As the summer ploughs on, the days become warmer more frequently and I become more languid and, maybe, lazier. I think I’m allowed to be lazy now that I am allegedly fifteen. In any case, our walks with the parentals have been made earlier and earlier, before the sun is too high and the warmth makes it uncomfortable for myself and my little pal, Lenny.
As it was this morning we were walked briefly across the field outside the front of our house. We were quickly turned around and headed back toward the house. Lenny and I knew what this meant and right on cue, the car was opened so we could be coerced into our travel crates. Along the lane, turn right, turn left, follow the road, through Ludlow, across the bridge, sharp right and then on to our destination of Mortimer Forest. We haven’t been here before so our attempts at trying to leap from the boot of the car into 2,500 acres were not greeted with too much appreciation from the parentals. Something was mumbled about two idiot beagles running around and not listening to commands.
We set off at a pace along the first path, through the cool trees and trying to keep under the cover of the tree canopy. The sun was rising swiftly and we wanted to try and see as much as we could in the time available. Once we had walked briskly around a circuitous route, we found ourselves coming toward a fellow beagle called Chester who was thirteen, off lead and well behaved. What was this sorcery? I fear this is the end game for Lenny and his “training”.
Sooner than we would have liked we found ourselves returned to the car, placed unceremoniously into our travel crates and headed home. Breakfast was of course served in the utility, after which Lenny and I took our leave to stroll over to a sofa each for rest and snoozing.
It’s too hot for an older chap like me, so I suppose I should be grateful I have a walk early morning so I can sniff at my leisure and not have to worry about overheating. We also tend to stay off roads and tarmac paths as these can heat up far too quickly for our pads which burn and become very sore. Whilst the hot weather continues, we will walk early and chill out for the rest of the day.
This is a sad day. In fact make that a sad week or even month. As many of my readers will know, I have a wonderful group of friends around the world who I laugh, cry and be silly with. Recently however there have been more occasions upon which I have reflected on sad news arriving in my Twitter (for that is what it was when I joined) feed.
Over the last few weeks I have found out that so many of my friends have been making their final and longest journeys over the Rainbow Bridge. Since March we have lost Sweeney, Sunny, Remy, Dawson and Mischa and my good friend Harvey. Now, today I have seen the news that one of my oldest friends has made her final journey to the everlasting meadow. All are mourned, all are remembered and all are thought of in lighter and happier times. All are missed, particularly by their human guardians and assistants.
Today I saw that Curfew made her journey. She lived in Thailand with her dad. Curfew was one of the very first pals who greeted me with love, warmth and friendliness when I arrived in my new home in December 2013 and started my online presence soon thereafter. She was always getting up to silly things, eating naughty things and being loved by her dad and her friends around the world. Curfew showed us all some sides of her local culture that maybe people didn’t know about. She was always exploring and making new friends. Her dad would give her baths, which Curfew complained about, however it was very warm weather and I think she knew he always had her best interests at heart. A kind, warm friendly and loving pal, Curfew had some medical issues to deal with but these were encountered with stoicism and bravery. She was just over 15 years old when her body and mind told her that it was time for the final trip over the Rainbow Bridge to the everlasting meadow, where the sun always shines warmly upon our fur. Those who have made the journey before her will show the way and they will be ready to make her comfortable in the place where the squirrels run slowly.
I know that our times will come, all of us must make our journey and we will leave behind our humans who will be broken hearted but we always take a piece of our humans heart with us for safe keeping. Run free Curfew, Sunny, Remy, Dawson, Mischa Harvey… All of you have fulfilled your task down here and now you can rest, easy in the knowledge that you made humans feel love, fun, laughter and contentment.
I appear to have had something called a birthday last Sunday. I am told that I was fifteen years old which, in human years, makes me quite ancient, a little dusty and somewhat crumbly. Of course, being a stray, orphan or rejected fur, no one really knows when my actual birthday was so I am happy to get some sort of celebration.
As a result of my birthday I was loaded into my car prison cell and transported to an unknown destination. I was promised fun, plenty of shenanigans and plenty of belly rubs, head scritches and ear ruffles. Lenny came along for the ride and we looked quizzically at each other when loaded into the car. Down the lane, turn right, turn right again, follow the road for miles and miles and miles, turn left, turn right, drive along a motorway and then turn left along a narrow road. We could smell something familiar but couldn’t quite put our paw on what it may have been. As soon as we had parked up and the boot was opened we saw the most welcoming face of Sasha beagle who greeted us in typical fashion. This seemed to make a few people in the vicinity smile and laugh. Out of the car and onto our paws. Welcome to the Wirral Way the sign said. We had arrived at a place called Thurstaston and it looked really nice.
