We lost Truffle today. Diagnosed with kidney failure last week. Vets tried their hardest but we had to let him go. All his family was with him at the end. A wonderful much loved boy, fun and faithful for over 13 years. We are heartbroken.
Waiting all winter for a good snowfall, huge Storm Darcy is forcecast – and look what we get on the north east coast of England! The salty sea air prevents thick coverings so we have to make the most of what we get. There wasn’t enough for snowballs but Chip and me had a good romp on the playing fields.
I also had a walk to the bank with mum but she was annoyed because Irish cousin lives in that part of town and I was determined to turn down… one, two, three roads that lead to her house. Hauled back double quick to her route.
Mum hasn’t taken me to the beach for ages so I didn’t know what was happening when she took me out the back gate and told me to wait at the car. Nothing was mentioned until we stopped and then I smelt it – THE BEACH! I do get taken by the Irish Aunt but it’s lovely when mum goes too.
It was a gorgeous day for it – not too much wind which makes it chilly on even a sunny day. I got a swim, played with the ball and inspected the piles of pebbles which have been constructed since Covid-19 lockdown.  Some are dedicated to out NHS which has coped wonderfully. I’m glad we’ve seen them cos they will be washed away with the next big tide.
Seven today – can you believe it? Â Seven years (well, less eight weeks) with my gorgeous mums and the sprog. Â Gone by in a trice. Â I remember the first day I came here, brought home in a cat basket! Â I was bit smaller then, of course; about the same size as the resident cat, Sherry, who was responsible for whipping me (literally) into shape and teaching me my cat manners. Â I wasn’t very happy when she wapped my bum while I was eating but it taught me to be wary of cats and respect their superior ways, warranted or not.
Wasn’t I just the cutest puppy? Â Not that I’ve lost the cuteness now I’m a big boy. Â I still take a mean portrait. Â Agree?
What does she expect? Takes me down to the beach in the car then gets mad because I don’t want to get in it again to go home. Tells me I was naughty, willful and an embarrassment, that I didn’t deserve to go swimming and would forfeit my biscuits when she got me home.
She says it was lucky the nice man got out of the car I was circling and offered her a half choke collar to try. I’d really dug my heels in, slipped my head out of my collar when she tried to pull me and, of course, I’m too heavy for her to pick up, being a sizeable 22 kilos of pure muscle.
With the borrowed collar I couldn’t get my head free so she and her rescuer were able to drag and shove me towards the car where I gave in and got in. Yesterday she bought one of those collars…
Her attention was distracted for a while when we got home as she found Marley on the doorstep with a teensy weensy mouse. He put it down, she shuffled him inside but later I saw him follow the trail it must have left scurrying out of the garden.
He was in trouble again later for trying to scratch his way into a new, unopened bag of cat food so I didn’t feel too bad at the end of the day cos it was one point against me but two against the cat. I call that a win-win.
It’s kinda frosty here just now but that’s no problem to a tough dude like me. It’s been around -5c on the beach but the sun has been shining and it feels much warmer, especially as there’s no wind. If there’s wind my mum hates it because it blows her about and she gets sand in her contact lenses which is a nightmare for her.
She told me not to go in the water but there was lovely creamy foam so what’s a surf dog like me to do but have a splash and throw up the froth?
My mum had thoughtfully taken my new wrap down to the beach so that I could be cosy and drying off on the way home. When you’re drenched you don’t mind your tail being manhandled through the back end at all. Mmm, I love my surf wrap.
Back from a lovely trip to Scotland to see my Aunty Avril and my four-legged relatives again. I get to ride in the back seat of the car – fastened down, mind – when we go on a longer trip so I can see everything as we drive.
I had a wonderful time – three walks one day! – and my mum says I was thoroughly spoilt.
This is me in the car with my mum then out and about in the woodlands. 
My Aunty Avril believes in dogs getting lots of treats and I was allowed to sleep in my mum’s bedroom – no way is this tolerated at home! – so I could sneak up and snuggle in to her while she was asleep. And all thw while those pesky cats were home alone!
This is me having a happy time with Ben, and treat-time!
We didn’t get home without trauma, however. My mum took a detour to have the car washed and I was petrified – jumped right over into the passenger seat even though I was fastened to the seatbelt in the back! My mum said I was a wuss. That’s not fair – she knows I don’t like water from a hose!
Mum still in her nightie when I was collected for the my run so imagine my surprise when, halfway through the romp, she appeare
d on the beach. Oh, it was wonderful, I was delirious, charging about and yelping in glee – my mum, my MUM!! I continued to show how pleased I was by letting her throw the ball for me cos it’s not the same when she’s not there and I just potter about. This is the real thing. My mum is back…
My mum had an operation on her knee about three weeks ago and hasn’t been able to go to the beach. I still go but it’s not the same and I get distracted, won’t chase the ball and sometimes won’t go back to the car. I’m not the most popular dog when I refuse to head home.
The Irish aunt says I’m too bold when mum is out of action, trying to take her place as top dog, so she’s got me into obedience training again. That is so tiring, does my head in, so it’s no wonder I’m subdued afterwards.
So I’m hoping that next week my mum will be coming out again now that the bruises are gone. I’ll chase the ball for her! Whoopee!
I get a dish of water as well because by this stage I’m hot and done in from bounding around after the ball on the playing fields which aren’t like the beach where I can pop into the water to cool off. Hope we go again tomorrow!
Dogwuff! 