Apologies from my mum for not keeping the blog updated. Like so many, she’s found it tough living through Covid restrictions (plus she thinks WordPress is far too complicated now). Us dogs are fine and we have loads of photos to share.
Follow house mate Marley Cat on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bigsilvertabby and on Twitter @big_tabby
Maybe I’ll move to Twitter…watch this space.
Big outing today as we left home just after 9am to go for brunch with friends at Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle. My mum loves this place but had never been for brunch in the courtyard at the 13c friarage. I’m an experienced metro traveller so that was easy peasy but my mum had to show me the way to the restaurant.
There was a big lawn, parasols and good sized tables so I could get in the shade. Then mum ordered me a doggy brunch – sautéed liver with vegetables – and that came before anyone else’s food. Wow, was it delicious! There’s a rumour that I won’t eat vegetables but these were wonderful – clean dish in no time.
I got loads of attention from mum’s friends and, although I wanted a nap, I didn’t dare fall asleep in case I missed any fuss or titbits. Plenty time to rest when I got home. Hope we do this again.
https://www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk/blackfriars-history
Apologies for the big gap in blogging. Mum has had a lot on her mind.
As the weather changes and we have more rainy days, my mate Chip has been getting drenched while I’ve been dry in my lovely Ruffwear Aira raincoat. He’s got really thick collie fur so didn’t need a thick or padded coat so mum and the Irish Aunt chose a simple waterproof covering.
It’s a bit posh: velcro straps to go round the chest and tummy, elastic to keep his tail enclosed, a hood with a see-through visor and a fluorescent strip so we can see him in the dark! When not in use it folds down into a neat little pouch. Mine hangs on the back door.
He needs a much bigger size than me but here’s me modelling it. I think could I be on the verge of a new career! Not sure I like the idea of a catwalk…
Been on lots of long walks with the Irish Aunt and I’m now having the weekend off: I’m pooped. Mum treated me to cuddles in bed this morning before a short walk to do the necessaries. As an older dog, I need to reserve my energy and not get too tired.
You think I’m kidding, don’t you, when I say I spend most weekends at boot camp? That’s Boot Camp with a capital B and a capital C – aka The Irish household. I’ve been a shared dog all my life, first with my doggie mum and siblings and now with mum and the Irish cousins.
The Sprog used to dress me up in all sorts of outfits but she’s a teenager now and is more interested in makeup and dressing herself up. I get all sorts of foodie titbits there that I don’t get at home, some of which I snaffle myself if goodies are left unattended too long on the head height coffee table.
But it’s not all treatness and light. The house is full of other animals – two cats and two bearded dragons! Boss Cat is Missy and she’s not to be messed with but year-old Domino thinks I’m something to be played with. He teases me rotten, gets his own way all the time.
The dragons are funny yellow scaly creatures. No good for cuddles and I is scared of them! Keep them away or I’ll tell my mum (she’s not keen on them either)!
There’s a newcomer in my biscuit tin. Â I’ve been munching Fold Hill dog biscuits since I was a pup but my mum brought some new ones home – a box of long biscuits called Bonio. Â They look like a bone but are a biscuit…
Well, they had me foxed.
Truth to tell, I’m not fond of bones and Marley Cat has had to show me how to manage them in the past. Â This was much smaller than what I’d been presented with previously – but just as difficult to get into.
So my mum has to break the up for me. Â She calls me a wuss…
Look at me, look at me – I got a waxed coat! Only the poshest dogs get a waxed rain mac. It was pelting down this morning so we got to try it for the first time. My mum thinks she got the wrong size because it doesn’t fully cover my bum, and the collar is a bit of an apology, but it really kept the rain off my back so we were both happy.
…I’ve had. Out at the crack of dawn with the Irish cousin, back to my mum who was still in bed and then a pub lunch. You know how I like a pub lunch. There was beef, a bit of Yorkshire pudding, potato, gravy and some green stuff – ah, broccoli. Not keen on green stuff but there wasn’t much so it went down. Mum says she’s not looking forward to it going through my system!
There was a lovely black labrador who was really friendly and let me share her water bowl. I could have had my own but it’s good to share, especially with a smart girl like that.
Back home we had a rest then my mum took me in the yard and, yes, you’ve guessed it – a trim. We have visitors coming this week and she wants me smart. I had to have another lie down after that. Fair done in, I was.
Visits to the beach have been rare recently cos someone bashed into my mum’s car and she wasn’t allowed pets in the courtesy car while it was away for repair. But it’s back so we had a wonderful romp on the beach and a good splash in the sea (me, not my mum). No ball – she’s forgotten to buy any since I lost the last one – so I had a great time pulling and chewing seaweed. I love seaweed. If sushi is wrapped with seaweed it must be good for me, musn’t it?
What’s a dog to do? Not just once, Marley is making a habit of snaffling my dinner, beating me to the bowl night after night. My mum just laughs, says there’s plenty and that I’m much bigger than him so could easily barge in. Thing is, I’m frightened; he has claws and teeth and isn’t above swatting me if he feels like it. His food is put up aheight, out of my reach, so I don’t think it’s fair that he should help himself to mine. I could starve to death!
Dogwuff! 