Envy
“He started spending more and more time up in Bakersfield,” Bernie said. Who was he talking about, again?
“Playing gigs?” said Colonel Bob.
“Yeah,” Bernie said. “He was pretty good. Afterwards my mother threw away all his stuff, but I found a tape of him just fooling around on an acoustic guitar, even singing a bit.”
“Afterwards meaning … ?” said Colonel Bob.
Hey! Was that Iggy at his window? Sure was! Hadn’t seen Iggy in ages. Iggy’s my buddy, although he never seems to come out any more. And he had something in his mouth. I went right up to our window for a better view. Was it a bedroom slipper? Looked like one. Iggy gave it a little shake. Yes, a bedroom slipper for sure. I wanted it real bad.
“Chet! Knock it off.”
I dialed down to this low rumble I have.
“This is a pretty amazing story,” Colonel Bob said. “What happened after that?”
Spence’s World Series pick: Tampa vs. Rockies
Tags: Bakersfield, Bernie's dad, Bernie's mom, Colonel Bob, Iggy
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 at 8:41 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
4:41 am on April 6th, 2010
I'm glad to see Iggy is okay. I hope Bernie didn't say what went on with his father when Chet was occupied with the very important aside of "what Iggy had in his mouth."
I know that is very important because the Pack enjoys trying to find out what the Chow across the street is up to when he's outside. They bark and bark and bark and bark and try to get his attention but since he's deaf as a post, he can't hear their questions.
(Somehow I think the Red Sox are going to end up being one of the Admin's picks. Would that jinx it for us?)
5:40 am on April 6th, 2010
Spencer!… Now you are talking! … snort!
Iggy!… That little guy always pops up at the most inconvenient time! …wheeze!… I’m hoping Chet’s barking and carrying on interrupted Bernie’s story…grunt!… and at some point we will find out what went so very wrong with Bernie’s dad…snort!
Although!… I’m starting to suspect some hanky panky going on up in Bakersfield …snort!… When a woman throws away a man’s stuff…gasp!… one starts to assume another woman might be involved …grunt! … Envy!
5:40 am on April 6th, 2010
So Spence and Rio are together on the Rockies thing. Hmmm.
5:54 am on April 6th, 2010
Iggy with a bedroom slipper in his mouth? I mean, is Iggy allowed to be bad? Hope there is nothing wrong with his owner. [Can you tell that I have read way too many mysteries in my life?]
5:59 am on April 6th, 2010
Sam!…We posted at the same time!…shudder!…
7:43 am on April 6th, 2010
C.Harris: I thought the same thing.
I'm afraid that we've lost that part of the story since Col. Bob asks what happened after the "amazing story." It isn't Chet; it's Spence who is doing this to us.
Where is Wolfie Wigglebutt?
No one wants my opinion on baseball.
7:45 am on April 6th, 2010
Welcome to Bluecat! And with a name like Princess, no less. It's just like my little Princess-like self.
Wolfie! Don't let Rio push you around because you're a newbie. He was once one too, but I think he conveniently forgot.
8:46 am on April 6th, 2010
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ChetTheDog. ChetTheDog said: Envy: “He started spending more and more time up in Bakersfield,” Bernie said. Who was he talking about, again? “P… http://bit.ly/aME3fm […]
8:19 am on April 6th, 2010
I think the envy of the title refers to Chet's of Iggy's slipper. Why would Col. Bob call a story about hanky panky "amazing"?
8:28 am on April 6th, 2010
Stover! and C.Harris!… Are you guys thinking that the bedroom slipper came off of the dead body of Iggie’s owner?…. snort!… I can’t remember the old guys name right now … grunt!… but his wife was pretty sick back in book one….sniff!
8:30 am on April 6th, 2010
Stover!… I guess I went down that road because of Bernie’s mom throwing away all of his dad’s stuff…snort!… Why else would she throw out everything?…grunt!
8:38 am on April 6th, 2010
It occurred to me that Iggy took the slipper off of the foot of either one….I don't remember their name either and I'm at school so I can't look it up. Maybe he's trying to signal for help by looking out the window. He knows Chet would hear him.
Rio: A woman would get rid of things after a break up. She may also get rid of things after a death. I don't think that Bernie knew his father and his mother is "a piece of work." My problem is that I don't think Col. Bob would call a story about a break up "amazing."
