Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — Could that be a mermaid tail? You know it’s cold when Chilli consents to a wearable blankie (dog coat). With her thick heeler fur, she seldom feels the cold. Rotto, on the other paw, shivers and shakes wanting his wearable blankie as soon as there is a bit of breeze. …

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — I didn’t dig that impressive hole It started slowly at first. Just the odd hole here and there. Not your normal everyday backyard hole. These are big holes. I, Rotto, I’m pretty impressed with some of them. These holes are grand. A little Rott could get lost if I fell down one. One morning, I, Rotto…

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — I didn’t flip that chair over Yes, I was sleeping in the chair moments ago. But I, Rotto, I’m firmly pointing the paw at her, Chilli. It happened like this. I was sleeping in the chair, minding my own business. I, Rotto, love a good snooze in the chair. I was having the best dream. …

To boldly go beyond six words — Dogs have been my constant companions. I’ve always been a dog person, much to my mother’s despair. My mother only had eyes for horses. I played with the stable dog, Daisy, as my mother mucked out stalls and groomed horses. Daisy’s belly got bigger and bigger each week. Until one day, I arrived at the stable…

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — It’s time to Rott ‘n’ roll! There’s nothing I, Rotto, like better than a Rott ‘n’ roll. In the mornings, I, Rotto, have a big stretch. Then I drop onto the carpet in the lounge room and Rott ‘n’ roll. I Rott ‘n’ roll HARD! Her Chilli, sometimes she tries to copy me. But she can’t…

Rotto had a sniffing good time — Life is tricky with a reactive dog. As the clock ticked over to 5.00 AM, I slipped Rotto’s harness over his head. Then out the door, we went! It’s crisp and chilly as winter approaches, but that's okay. …

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — “I’d like to register my interest.” Chilli’s head popped up the moment I set my cutlery on my plate. Our dining table sits about 30cm off the wall. It’s not a big enough gap to pop a chair in, and it looks kind of strange. …

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — You’ve gotta sigh and bear it. I, Rotto, I’m a patient little man. I have to be patient. My favourite person is snap-happy. And she likes to take photos of me. Sometimes she likes me to dress up. If the word ever got out onto the street that I’m into dress-ups, it would ruin my reputation. …

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — Look left. Look right. LOOK – ducks!! Rotto’s eyes bulged.👀 He loves duckies! He wanted to prance off the footpath and frolic with the ducks on the road. Every morning, on North Street, the wild ducks cross the road. There’s a household that leaves out duck food. …

It’s a new spin on “my dog ate my homework” — Mistakes. We all make them. Mine was a typo in a history piece. Thirty minutes after publication, someone left a comment. Highlighting the typo. (As a side note, I always thought the polite thing to do was to send a private message — but each to their own). A typo…

March Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Pet People” — Evolution changes of Rotto, Pokémon style. Introducing (from left to right) Opal, Maya, and Rotto. Opal, the Rottweiler, belonged to Brett, Rotto’s dog trainer. From the moment Rotto bounced into puppy school, he loved Opal fiercely. But like all naughty children, he wasn’t the best behaved with his ‘big’ friend. …

Give your dog a bone: the case for a raw food diet — “Can you round up George and Millie? I’m taking them for their anal gland squeezing appointment,” my housemate called out. Say what now? Did I hear what I thought I heard? Anal gland squeezing. It didn’t sound pleasant. It probably didn’t smell pretty, either. …

March Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Pet People” — I can still see over it. The 5-second rule for food dropped on the floor does not apply if you have a 2 -second dog. Pepsi was both a 2-second dog and the Queen of Slobber. From nowhere, she’d pounce on food dropped on the floor. If Pepsi was sound asleep in the backyard and I…

February Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hide & Seek” — Enormous bag. Overconfident puppy. No problem! Chilli couldn’t believe this bag choc-full of Eukanuba would take six months to eat. Given her way, it would have lasted all of six minutes! Chilli and Rotto dine on a (mostly) raw food diet. They both get two chicken drumsticks for breakfast (always two because they can count and…

Always approach feathers with extreme caution — Birdies are terribly dangerous. We’ve got the dirty rotten swoopers near where I live, and you can be just strolling along minding your own business when BAM! out of nowhere, a swooper will fly at you. What do the dirty rotten swoopers think I’m going to do as I stroll…

Not all adults make good decisions — The woman was small, elderly, and frail. She was being dragged along by a Bull Terrier that looked like it had a significant weight advantage. I stopped, quickly assessing the situation. Rotto is dog aggressive at the best of times. …

And other tips (or stories of disasters) for new dog owners — Being a dog owner is no easy task. It takes time and energy to take care of them, feed them food they like, clean up their accidents, plus there are the accessories you need, from collars, leashes, chew toys, flea treatments — the list is nearly endless. This means you'll…

A Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle — Wait, what! That's a chicken? Really? Chicken is a reactive word in our household. Each morning, Rotto heads off on his Rott-trot — and he trots hard and fast. Next, it's Chilli's turn, and she dawdles like an old lady, sniffing here and there, taking her time. …

It’s all fun and games until someone goes through an asbestos wall — Zoom, zoom, ZOOM!! The area from the backyard to the bedroom was a racetrack. Rotto and I raced laps at top speed. Our people wagged their fingers at us, “Slow down,” they said. “You might hurt yourself.” But seven-month-old puppies fear nothing. The game became even better as we got…