Debbie Bosak: ‘Issy’ plunders with impunity

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Updated: July 6, 2011 9:28PM

Jan Wolek of Crown Point emailed to ask why I haven’t written more about the antics of Isabella the Terrible, the not-so-new-anymore puppy.

“At least once a month, we’d get a good laugh from the antics of Zoey the Big Black Dog,” Wolek wrote. “Isn’t Issy doing anything interesting?”

Well, Jan, here’s my theory on that. Zoey was one smart dog and, in retrospect, I’m sure she knew exactly how to push my button.

When Issy went through her chewing stage (thankfully, we seem to be past that — except for the plastic colander and the ugly incident with my good leather sandal) she was indiscriminate. Furniture, the bedspread, shoes, small appliances — if she was teething and something caught her eye, it was history.

Zoey, however, was cunning. She would carefully plan her strategy, choose an object I never would suspect, then wait for the opportune time. Like the time she dug through the Christmas presents, found a small metal notepad in the bottom of the pile, then mangled it. Literally, there was a huge bite taken out of it, rendering it unrecognizable.

The story is legendary among family and friends, so I’ve kept it in her memory box as proof.

Issy, on the other hand, doesn’t care about outwitting me. When she wants to be bad, she really doesn’t care if I’m watching. When she revs up for her wild dog, run-around-the-house-and bounce-off-all-the-furniture routine, she’ll wait until she has my full attention so I can fully appreciate her prowess.

Generally, I’m not amused.

All in all, she is a big (58 pounds at present), cute, sweet dog who loves everyone. She knows where all the neighborhood dogs live and will stop at each house during our walks to see if Sam, Maddie, Winston or her beloved Webster might be out to say hello.

One day, a neighbor stopped us and asked if she was a terrier mix. When I answered that she seemed to have a lot of terrier blood, he simply nodded wisely, replying, “Then she’s nuts!”

That says it all. Thanks to all who asked about Isabella the Terrible.

Here are a couple of noteworthy neighbor tidbits.

† Allison McCormack, most recently from Cedar Lake, earned her Ph.D. in psychology last spring. She will start her career as a licensed clinical psychologist, working with adolescent addiction issues, in Milwaukee in the fall.

Her proud grandmother, Mary Steffens, said McCormack, with the help of loans, grants and many late hours waitressing, financed her entire education.

“She’s a hard worker and an example of what can be if we set our goals and stay determined,” Steffens said.

† Congratulations to Martha Jones of Gary on her 90th birthday. Her eight children and 23 grandchildren planned a surprise family reunion early in June.

“My mom has always held as her motto ‘God and family, first and always,’ ” said her son, Willie Jones. “We’ve heard her say that so many times, it’s now written in our hearts. I truly believe her faith and her family got her this far.”

Wishing you many more happy celebrations, Martha!