Sunday (delayed) Musings

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have been away for the past few days in England, the wonderful region of  Gloucester to be exact.  As picture perfect as you can possibly imagine.  Little quaint villages, running streams, lots of horses, village pubs and lovely people.  The reason was one major Rugby final between Leinster ( The region of Ireland I am from) and Northhampton a UK Rugby team.  It took place in Cardiff which was two hours by coach from the village we were staying in.  Ten of us travelled over and all camped in a beautiful large rectory house, complete with amazing gardens including a large pond, stream and wild garden. Ten bedrooms all with bathrooms, large fluffy towels and a great big Aga cooker in the kitchen completed a house that was built in the seventeen hundreds. 

There was one thing that was missing however.  The absence of a dog or even a cat.  Most English houses of this nature have at least one or two of each.  This house however is the country residence of the owners whose main home is in central London.  I did find it strange though as I think that pets complete a household.  That doesn't mean they are like furniture, more like part of the family.  For those of us who grew up with pets and especially dogs they are second nature in our lives.  I know it is a choice that families make and a huge commitment when the decision to welcome a puppy into a family is taken.  I often wonder if there are any studies comparing children who are brought up with pets as opposed to those who don't have any.  Empathy is such an important part of the human condition and what better way to learn it than to have to take care of a living creature.

I'm getting nearer welcoming a new puppy into my home, my breeder thinks she knows which one he is.  The little fellow who comes running every time a person comes in view and who loves human attention.  He is just five weeks old now and so the time is getting nearer to P Day.  I can't wait.

 

Ps.  You will have to turn your head sideways to see the picture above which was part of the house I spent the week end in.  I'm not sure why it went in like this but I couldn't rotate it!

Pps. We won the match!

[Bonnie and Kona]

About ten years ago a group of our friends went to Italy and stayed in a villa in Tuscany. It came with two Rodesian Ridgebacks. I was so happy to have dogs to pet as well as a fabulous vacation! Dogs make such a difference in a day. Thanks for writing your blog. It is always a pleasure to read.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

That looks amazing!!  Sounds like a wonderful weekend and can't wait to meet you new pup!

[Pat and Traveler]

You're right--a perfect vacation, but a dog would have added that last special touch.  How exciting to know that your puppy is sort of chosen now, and the time is coming for you to collect him.  He'll be such a lucky pup!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a perfect weekend!  Thanks for sharing, Nicky.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Here is a picture of an Aga, it's a big range that burns solid fuel and is found in lots of old country kitchens.  ( I have a mini one here in the cottage, it heats the house, cooks great stews and great for baking scones and soda bread)

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I'm with Donna - what an Aga cooker?

 

Also - congratulations on the Rugby match and on knowing which pup is yours!!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

That picture looks like a dream! What a nice getaway!

[Donna K & Quincy]

What a lovely place, I enjoy reading your blogs and find myself doing a little translating as I read. You have coaches, we have buses, you have villages, we have towns, you have pubs we have bars. One question, what is an Aga cooker? Congratulations on the win. I hate to say it but the puppy waiting will probably get more difficult when you find out which puppy is actually yours.

[Taylor & Huff]

How nice:) I love traveling:) You must have had fun. Only 4 more weeks to go!:)  Good luck waiting... I couldn't wait that long for my puppy.  You have a lot of patience haha:)