Harriet Wimsey

Harriet Wimsey :
Our eldest Toller Harriet came to us in July of 1993 at approximately four months old, emaciated and badly abused. She had become expert at catching and eating crickets and digging grubs to eat, and had to be hand-fed at first. As she recovered under a regime of beef heart and eggs in butter, etc., it became apparent by her behaviour that she had been cherished and well-cared-for prior to her dreadful abuse and neglect, for she was able to respond to gentle care and love with an indomitable spirit and enthusiasm. Her delightful habit of lying on her back with her head on Jim's pillow, listening happily to classical music on public radio, gave us much amusement.

As her health and vigor returned, she enjoyed shredding paper, running in the yard, chasing pigeons and doves, and catching sparrows (releasing them unharmed). She also enjoyed visits to a relative's farm, where she played catch-and-carry with the half-grown chickens. We enjoyed the ducks coming to watch when she and Jim were taking walks by the river here. Now she is spayed, stout, 17-1/4th inches tall at the withers, ver-r-r-y furry, starting to grey-and-fade (just like Jeanne!) - and butter is still her favourite flavour. We celebrate her birthday on March 28th (a chosen date), with mint chocolate chip ice cream and buttercream frosting on the graham cracker cake - no, she doesn't blow out the candle! But she does open her own packages.... She is also the most camera-shy dog you will ever meet. She's even worse than Jim about getting her picture taken.