TOLLERS UNITED!

When Beagle Man leaves me with Elise, my regular sitter, I know the drill, and I know

exactly what to expect:  Endless love from Elise; the wild and crazy company of her dogs; assisting Frankie, her husband, in his music studio, where I intern, and sleeping wherever I want. (I usually choose the music studio).  I always hear Beagle Man tell people I’m so happy to get there that I don’t even look back at him when he leaves.  But why should I?  I’m about to start an anything-goes, multi-day playdate!

Well, a couple of weeks ago, the B-Man found a new sitter for me right out here in Montauk, for a short stay.  I can’t say I was worried; maybe curious?  So guess who

my sitter turns out to be?  Cooper — another Duck Toller!  Seriously, can you believe it?  What are the odds?  Okay, maybe Cooper wasn’t officially the sitter; that would be Allie and Matt.  But Cooper was clearly in charge.  There were also two really

good-looking cats, and one other guest dog.  Cooper’s job was to welcome everyone, and referee if things got too crazy.

And man — did we have a blast!  A beach walk every morning — Egypt Beach and Wiborg Beach (both just a few miles from my everyday beach).  Constant company.  And Matt was willing to throw me balls forever!  Cooper and I swam a lot. I go a little deeper into the ocean than he does, and he’s younger — just four years old.  But we do have one very important thing in common: We don’t stop moving.  Ever.  His favorite activities are paddle boarding, swimming off the family boat, and getting treats. (Duh.)  We’re also both northern dudes: he’s from Susqudilla Kennels in Bainbridge (upstate) New York, and his actual dad lives in Vermont. (Not as far north as Nova Scotia — but still north!)

Sure, I was happy to see Beagle Man when he showed up to bring me home.  But between you and me, I also would have been happy to stay a little longer!

Beagle Man always has a lot to say, so I’ll just pipe up in The Duck Dog Speaks whenever I can.