Dog Days

Friday 30 August 2013


The Grumps gets notified daily by the Dogs Trust on his iPad of dogs available for adoption. And every other night or so, he says "Sue, Sue, come here!" And I duly walk over and look on the iPad at some dog with sad eyes and he goes "Awwww" and I go "Awww" and as I walk away, I say "No". On this one matter, I stand resolute. I let him have kids. I let him watch rubbish TV. I let him drink dirty beer. But we are not getting a dog. 

Meet Talisker.

Woof.


We have just adopted him.

No. We haven't. I told you on this matter, I stand resolute. But if he didn't have a home, I might consider it. Like if he just turned up on my doorstep with a "Please can I live here" sign around his neck and a nice new handbag in his paw, we might be talking. Instead we kind of get our dog fix with friends and family who have dogs.

We went up to Silverdale to stay with some friends who have two border terriers, Talisker and Arran. Two old boys named after Scottish whiskys. My two young boys loved the two old boys and were assigned one each according to the dogs and the boys temperaments. Talisker is the nice calm one, like my Ben. And Arran is the licky boisterous hyper one. Err... like George.

Our friends are big walkers and so off we duly went, walking boots and wellies on.

That's me bringing up the rear (as per usual)

Still not budging even if they do look cute with their doggies.


We walked through woods where the blackberries were just ripening. 

Soon be ready


... and had lunch at the Wolfhouse cafe. I can't recommend it enough. A lovely cafe, lovely food and lovely outdoor eating area complete with playground for kids. Bliss. 

How glorious is the setting and the weather?

We made an extra doggy friend

I can personally recommend the French toast, bacon & maple syrup - deelish.

Hmmm... choices, choices.

Want to share? Don't think so - ha!

No chance Ben! #meanmom

And afterwards we made our way down to the beach ....

Coastal beach between Arnside and Silverdale

Carefully does it!

Not listening and forging ahead


And we found yacky jellyfish ....

Eugh.


And sent a birthday message to my sis ....

I forgot to post a card :o(


Basically, we had a fabulous day. And my footwear du jour?

Yes, well.


My Scarpa walking boots. Like new after 10 years. Because I didn't wear them for 7 of them. And I didn't wear them much for the other 3 either. Me + walking go together like water and oil. The two do not combine. I have to say, though I am not fond of them, they are a necessary evil as they do provide your ankles with the necessary support you don't get from regular footwear. But boy, I was glad to change out of them at the end of the walk and back in to the old faithfuls.

Converse - I think I love you.


And then back home where this picture sums it up .....

Zzzzz, rabbits, rabbits, zzzzzz!


So cute. And the best thing about the dogs? As with kids that are not yours, it's great when you can hand them back  at the end of the day and you don't have to clean their poo. 


Hope you all have a nice weekend.





47 comments

  1. Just stunning - all the reasons why I miss the UK so much!! Every darn photo! You need a dog - I swear they are the best pets ever. You are a #meanmum with your cake taunting and no dog rules:)

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    1. Am I making you homesick? I'm trying my best. Sometimes England is just beautiful ... and sometimes it's plain miserable. Like everywhere else in the world.

      As for the doggy - I like them but I'm not ready for them. I just can't do dog doos. #sensiblemum #notdaft

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  2. Awww indeed - I love dogs, as long as they belong to other people! Chuckling at your like new walking boots - oh yes. I've been there :-) Looks like you had a lovely time and your boys are SO CUTE! xx

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    1. Reading through the comments, I'm obviously not alone in this dog and walking boots business.

      And the walking boots won't go to waste - it's only a matter of time before Ben can inherit them :o)

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  3. Nodding with you .....when reading about your walking boots....... Hubby got me a pair when I lived in his neck of the woods ( Lancashire countryside) for 18mths, mine hit eBay........ kept my hunters however ....found them more comfy and albeit more stylish. We have a dog issue also.....I have dealt....said we can have one when we move to a bigger house......

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    1. P.s gorgeous pictures of your boys and that cafe looks delicious!

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    2. I've got the walking boots and the Hunters. For my sins. I don't think I could do a proper walk in a pair of Hunters but the boots are good for the shingly rocky stuff - I can't believe I'm making a case for them.

      And I take it you're not moving any time soon?

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    3. No.....the dream house is still realistically along way off Sue. I only do 1 hour walks and on the straight.....no proper 'walking' so don't really need to wear the hard core stuff.... and I remember they give me blisters the 1st time I wore them.....

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  4. Looks like a great wee break Sue, and never mind the dog I'm loving the look of that cafe!! Right up my street. (Can u tell I'm not a dog person?). I'm with ya on the cons, they are hard to beat!! X

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    1. The cafe is excellent. I think it helped we turned up on such a lovely day but it really is a great place. They even have some shops to browse for the die hard shoppers.

      I think my feet just went "ahhh" after being trussed up in the boots.

