Category: dogs

The Dog, the Door, and the Grain of Things

Joey Jones7 Comments

What bores you?

Patch asks to go out, so I open the door. He pauses on the threshold, reading the air like it’s a message meant only for him. He steps out, then reappears moments later, nose pressed to the French window, fogging the glass with fresh nose‑art. I open the door again; he doesn’t come in. He just stands there, undecided, as if the threshold itself is the point. When I step outside to usher him in, he runs away. This is where I recognise boredom, not mine, his. I try to be the best Mom, but he would test the patience of a saint.

And yet boredom requires a blankness I don’t possess. Even in these tiny domestic loops, the world offers micro‑textures, the shift in light, the slant of a thought, the way Patch listens to something older than sound. These subtleties unfurl easily for me. They keep the moment textured and full. With so much quiet detail to inhabit, boredom has nowhere to settle.

The big breakfast

Joey Jones3 Comments

What’s your favourite thing to cook?

I’d driven Patch to one of our favourite walks this morning, and when we approached the car, he seemed to want  to simply stand still and take in his surroundings.

We know this is how dogs take in information about the world around them. Each nostril sniffing a different area. They sense unseen animals and people, weather conditions, and even changes in the bodies of their humans who accompany them.

Allowing your companion to have a fullfilling sensory experience is one of the best things you can do for them each day.

I was rewarded for standing around on a chilly February early morning with the sighting of a barn owl swishing back and forth across the field in front of me. Magnificent.

And then it was home for breakfast, which I think I mentioned last time you asked WP is my favourite and the main meal of my day at the moment.

Mushrooms with Sumac, wilted spinach, poached eggs, avocados( olive oil, lemon juice salt n pep) with  haloumi, or veg sausage/bacon for an occasional treat. Delish.

Talk to me

Joey Jones5 Comments

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

Thanks, WP. I’ve especially enjoyed reading through the DP’s my fellow bloggers have posted today.

If you have gathered anything about me at all, it’s animals and my passion for them, especially dogs. I can’t help myself, something I was clearly born with.

Patch. My companion of the last 5 years. Who is at least 12 and came to share my life after being in 3 previous homes ( or should that read ‘houses’? ) has clearly had a difficult time of it.

What I’d like him to know is I wish he could talk to me about those days instead of keeping it all inside

Being Joe

Joey Jones18 Comments

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

You may recognise this scrappy little pup. I’ve posted about him before.

This is the first photo I took of him over 20 years ago.

I’d been overseas for many years, and for a multitude of reasons ( all stories in themselves), I decided it was time to head back to the UK. ( Was that wise? Yes, another story there)

For the last 6 months of my stay, I rented a house in Palavakkam, just off the East Coast Road, heading south out of Chennai city.

( I owe a great deal to a taxi driver, Michael, who found and secured the place for me. It was perfect. I’d like to thank him more, but have so far run aground trying to trace him….but I digress)

The van from The Blue Cross of India would drop me at the end of my road each evening. Giving me some time to decompress before I reached home.

One night, this little pup was in the street, hanging out with the big dogs amongst the traffic.  I scooped him up and brought him back with me…..There’s much I could write about here… but this post is how he got his name.

A lovely old friend and workmate of mine said she would have him when I returned to the UK….She was called Mary. So I called him Joseph. Joe.

On the afternoon I took him over to her house he had a great time hanging out with her kids, and then he raced up to me, sat himself at my feet and said,’ can we go home now?’ …We did, and he came with me and my big older boy Tony to England.

We shared a life for 14 years ❤️

It’s what you make it

Joey Jones3 Comments

Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?

So, I’ve been out and about today. Got me a haircut. Play time? Oh yes!  Makes me happy.  Gemma, my stylist is so talented. I recognise myself in the mirror. Mojo restored.

The thing is, the moment I gave up work, it kicked in. The very second you are a beholder to no one but the lap of the Gods it’s happening

Olympic standard freedom.

Sure, things go pear-shaped, of course they do. A wobble with your health freaks out even the strongest amongst us.

Emotional and mental health are just waiting in the wings, ready for you to make the wrong move. Like chess.

So, maintaining the upper hand is key. There is only you, at the end of the day, to keep yourself on an even keel. Feel you can’t manage it? Please, seek help.

As you will have gathered, if you read any of my posts, I am grateful for small mercies.

Patch has definitely lost a marble along the way, but I’m here for him, big time. Joe, a previous companion, was struck with Cushings. It cost a fortune to keep him comfortable. But I didn’t go anywhere for the last two years of his life.