8:44 am on April 6th, 2010
Yup!… yup..yup…You are probably right about that!….snort!… There has to be more to it!… wheeze!… Something “amazing”… grunt!… I wonder how long Spencer will let us dangle?… growl!
Poor Iggy!…snuff!
9:38 am on April 6th, 2010
Tampa?!? Come on, guys! What does Chet say?
9:48 am on April 6th, 2010
Iggy may have just been playing with the slipper because he shook it. That's a play move. Whether he got it from a closet or someone's foot we still have to find out.
10:00 am on April 6th, 2010
I think Spencer is going to drag this story out just for the fun of it. He probably likes to hear us howl. That's okay. I love to howl. I've had a couple of howls myself this morning. Fire trucks really set me off.
I like this story better than Greed. Couldn't tell you why.
You guys are good. I didn't think about the slipper actually coming off of someone's foot. I just grab them out of the closet and run.
Perhaps Bernie should go over and check on Iggy's folks.
11:40 am on April 6th, 2010
Siber-H!… It’s hard for me to imagine a regale fellow like you chomping on a smelly bedroom slipper….snort!…I can see the howling though!… grunt!… That’s what Huskies do for entertainment….wheeze!
Greed!….I still have a lot of that to read!… snort!… I keep getting side-tracked…grump!
11:50 am on April 6th, 2010
Guys, I don't mind telling you that my butt lost some of it's wiggle after Rio growled at me. Mom said to let it go, that Rio was just being an Alpha Male, whatever that is. And hey, the sun is shining, so I'm ready to play some more!
I worry about Iggy. Maybe we should give some thought to a dognapping!
WW
12:12 pm on April 6th, 2010
Iggy gives the slipper a "little shake." Whenever my dog (Brandy was a Doberman) played with something in his mouth, he gave it more than a shake. Possibly the shake could be to draw attention to the slipper. We'll have to wait and see. Wish I knew what the "amazing" story was regarding Bernie's father. If Spence doesn't let us know soon, I'll start making up a story….and that's always bad.
Hey Wolfie!! Hi. Rio always growls, but then he's a very smart and ferocious pug so it's expected.
12:30 pm on April 6th, 2010
Iggy's people are Mr. and Mrs. Parsons.
Siber H: I agree that I like this story more than the Greed story. It's possibly because this story has a more human element to it.
12:36 pm on April 6th, 2010
Wolfie – So Rio growled – big deal. If you look back at some of our missions, he's chewed on my poufy tail a couple of times. And then he tells me not to get all poodled up!
I love that adorable fat little pug!
1:26 pm on April 6th, 2010
Bedroom slippers, not my thing at all. I once had a big one in my mouth, right up in my face, and I couldn't see. By smell, I thought I was going towards my bed, but I actually ended up slamming into a wall. That, plus the smell coming from the slipper, made me really dizzy. It may be my daddy's slipper…
1:47 pm on April 6th, 2010
Yawn!… ooooh…Big Pug stretch!…. I’ve been lying around all day watching these guys here doing their taxes! … heh!… Paper flying, calculator spinning out of control… snort!… Lots of cussing and arguing…HA!… Then finally smiles and hugs when everyone realized…grunt!…BIG REFUND!… wheeze!
Reward!…. heh!…Rockies play again tonight in about 1 ½ hours… snort!… Brewers will again be putty in their mitts! … grunt!… I wonder if Spence is a big R*ays fan? … they keep coming up as favorites in the Spencer house hold picks!… wheeze!… Although we have not heard Admins picks yet… snorkel!… That will really be interesting!…gasp!
1:58 pm on April 6th, 2010
Oh!…yes, Mr. And Mrs. Parsons!… snort!… Boy, I hope they are okay… sigh… but they are really old and anything could happen….wheeze!… I wonder who would take care of Iggy if that came to pass?… grunt!… I was thinking that Chet and Bernie’s lifestyle might not fit well with Iggy.
Mmmm… I wonder if Susie would be able to take Iggy?…snort!…She has busy schedule too, but Iggy could ride around with her on assignments!… gruff!… and he would get to see Chet when she has dates with Bernie!… snuff!…Whatever happens, Iggy must not go to a shelter….snarl!
2:05 pm on April 6th, 2010
Molly!… You make me blush… snicker!… Have I told you about the rigorous diet and exercise plan they have discussed for me with The Vet?….snort!… Apparently I am pushing 30 pounds and the red light is going off…wheeze!… I am almost two AbbieTheKat’s!… grunt!… How did this happen??? …sigh.
