The source of this story comes from one that Lynn Johnston often tells about her early days with Farley the dog and her son:
Quoting from the From the Lives Behind the Lines collection book:
When our marriage broke up, Farley became mine alone, and I had a baby to look after. Farley was not fond of “the other kid” which was evident in the way he’d rev up in the hallway, before charging into the kitchen, where baby Aaron dangled like bait in his Jolly Jumper. Head down and at full speed he’d sideswipe the jumper, sending Aaron into a spinning, froth-raising frenzy, which I think he enjoyed.
I soon had to admit that this was not going to result in a friendship between the two. Either the kid or the dog had to go, and the choice wasn’t easy!
We had a tire swing in a tree. Oldest boy (we could see from the window) was going out—back-out-back-out———— Ran out to find rope had broken and he landed in the garden. Then, the older one tried to make it into a swing and elevator for the younger one, but the pulley broke loose, landing on his head! They sure had fun with that swing. (Yes, both survived and now both thru college and kids of their own.)
I used to babysit a boy with ADHD who had an infant sister with Down’s. He was never deliberately malicious towards her, but sometimes his concept of what would be “fun” was a bit more than she could handle.
Don’t Ever have Michael hitch up a wagon to Farley and put Elizabeth in it….My Dad did that with my uncle Louie,…and the dog took off after a Cat , Under and through the wheels of a slow moving freight train…Both lived to their late eighties and mid nineties….How?…..
Yes, older siblings often do not understand quite how big an effect their actions might be! That goes for younger siblings versus older sometimes as well – even if you can’t walk yet, a quick foot or arm stuck out as an older sibling is going by can be great fun! Also with grandparents. When my mother became paralyzed and had to be in a wheelchair, we all talked to the younger nieces and nephews about what NOT to do with Grandma – no roaring around the house crashing into things (it was motorized), no taking Grandma out to the back and rolling her down the hill, etc! They really were very good and treated my mother very gently.
Both my son’s just loved the Jolly Jumper, early ’70’s version. You placed the laundry basket next to them, and they would jump in and out of it. A favorite game was to run forward as far as they could, and swing back, then do it again. They quickly out grew it, so the fun didn’t last long. It strengthen their little legs for the walking to come.
Templo S.U.D. about 6 years ago
Michael was helping a little too much.
howtheduck about 6 years ago
The source of this story comes from one that Lynn Johnston often tells about her early days with Farley the dog and her son:
Quoting from the From the Lives Behind the Lines collection book:
When our marriage broke up, Farley became mine alone, and I had a baby to look after. Farley was not fond of “the other kid” which was evident in the way he’d rev up in the hallway, before charging into the kitchen, where baby Aaron dangled like bait in his Jolly Jumper. Head down and at full speed he’d sideswipe the jumper, sending Aaron into a spinning, froth-raising frenzy, which I think he enjoyed.
I soon had to admit that this was not going to result in a friendship between the two. Either the kid or the dog had to go, and the choice wasn’t easy!
capricorn9th about 6 years ago
My grandson loved this ride. This is the early model which was not all that safe to use. They made them better and safer now.
Rosette about 6 years ago
I’m surprised she didn’t edit this one out too.
Little Caesar about 6 years ago
And that’s how we got Elizabeth hurley.
FrannieL Premium Member about 6 years ago
This strip and the comments are LOL funny today.
tripwire45 about 6 years ago
My grandson teases his younger sister, too.
tuslog1964 about 6 years ago
We had a tire swing in a tree. Oldest boy (we could see from the window) was going out—back-out-back-out———— Ran out to find rope had broken and he landed in the garden. Then, the older one tried to make it into a swing and elevator for the younger one, but the pulley broke loose, landing on his head! They sure had fun with that swing. (Yes, both survived and now both thru college and kids of their own.)
paranormal about 6 years ago
Atta boy Michael!!!
Seed_drill about 6 years ago
I used to babysit a boy with ADHD who had an infant sister with Down’s. He was never deliberately malicious towards her, but sometimes his concept of what would be “fun” was a bit more than she could handle.
chain gang charlie about 6 years ago
Don’t Ever have Michael hitch up a wagon to Farley and put Elizabeth in it….My Dad did that with my uncle Louie,…and the dog took off after a Cat , Under and through the wheels of a slow moving freight train…Both lived to their late eighties and mid nineties….How?…..
finnygirl Premium Member about 6 years ago
Yes, older siblings often do not understand quite how big an effect their actions might be! That goes for younger siblings versus older sometimes as well – even if you can’t walk yet, a quick foot or arm stuck out as an older sibling is going by can be great fun! Also with grandparents. When my mother became paralyzed and had to be in a wheelchair, we all talked to the younger nieces and nephews about what NOT to do with Grandma – no roaring around the house crashing into things (it was motorized), no taking Grandma out to the back and rolling her down the hill, etc! They really were very good and treated my mother very gently.
summerdog86 about 6 years ago
Both my son’s just loved the Jolly Jumper, early ’70’s version. You placed the laundry basket next to them, and they would jump in and out of it. A favorite game was to run forward as far as they could, and swing back, then do it again. They quickly out grew it, so the fun didn’t last long. It strengthen their little legs for the walking to come.