Quozzi the 2nd ...

We dont think anyone can ever replace Quozzie, so for the moment this little lass hasnt got a name. She was amazing today as tucked into her second Yorkshire pudding. She raided the cats dish which had part of a sausage roll in and is very partical to cheese puffs. As she was the smallest and her mum had a big litter she was our Aga baby .But now spends most of her time in the living room and it quite happy to rule the roost in there. And no she didnt eat all the meat from the T-bone steak ,which I must say Jack really enjoyed,

thanks to Frank Turners butchers from Rillington. Frank has been a family friend from the year dot and if we are going passed always drop in if they are open. And very nice pork pies too. Pup with no name likes to watch televison and is such a happy little soul. One night we didnt bother lighting a fire and as it was getting a bit nippy she wasnt so daft. Jack has to watch out with his big feet he doesnt stand on her and she blends in very well with the sofa. And there she had pushed her way under the cover that had slipped down with just her nose peeping out .

A little life

Ever wondered what it is like to own your own miniature living teddy bear.In fact she is a cocker spaniel. This takes us back to when we hand reared Quozzi. This little mite hasn't got a name yet. To call her a runt is unkind ,she was just tiny and as Molly has had a big litter she has done very well to look after her other babies . This is our Aga baby who has been raised on the Aga.She is such a little character now and makes her way now into the living room and still like a bottle at bedtime . Sometimes she sleeps in Jacks sheepskin slippers and also have found her snuggled up with him on the sofa .But this is one when she snuggled up as she fell asleep watching the computer

Sleep peacefully dear Tina

Most of our dogs retire to a life of luxury and Tina was one of those. She was so special .She was our first fox red Labrador and the start of Cuckavalda along with her sisters May and later Willow. Both her sisters have passed in the last year. Reckon they went to suss things out Heaven out for their big sister. She was the biggest and strongest of the 3. Very protective of her young, but the gentlest dog with those she loved and loved her. Her proper name was Jakoranda Moment and came from the Peel family. Jack had always wanted to call his first born child Tina, but it didn't happen so felt apted when naming his first Labrador to call her Tina .The sister who came with her was May, well it was the month of May so it made sense. Willow came a few months later and was already called Willow so we stuck with it. Tina was the mother of the first Labrador pups we had and from that litter of 8, we kept Tara and Hidi. Unfortuanalety Hidi is no longer here . Tara is still going strong carrrying the genes of her mother and lives in 5 star luxury not too far from us. May had a litter the following year and Finn was one of her pups who is also a dog in a million and still going strong.He still works and sires puppies .He turned 11 this year but is getting a few white whiskers now. While Willow didnt have any puppies until she was 5. It is always sad to lose our pets.So our thoughts go out tonight to Denny McAllister and her husband Ross. - who locals will know as Denise Auger, who's mum used to own the White Horse in Ampleforth. Her grandparents lived in this house. Anna went to school with Denise and they had been friends now for over 60 years. So when it came a time to retire Tina it just seems a right match. We were regularly sent photos of her sat on the settee and lazing in the garden. Truly loved and so well look after we couldnt have asked for more. Often we get emails asking for our retirees. But they dont just go anywhere. Some people think they have a right ...goodness knows why as we dont know them or anything to do with them or havent come through someone we know .Why would we entrust our dogs to someone we dont know. Just because they may work at a posh place or know the inside out and outside in of a dog ,that doesnt cut the cloth with us. Here are a few photos showing Tina through her life.

Cocker Spaniels and Bluebells -

A combination of cocker spaiels and bluebells makes for a delightful picture to get you through the day. There is something about walking through a wood full of bluebells that raises the spirits. We are lucky to have our own bluebell wood and a couple of cultivated ones to which only 2 days ago had hailstones and snow on them. The weather is vey temperamental. Is it mother nature's way of saying //the population havent learnt from lockdown wanting to clamber on to the first holiday plane to leave our shores. They said people would take on board to enjoy take things slower and look after our planet. And nature is now giving us a reminder. Anyway enough preaching for today even though it is Sunday. Yorkshire puddings to be eaten and important things like that to think about.

Puppy Love

Sometime you just have to help out. These two were just getting their noses poked out a bit as their mum a cocker spaniel had 9 puppies - 4-5 is usually what they would have. So these two are living a 5 star life on top of the Aga and having the best lives. When they get a bit older they will be introduced back into their canine family. What we would like to stress is as adorable as they are and look ,puppies turn into adult dogs and when you consider buying one you should remeber a dog is for life just not for a few months. Dogs give you unconditional love and they should have the same back.We are not saying spoli them or buy them expensive things . We know a lot of people do . Just look after them well and they will be your lifelong faithful friend.