Forest Hills Connection || News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Covering Forest Hills, Van Ness, North Cleveland Park and Wakefield

  • About Us
    • About Forest Hills Connection
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Donate
      • Donate & Subscribe
      • “Scoop the Poop” Signs
  • Classifieds
  • News
    • ANC 3F
    • Business
      • Business in Brief
      • Out to Eat
      • Shop & Eat Local
    • Getting Around
      • Metrobus and Rail
      • Pedestrian Updates
    • Elections
    • Main Street
    • Neighborhood in the News
    • Opinion
    • Parks and Streams
    • Real Estate
    • UDC
  • Style
    • Food
      • Farmers Market Finds
    • History
    • Meet the Neighbors
    • Neighbors Recommend
    • Services
    • Things To Do
      • Local Attractions
    • Travel
    • Featured Photos
  • Home Front
    • High-Rise Life
    • In the Garden
    • In the Kitchen
  • Backyard Nature
    • Local Wildlife
    • Wildlife Photos
  • Kids & Pets
    • At School
    • At Play
    • Kids Write
    • Pets
  • Calendar

Forest Hills From A Dog’s-Eye View

April 12, 2012 by Niki

Dogs-Eye-View-Emmy

By Emmy Elfin

Full disclosure: This is the only neighborhood in which I have lived. However, I have walked the streets of Georgetown (don’t appreciate the cobblestones) and Cleveland Park (too many humans bustling about) and numerous other DC destinations, some more scenic, some less friendly.

Forest Hills, as any canine will tell you, has wonderful trees. There’s not a block in the area which has not been well marked and that makes every block an amazing olfactory experience. I hear talk about “tree and slope” that I don’t really understand, but I don’t think it has anything to do with the ground so I don’t worry.

Advertisement

In my eight or so years here, I have made a lot of friends (and several enemies, but concerns about libel keep me from mentioning names). My buddies are mostly rescue dogs, some of whom have very sad stories to tell, but they have put all that behind them. Occasionally, we accept pedigrees into our circle. Owners are generally peaceful and there’s an open exchange of ideas – not all about pet nutrition and medical conditions either.

We recently celebrated Sascha’s 15th birthday. She’s a Border Collie. I think she was 15 last year, too, but whatever, she’s looking good and we all got to eat Vera’s homemade dog biscuits while the humans enjoyed Scottish shortbread. Party time was 7:15 a.m.

But I was talking about the neighborhood and my privileged life here. My owners are retired and spend a lot of time at home. They have a pool, but it took a while for them to accept the fact that I am not a water dog and worry when anyone swims. I’m forced to run around the pool barking to ward off disaster. A few springs back, there was a pair of intruder ducks who liked to swim in the pool. Needless to say, I could not permit that. Didn’t see them last year.

I’m usually busy because I am determined to keep my home and the alley that borders it a low-crime area. Although we have the presence of the Secret Service patrols, due to the many embassy residences, I have taken upon myself the job of enhancing this patrol with my own EPS (Emmy Protection Service). No one comes up this alley without my sending out a low-tech alarm (barking). It’s exhausting, but apparently it works since we have never had an incident.

I also stay off Connecticut Avenue. I’m firmly opposed to buses and motorcycles. You won’t see me around when Rolling Thunder comes through!

Life is always interesting for me. Unlike many humans I’m not allergic to spring blooms and pollen so the sniffing is great. I remain on the lookout for ducks and deer, for who needs trouble?

PS: Politics and Prose, our excellent neighborhood bookstore is open to dogs and has a great selection of books to help owners understand the mind of a dog. I know “owners” is politically incorrect, but “masters” is even worse.

Forest Hills Connection is produced by volunteers, and supported by you. We appreciate your support – financial and otherwise. Here’s how to donate.

Filed Under: Backyard Nature, Our Furry Kids, Style

Comments

  1. Denise Warner says

    April 13, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    Emmy is an intelligent dog, for certain. I did not know that she had such a large vocabulary.

  2. Vera & Arnold Mayer says

    April 18, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Good job, Emily. Next year, when Sascha has another l5th year birthday, you will get 2 Vera-made doggie cookies.

  3. Amy says

    April 19, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Emmy, you are so fetching! See you in the park, doll-face.

    The Caseman

    • Emmy Elfin says

      April 20, 2012 at 5:04 pm

      Love ya, handsome. Hope to roll in something good with you soon.

      Emmy the author

About Forest Hills Connection

  • Who we are
  • How to advertise
  • How to donate
  • How to submit a story idea
  • Contact us
  • Tweets by foresthillsnews

    Subscribe to Our Blog

    Receive an email alert whenever we publish a new article.

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Arrives in your inbox around mid-month.


    Newsletter Archive         

    Connect With Us!

    Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on RSS

    Local Links

    • Schools, Services and More
    • Restaurants

    Latest Comments

    • Gawain Kripke on DDOT recommends dropping two concepts from Connecticut Ave. reversible lanes and bike lanes study
    • George on ANC 3F Jan. 19 agenda: Elect new officers; Burger King parking lot paving update
    • Green Eyeshades on Snags for DC seniors scheduling first Covid vaccines include a clunky web portal, and at one vaccination center, more appointments than doses
    • Pat Kasdan on Snags for DC seniors scheduling first Covid vaccines include a clunky web portal, and at one vaccination center, more appointments than doses
    • Mark Fitzpatrick on From double agents to Kermit the Frog: A new book/walking tour guide links local sites to historic events and figures

    Archives

    About Forest Hills Connection | About Forest Hills Neighborhood Alliance | Who We Are | Contributors
    Submissions Policy | Contact | Advertise | Donate
    © Forest Hills Connection | Site by: VanStudios