Category: dogs

Not my name…his.

Joey Jones5 Comments

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

On socials I go by Ella, which is a pretty name I think. Can’t remember the moment I chose it…Just happened, I reckon.

But today I want to tell you how one of my dogs got his name.

Soooo, I’m living and working in Southern India, with a well-paid job and a super lifestyle…and then it all goes to hell in a handcart when I fall in love with a four-legged broken soul, called Tony.

I leave the job and he and I move out of my lux accommodation into a sweet little house in a village called Palavakkam. There’s no AC with generator back-up,  just ceiling fans….the power cuts are notorious. But that’s another story. In fact there are lots of other stories.

Without paid employment, my once a week helping the Blue Cross of India stint became full time. Their ABC ( Animal Birth Control) programme was quite something.

The job entailed daily visiting a chosen area to collect up to twenty street dogs ( I think, can’t remember exactly how many, twenty plus, maybe) They would be taken back to the centre. Boys and girls separated, given a health check, a rabies shot and then the op) The boys recovered faster, but when they were all fit we took them back to exactly where we had found them, on another day. They had one ear clipped( just a little) so they could be identified on the street as having had the procedure.

This helped to keep the population of street dogs down. I was informed once upon a time they would be thrown live down wells. Today around the world horrible methods are still used.

One night after work the van dropped me at the end of my road and I walked to my house in tears. Nothing unusual there, the daily stress and distress needed to manifest somehow. It broke my heart to see so many animals in such bad shape, on a daily basis.

Dusk was falling but ahead of me I could see a tiny pup hanging out with a group of grown dogs. His coat was a mess and probably didn’t feel great but his spirit was alive and kicking.

I picked him up and asked around if anyone knew where he came from, if by any chance he did at all. A lady told me he had been ‘ thrown over the wall, by that house there’. To make sure I was doing everything correctly as far as the charity and my conscience were concerned I approached the gates of the property, to ask about the ownership of the pup- happily snoozing on my arms.

In no uncertain terms I was assured his welfare was not their concern.

I took him home ( lovely story to be told here, another day) My ‘big dog’ Tony took it on the chin and allowed the pup to enter.

Plan A was to take Pup to the Blue Cross centre to be cared for and hopefully rehomed. But if you know me you’ll know I wasn’t going to be able to part with him easily.

My ex workmate and friend Mary often came to visit. The pup would tug at the edges of her sari. She was kind, we laughed, he was naughty. But it was okay.

So, I had this dilemma. What to do about Pup?

I had tentative plans about returning to the UK.  My work visa would run out eventually and although I know it could have ‘ been arranged ‘ ( many things can be arranged in India- no disrespect meant to the country or government workers, I hasten to add!) I didn’t really want to put anyone in that position, to do me that favour. A pity really, under different circumstances I would have been happy to stay there.

Sister Mary, Mary ( a native of Bangalore) had been a co-worker, an amazing loyal friend with a sense of humour I adored. She became everything to me and still is..good friend, sister, mother, daughter, everything.

When she knew I was troubled about the future of Pup, she said she would take him as her own. A visit was arranged and off we went to meet her family. It was then I thought, yes, she a devout catholic was Mary ….He would be Joseph..Joe. 

Pup had a fabulous time, running around, connecting with everyone and being adorable….and then ..he ran to me, looked me straight in the face and said ‘ that was great, can we go home now?’! Joe was going nowhere without me.

I brought him to the UK, with Tony, in October 2005 and he lived a long and happy life.

After thought ..

Dr. Chinny who ran the Blue Cross of India in Chennai offered me a gig in the back end of beyond helping street dogs. I turned it down as I believed my family at some stage may need me and I couldn’t get back to the UK quickly. They never did….

Patches

Joey Jones8 Comments

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

Walking my dog on the beach. Seeing him in his element brings great joy to my life.

                       Black Cherries

Late in May as the light lengthens

towards summer the young goldfinches

flutter down through the day for the first time

to find themselves among fallen petals

cradling their day’s colours in the day’s shadows

of the garden beside the old house

after a cold spring with no rain

not a sound comes from the empty village

as I stand eating the black cherries

from the loaded branches above me

saying to myself Remember this

W. S Merwin 1927~2019

My Tamil pups

Joey Jones2 Comments

What sacrifices have you made in life?

I sometimes find the word ‘ sacrifice’ smacks of  martyrdom in today’s world….and I’m not sure what to replace it with….forfeit? forego?

‘ Gave up’. Maybe that works a bit better? It’s still not perfect!

Once upon a time I had a well paid job overseas, a comfortable lifestyle and savings….and then I didn’t, because a Street Dog came into my life and changed everything. My Tony and the foster puppy Joe (who stayed forever) became my focus. My world.

It cost me everything, but I wouldn’t change a thing. That’s not totally true. I do not regret for one second bringing them back to the UK…but I wish I had done things differently.

In the end the young pup stayed by my side for 15 years, with unconditional love and a continuity in my life I knew neither before or since.

