The Fun Police: Frodo on patrol

Frodo has this need to control any fun that is being had by dogs at our house. If there is one other foster then he refuses to play with it unless he initiates the play. The poor pup is left to go chew on a toy or convince one of us that it is time to dog wrestle. But when there are two foster dogs at the house Frodo has a dilemma. They go off and play together and could care less that he won't play with them. He's left standing on the deck looking down imperiously, irritated that the pups would dare have fun when he has not initiated the wild romp.

At 8 weeks, Astro and Nova are all about wrestling and chasing. They tumble through the back yard, crushing plants, hiding in the decorative grasses running under the dripping rock sculpture water feature in the Japanese garden - these are some wild and crazy pups.

Frodo has decided that it is his job to police any fun that is being had in the back yard. Now 1/2 lab Nova weighs almost as much as he does so this can be tricky for him - he needs to keep a safe distance in case she decides to take him down. The photo above is a perfect capture of the three in action.

In it you see the puppies wrestling: Astro on the attack and Nova putting on her crazy eyes and getting ready to flip and pin little Astro. Pretty much this is what they are always doing - except when they are sleeping. Actually they sleep curled up together so they look a bit like this when they're sleeping too, minus the crazy looks on their faces.

Frodo is in perfect form: a safe distance away in case they unexpectedly tumble in his direction, legs flexed and ready to run should they misinterpret his bark as an invitation to play, and mouth open in the middle of a disapproving bark. He allows them to wrestle, but if they start to make any noise while wrestling then he is there in a heartbeat barking his fool head off.

He follows them everywhere. Even in the rare moments that they lay down on the lawn to rest, Frodo is there looking on, ready to show his disapproval if they decide to play again. Life is rough for a persnickety terrier who is old beyond his 2 1/2 years.