Hey True Blue

I just rediscovered the word 'toey'... it seems so Australian. Well, I think it is Australian, I haven't heard it said anywhere else. In fact, in the city you don't hear people using it that much anymore. But I heard it used again just last weekend. I went away with my parents to Anna Bay, 2.5 hours north of Sydney. It is the kinda town that could be described as "just being discovered", a little bit sleepy and away from the more touristy areas.

We took our doggies, Horlicks & Rugby on the coastal walk.. Rugby is a 10 year old Blue Heeler cross. As my dad says, he is a lovely old dog. He was rescued from the RSPCA, and because of this we don't know his full history. What we do know is that he was found wandering around with a leg injury, he is not keen on dogs his own age and that he is fearful of big men... those with beards are ok! He is also so good that he became a pinup boy for the RSPCA's Visa credit card (see above)!

Back to the coastal walk, there we met a big guy with a dog about Rugby's age- the totally wrong combination! Mum said to the owner 'Don't worry, he (Rugby) is ok'. The man replied that he probably was, but that he was a bit 'toey'. Later mum said that she would never have used that word but that it was perfect... and it was.

Without looking it up, I think that toey means something like being a bit on edge. Maybe a little bit afraid or nervous and if something happened that he didn't like he could defend himself. He is certainly not the type of dog that would attack though... He would probably run as fast as his old legs and fat belly would let him!

I am not sure what happened to Rug in his past life, but now it is filled with snacks, big walks & long sleeps. T