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.

Our #FridayFavourites as we wave goodbye to them all now .

They were delightful to watch them grow but we cant keep them all so they have now gone to their new homes. Cocoker spaniels are little children all their lives ,they never seem to grow old. Do they grow wiser we ask. They are the happiest little dogs and their tails never stop wagging.

Do you have a book in you.... or for me looking forward to cooking breakfasts again.

When I first poked my nose out of the door this morning, the wind was so warm

. The thought was the Caribbean Trade Winds. Then the reality was I was in North Yorkshire and what a nice morning it is. Jack had already been up two hours ahead of me. So another chapter to the book as he was actually the pirate. Oh dear what this lockdown is doing.I must have been still half asleep. Dorthy the cat flew out of the door as I opened it ,so quickly she could have been the parrot. Reality was I was just up by 6am to get Jack his breakfast. I listen to Bojo give his statement of how lockdown is hopefully going to unfold. 17th May looks like D Day for the Bed and Breakfast providers which includes us. We are so looking forward to welcoming guests again. With the amazing surroundings we have and have explored this last year which we are happy to share with you when you stay with us ,there is now even more reason to stay with us on your stay in North Yorkshire .

Friday Favourite

This young lady is 2 in April and looks so happy, she looks as if she is smiling . Her owners reminded us that when she was a puppy Jack had called her the happy pup and so it is nice to see she is still like that today. Such a loving dog with our 2 young girls. We had her out in deep snow last Saturday then on the beach Monday. She is a stunning athletic dog who always turns heads! Hope you are all well - we may be back for another some day. She is this weeks #FridayFavourite

#Friday Favourite - Autumn

 Well the pheasant season is under way and Jack has been out there with his dogs.

 Can't believe a year ago it was certainly a different time for him .We need to remember how our health is so important and thank the staff at Malton and York hospitals for bringing him back to life . It was touch and go for him as he had 3 drips in his arm ,on oxygen and with a fan to regulate his temperature.  He had sepsis but he really thinks he was the first one to have Covid as the damage that was done to him is very similar to Covid. 

Hoping to post a #FridayFavourite weekly  Here you see one man and his dog who are out there going shooting wild geese. .The Autumnal colours are certainly at their best. Bet it was pretty raw out there too but it just shows when you are doing something you love you don't feel the cold so much