Black & White Sunday 22/9

Oh my word.............BUNNIES!

We're taking part in the Black and White Sunday blog hop kindly hosted by My Life In Blog Years, and Dachshund Nola.

A slight Misdemeanor.....

Last week, I was relaxing in the garden helping Mum out.

Mum, You've missed a bit.....zzzzzzzzz

I was disturbed from my sleeping vigilant supervising by Mum going onto the driveway and heading towards my car. Now, I don't get up for much, but a car ride is something else. So I got up and followed Mum. She lets me do this, as although it gives me access to the road, I have never in two years ventured to the pavement outside. As it turned out, Mum was just getting her specs from the car, but then something spooked me. I put my ears down, shot up the drive, onto the cul-de-sac and headed for the road. By the time Mum got there I was nowhere in sight. 

You can imagine she was pretty panicky by now, so she rushed back to the house, grabbed her car keys and set about finding me. Just after she turned onto the road, she spotted our lovely postman, who is a big admirer of mine dragging walking me back home by my tag collar. (Mum says thank goodness she never takes that off) Apparently he'd been driving down the main road in his van and had spotted me the other side disappearing into a big estate. Mum says (a) it is a miracle that I wasn't killed crossing the road and (b) if I'd gone into the estate she would never have found me. 

But now I am safely home because of Richard, the lovely postman. Boy, am I glad I made friends with him!

Of course Mum was pleased and as mad as hell all at once, but she managed not to shout at me. Nevertheless I was grounded and put on sentry duty for a while:

Aww come on Mum. I'm sorry, really I am. What have I got to do to make it all okay? I promise I won't do it again (as long as you don't let me onto the driveway...) 

Look I've bought Richard some chocolates to thank him. Now will you forgive me?

So Mum says after that little escapade, it may be that my off lead moments will be severely limited. That little thing called trust seems to have disappeared..... From now on, it may be just  Ganny's garden and the tennis courts. Or if you know anyone with a field to hire, just shout.......!

Me having a zoom at the tennis courts.

A Trip Down Memory Lane....

When we last visited Ganny for her birthday, the weather wasn't that great, but on our final day, the sun came out and so Mum decided we should take a drive out into the countryside.

Mum took us to a little village called Berkswell that is located between Birmingham and Coventry. When Mum was little it was in the County of Warwickshire, but now resides in the somewhat less glamourously named West Midlands! Not that anyone from Berkswell would ever admit to that.....

Mum took Ganny, Other Mum and me there, because her and Ganny have very fond memories of the village from when Mum was young. She says that her Grandad, Nanny and all the family used to drive out there on a Sunday afternoon, have a picnic and then call in at the village pub on the way home!

This house dates from the 17th century.

You don't see many red telephone boxes anymore....at least not in working order!

The church of St John the Baptist dates from the 1100's

Another reason Mum likes the village so much is because her Great Grandmother was born there sometime in the 1870's 

Great Grandmother was born in one of these whitewashed cottages, but Mum isn't sure which one.

The stocks on the village green are just opposite these cottages...I wonder if any of my relatives had the pleasure?!  It's a bit difficult to see from this picture, but the stocks only have 5 leg holes, and it is said that this is because they were built specifically for a drunken 1 legged soldier and his two drinking companions!

The village pub, The Bear Inn dates back to the 16th century. It belongs to a chain now, but Mum says it still feels like the little village pub she remembers from her childhood.... (that'll be getting on for 40 years ago then, Mum!)

You will often see this image of  The Bear & Ragged Staff, as it is the emblem of the county of Warwickshire.

Here is Mr Bear climbing up his Staff in the pub beer garden!

After all that exploring I thought we deserved a nice cool drink....and anyway, a post wouldn't be complete without a picture of me, would it?!

I'm getting bored now Mum; time to hit the road!

Wordless Wednesday 5/6

In Bluebell Wood

Black & White Sunday

Chili Dog!

Farm Visits Aren't As Innocent As They May Seem......

When we had a rare sunny day not so long ago, my Mums decided we'd drive over to a local farm to buy some of their free range eggs. They have a fantastic flavour and come in all colours and sizes. Unfortunately no one thought to take a photograph to show you - really I just can't get the staff.... Mum says to tell you the duck eggs are excellent too, but we don't have a photograph of those either....