I loved those boys……and I miss them.

Talk to me

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What topics do you like to discuss?

It depends whom I’m talking to, where and when. If they are into animals and especially dogs we are by definition on the same page. If the welfare of animals, their rights and needs is something they are interested in, then we’re pretty much in the same paragraph, if not sentence.

A shared interest is always nice. Makes for an easy-going time. But it doesn’t have to be so. I love listening to a person with a passion for something. They way they light up and become animated, is great. So many years ago now I used to work along side a lad who loved rock climbing. Personally I would rather stick pins in my eyes, than try it…but to hear him chat on about his lastest adventure was quite something. Even the actions of holding on with his fingertips, he’d show me. That conversation must have made an impact, for me to remember it so vividly. A similar moment, but much more recently was a young talented designer/builder. Usually the quietest of young men, he came to life as he told me about his latest project. His enthusiasm was infectious and the positive vibe he excuded lifted my spirits.

I don’t enjoy being trapped in a room/area with lots of people. ( Weirdly it’s what I dream about the most, but usually set in a big building) as I struggle with small talk. Direct personal questions, horrible! On the other hand brief light-hearted banter with strangers I find enjoyable. Those seconds out of your day when you can share a mutual laugh or smile about something, as you cross paths.

Of course with old friends you don’t have to talk at all, if that suits the mood of the moment. Often sharing views on current affairs/ politics, health, nutrition, pollution, world leaders, the lack of clean water for all,for example. That long list of topics you could chat together about into the night. Or not.

So to directly answer the Prompt today I’d say dogs, dogs and more dogs….but if folk want to tell me about their families, their concerns, hopes, skills, opinions or dreams for the future, I’m all ears!

P.S. How does the picture I have posted today have anything to do with what I’ve written about? It doesn’t, but it’s pretty, eh?

Take it easy

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

I just made the big mistake of deciding to have a ‘quick game’ on my tablet before I came to WordPress. Of course, it wasn’t a quick game, was it? At least 40 minutes passed before I got here and read coincidentally our DP today is about having fun. It’s true, I was having fun. Or was I? Maybe just consumed by the black hole which has become our devices. Not much exercise to be had here, other than our fingers and hopefully some grey matter.

Picture this…..It’s a warm, bright sunny day. In a garden somewhere the grass is as green as it could possibly be. The flower beds full of colour. In the middle is a paddling pool. A hose runs with fresh and probably chilly water. A dog runs in and out of the small children as they shriek with glee. The one with the hose being IT for the moment. They are in a safe space and free to scream and shout, to their little hearts content. This is kids having fun. Their cognitive creativity peaks around 6 years old. Motor skills, imagination, problem solving and balance ease up at this age and they begin to mimic the ‘grown ups’ around them. If they are not lucky this can have quite a detrimental effect, I think to myself.

Research suggests that adults lose their sense of fun in their early 40’s. Saying that around 42 years of age, things change somewhat. I wonder if that goes for 40 somethings who have a passion? Surfing, hand gliding or skiing, for example. Surely it would still be fun to do those things at any age, as long as you are fit enough to do so?

These days having fun for me is maybe having lunch out and/or window shopping with a friend, simple things in life. Again not too much exercise going on there, though.

I get to have some fun the three times a day I go out with my boy. I’m not a fair weather dog walker. We’ll go out in whatever. I’m happy to see him having a good time, running like the wind-ish, eating sun-dried sheep’s poo or swimming in the streams. He’s a bit of a bruiser and he has trained me well. He’s taught me how he likes things done and when. I’d say that the walking is exercise and we have fun. So, there it is WP, I’ve answered today’s question.

The heartbeat at my feet

Joey JonesLeave a comment

What animals make the best/worst pets?

Dogs,dogs,dogs……and more dogs! Having said that if granted enough time on this planet and the opportunity to do so I’d would love to give a good home to a cat and some chickens.

The following was written by Billy Collins in 1998. Twice US Poet Laureate….

*Dharma*

The way the dog trots out the front door

every morning

without a hat or umbrella,

without any money

or keys to her doghouse

never fails to fill the saucer of my heart

with milky admiration.

Who provides a finer example

of life without encumbrance –

Thoreau in his curtainless hut

with a single plate, a single spoon?

Ghamdi with his staff and holy diapers?

Off she goes into the material world

with nothing but her brown coat

and her modest blue collar

following only her wet nose,

the twin portals of her steady breathing,

followed only by the plume of her tail.

Ir only she did not shove the cat aside

every morning

and eat all his food

what a model of self-containment she

would be,

what a paragon of earthly detachment.

If only she were not so eager

for a rub behind the ears,

so acrobatic in her welcomes,

if only I were not her god…..

Gabby

Joey Jones3 Comments

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I certainly respect all the sports people aiming high.   The hours of dedication they must have put in. Maybe a talent they were born with? Their dedication is admirable. But for me this is the best race ever…..