As staff and volunteers at the Haags Dierencentrum, updates from our former residents always make us incredibly happy. Today we received a letter from Elmo, who is enjoying a well-deserved holiday with his owners. Since Elmo is a born storyteller, we’d love to share his update with you word-for-word!
Hello everyone!
Time for another update from me, Elmo! You didn’t think I’d forgotten about you, did you? I’ve been on quite a few adventures lately!
Last night I was very worried because everyone was lugging around big suitcases and all my things were being packed too. I kept a very close eye on my humans so they couldn’t sneak off without me. This morning, I got to go in the car! It. Was. AMAZING!
Until suddenly the little lady started driving! The last time the lady drove, I had to go to the doctor. That was completely through no fault of my own, by the way—that tied-up latex glove with mysterious contents just jumped right into my stomach all by itself! The doctor was very nice, but I suddenly felt so sick. Then the glove jumped right back out of my stomach! I have to say, it went in easier. But I digress.
Co-pilot in the rearview mirror
This morning we went on “holiday”. Turns out I was allowed to come along! But since the lady was driving, and according to her she “only just got her license”, I provided support. I stared at her through the rearview mirror for the full two hours, continuously and very worriedly. That way she knows she’s not alone.
Now we’ve just arrived and it turns out there’s a fenced-in lawn just for me right next to the cottage. So I can walk straight from the living room onto the grass! I want to live here. Negotiations are still ongoing, and so far the result is “a midweek break”. It’s something. I’ll take the next few days to create some beautiful grass-green highlights in my fur.
The ball collection and the game of bluff
Furthermore, I can report that my ball collection is still growing. The first 50 I have already expertly sacrificed to the gods of the bushes, chewed into squares, or placed in my basket. Sometimes I also hand them out to dogs in the neighborhood. You have to share your wealth with the less fortunate.
By the way, that “searching” business requires a special kind of skill. Sometimes the human throws so wide that they have to come and help search. I then lead the expedition with great enthusiasm. Sometimes with so much enthusiasm that we’ve both been standing in knee-high grass for minutes, and I then forget that I’ve had the ball in my mouth for quite some time. I just act very surprised along with them when the humans notice. Just bluffing. It keeps them sharp.
Warm holiday greetings, Elmo
