Estate Grown Chardonnay: A Friend of Nancy Reagan!

Yes, we Canadians can make wine but chances it is about as rare in your country as a wine from the United Kingdom in Canada and there is some great English wine e.g. Nyetimber. One of Canada’s most well-known wine regions is Niagara about a 90-minute drive west of Toronto. Yes fine food, great wines, great winery restaurants and lots of spectacular scenery. Malivoire is located on the outskirts of the less than bustling town of Beamsville. Perhaps Malivoire is best known for its Chardonnays and Gamays.

Why not introduce you to a Canadian Chardonnay from Malivoire namely a Malivoire 2019 Estate Grown Chardonnay?

Primarily grown in calcareous soil the grapes are characterized by acidity and low sugars. In this case 0.9 grams of residual sugar per litre. The grapes are from three different vineyards. A mixture of destemmed and whole cluster grapes. Fermentation in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel.

Aroma: Pear, apple, guava and a hint of banana offer hints of a tight and lean Chardonnay.

Palate: Indeed tight and instead of acidity there is a bright beacon of vibrancy. Certainly, no gush of fruit. Some baked apple, faint lemon meringue pie all enveloped in smoothness a bit surprising considering the low residual sugar.

Personality: Quite like a serious news broadcaster almost Pierre Bertonish!

Food match: Stone me to death when I say memories of Chablis so I say Malpeque oysters or any oyster with high saline and iodine qualities. Why not Nancy Reagan chicken https://www.familycookbookproject.com/recipe/250970/nancy-reagans-baja-california-chicken.html

While Nancy said. “Just say no to drugs” I say, “Just say no to over oaked Chardonnay!”

Cellarbility: I can’t see much improvement with age but consume by the end of 2025.

Price: $21.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.

(Malivoire 2019 Estate Grown Chardonnay, VQA Beamsville Bench, The Malivoire Wine Company, Beamsville, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 573147).

RKS Literature: Mr. Dombey’s Wife as a Chattel (Charles Dickens)

“He was not a man of whom it could properly be said that he was ever startled or shocked; but he certainly had a sense within him, that if his wife should sicken and decay, he would be very sorry and that he would find something gone from among his plate and furniture, and other household possessions which was well worth the having, and could not be lost without sincere regret. Though it would be, businesslike, gentlemanly, self-possessed regret, no doubt.”

Charles Dickens, “Dombey and Son”

Dylan Stephen: A Deceased Dog Says His Final Good-Bye and Imparts Words of Advice

Firstly let’s get the boring stuff out of the way.

My name was Dylan Stephen. I also had a least twenty nicknames. I particularly liked “Pumpkin” and “Dilby”.

I was and always will be a West Highland Terrier a proud and mighty Scot. Brave, loyal, stubborn and highly loveable. Treat me with love and respect I’ll fight to the end to protect you. I may have been twenty pounds but my disposition and mindset was 275 pounds and muscular.

I was born on August 5, 2008 in Mt. Forest Ontario.

My father was Duncan Laird Kidogo and my mother was Rye Sauder.

The Stephen Family Robert, Fotini, Alexandra and Andrew picked me up on September 4, 2008 and took me to their home in Toronto.

I died by euthanasia in Toronto, Ontario on July 13, 2023 almost reaching my 15th birthday.

The description of my death

I had not been particularly well for three months prior to my death. There were two near death incidents where my breathing was shallow and short and my eyes glazed. But both times I bounced back but things were just not the same. I could not walk as far as I usually did and I was slower. When I was younger I walked from one end of the Toronto Island to the other! I chased the ball at Havergal College up the street until I was exhausted and Master Robert made me rest and gave me water and I wanted to run and run but we walked home and I slept like a log. My past was glorious.

The last week of my life saw a rapid decline. I really do not remember much. It got to the point I was no longer interested in that morning chunk of Montreal bagel or even poached chicken. I lived for meat and treats. I loved cheese too. But I Iost control of my water and you know what. In all my years before I was sick aside from puppy accidents accidental pees and poos were rare. I apologize profusely to The Stephen Family that had to clean up for me. I was in a sickly daze so humiliation escaped me.

