Unable to resist THE STARE ...

Is there any chance of a walk this morning? Is there? Is there? IS THERE?

Did you say "greenbelt"? Or was I hallucinating? You did?

Unable to resist my beseeching looks, the Alph drove us all down to the greenbelt - and we set off with tails high,

while the Food Lady and her fat foot sat on a bench in the shade and waited for us. The bench is dedicated to someone the Alph knew.

The Food Lady watched lots and lots of dogs arriving - even some Bosties - and dropping their landmines all over the field. Not one owner picked up despite lots of notices pleading with people to scoop up the poop.

We had a lovely walk with the Alph meanwhile, complete with swim

and a satisfying roll afterwards.

The Food Lady was happy to see them arriving back as it was getting a bit chilly and windy sitting under the oaks.

Must we go home now? 

A plea

Is your foot better yet oh Food Lady? We really want to go and shout at the dogs down the road. Pleeeeze.

What is the matter? Why are we not going out? We are both a bit bemused and a bit uneasy about all this sitting around. 

No luck with the sedentary Food Lady - so we tried the Alph.

And got lucky! (Even after a whole day of work and a spin at the gym.) We love our Alph!

Maggie-May and Kirby's mother sent us this photo of all the people she saw when they all went to Tokai Park to show how terribly sorry they were for the family and friends of Franziska Blöchliger who was murdered in Tokai Park - one of our favourite walking places in all the world.  

This is a photo of Franziska - a beautiful, happy and much loved 15-year old girl. We are all so so sorry and sad. Who could have done this? "Please, I am very small mis'able dog ! ... I do not understand ! ... I do not understand."*

 

* From Thy Servant a Dog by Rudyard Kipling.

Rest in Peace Arabella

Today the Food Lady is sad - and not because she broke her foot, but because our spaniel cousin and beach-walking companion, Arabella, died. We saw her just over a week ago, looking happy but getting a bit weak. And now she had gone away forever.

This is a photo of her taken by Alice at Greyton before we really knew her,

where she lived with Omie-Domes and Opie Dopes, Matthew the Newfoundland, her twin brother Aiden - and Thomas who came a little later.

We only really met the spaniels when Omie Dome moved to Fish Hoek after Opie Dopes died. Here we all are on the beach - when Dougal was still with us too.

Dougal was my role model and best brother, just like Aiden was Arabella's - and I am so sorry for Aiden and Omie Domes because I know how sad it is when a friend leaves you behind.

Arabella and me were good friends, both of us enjoying our dip in the lagoon,

our treats from Omie-Domes

and the occasional crab chase.

I am not sure where Arabella is now and why she is no longer around, but we had lots of good times on the beach,

even when this horrible little puppy that eventually turned into my good friend Laddie invaded our space.

We played catch and snarl and bite the tail,

and met interesting dogs and people

even though sometimes we got a bit impatient with our humans and all the talking ...

Arabella was always kind and gentle - even with the lunatic Lad.

We all just had so much fun together!

It was our best spot, and that's why we all knew that Arabella was not herself when she stopped wanting to come to the beach last week when Simon came and Thomas was naughty. 

But she will forever be here in spirit

and with us all when we pile in the Landrover for our Fish Hoek Friday walkies, 

or drag our humans up the steps for tea time at Omie Domes's house.

Never one to blow her own trumpet - Arabella had a good sense of fun and tolerated all of the terrier interlopers into her territory like a real lady.

 ,

Just rest in peace my spaniel friend.

You will be sorely missed by everyone, but especially your human mother and spaniel brother Aiden. We will always remember our lovely walks on Fish Hoek beach and all the happy times we had together.