Fred Basset by Alex Graham for August 25, 2023

Hang in there Fred, you’ve got this buddy!

Is this Brutus? His first appearance? He looks mean to me.

To me it seems that a calming word and a strategic retreat might be the way to go. Worth a try anyway.

Shakespeare quote: ‘the better part of valour is discretion’, from Henry IV Part 1.

Plus he’s bigger than you Fred.

Just walk away Fred.

“First I was afraid then I was petrified!”

I Will Survive.

Luckily, Fred will also survive. Indeed, he will live on long after Alex Graham.

Tora …Tora … Tora !

Go get em Fred, the bigger they are, the harder they fall, go for his legs.

Now, THAT’S our Fred! Properly afraid of folks larger than he is!

Diplomacy is the art of saying “good dog” while searching around for a rock.

The start of the Grosenver Ave. Gang

As long as you aren’t backed into a corner. That’s when petrified creatures are at their most dangerous.

Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war! – Shakespeare (Julius Caesar)

Time to make a careful exit, Fred.

Hold that thought …. Fred ….. ;/

Bark at humans walk away

I’ve had so many dogs, who would have had so many responses. Whisky, a Miniature Schnauzer, would throw himself on his back, exposing his tummy. Then, when the bigger dog considered himself the victor and turned to walk away, the Schnauzer sprang to his feet, gave the bigger dog a quick nip, and threw himself on his back again. The bigger dog finally backed away instead of trying to fight a dog that cheats in a dog fight. Then Clementine, a 75 pound Lab-Sharpei, never needed to actually fight as she never lost a stare down. Finally my current dog Darlin’ was a year old when we got her, and had been terribly abused and neglected. For the first several weeks we had her she was literally scared stiff, To get her outside to do her business, I had to pick her up with all four legs locked like a ceramic statue. Early photos of her showed bite marks on her front legs and chest from a much smaller animal. So a year or two later when we were walking and a Chihuahua slipped under a fence and came charging at us, barking constantly, I was gratified when she stood her ground, waiting for the perfect moment. At the exact time needed she made a quick lunge and one quick nip sent the Chihuahua back to the safety of the fence, never to bother us again.

Fred, put your head down and go for the “soft underbelly”. Big dogs are afraid of that.

Courage is being terrified but saddling up anyhow. Be Courageous.