The last day of my life I remember very little. No water. No food. I just lay down in the grass. I remember being taken in the car to a place I had been before. The smell was a bit familiar. Voices were muffled. Kisses from The Stephen family. A wee jab or two and then I was with Master Robert’s dogs Suzy and Ginny in a wonderful place like a huge park and we all were off leash. Suzy and Ginny explained to me I was free but where were The Stephen Family? They said they will be coming to join me later. I met The Stephen Family’s relatives some of whom I knew like Mistress Fotini’s Father and Mother. I recall one Christmas in Toronto those lovable humans had a strong punch and were dancing to a group Aqua in the kitchen. How fun and even better when I had turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and carrots and we all sat in the living room with the fireplace on. I had many happy days in my 15 years perhaps this was the best.

I was told by Master Robert’s father and mother John Earnest (Jack) and Margaret (Marnee) that The Stephen Family had euthanized me which meant some drug had been injected in me to put me to sleep and end my life and that they were most likely in horrible grief. Master Robert’s family had euthanized their dogs, Suzy and Ginny (my new best friends). I was so sick I could not say a final good-bye although the day before my death Master Robert was holding me he asked for a final kiss and with great effort I gave him my last kisses.

I was the senior dog in my neighbourhood and many deceased friends were waiting for me. Cindy, Cody. Hazel, Oggi and other “dogs of the hood”.

My forty days wait

My “administrator” in this “world beyond” said I must remain on earth in spirit for 40 days to do what I can to guide and comfort all those who are grieving my death. Of course I can’t be there physically but apparently I have some power to guide human thoughts. Master Robert was the leader of the pack for me. I followed him from room to room and sat down close to him. On cold winter nights he would let me snuggle under the covers with him. As the wind howled and the snow flew I felt safe like the first day The Stephen Family took me home where I was picked up by Master Robert and placed on his stomach in a zipped up sweater and fell asleep missing my mother but feeling safe and protected. I also spent many an hour with Mistress Fotini up on her third-floor couch where we watched “Coronation Street” and some really interesting movies. Master Andrew often took me to live the strange downtown life when Master Robert and Mistress Fotini went on trips. Those downtown dogs are something else! My 40-day job is going to be difficult. My Stephen Family is hurting badly …so very badly. They miss me at every twist and turn. No walks. No chatting with neighbours walking their dogs. No click clack of my nails on the floor. No barks to be picked up. And only tonight Master Robert was walking back forth on the back lawn looking up in the sky tears streaming down his face and muttering where is my Dylan up there. I miss my Stephen Family so very badly.

What advice can I give to you humans about the death of your dog?

BE THERE FOR ME: You have been with me from the beginning so please be there at the end. I need your love and support. Yes euthanasia is physically painless but stroke my head and hold my paw. Tell me it is fine for me to go.

PLEASE DO NOT FOCUS ON THOSE LAST MINUTES OF MY LIFE: Those last minutes and seconds are not ones that should be remembered. I am and should not be the dog with a cold body and open eyes. You and I deserve more than that.

EMOTION TRUMPS LOGIC: You think you are prepared for my death. Words only my friend.Emotions will roar over you and you may be traumatized witnessing my passing. Yes it was logical and appropriate my final moments be determined by you. It was right wasn’t it? Well a tsunami is coming your way.

PLEASE NO GUILT: I trust your decision to send me to the world beyond. There is always the veterinarian bound by a code of ethics to agree or veto your “final decision”. In my case the vet came into that “special room” saying he had read my file and after looking at me briefly said to The Stephen Family that they had made the right decision.

PHYSICALLY DEPARTED BUT NEVER IN SPIRIT: I have gone. My body is cold but in spirit I will always be with you.

TAKE THE TIME TO GRIEVE: You may be dogged (no pun!) by grief for some time. It may hit you in waves and seem insurmountable. It may never leave you. That’s fine but please it must not overtake you. That’s an order!

DO NOT SEEK MY REPLACEMENT IMMEDIATELY: If you decide to bring a new dog into your life. Wait please. That dog will never be a “replacement” for me. You owe that new dog a clean slate where you will not compare that dog to me. Each dog has a unique personality so foster that by not looking for a carbon copy of me.

IT WILL HELP YOU TO MEMORIALIZE ME: If need be a small memorial get together is in order? Perhaps you should scatter my ashes in my favourite place like The Stephen Family will be doing at my local walking spots and at Niagara-on-the-Lake. They are also arranging to plant a commemorative tree at my favourite off leash park.