Once the humans had got their greetings completed, we led the way along the gravel path. I was immediately accused of pulling like a steam train and told to slow down due to me being of advanced years. I took no notice as we strolled along the path all the while avoiding the joggers, cyclists and other walkers coming toward us. After a while we turned right and headed along a small lane toward the river Dee. As we wandered out onto the beach I could see Wales on the opposite shore and I felt happy to see the land of my birth. Along the sandy beach we strolled (read pulled like a steam train). Lenny and Sasha walked nicely and they were very politely walking alongside each other, when Sasha wasn’t running ahead and having a lovely time.
That’s Wales over there!
Along the beach we went, sniffing and trying to eat any dead washed up sea creatures, all the while being watched by the parentals who were trying to ruin our fun. Up the steps and back toward the cafe. We knew what was coming next as the question was asked “Ice cream anyone?”. Us furs didn’t get any delicious looking ice cream. We had to sit and be good whilst the humans ate their delicious looking ice creams. After a while we were moved along again and found ourselves being loaded back into our travel crates for the return journey. We said our sad goodbyes and we really hope to see Sasha again soon.
SashaLennyMe
We arrived home and were, for some reason, really rather tired. We managed to sleep until at least our evening dinner, which was a miracle for me, apparently. What a great day, in a lovely place, with brilliant weather and an ace way to celebrate my birthday. I am a very, very lucky lad.
As we yawned and stretched this morning we had no idea of the impending shenanigans we were about to perform. It started like most other Friday mornings and we strolled around the house trying to wake ourselves up to face the day to come. Somewhat strangely we were allowed out into the garden without being shackled to a parental. Lenny and I took the opportunity to scent the grass, eat the gifts left to us by visiting rabbits and get huge eye rolling from our watching staff. We then had a small breakfast and found ourselves each being strapped to a parent. We never made it past the car despite our efforts at trying to reach the field in front of our house. Duly loaded into our travel crates, we were taken down the lane, right, left, along the road for a good distance and then right, left, bear right, turn right and parked.
We had arrived at what I can only describe as a stately home in somewhere called Herefordshire. This was south of our previous southern travels and we had even crossed the county borders and, what’s more, we didn’t need our passports. As we leapt from the car we looked up to see a kind lady coming toward us saying “Welcome to Croft Castle, is this your first visit?”.. Lenny and I told her it was but we were told to sshh by our respective parentals. We went through the big archway in the wall and off we wandered (read pulled, puffed and strained on our harnesses) finding ourselves quickly in a very pretty walled garden full of flowers that Lenny clearly decided needed to be watered.
Once we had explored the walled garden we strolled along to, I think, the main house where the posh people used to live. There was a lovely view away to the south of the house the grounds swept down to a big lake.
We started to walk toward the lake but there were far too many sheep snacks lying about and we were quickly turned around. This was to become a bit of a theme unfortunately. Back past the house and along a small footpath we went, turning left at the end and through the gate. We were going to follow a “green” route which was deemed flat and easy to walk around. This was going to be fun thought Lenny and I at the same time. As we strolled along the fruit trees were protected by barriers and we assumed this was due to deer eating the bark. This was not the case as we saw the cows loom into view and our respective leads got severely shortened. Now I am afraid to admit that I have “history” with our bovine pals so as soon as they started to walk toward the people in front of us, it was deemed too dangerous for me to be walked amongst them. I would point out that I had already started to whine and whimper in anticipation of meeting some ruminants. Again we were hastily turned around and followed another path, this time through an outdoor play and discovery area for children to learn about nature and the environment.
Far too soon we found ourselves back in the vicinity of the car and our ride home from a morning of fun. Having arrived home we were pleased to see that our second breakfast was provided.
Croft Castle looks like a good place to visit. There are many walks through woods, fields, around lakes and up or down hills. Off track walks are mixed with strolls along gravel paths, there is plenty to see and do so I think we will return soon. Whether we will be mixing it with the cows, that’s another question entirely. Dogs are allowed in the majority of the grounds and the cafe, apart from the bit where the parentals pay for things. The big house is also off limits for us dogs which is fine as there are plenty of outside sniffs to keep us amused.
