Thanks guys - for kind words and support. Every time you write something I get a go-o-o-o-d feeling - and that makes me want to write.

Oh, but I have to change channels now - and plan my next little trip... but, nah, not China yet - doesn't grab me,thursday.

34 pages, eh? Craig. No wonder I'm feeling wrung out. lol. Does this mean I'm a published author now?

Now it's all bells and whistles in Boston. I've served out the hors d'oevres - now its your turn - to be witty and fabulous and fun. Can you do this? I think so. Report back.

Alas, gpanda, Melbourne life is very dull - but it's only as dull as I make it. After months out there with Dogster, it's quite a relief not to have to talk to him any more. So I stay home and write of our travels.

The Dog's getting agitated now. He wants to go out and play. There's a music festival in Maheshwar...

Do you have a separate nicknmae for Melbourne? Skippy?

Wonderful "Dog-ologue" (love that !). So glad you lived to die another day . . . I for one (and it sounds like there are quite a few others) still haven't gotten my fill of the dogster's travel tales. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea how much reading your posts are helping me though the wait till we leave for our trip to India and Kathmandu. Less than 2 months to go now -- the anticipation is building.

I saw you'd added to your epic this morning, but no time to read it until now. It was well worth the wait. Many thanks, Dogster!

gpanda, I won't be drawn on inane Aussie jokes. I think that's best.

I just came in here to say how pleased I was that someone noticed 'Dog-ologue' - for some reason I find my latest word terribly funny - but as you can see, I have a purile sense of humour. So, I'm glad that travelaw finds it amusing too.. I think if I made a book it should be called a Dog-ologue.

Some might say 'Dog-gerell' would be more appropriate.

I'll stop now. Obviously I'm getting over-excited.

And thank you kathie - yet again, for being there at the beginning - and the end.

How I see things when I visit India will be forever changed. Maybe you could called it being "dogsterized"?

Only those of us who follow your writings will understand what I'm saying.

Keep well and stay in touch with us.

That's a wonderful compliment Jaya - I've been thinking about the change in my perception [and, I guess, ability to write about it] since I first went there - only eleven months ago.

It's the little things, Jaya, the Devil IS in the detail in India. The big tourist sights are cool, I guess, but you'll note that I don't mention them AT ALL - I got nuttin' special to say about the Taj mahal that hasn't been canvassed by way better minds than mine. So the trick is to make sure you have time to SEE. In the Dogster sense.

Then you'll have adventures - but, you know, maybe you don't wanna go to the porn theatre, see that dead body burning, be dragged by a Great Dane into the Ganges...

I think this is what the Dogster is for; to go where only fools and horses go. There can be no other reason for his terminal stupidy.

Dogster - you are like the best writers and artists - able to see, and interpret what you see and translate it for the rest of us to experience - from a safe distance.

Thank god for the Dogster.

Good clarification. Some adventures are meant only for the Dogster!

Dogster has asked me to say that he thinks adventures are for everybody - and he can't work out why nobody wants to come out and play riots with him.

'I love the smell of tear-gas in the morning,' he said.

I told him to go back to his kennel and shut up.

Oh no! He's talking in the third person. Quick, get him back to Asia. He's going through withdrawal.

lol Not quite withdrawals yet, Jaya. I'm finishing off Maheshwar now... THEN I'll be in withdrawal.

When I'm writing I'm still travelling.

It's all really a trip round a country called 'Dogster' anyway... my favorite holiday destination.

Does Dogster ever have dogmares about himself and his newfound fame here on the Asia board?

..."must write, but to write, I must keep travelling, must keep travelling so I can keep writing, must write, but to write, I must keep travelling.......

we-e-e-ll, Jaya, that newfound fame will last just about as long as it takes this post to slip to the bottom of this page... so no stress there.

Dog did have some connection to notoriety in a previous life. He's seen what it can do. He doesn't respond to that now.

Sounds like Dog is in a good place in his life.

The next time the Maharaja of Dog leaves his kennel perhaps he should take his retinue along -a suitable few paces behind him of course. They'd all need time to duck.

The ladies could wear a nice selection of muu muu's with matching turbans and gpanda can wear his budgie smugglers. Bob can follow keeping the panda on a leash.

Every one will bow and scrape in a suitable manner and hope to catch the odd scrap thrown their way.

ahh, Dogster me boy.
I've hung in the shadows, skulking about 'til now. Captivated by the artfully spun tales of your misadventures for certain but rather much more compelled trying to get more than a passing sniff at the scent of of your true essence. Permit me an amateurish attempt to imagine what lies behind the curtain.

The Dog chooses to occasionally reveal only enough so that this observer can merely guess at what scars life may have left on his hide thus far. Those untold, yet pivotal experiences that have created the lovable, mischievous, kind-hearted rascal that is no longer allowed to roam free in Melbourne; a relic of another age, seemingly, another life. The Dogster teases us however and wants to remain an enigma.

Kept caged at home, the Dog is allowed to run free as seeks out the extremes of human experiences as he travels about foreign lands. There he can allow himself for a short time to deeply feel the gamut of now, too long suppressed emotions and feel alive again; something he misses and too often longs for. Then just as quickly, having to cage up those emotions and the feelings they evoke, back up before they can consume him.

Although the Dog thoroughly enjoys praise and petting that he so much needs and in fact, deserves, he is so carefully protects himself from disappointment.

Truly not all that much different from those such as I as he probably imagines, he has the key to his cage and likely does not know it.

Tonight I let out a lonely howl at the moon in respect for no, not the Dog or even the Dogster, but to a kindred soul, a special fellow. Its not for your brilliant mastery of words nor for your shocking dog-scapdes or your keen perception and insight but its the sensitive person that you are Sir who is courageously struggling with life and willing to share a bit of his experience that I salute.

Its only through friction that the diamond becomes a sparkling gem.
Peace

Wow - first, thanks becalm for bothering to spend time on Dogster's inner life. You've written a very perceptive theory.

I'm going to sleep on it and try and find a proper answer for you when I wake up. This is kinda difficult territory. I've run out of glib responses today.

In the meantime, would you expand a bit on this:
'he has the key to his cage and likely does not know it.' please?

But the thrust of your piece is an even greater compliment than I could have possibly imagined. And so, for that I think you.

Aro-o-o-o-o-o-o

Let loose the war of dogs!

My theory has always been that a tranquil inner life is overrated. If there is full integration of the rational and visceral, how does the tension escalate to provide the impetus for extraordinary deeds?

Well, Dogster you are most welcome but thanks is not necessary nor was expected. Actually I was reluctant to submit my post, nearly deleted it and actually should have. I feel I was rather presumptuous to write much of what I did publicly. Much too involved for a travel forum certainly. Guess it shows where my head is at lately.

My initial intention was merely acknowledge and commend the person I perceived behind your writings and suggest that there are many others who also struggle with internal issues rather than surrender to them.

Please do not think you owe an answer or even a response. I never expected one. This is indeed difficult territory and perhaps should be used solely as (dog) food for thought or maybe even better simply ignored.

Regarding 'he has the key to his cage and likely does not know it.'
This is a take on a line from an Eagles song that goes something like this - We're wrapped in chains and don't even know we have the key.
The chains (cage) that confine us are of our own making and we can escape them as soon as we realize that we are our own warden.

Listen, I'm just going to disappear now so things can return to much lighter talk of traveling in Asia.
My apologies.

Arrroooohhhh