Category: dogs

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

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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.

Monday November 1st 2014

Joey Jones14 Comments

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

Adyar. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

21 years ago today

I saw him from the window of the car I was travelling in. Pink like a newly hatched bird. Scuff marks and cuts across his body, exhausted. At this very moment the course and shape of my life would change considerably.

It was during a tight work schedule, so I was unable to ask the driver to stop. Reaching my destination I was able to call the Blue Cross of India and speak to a contact I had made months before. They agreed to collect the street dog and take him into their care.

The day Tony came to live with me

The dog wasn’t doing well in the confines of the charity’s compound ( which reminded me of the times I had worked for the charity Crisis at their Christmas shelter and some of the men still went outside to sleep, despite adequate space indoors for them to do so) but I got permission for Tony to come and live where I was staying. ( I was so grateful for that) He wasn’t allowed indoors but as luck would have it there was a small new-build in a fenced off area attached to my place of residence. It was perfect.

And this is the beginning of our story. That amazing first year together. Before I took him and a pup to the UK with me.

Why run when you can walk?

Joey Jones5 Comments

How often do you walk or run?

Run? Nah, not happening. Simple as.

Walking, yes, WP. Every day, come rain or shine, we’re out there braving the elements.

It’s a good job I do have my canine buddy, as I doubt I’d be out three times a day on my own. Despite being at one with nature.

Once upon a time, I’d be pounding the streets of London with my perfect shopping pal. Oh yes, we did some walking back then. But those days are over.. Well, let’s never say never.

Tears and Joy

Joey Jones9 Comments

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

A double-whammy for me with this DP. Thank you WP. Patch, Patches, The Patches, Himself, His Nibs. Bless his little heart, he brings me joy and has in the past brought me to tears – proper go to the hospital and get stitched up kinda tears.

He was advertised on a charity Rescue site as a ‘small dog’. The younger version of him was more lithe, and his head is definitely Jack Russell, so from his pic I thought maybe he was crossed with one of those long-legged JR’s.

I went to meet him and was quite taken back by his size ( turns out he is a JR/Beagle cross..hence as he has aged he has become very thick set) I’d really wanted a smaller dog this time, but of course, having set eyes on him, my heart was taken. He was mine.

The charity had an animal behaviourist ( what a joke and certainly another story there!) and Patch had come through as an unwanted dog from one of his private clients.

On the day Patch arrived, the  behavourist talked a lot and said nothing. Everything I tried to say or ask something, he shut me down.

It was early evening on our first day together. All seemed well. I was in the kitchen at the sink. Patch was as far as I know just milling around. Then there was a little nudge at the back of my knee. ‘ Aww’ I thought. ‘ How cute, he loves me already’.

Wrong! I turned with a smile and warmth in my heart only to be confronted by a very angry dog. Whoa! I grabbed a nearby hand towell and pretty much fed that to him until he backed down. Great!

That was the first of many tantrums. Some more serious than others..and I can tell you something- his teeth were sharp, he didn’t let go…and it hurt.

I’m his 4th mom and he’s been with me getting on for 5 years and only now do I feel his anger and upset with the world has abated…

Home is where the dog is…

Joey Jones12 Comments

What do you love about where you live?

Chelsea, London. How I loved living in the city.  Absolutely loved it!. And on a day like today, I’d enjoy being back there.

Funny old day Sunday. Maybe a feeling left over from childhood, I don’t know. That grey day.

In the capital, it’s the vibrancy that energy. Just try and keep me away from the National Portrait Gallery, or one of those fabulous eateries hidden down a mostly forgotten street.

It’s fair to say I’ve sailed a bit close to the wind at times, but I also know what it is like to enjoy turning left at the door of a plane.

Today, we went out early. Not a cloud in the sky. There was a very tiny nip in the air, which was exciting. The roads were mostly empty. It was quiet and  still – except of course, there will always be someone or something going about their lives. Patch was up for a good walk. As usual, I let him him take the lead 😆 and we stayed out for some time. So peaceful, just us together sharing the moment.

My neighbourhood is the best place ever for dog walking, so much choice. As I said, I leave that choice to Himself.

Patch, my muse

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Dogs or cats?
Dogs, but I love cats too

Animals are my thing. I just love them!

Dogs are an absolute passion, I share a life with my Canine companion, and I’d be lost without him.

But it’s cats that really make me smile; their aloofness, the patience they have to sit facing a stone wall for as long as it takes to spot a field mouse. Their way of using that last ray of sunshine  to nap in. Their agility and poise. They way they prowl through my neighbourhood and stop outside just long enough for Patch to pick up their scent and react. I’m sure they do that on purpose. Their curiosity. Their stillness.

‘ Dogs have owners, cats have staff ‘ Margaret Benson ( 1865~1916)