I’ve done it again. After my early January trip to the vet for my persistent ear infection, I have reverted to my thought process of considering nothing has happened that is worthy of publication. No doubt this will be judged by anyone who reads this blog as an effort at a catch up.
My ears seem to have become better in that I am not scratching them beyond the odd itch. I am still being watched constantly to ensure that I do not have any repeat trips to the vet. I suppose it’s for the best that I am surveilled permanently. The assistants seem pleased.
Snow came and went within the space of two days on 5th January so we enjoyed ourselves trying to eat as much snow as possible, which caused concern amongst the assistants that I was going to give myself an upset dietary system. Thankfully I managed to avoid the midnight trips to the garden accompanied by an adult.
The log burner has been running for a while now and it is lovely to toast our toes (metaphorically of course) once we have completed our walk and daily shenanigans. Lenny seems to have taken to the log burner quite easily, although I think it has shown his Cypriot heritage in that he also likes a blanket to snooze beneath.
His inability to keep his extremities under the blanket do correspond with being a beagle as I also seem to be unable to tuck myself in fully with all limbs duly withdrawn from the outside.
We took a stroll to Lady Halton near Ludlow and walked along the road and farm tracks for quite a way. The scenes in the bright morning January sunshine were a tonic for the normal cloudy, foggy days we seem to be having recently. We are promised that the gloom will lift so we will look forward to that happening.
In between times it has rained, been foggy, misty and generally drab. We have got wet and dirty and been washed more times that we would ordinarily care to be cleaned. Lenny has become champion at sleeping for extended periods of the day and I am happy to see that he is feeling so comfortable not only in the house, but in his own fur.
So there you have it, an update of rambling stuff which can either be read or not. However if you have got to this point, then you’ve read it and that’s two minutes of your life you’ll never get back. 😀
Apologies I nearly forgot, I should wish you all a Happy New Year for 2025 firstly.
For a first blog of the year I was hoping it would be a bit more upbeat and fun, however it seems that my ear problems have continued. After Christmas it was noticed that my ears were itchy and the eczema type problem had returned. Not wishing to take any chances with an infection getting worse I was carted off to the vet on New Years Eve so they could examine me. Having arrived I made my presence known to the kind ladies on reception and then galloped joyfully in to see the vet lady. She checked my ears, sniffed them and then put an otoscope into my ears. It felt like she was looking at my brain. I managed to ignore the parent who accompanied me and was making jokes about the light shining through from one ear to the other. It was confirmed that my condition had returned and I was given a different potion to be administered twice a day for a week or so.
Upon arriving home I was entombed once more in the Cone of Shame and strolled about wondering what was happening. The potion has been applied morning and evening now for a few days and my ears are cleaned regularly. One advantage of the potion is that it makes me feel deaf so I have an excellent excuse for not listening to the parents, apart from being called for breakfast, dinner and walks. I still fool around and try to start bitey face games with Lenny but it’s getting a bit much now, having to wear the Cone of Shame so regularly. I am allowed to sleep without wearing it although, to be honest, its quite comfy and keeps my face and ears warm.
I suppose the moral is that I am getting toward fifteen years old, I am going to have some issues and need to just get on with life. I have a home, beds, food, walks, tickles, a brother and pals who like me. It could be worse. I shall soldier on and, in the meantime, adventures need to be attended to.
I would like to continue my run down of our year 2024. Lenny and I had so many fun things to do and see. Here are some of them and I apologise if I have left any out.
July
Lenny and I ensured that people behaved themselves whilst performing their civic duty at the polls. We managed not to mess about for around five to ten minutes.
We went for a climb up onto the hill at Flounders Folly and welcomed our friend River to our house. Griff came along to join in the fun too, which is always good.
We live over thereMe, Lenny, River and Griff (rear)
Our fruit trees were starting to produce fruit which needed to grow further. We helped water them.
We were so tired after all our July exertions, we needed a lie down to recuperate.
August
The weather was warm and trips were planned. We went for a walk up to Wart Hill and we went almost into Wales when we visited Clun.
Our sad little facesBit draughty
The Victoria Plums ripened on our tree and they were devoured greedily by our assistants.
Apparently they were very tasty
We finished our month with a polite and quiet stroll around Town Brook on the Long Mynd which was great fun, if somewhat tiring for me.
September
The month started with Lenny needing to go to the vet for a blood test. They wanted to make sure he didn’t have a nasty disease so he had a blood sample taken. I felt sad for him but there was a lull in bitey face games for around 30 minutes.
