Category Archives: literature

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Sudden Respect for Cats

Many humans assume put a cat and dog in each other’s space and a dog goes on attack mode. My one combative cat experience happened when I was barely out of puphood. Out for a walk I saw a cat ahead of me on the street and to the dismay of Master Robert I slippedContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Sudden Respect for Cats”

RKS Literature 2023: Woman by Day Skeleton at Night (Charles Dickens)

“Thus they remained for a long hour, without a word, until Mrs Skewton’s maid appeared, according to custom, to prepare her gradually for the night. At night she should have been a skeleton, with dart and hour-glass, rather than a woman, this attendant; for her touch was as the touch of Death. The painted objectContinue reading “RKS Literature 2023: Woman by Day Skeleton at Night (Charles Dickens)”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Bucket List

God decided when I should be born and he decided when I should die. I had a full life and I have no complaints. I would have preferred to die in my sleep as all of us dogs and humans wish for. Not in the cards. I would have liked to make it to myContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Bucket List”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Brilliant Downtown Career

There are country Westies, city Westies and suburban Westies. Well I was a midtown Toronto Westie and that’s just fine with me. I liked my backyard, trees, grass and squirrels to chase. Living in downtown cement where can a Westie pee? On hot cement. Gross. My moment of fame was marching in some parade calledContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Brilliant Downtown Career”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Cleaning Lady and My Sixth Sense

Many dogs it is thought have a sixth sense. Master Robert and Mistress Fotini were amazed how I knew at least half an hour prior to the arrival of our Cleaning Lady that she was coming. I’d start barking and making a ruckus by the front door every single time without fail. Why I neverContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Cleaning Lady and My Sixth Sense”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Terrible Itch!

West Highland Terriers have a reputation that is somewhat itchy! Some of us Westies are prone to skin problems. I won’t go into the details but suffice to say a little itch became a hot inflammation. Biting and chewing gave glorious but temporary relief but moments later the itch burned more. Poor me and TheContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Terrible Itch!”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: No More Black and White Squirrels!

West Highland Terriers are not hunting dogs but perhaps more a term I hate “ratters” or “earth dogs”. Our speciality are rodents. We are fierce diggers and burrowing in a hole will not save a rodent we are on the trail of. Here in Toronto there were rodents and yes I have seen rats andContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: No More Black and White Squirrels!”

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Ham Bone Incident

Wasn’t it Mama Cass that died in the bathtub after choking to death on a ham sandwich? Geez, what a way to go! Well I was close to a year old when I had a Mama Cass incident. Master Robert had two poodles in the past, Suzy and Ginny, who are now my best friendsContinue reading “Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Ham Bone Incident”