Based on the number of emails I continue to receive about Wally the Wonderdog’s recent illnesses, it’s become crystal clear that he’s eclipsed me in popularity. For example, if I typed the following post into the Trout Underground:
“The wall of flames is at least 100 feet high and advancing towards us very rapidly. Little M & the L&T are safe, but the Wonderdog and I are in great peril.
The tiny pond in back offers the only hope of survival. Yet it’s only big enough for one of us.
Signing off now.”
Several of you would offer comments like:
“Sorry to see you go Tom, but we’ll see to it the Wonderdog’s kept in kibble.”
Those that didn’t post some variant of that would be thinking it.
You ungrateful bastards.
That said, we weren’t entirely pleased with the Wonderdog’s progress when we returned home from Maine; the nasty spider bite (about the size of the smallest Orvis CFO reel) was still raw and pink, though thankfully, it wasn’t absessed or infected or septic or necrotic or any of those other medical words I really don’t like to hear.
The good news is the whole mess is finally skinning over (several Undergrounders suggested this would take longer than you’d think to heal), and we expect that he may actually commence with the hair growing any time now.
He’s apparently recovered from the other blueline-induced abuses, though we’re planning a visit to the vet soon to address what we fear is an arthritis issue.
Interestingly, the L&T and I did some mental math; we’d assumed he was in the neighborhood of 7.5-8 years old, but it’s more likely he’s 9.5 years old.
Shit.
See you with another Wonderdog Update (when appropriate), Tom [the less-popular] Chandler.
The new King of All Fly Fishing Media
Now you know how I feel about Ty. Me thinks you and I should have a beer and whinge about our ungrateful stars….
rebecca(Quote)
No kidding. Hell, the bird and dog can’t even type.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Tom, it’s too late. You’re the owner of a Paris Hilton dog. It’s famous for nothing, lounges around the VIP cedar bed until the food bribe or retainer is deemed appropriate, resents the paparrazzi and often forgets to wear undergarments …
It may help if you outlined which posts were written by Wally, and which were done by yourself … there might be some confusion amongst your readers still.
kbarton10(Quote)
As I said repeatedly in the 60 Minutes interview, whatever posts the Wonderdog may have ghostwritten for me were based on my ideas.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Don’t forget to mentioned the scaring-away-of-the-fish.
Max Drown(Quote)
Fine photograph of the best canine fly fisher goin! I’m sure most of the good stuff I’ve read has been written by Wally, even if you’ve claimed credit for it…
Kentucky Jim(Quote)
Tom, my vet recommended fish oil and Dasuquin tablets (glucosamine, chondroitin, etc) for Molly several years ago to help with arthritis.
Fish oil’s cheap, and you might just occasionally have some actual fish you could feed him.
John Soares(Quote)
Had one with arthritis some time ago. Ended up buying a heating pad and putting it on low in the cover of the dog bed….. seemed to give a bit of relief sure became the favorite spot to sleep….. Thing about dogs is for all the hassle of travel etc there is no love like it. Lock your wife and dog in the trunk come back in 3 hours and see who is still happy to see you…….
Marty(Quote)
Another wonderful post Wally. We can always tell your most excellent prose from Tom’s “stuff.”
I must admit we were a tad worried that the rumors of your demise were true.
Don(Quote)
Everyone in the house thought that was funny. Please note, the wife is not at home.
Dan(Quote)
100′ fire, eh? Uh, could you at least submerge the bamboo rods in the pond too. See you at the closed casket funeral.
Turnip Truck Driver(Quote)
Too true.
Steve Z(Quote)
I do believe I pointed out this very issue a couple years ago and the huge number of posts during Wally’s illness expressing concern as to his health should leave no doubt that he should receive better billing on your site.
I think at the time I suggested “The Trout Underground featuring Wally the Wonderdog”. Only now with the addition of Miss M I do believe he may have to share his popularity. So how about “The Trout Underground-with special guest appearances by Wally the Wonderdog and Miss M”?
Harry(Quote)
Copies of Wally the Wonderdog’s new self-published ebook memoir – “Hope, Promise, Bacon, and a Tongue The Size of a Necktie” will soon be available in the Trout Underground’s estore.
The first 100 buyers will receive a copy personally slobbered on by the Wonderdog.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
What? No Sex tape?
kbarton10(Quote)
….as always, NEVER go on stage(or the Blogosphere) with animals or cute children…Learned that with to many years of community theatre…..
JP2(Quote)
Thanks for nothing, buddy. Your warning comes way too late – I’ve got both…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
…and ain’t you the happiest guy in NorCal because of it…..
JP2(Quote)
Wally,
It’s good to see that your writing is holding up under the weight of your recent medical condition and the absence of your vacationing agent. Looking forward to the rumored blog post- “Brownline vacation with KBarton did wonders for my Arthritis”.
It appears that while Tom’s been off dinking around fishing and messing around with all his bluelining gewgaws he’s lost track of how long you have been writing. It might be time to take him in and get him some Ginko Biloba.
WM(Quote)