Chester...the Dog with a Resume

Chester the Labradoodle came to the Easter Party -- and thereby hangs a tail tale...

We include on our invitation to the Easter Party the stern words --"No dogs -- we have plenty."

It just makes good sense -- with cows and chickens and cats and little children, as well as the resident canines to deal with, bringing your dog along has the potential for major aggravation. And besides, what if Everyone on the list (well over a hundred) decided Rover would enjoy a day in the country?

The mind boggles.

But then there was Chester.

A little back story. It has been tradition for years now for a group of my younger son Justin's friends from college to turn Easter weekend into a bit of a reunion at the farm and they generally begin arriving on Thursday.  They are massively helpful in setting up for the party, hiding eggs, running the Easter egg hunt, and basically doing anything we ask of them.

Justin's good friend Cory is the overseer of all this energy. ("If you want anything done, tell me and I'll delegate it," he says.) 

A few weeks before Easter, Alan, (one of the out of town crew) asked Cory if he could bring his new dog to the farm as he really didn't want to board him.

"Absolutely not," said Cory. "It's a standing rule, no dogs!"

I knew nothing of this when, a little later,  I received a charming email from Alan, asking if he could bring his dog Chester, who, according to this email had done well in obedience training, was neutered, was past his puppy wildness, was well socialized, and got along with all people, dogs, and cats. (In addition to obedience school and trips to the dog park, Chester, it seemed, had two playdates with other dogs every week.)

It was the mention of the play dates that did it. After cautioning Alan that he would have to be reponsible for this paragon at all time, I said that he could bring Chester for the weekend.

"I can't believe Alan went over my head!" is the mild version of Cory's response when I told him this.

"But the dog has play dates!" I pleaded.

As you see, Chester came to Easter and all agreed he was a charming addition to the mix. And his people kept a watchful eye on him while he explored the pond and the cow poop and all the other joys of the farm.

Good boy, Chester! You're invited back next year -- just tell folks you're Bonafied Bonafido!