Capturing jackoodles

After spending the greater part of my life devoted to the study of the jackoodle, I felt ready to attempt the capture of this most elusive of creatures.

Though I knew I was embarking on a perilous - some may say foolhardy - adventure, I still dared hope that I would achieve what no man has achieved before.

I had a lucky break when I stumbled across the pitiful remains of her hapless prey and knew that she must be nearby.

Applying my commando training, I shimmied down a precipice and ventured into new territory.

Incredibly, I found myself hot on the paws of this magnificent beast but, alas, she proved too wily even for this stealthy hunter.

My hunting party went to touching lengths to soothe the sting of defeat.

But I can't help but wonder what could have been.

Ride 'em elkboy

I don't suppose I'm the first to be perplexed by the constant demands placed on a child's time in this day and age, but whatever happened to unstructured play? My days seem consumed by one lesson after another.

Admittedly, the style of elk-riding which I'm determined to perfect does take some practice.

And opening the papers isn't exactly child's play.

Certainly my deportment teachers have their work cut out for them.

While my fountain appreciation lessons with the manny take up a lot of time, if not effort.

So forgive me if I seem distracted, but such is the lot of today's child.