2:17 pm on April 6th, 2010
Whew, I'm so glad I didn't have the Pack with me this afternoon. I ended up at the high school waiting for someone, and ended up listening to high school students practice tap dancing different dances all at the same time.
My ears are ringing.
The Pack is waiting to find what's happening at iggy's and I'm waiting to find out what's happening with Bernie's Dad.
On the other hand . . . THE TUTOR should be coming in tomorrow!!
Hip Hip Woof!
2:28 pm on April 6th, 2010
Oh dear, Rio – They should be planning a very big diet and exercise regimen for you. Certainly no more hot wings and beer – sorry. Thirty pounds! I am a big (fierce) standard poodle and I weigh 48 pounds.
Perhaps you are just big boned.
2:30 pm on April 6th, 2010
So 1 Rio + 1 A-Kat = 1 Standard Poodle
2:33 pm on April 6th, 2010
Melanie!… My friend’s old friend, the one with Pepper, is taking Tap Dancing lessons!…snort!…We can’t wait to go see her recital in June…heh! … We think our friend is very, very brave…snicker!
Book!… I hope you enjoy “The Tutor” as much as I did…snort!… and everyone else who has read it so far!…gruff!…Can’t seem to go wrong with the charming Mr. Abrahams!…sigh.
2:49 pm on April 6th, 2010
Hmmm… I think your math is correct Molly….shuffle… But No More Hot Wings or Beer??… snort!… That’s just unreasonable! … sniff!… What will I do during Baseball season???… grunt!… No more Hotdogs, Nachos, or Beer-here!….sob!… This really could not have come at a worse time….wheeze!
[ is it just me or has this whole blog gone 'Big' ]
2:50 pm on April 6th, 2010
I finished End of Story. I know others are reading it so….SPOILER ALERT: The narrator is a woman who is an unpublished author so there is a bit on writing methods and natural skills. The narrator also teaches writing in a prison, although not much teaching goes on. There is quite a bit of violence. I guessed the mystery long before the heroine figures it out and was cringing at her errors in judgment. For some reason I really liked her boss (at a bar) and was hoping for a connection with him. And, given the title this is interesting: the novel has an open ending.
3:12 pm on April 6th, 2010
Rio, You do what the vet tells you to do because we love you and we want you to stick around.
Wolfie: Rio's bark is worse than his bite.
You guys: Shaking something like a slipper is an instinct that is left over from our brothers and sisters in the wild. It is a prelude to killing prey. Some dogs have a much higher prey drive than others. My collection of stuffed animals gets righteously shaken, but Iggy might be happy with a little shake.
3:12 pm on April 6th, 2010
Stover!…since I can’t read your post… snort!… I’ll just let everyone know that the Rockies have started playing!…yeee!… I’m not on that damn diet yet!.. heh!
3:27 pm on April 6th, 2010
Should I set up a Facebook page for each book that someone wants to discuss? They could then carry on to their heart's content and not only get a really good discussion, but then it would be there for when the next one reads the book.
3:30 pm on April 6th, 2010
Mom is also reading "End of Story," so she skipped over B.Stover's post and will come back and read it when she is finished with the book. B.Stover's insight is always good.
Mom also liked the "The Tutor" a lot. What she doesn't like is when she has finished a stack of really good books and there are no more left to read. That will be happening soon.
3:48 pm on April 6th, 2010
Mollypop: That is an excellent idea.
Siberian H: The Echo Falls books are really good as I understand: Down the Rabbit Hole (which I'm reading now), Into the Dark and Behind the Curtain (both of which I have on my Kindle.)
My spoiler alert on End of Story is really too general to spoil anything in the novel…I think.
3:51 pm on April 6th, 2010
Molly!… If you did that, how would we join in and still be ourselves?… snort!.. please explain the procedure!…grunt!… this sounds very interesting indeed!…wheeze!
3:55 pm on April 6th, 2010
Wait!… It could be called the Peter Abrahams Book Club!…snort!… or something clever like that…heh!…then other fans could find it too!…maybe…wheeze .. if I am understanding all of this!…heh.
3:59 pm on April 6th, 2010
A CONTEST!