Anyway, I'm not allowed to go into the farm because of all the lunches chickens and ducks running around, but I don't really mind as I get to relax in my car with a Dentastix. They have quite a lot of other animals there too and Mum took some photographs of them......

This rather handsome Alpaca had just had a trim!

Harry teaches humans how not to fall off his back!

We weren't quite sure what Ollie's job was. Maybe to keep the kids in line by pecking them!

One of the lunches ducks.

So lots of interesting animals which my completely barmy animal loving mothers spent quite a lot of time talking to. Not that I mind, as I said. They seem very nice, but really can any of them compete with me for total handsomeness and cuddle quality? I think not.

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WTF!! Okay Mum, listen VERY carefully. PUT THE PUPPY DOWN, PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND WALK AWAY..........

I said PUT THE PUPPY DOWN!!

Apparently one of the working dogs on the farm (they have a lot of sheep too) had recently had a litter and this little fella was the last one left, waiting for his new home. He's a Border Collie from champion parents, so look out for him on "One Man and His Dog" in a few years! Mr farmer who knows what a complete sucker Mum is how much Mum likes dogs said we could have him but fortunately Other Mum is slightly less mad has a bit more sense and said we really weren't equipped to give a good home to a little Collie. She didn't mention that we probably couldn't afford him either!

Well thank God one of my parents has some sense. Can you imagine being usurped by that little tyke? Humph. My pointy nose would have been seriously out of joint. It was bad enough them coming back to the car wreaking of puppy......

Here is a picture of me....in case you had forgotten how lovely I am....

Nearly Wordless Wednesday 28/11

"All right Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up..."

                                                                                                                      

                                                            -Declan "Gloria" Greyhound

A gift for me?! Yeah well, thanks anyway....

Some of you will know that I have been whinging like a girl asking politely about getting a new collar for some time. It's not that I am particularly fashion conscious, though if you've seen me in my new sweater, you could be forgiven for thinking that I am very vain like to look good. It's just that many of my friends have hundreds quite a lot of collars (you know who you are, small female greyhound in Illinois...) and I think it's unfair that I miss out just because I'm a bloke.

Last year my Mums spent some time trying to find something that we all liked, and as you will know because I have been wearing it for the past 365 days we came up with this one...

My unbridled enthusiasm was almost palpable....

It turned out to be an extremely well made collar and is still in great condition, but because I kept going on and on about it  have been a very good boy Mums said I could choose a new one. 

Oh that's really funny.... Has one of you been talking to Beckett? Keep looking Mothers....

Why do I feel you two just aren't taking this seriously...?

Finally after much searching, we found a collar that all three of us could agree on (I didn't ask KC's opinion for obvious reasons) 

And here it is. As you can see I am almost as excited about it as I was last year.

No doubt in 12 months time I will have forgotten about the fact that I don't care about collars and will be moaning about how hard done by I am avidly searching for a new one.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To All Our American Friends!

(save a little turkey for your pal, won't you?!)

Deccy & his Mums xxx

Wordyish Wednesday 3/10

Schluruuuurp!

There's no arguing with that........

Ahhhhhh......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

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TODAY IS OTHER MUM'S BIRTHDAY!!

As a minor point of interest, Other Mum shares her birthday with the late James Herriot (aka Alf Wright) of "All Creatures Great & Small" fame. Should any of you be interested in how NOT to speak like a proper Yorkshire person, the programmes are well worth watching..... I have never once seen an old chap wearing a tweed cap, trousers tied up with string, with a ferret in his pocket, leaning on a dry stone wall with a piece of straw in his mouth saying "Nah then vetnary, it'll be Mastitis in her teats like as mebbe....."

For my own well being, I should also point out that Other Mum only shares her date of birth with Mr Herriot, not the year (which was 1916.......)

But I digress.......

MANY HAPPY RETURNS FROM US ALL ...... WE LOVE YOU VERY VERY MUCH!

xxx

I'm back........and then I was gone again!

This is me trying to look like a salty old sea dog!

Hello everyone, I'm back, but only briefly!  When we got home yesterday we heard that Ganny's sister, who is 85 (Mum's most favourite Aunt) has had a fall and is in hospital with ten stitches in her head. She's stable and hopefully will be allowed home mid week, but Ganny is worrying and also doesn't like driving to the hospital, so I thought I we had better visit, like the knight in furry armour  that I am......