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  5. Hi Sue! What a gorgeous day out and both doggies are so so cute!! Fabulous pictures, you should show your face a lot more often!! Have a good weekend! xx

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    1. The doggies are real sweeties. Proper old boys now. 9 and 10.

      And I can only do pics of me when I have a nice camera man at the helm and that's not often. But I have to say, I feel less anxious when I do a post without my face in it. Time doesn't make it any easier at all.

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  6. Talisker is just adorable!! We regularly have the conversation about about getting a dog in our household too! We can never agree over a breed and actually just as the hubby came around to the breed I wanted I did a spot of dog/house sitting for my parents which put paid to any hopes of us ever having one of our own!! Just too much of a tie. Lovely to have one just around the corner that we can take for a walk anytime though.
    I have to agreed the cafe, cake and scenery look just superb!

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    1. Tal is a sweetie pie - when he's indoors, all he does is sleep. You can pick him up and cuddle him like a baby (if you like doggy smells). And isn't it so much better when you can just borrow and return? Takes all the hassle away.

      And I'm sure you have plenty of cafes like this around your way - your parklife sounds good to me.

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  7. Sue! for a split second I actually thought you had adopted Talisker - he's a real cutie (you may well know that we already have a dog!). Looks like a lovely outing (I'm with you on the excessive walking though!)- love the beach! :)

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    1. Oh you know how I like to jest. We have Monts our moggy and it would be unfair on the old thing and it would be unfair on me.

      Sounds like you're not much of a walker either. Join the club.

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  8. What a lovely day out! Good for you resisting a Canine buddy! Hubby has done it to me several times over the years & I stood my ground until Lego the tiny pup came along! Sadly we had to leave him with family back in Tunisia! They are adorable but a huge commitment! I don't share my grub either! LOL! Ax

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    1. It's the commitment (and the poo). I do like dogs but I've never actually thought about having one. Cats - they look after themselves.

      Did Lego come to you bearing a sign and offering a handbag? Or just a moment of weakness?

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  9. I just love the photos. We have 4 dogs and, until last year, had a border called Willis. He was the cutest thing. They are an incredible tie. The idea of us 'popping off' for a weekend is ridiculous, we have to plan for months. Three of our mutts are big doggies so we have to arrange house/dog sitters! I think you have the right idea.

    I am now the proud owner of a pair of converse hi tops, thanks to you, and I don't know why I didn't take the plunge years ago.

    Thank you. xx

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    1. Oh my. But then again, once you have one, you might as well have two or three or four. I do that with the boys when they have friends round. Instead of inviting one, invite a few and get it all out of the in a oner. And you must have a big house to fit 3 big dogs in it.

      And the Converse - they are really useful aren't they?

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  10. That is the best arrangement! We have that too - we borrow Mandy a few times a week for a walk then we hand her back. No vets bills, no poo, no getting up at 6am to walk before work. Been there, done that. Stand firm! Axx

    PS brill photos - love them!

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    1. Thanks Avril. I am standing firm. The Grumps came down this morning after reading my post and said what's all this about no dog and a link to a handbag missus? But he was laughing.

      And thanks about the photos - they will be nice to look back on. I can't take all the credit - our friends helped with some of them as he's a keen photographer too.

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  11. I stood firm for many years but eventually they wore me down and we got the Pugletons! Funny post, really made me smile. Great pictures too and agree that pancake, bacon combo sounds delicious! x

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    1. French toast - otherwise known as eggy bread. We ordered it for Ben as he loves bacon and I couldn't resist snaffling some. It's good to share and all that except when it's my cake :o)

      I bet you have your hands full with the Pugletons. I know my limitations and I'm not ready for a dog ... yet.

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  12. You totally faked me out. I got so excited I shouted out to Husband, "Sue adopted a dog!". And then had to shout out, "no, nevermind!". Of course, he didn't care much either way (sorry), but I got so excited for a minute! And then the picture of your boys with those pups... How do you resist? Ok ok, enough peer pressure, you don't want one you don't want one. Onto more sartorial topics: I actually really like your walking shoes. They look tough and outdoorsy and cool. And also like they weigh ten tons. Oh and, get a dog ;)

    http://www.nomadicd.com/

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    1. You had me laughing and showing the Grumps your comment about how excited you were. You crazy moo. Honestly, I do like dogs - I just can't have one, they are too incredibly tying and I know that from just going to let my friend's dog out for a week at lunchtimes. So yeah - hard face and hard head on - no dogs for the time being.