I have an extra paperback copy of the Tutor. I will mail it to the winner of the following contest. It goes to the first person who can find my correct email address and email me. The subject line of the email should be:
"I passed the test"
The contest starts now..
Abbiethekitty
4:05 pm on April 6th, 2010
Oh yeah,
Zippy can't play. She knows it already.
Abbiethekitty
4:11 pm on April 6th, 2010
Molly!… Is there anyway to set up a One Facebook page for the Peter Abrahams Book Club (or whatever) and have different sections for all the different books???… snort! weeze!!…I’m so excited I can’t breath!…gasp!
Also!… Do you think it has already been done??? … perhaps!?…snort!
4:22 pm on April 6th, 2010
Wow,
At 9:07 my time I received an email saying "I passed the test."
Now according to previous posts this pup has already read "the Tutor"
So do you really want it Rio?
Abbie the Kitty
4:29 pm on April 6th, 2010
Nope!… But feel free to email me anytime!…heh!… Abbie (not Alice!).. snort!
4:31 pm on April 6th, 2010
Okay,
So Rio's friend has a friend that is taking tap lessons.
Rio is thirty pounds, about the size of a 3 or 4 month Newfoundland puppy, so small for Newfoundland, but rather large for a pug.
Rio, the Pack is thinking that you should get four of the sled dog running pads and put taps on them and learn to tap dance!
You are obviously musical, you sing and get all of us singing.
I think the Pack might be on to something.
I like all the ideas, but must rest. I would like to add to the ideas, but my brain has gone into hibernation.
4:37 pm on April 6th, 2010
Oh-oh.
Mr. and Mrs. Parsons better let Iggy out or he'll chew up both slippers.
If need be, Colonel Bob could take Iggy – wasn't it he who had a dog like Iggy?
4:47 pm on April 6th, 2010
I have a name I just think we need to use for this site.
ChetChat
It just makes me laugh. I just envision this line.
"I'm going to go post on ChetChat right now. BBL"
I suppose that "It's a Dog's Life is a little more literary.
I guess I can just call it ChetChat anyway.
But it would be fun to see it up where it says BLOG
Staff
4:49 pm on April 6th, 2010
The Tutor contest is still open.
Mollypop emailed me already too. She took a little more time as she had to watch American Idol. But she has already read the book too so you still have a chance.
Abbiethekitty
4:53 pm on April 6th, 2010
Thanks B.Stover. We will look for those books. We really liked that three part short story that Admin. allowed Chet to post.
Rio's question, "If we would just be ourselves on the facebook discussion"? That wouldn't make any difference as far as mom and me are concerned. We are a lot alike, except that she doesn't shake stuffed animals. She has her nose stuck in "End of Story" so maybe she won't read this.
My brain is joining Melanie's in hibernation. Sweet dreams everyone.
5:03 pm on April 6th, 2010
Hmmm!…Maybe I was a little confusing about the us being “ourselves” thing…snort!… I meant I would still be “Rio” you would still be “Siber-H”…and so on and so on!!… I’m not going to dress up as anyone else for Pete’s Sake!… heh!
5:18 pm on April 6th, 2010
How about for Spences' sake?
5:20 pm on April 6th, 2010
Spencers' sake. Oh crap. Good night.
Zip
5:27 pm on April 6th, 2010
Zippy!… is always a hard egg to crack for me… snort! … Was she referring to my “Pete’s Sake” remark or something else?… grunt!.. I have no idea and now she is gone gone gone… Like a ring of fire!… heh!
5:31 pm on April 6th, 2010
I have a lot to look into tomorrow. It may have to be the day after even, but there's a lot to work out here. I thank you all for your input, let's see what can be done.
American Idol kept me up late – gotta sleep now. G'nite all.
5:41 pm on April 6th, 2010
Thanks!… for the good idea and all your efforts Molly!…snort!…Keep us all posted!…grunt!…Please don’t feel obligated if time is an issue… gruff!
5:56 pm on April 6th, 2010
Hi Rio: I just HAD to check one more time before I crawled in thensack. Was trying to refer to your for Pete's sake remark as there is so much talk about Peter A. But then I misspelled Spencer. Duh.
6:20 pm on April 6th, 2010
I'm going to sleep now too. g'nite Zippy and Rio
Abbiethekitty
9:50 pm on April 6th, 2010
Don't tell anyone, but I think Rio is a real pussycat!
Night Paw. Night Maw. Night John Boy.