We went to Llangollen to meet up with Sasha, Griff, Smudgey and Ted in the hope of going for an interesting walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Unfortunately Lenny kept on trying to get through the railings when we were high up so we turned around and strolled along the canal itself. It was lovely, despite being somewhat soggy under paws.
Lenny and I decided we would take the assistants for a walk from Bromfield to Ludlow but we had planned it badly as the cinnamon bun cafe wasn’t open. There was much disappointment all around.
It rained, rained some more and then poured down. The flood plain did its job thankfully and the river took the flood waters away.
October
The days became cooler and the mists began to rise more often, shrouding our area in a cloak of secrecy. Lenny needed the Fingerposts to be able to navigate some days.
It rained even more than it had done in September so the flood plain and river were called into action once more. It was like a giant duck pond.
The fields in the valley stretching away toward Bromfield and Ludlow became misty and mysterious. And muddy, very muddy.
November
We decided on a trip to Carding Mill Valley in early November, just to stretch our legs and explore a new place. It was great fun.
My ear trouble flared again so I was forced to go and see the nice vet ladies who looked after me admirably. They still made me wear the Cone of Shame though.
The sun was lowering in the sky but it still managed to shine over Norton Camp whilst I was out on my walk.
And then if rain wasn’t enough it decided to snow, turning our meadow into a snow filled playground for Lenny and I. We love the snow albeit it disappeared within a few days.
December
Just to prove our assistants wrong, we proved that we could snooze together without antagonising one another. Maybe it was a brief lull in shenanigans but it was a lull. We were being watched as my time in the Cone of Shame continued.
We met with Griff for a pre-Christmas stroll from Bromfield to Ludlow and this time the cinnamon bun cafe was open. We returned via a slightly longer and different route which gave us some lovely views over the hills.
Lenny got the chance to explore slightly off-piste on Christmas Eve and he dragged his handler up onto the top of the hill so he could survey all that we would like to wander across.
And to finish we had a Christmas morning walk up onto the top of the Long Mynd. It was a wonderful quiet stroll and we enjoyed ourselves very much.
To sum up then. Wow, what a year it has been for us. Moving home again (apparently it is the last time we are moving) and having some lovely places on our doorstep is a huge bonus. We are closer to one of our best buddies who is happy to show us the places we don’t yet know about, as well as accompany us to the places we do know of. We will explore further to see what else lies beyond our current horizons. One thing is for sure though, we will try our best to enjoy ourselves.
Not Christmas but the year in general for Lenny and I. Until I sat down a short time ago, I didn’t realise that we had packed so much into it. So here goes for a year in which we moved house, got a new house, lost dear friends, gained new acquaintances, found new places, left old areas, when it rained, rained some more, was sunny and our fruit trees were prolific. All the time we were surrounded by love and friendship despite having a few vet visits thrown in for good (or bad) measure. First part of the review will be today and the second part tomorrow.
January
It all started so badly when a great friend to so many made his way over the rainbow bridge. Our wonderful pal Hamish told his mum that he was ready and she took the bravest decision to allow him to run free.
Never forgotten
Beyond the sadness of his passing we realised that we still had shenanigans to perform. Lenny and I took our cue from one another and continued the long tradition of silliness.
What? Us?
February
We knew something was afoot as there was far too much activity in the house that didn’t involve this “work” thing that we are continually told about. Lenny hid in his cave bed and we enjoyed the sun when it finally showed itself.
March
The day arrived mid way through the month when we found ourselves standing in an empty house as all our belongings had been packed and stolen by removals men. Lenny and I were transported to another house, hours away up the motorway amid much huffing and puffing from the driver.
Bye bye old houseOoh adventuresHello new kennel
We started to explore our new manor and we found Ludlow too. Lenny was still intent on being silly.
Good griefIs that a castle I spy?
April
We had a visitor from the US who bought us gifts. We played nicely of course, as you would expect from well behaved beagles.
I haven’t managed to dead this one yet.
We explored more whilst the sun was out and the area became greener and warmer.
May
May arrived and we were finding our paws more. We went out with our neighbour and extremely good pal Griff who showed us some of the local sights.
Our fruit trees started to show signs of life and then we had a visitor all the way from Yorkshire. Hector came to see us and brought his parents. We weren’t allowed in the garden due to his bad paw but we still had a chat.
June
June started with Lenny and I being taken on a long walk around a place called Wart Hill via a hamlet called Cheney Longville. Apparently it’s in the Domesday Book. We were tired afterwards for ages, so we think it was a cunning plan.