      And the boots - they do the job the're intended for. At the same time when I got the boots, I was getting kitted out with a new rucksack. I was pointed in the direction of an orange one (yeah yeah, I know, it should be nice and bright so if you get lost, you get seen) but I opted for the silver DKNY looking one. Stylish to the end :o)

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    2. Well glad I could bring a laugh to your day :) I hear you about the dogs being so labor-intensive. It's totally true. But on the other hand they are so damn cute and loving.... Just saying.

      www.nomadicd.com

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  13. Aw, this post made me smile. You know how much I love dogs! Any dog! The more the merrier (although I am quite content with only having one)! They are much less work than I thought, depending on the breed of course - mine doesn't shed or need hours of exercise every day, but she needs a good haircut once a month to avoid looking like a mop, a process which can easily take a few hours. Of course, we adopted her when she was already an adult - Getting a puppy is a whole different story, or so I've heard ;)

    It looks like you had a wonderful stay with your friends! Seeing your photos of the coast and the beach actually made me a bit homesick, as we have a similar spot near where my parents live :)

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    1. I'm glad it made you smile. I know that the Grumps would want quite hardy dogs which can walk for miles. Border terriers are ideal. But that means they need a lot of exercise and I'm just not an exercising kind of lady and I know that it would ultimately become my job.

      I remember one of the posts you did last year where you had your doggy just basking in the sun. It was the first post I left a comment on. Was that at your parents?

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  14. What super photos, (watch out Marlene, lol!!!) I'm totally with you on the dog thing ... not a chance in Hell that I'd have one. Couldn't be dealing with the mess and the training. Café looks gorgeous and snap! I'd definitely have gone for the French toast:)

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    1. I'm a long way off Marlene and I wouldn't mind a camera like her new one though I know realistically I would never carry it around and use it. In the right conditions, the little happy snaps camera can take a good picture. There's the odd one in there which my friend took with his DSLR. Can you spot them?

      And I hardly got a snifter at the French toast but what I did sample was lovely.

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  15. It looks beautiful. I'm with you on dog. My lot would all love one but I'm standing firm. Hard when they look so cute though!

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    1. It was a gorgeous place but the weather and the company all added to it. The boys had a great time and all we had to do was buy lunch.

      BTW, they may look cute but it's not hard to resist when someone hands you a poo bag!

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  16. We have the same in our house with dogs!! If there's no more kids or a Porsche he's pushing for a damn dog! I will give in one day I'm sure of it, just to stop the moaning. Looks like a fab trip, fresh air, sea, good food and friends, perfect x

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  17. Oh god, look at you both together there, how could you even consider resisting? The opening paragraph really made me laugh - I doubt you will be able to win this one in the end, you know, it's those eyes.....not speaking our language, they know exactly how to control us with 'the eyes'. It's a losing battle;)

    These are lovely images.

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    1. I can resist. I have enough on my plate! Hats off to everyone who has a dog, hubs and kids. I am in awe.

      I must have toughened up over the years, gone are the days when something waved a furry paw at me and I was all over it like a rash.

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  18. I love dogs! And cats!!! If it was up top me, I would have a whole zoo at home. Preferably all sleeping curled up on the same bed as me. How very unhygienic!
    Luckily, I have a husband who reigns me in. The status now is 2 cats and a third one camping in the garden (and I suspect ready to move in onto the above mentioned bed any minute now...after the visit to the vet).

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    1. Oh Kristina. If I ever win the lottery, I will make a charitable donation to you so you can set up a pet home for all lost and bewildered pets :o)

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  19. Hi Sue, I loved this post... So personal and nice to see your face :)) (says the girl who has been hiding her face for almost two years).
    On the dogs matter, I get you because I have a dog. Actually we got the dog before having the boys and if the boys would have come first I guess that there was no room for the dog. Having said that, my dog is a dear and I cannot imagine our life without her. She is a golden retriever and is probably the nicest, sweetest and caring dog that I have ever met. and the boys do love her as much (I hope that Grumps will not read my comment!). take care xx

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    1. Hi Marta - glad you enjoyed the post. I never knew you had a dog - how do you manage? I'm in awe of people who juggle jobs, kids and pets. It's not easy I can imagine. It's funny how having kids can change your perspective on so many things. Once upon a time, I could not imagine ever being without a cat but I would certainly think twice now about taking another pet on. The Grumps will get his dog one day ... when he retires or when Ben gets his head round cleaning up after the dog! Last time he saw a dog doing a poo, he ran off screaming.

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  20. My kids have got into their heads that we are getting a puppy once the building is finished. Something to do with me being too old for babies. I know I'd end up looking after it, like I do the guinea pigs, fish and hamsters...actually hamster. It took my boy 5 weeks to notice there was now one not two hamsters in the stinky cage. And you look great in these pictures!!! Lovely close ups :)

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    1. Oh my goodness. You sound like you have all the school pets lodging at yours currently! I have the perfect excuse for no extra pets - it would be too much and unkind to our old moggy Monts. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

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  21. hahahaha.....I'm with you there. You know what happens when the family gets a pet? The mothers do the dirty job while the rest enjoy. And yes, it's the best part of having children over too. You give them back.

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Susie So So