A belated; Happy New Year!

Has it really been three and a half years since my last post?!

Whippets

Ode to Jack

This is a story of Black Jack the brave

A handsome young whippet

Some 10 weeks of age

Who waved

A white tipped tail from Sussex to Staines

On his arrival at Island Close, number 24

He was eagerly welcomed by one and all

Jack sniffed every corner

And good he found

Wagging as he padded around

Following the footfall of another great whippet

Charlie aka Sir Selinko Bluechip

The two were instantly best of friends

Curled together

Matching book ends

Jack loved to be with his newest mate

Longingly leaning over the gate

When quarantine ended

Jack was free to explore

To the Lammas and Laleham

Running as fast as his little paws

Would go

Fearless Jack, Barking loudly

At other dogs in manner rowdy

Got him chased by a Dulux giant

Gave wobbly legged Jack

A bit of a fright

But his love of the chase

And for having a lark

Won’t stop Jack from teasing the biggest dogs in the park

Jack otherwise occupies his time

By chewing, chomping and choking

On rawhide

Or sometimes shoes, cushions and suchlike

Despite his diminutive size

He usually has Charlie’s prize as well

Jumping Jack, as he is fondly known

Leaps like a cricket

To shrieks of ‘Jack get down!’

He tried puppy classes

But wasn’t that keen

Bob and Elaine didn’t seem

To understand that whippets rarely do commands

They prefer to be asked politely

As is only rightly

And will certainly ‘Sit!’

But only on carpet or fuzzy blanket

/(Jack although an adventuress sort

Does enjoy his creature comfort)

A typical whippet, a fussy breed

Jack is especially fussy when it comes to feed

He wishes he could live on treats

Roasted lamb and juicy meats

Reluctantly he potters out of bed

For breakfast – if it comes from

A can

He flops back down again

And waits for something else instead

Maybe a crunchy Gravy bone or two

He sighs staring at the fridge top

A puppy Markie, Denture Stick

All of these will do the trick

A piece of ham, a lump of cheese

I’ll even sit, if you please!

The trouble is

He’s hard to resist

Especially after giving

One of his loving little licks

Tickly whiskers bristling your cheek

Don’t think him soppy

This fierce little puppy

He is Jack the destroyer

Cuddly toys beware!

There’s just one thing that makes brave heart Jack waver

The noisy scary Henry hoover

At the end of this ode, I’d say

Jack and Charlie have had a long day

Filled with love, fun and play

I’ll sign off now

For sleeping soundly are little whippets

Paws aloft

Dreaming of...rabbits?

2005

Rosy Lee?

Any excuse!

Bracknell

It's a bit like living in Centre Parcs.

New start

I took this photograph on January the first as a reminder of good intentions and getting off to the right start. Plus I like the effect of squeezy marmite.

Sleep and other small pleasures.

I brought the sleeping face at Long Acres Garden Centre in Bagshot which is good for special food, gifts and dog beds. This bit of concrete has made such a difference, it's a focal point to the garden. Carefully placed just outside the patio doors there's also the chance it may trip up Ben if he nips out at night for a sneaky cigarette.

Sheepish

Jakes@Trilakes Feed the assertive sheep, 50p a bag.