Why am I telling you this? Playtime is where you find it. Where you make it. I love rocking up here each day. It’s my happy place. I can still have fun at WordPress whilst watching over my best friend. 🐾🐾😍

I’m always here if anyone wants to chat…

2026. The Begining

Joey Jones13 Comments

What are your biggest challenges?

This is Day One of a new year, and I’m looking forward to batting any challenges that come my way into the ether-well, to the best of my ability, that is.

There is usually something there to try us, isn’t there? It’s part of the process.

From reading lots of posts from my fellow bloggers here on WordPress each day, I am reminded just how tricky this living thing can be for you all.

Patch, his health, and well-being may give me grave concern this year. Sometimes, he seems quite frail, and then the next day, he’s a bruiser.

So, I guess as far as I can imagine, the rollercoaster of caring for an elderly dog could be a mammoth challenge this coming year. Not quite as easy to bat that away into the ether as I first suggested…

To those of you lovely people who I haven’t wished the very best for 2026, I do now 💚

All cool this end

Joey Jones6 Comments

Tell us about your first day at something

Patch presented me with a first today.

I had in mind something else to write about, but hey, a lie-in until 9.20am. And not just a lie but an actual sleep.

No biggie, you may be thinking?  But walk 6 months in my moccasins, and you’ll get the drift.

He often gets me up early doors, and often that’ll be me awake and chipper (ish). Or he’ll go back to bed but still be up before it’s light and expecting me to follow suit.

This morning? Whoa, what a treat. I let him out ( and he went quietly without waking the hood) at around 5am. That was cool, no probs, but then we settled back down and knew nothing until after 9 am. Yikes! That’s a first.

When we did go out, the sunshine  in a blue sky was waiting for us. The car had defrosted, and it was pretty mild all things considered.

Himself took the lead, and after inspecting some greenery came back to the car waiting for his chauffeur to get his steps ( caravan steps, that he needs to get in the back seat, or boot, whichever takes his fancy at that particular moment)

We head off and see/hear Santa and his brass band playing in The Square. ‘ In the bleak mid winter ‘no less. Words by the ever wonderful Christina Rossetti.

Out of the car and passing other peeps here and there, a smile, a ‘ hey’ or ‘good morning’ in one case a brief chat at the abundance of scarlet berries and another around why the Catkins are out.( We had no idea) It was lovely. The grass under our feet heavy with dew and sparkled in the sun. Surreal, explains it best. To be rested is sublime.

Life’s a beach-and then

Joey Jones9 Comments

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

There is no getting away from the fact that mountains are majestic, and the views from the top supreme, but sea-level suits me just fine. Thanks all the same.

Having said that since the Tsunami of 2004, I haven’t taken this force of nature for granted. Once upon a time, the sound of the waves would lull me to sleep. Now, not so much.

But being with Patch on a deserted beach , breathing in the fresh coastal air is a wonderful thing.

I trust his

Joey Jones14 Comments

Do you trust your instincts?

 Patch takes the lead when we leave the house. He’ll either stop at the car or out onto the street and go left or right.

We live in dog-walking nivarna and can go for weeks, not taking exactly the same route. It’s fascinating seeing the way and at what pace he wants to go.

Later, I’ll take a photo in his new winter coat, but for now a fave pic

Cosy boy

I love this website. A fascinating read.

Mediation, neuroscience and the 7 ancient instincts

Paws for thought

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

Hi. As some of you regular peeps who drop into my blog ( many thanks) will  know, I live in PatchLand.

It’s a small, peaceful, and happy place where we both get to chill after a life of ups and downs (rollercoaster edition).

We broadly have a routine, and it suits us – but the one bit I occasionally ( not ‘always’, as suggested in today’s DP) try to delay for a moment is when Himself stands over me, paws a device from my hand, looks me sternly in the eye and suggest I get up, because it’s time to go out.

I did as I was told this morning, got us both kitted out for a very wet walk, and then he stands on the doorstep reluctant to go any further.

We got out eventually. It was mild with just a hint of a breeze, and despite the rain, the birds were happy enough whizzing around, chattering amongst themselves and one doing a solo piece. It was lovely.

And now we are home and had breakfast  the rain has stopped completely and it’s brightening up. Hopefully, our coats will dry out before we venture out next in a few hours’ time, when it will no doubt cloud over and chuck it down! Ho hum. Happy days.