We explored at every chance we could get and it rained. Quite a bit. Which will become a recurring theme.
RainingReady for take offIt’s nice round here
That’s it for the first half of the year. I am sure I have missed out some of the things we got up to and I apologise. There were so many things happened that it is too much for an old beagle to remember them all. Part two to follow.
Last weekend it was decided on our behalf that we would take a little trip to Ludlow. It appears that our assistants had heard about some festive cinnamon buns that were being sold at the local cafe near Ludlow Castle and unless we went to sample the fayre, they may sell out and we would miss out. I hesitate at this point regarding the use of the word “we” as it would be made plainly obvious that particular pronoun was not alluding to beagles.
As we were loaded into our travel crates for the short hop to Bromfield, there was some chatter from the front of the car in relation to the conditions of the lane, whether the correct footwear was used and if a certain beagle would behave himself. I am not sure who this last part is referring to! Down the lane, turn right, turn left, follow the road and turn right at the church. Upon our arrival our pal Griff was being released from his carriage and we made sure he was aware that we had arrived. In fact I think those people in the nearby half mile radius were aware of our presence. Once shackled to an unwilling parent we leapt salmon like from our cells and proceeded to try and walk to Ludlow as quickly as possible all the while forgetting that we were attached to said parent. Initial greetings with Griff were dispensed. We strolled along the lane, over the river, past the gate house, around the next gate and then through the piggery. As happened previously our leads were significantly shortened and we were warned to behave and not eat the treats that were kindly left for us by the resident porcine pals. Parents are no fun sometimes. Lenny also avoided puddles. We continued along the winding lane until we could see the castle and St Laurence church looming on the horizon. Around the bend, over the bridge and four festive pastries were bought, along with coffee to keep the chill at bay. Us beagles sat and waited in a manner in which you expect us to behave, all the while without sampling these delightful festive buns. Lenny and I have a sneaking suspicion that Griff may have got a little corner of bun, but he didn’t let on.
It was decided, again on our behalf, that we would take a more circuitous route for the return journey. So it was that we found ourselves pulling our parents up the steps to Whitcliffe Common and onto the road. Turn right, down the slope and then up onto the No Through Road. This all seemed new and exciting, with plenty of puddles, rivulets coming off the wooded banks and muddy patches to splosh through. Lenny maintained his ability to avoid most of the really dirty areas, which continues to worry both myself and Griff. We were both determined to make up for his cleanliness. As we strolled along the lane a vista opened though a field gate and the Clee Hills showed themselves in the distance. A fine view.
On we journeyed until Griff took a sharp right along a farm track heading back toward the piggery. Once at the piggery our leads were shortened and the now usual instruction was given regarding our scavenging abilities. Through the gate, down the dip, up past the Lady Halton turning and across the river to the car. Five and a half miles of fun, scenting and adventures were over. We were forced to say our goodbyes to Griff who was being towelled down after having had a “dip” in the small stream flowing a way back up the road. Lenny and I then suffered the ignominy of being towelled down to get some of the dirt off of our paws. We slept in the car on the return home and it was as much as we could manage to eat our breakfast once we had been washed and cleaned down. This time we noticed that shampoo was used on us. For the remainder of the day and into the next day we slept soundly and dreamed of our adventures.
It’s tiring work all this beaglingWake me up in about a week
We are finding our paws much more now we have been here a while. It is a great walk from Bromfield to Ludlow and we have been promised that we will be shown the longer version of the walk in the new year, once the weather has dried up and the fields and lanes don’t resemble quagmires in places.
Lenny the following day
It is clear that Lenny has no stamina and I am getting older. That’s my excuse for sleeping long and soundly, and I am sticking to it. 😀
Today is the anniversary of my arrival in my rescue home. Eleven years ago I strolled into a house which had two people who would spend their days running around after me to make sure I remain comfortable, safe and loved. And fed of course, very important is the food aspect.
I have managed two house moves, welcomed a new brother and kept everything running smoothly for twelve Christmases now. Little wonder that I have aged and feel a bit wobblier on my paws. Will I make it to next Christmas? Who knows as I am fourteen after all. I am going to try and be around then. In the meantime I suppose I should thank my assistants for looking after me, as well as be grateful to Lenny for being a good pal and brother.
Gotcha Days as they are known in the canine rescue community are special days as we can finally get the chance to feel safer, have a roof over our heads, food in our bowls and be able to say
Dexter 