We all had a lovely holiday and I look forward to telling you about that next week (we hope to be home 29/9) 

This is me when we got home last night with the Honktypus Other Mum bought me for being a very good boy on holiday! As you can see I was shattered with all that navigating I had to do for Mum.... At least she knows the way to Ganny's so I'll be able to have a kip on the way down there.....

See you next week everyone

Deccy Over and Out!

One More Sleep To Go........

I'm very excited as I'm off on my holidays tomorrow! We are going to North Wales and staying in a little fishing town not far from Portmeirion. You may have heard of it as it is famous for the china that was originally produced there.

 The building of the village began in 1925 and is based on Portofino in Italy - pretty odd for a village in Wales! For those of you who are old enough (!) it was also the setting for the1960's TV show The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. Anyway enough of this history stuff!

I have been trying to get my packing done all week - it's so hard to know what to take.....

Can you see the fiver Ganny has sent for my holiday?!

I'm sure I need loads more than this. I have the essentials like my snorkel and mask and my crab line, but even so.....

Mum.... don't forget my blankets and bed and pillows....and my first aid kit and fresh wipes and my bowls and stand..... I'll just lie here and supervise shall I? What do you mean there isn't room for your stuff?

I'll leave you with a picture of Harlech Castle, which apparently we can see from our cottage garden. I expect this will be another holiday involving lots of bl**dy castles.   *sigh*

All the best everyone and I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday 12/9

Just catching a few rays before my holiday... I don't want to look like a milk bottle on the beach. after all!

Spot the Difference......

Can you spot the difference?

You can't can you?

And do you know why?

It's because Puddles and I are Greyhound identical twins!

Mum has been uncharacteristically  well organised and has got me some posts lined up for this week, however please forgive me if I'm not around commenting very much. We are off on our holiday at the end of the week and Mum says there is lots to do. Having just seen the pile of ironing (that gives 'The Shard' a run for its money) I get what's she's saying........ Have a great week everyone!

My first Bloggerversary!

It's me.... KC!

Since uncle Deccy is away enjoying himself again I has been left in charge of proceedings! I did think dat I would treat you all to some writings about myself, but, Mum did bribe me with a can of an endless supply of tuna fiss if I would post dis on behalf of uncle Deccy... well, since dis is a speshul day I will graciously accept da supply of tuna fiss and give you something dat uncle Deccy did write earlier... so, over to you uncle Deccy!

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I can hardly believe that today I have been blogging for a whole year! I would never have thought that when I tentatively put a paw through the door of Blogville it would take up so much time that the house has gradually fallen apart would become such a big part of my life.

I'm amazed by all the wonderful people and dogs and cats that I've met too. It's certain that most of us will never meet in the fur but I feel like I've got some very good friends out there, and I know Mum does too. I don't want to mention anyone in particular because you are all lovely, but I have to say a big thank you to me Beryl for making me the happiest boy in the world!

Isn't she the lovliest girl?!

I thought I'd leave you with a few photos and links to my favourite posts that sum up the year for me.

This was the first time I went to the tennis courts for an off lead run

Then there was all of those bl**dy castles when I went on holiday

Not so good was the beginning of my EBI (Exploding Bum Issues) upon my return home :-(

There were some lovely Autumn walks

And Mum's attempt to explain some of the ideosyncracies of Yorkshire

Visits to Gannys guarantee to make me a happy boy!

I've loved causing a smile with my Wordless Wednesday posts!

I couldn't wait for Christmas.....!

There was the creation of Declan's Deli Bad Boy Sauces

And the first Purple Sparkly Toilet Seat Award

Other Mum's first attempt at knitting me a snood Thanks Other Mum......NOT

I had my first date with Beryl in Dublin at the St. Patrick's Day Picnic

More lovely walks in the Yorkshire Dales

Some mad weather in April (this picture was taken a week after the one above in the Dales!)

I got some fabulous art work from Puddles

May brought the first anniversary of Mums losing Uncle Flynn. RIP Big Fella....

And on a happier note, my birthday!

I've told you a bit about my life as a racing dog That's me in trap 2.....

It was an houour to be part of the Blogville Olympics and hosting the  Tuneful Farting Event

All in all it's been a pretty full year. Thank you to all my friends and followers for your support and friendship and for making me so welcome. I hope there are many more Bloggerversaries to come!