As a last word I had a rich life but Master Robert has featured me in some of his novels such as “Virus #26”, “Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog” and “Andrij the “Orphaned Ukrainian Dog”. Do you know I was in a film with Nicole Kidman and so infuriated Tsar Vlad over the carnage in Ukraine of both dogs and humans he but a bounty on my head. Do you know I had Thanksgiving dinner with Gordon Lightfoot, Drake and Jill and Joe Biden! If I know Master Robert, he may be planning my autobiography soon!

In parting I understand we are in the world beyond temporarily as reincarnation to a “higher life form”. Pardon me is there no higher life form than a West Highland Terrier. I am a damn proud Scot!

RKS 2023 Wine: Delving into Vinho Verde: Ho Hum Maria Papoila

Yes from a Portuguese tourism perspective there is more than Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve. I was playing some catch today and as the baseball was zipping to and fro I looked over to the hockey rink resting for the summer and I saw some graffiti on the wall “Pickleball is the new virus!”. Well as far as Porto and Lisbon are concerned cruise ships are a virus. Vinho Verde is free of the cruise ship virus and is prime wine tourism territory meaning there are many wineries, fabulous cuisine, cultural sites, accommodations and stunning topography. Wine can easily be the star of a visit but there are a range of diverse hotels, restaurants and cities and towns full of culture such as Braga, Guimaraes and Ponte de Lima with its famous bridge and huge public market held on fortnights. In fact this public market began in 1125 and is the oldest market in Portugal. There are numerous museums, churches and the many monuments of the Upper Minho region including a wealth of classified heritage sites. And yes there is a Vinhos Verdes Wine Route.

The white wines of Vinho Verdes almost always suit local seafood so well or that’s the way I prefer them. You must dig around for the different styles of whites. Many are simply too acidic for other than with foods.

Where does the Maria Papoila Loureiro and Alvarinho fit?

Aroma: Pear, apple and some melon. Simplistic and straightforward.

Palate: The acids are under control here but the wine is tight and stingy with its fruit. In short it is wine no doubt but with little character. If I may say so boring. Short finish.

Food match: Seafood please particularly sardines, sea bream, mackerel and sea bass.

Cellarbility: As they say drink young and fresh.

Personality: This writer is cheeky saying in his opinion that I am boring. He’s boring. Meow!

Price: $18.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 83/100.

(Maria Papoila Loureiro & Alvarinho 2022, Vinho Verde DOC, Lua Cheia, Portugal, 750 mL, 11.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 408146).

RKS Literature: The Raunchy Prince Valkovsky (Dostoevsky)

“I love influence, honours, good hotels, a huge stake at cards (I adore cards). But the main, most important thing is women….women in all theirs shapes and forms. I even go for debauchery, that’s covert, secretive, and the more eccentric and depraved the better, even with a whiff of sordidness for extra delectation….HaHaHa! You should see your face! If looks could kill!”

Fyodor Dostoevsky, “Humiliated and Insulted”, 1860.

RKS 2023 Wine: Getting Cozy with Côtes du Roussillon; Bastide Miraflors

Côtes du Roussillon is a go to appellation for (mostly) quality wine at an affordable price. The Bastide Miraflors is a blend of Syrah (70%) and Grenache (30%) so I am not expecting daintiness!

Aroma:  Grenache often has aromas of very ripe big fat strawberries not those little sweetie red berries you are more likely to expect with Pinot Noir. Replete with blackberry, black currant and cassis with a hint of root beer.

Palate: Deep and rich this is no juvenile wine on training wheels. Think of blueberry pie and blackberry jam.

Personality: I am big and muscular with excellent co-ordination. Acids and tannins are in perfect harmony. No lose ends.

Food Match: Swiss Chard and potatoes Turkish style i.e. tomatoes, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, onions and garlic with a cup of Samos Vin Doux. The recipe is actually Turkish Green Beans but it is better with Swiss Chard and potatoes.

Cellarbility: Drinking well now but will cruise into end of 2024.

Price: $19.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100. Robertparkercom 90.

(Bastide Miraflors 2020, AOP Côtes du Roussillon, EMB66136BV, Perpignan, France, 14.5%. 750 mL, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 320499).