A bell is no bell
'til you ring it.
A song is no song
'til you sing it.
Love in your heart
wasn't put there to stay,
love isn't love
'til you give it away.
Oscar Hammerstein
Sunday 29 September 2013
Thursday 19 September 2013
Tuesday 17 September 2013
Access All Areas
Throughout the life of my dear old Truman, I was sad to find that dogs were increasingly barred from entering many places where they had been welcomed in the past. Many pubs, most shops, and all restaurants began banning dogs, often on the misguided basis of 'health and safety'. This didn't really affect my life with Truman, because he much preferred staying at home, but it made me cross, particularly as we were increasingly forced to endure the disruptions of badly behaved children in situations where they would not have been welcomed a few years previously.
The tide seems to have turned in the last few years, and not before time, because although he will stay at home with no incident, Lucky is a sociable boy, and he would much rather be out and about with us. So it's great news to see that a campaign has been started, encouraging businesses to declare their dog friendliness.
It began in pubs, but has spread to businesses of all descriptions. All over town, you now see the above sticker in the windows of pubs, restaurants, shops, even hairdressing salons. It's a welcome change, because the vast majority of dogs are perfectly behaved in public places.
Of course, Lucky has a particular challenge, and that's his enormity. He simply doesn't fit in most places, even if he is welcomed. So I've been looking out for spots where he can have his own little space while we enjoy a refreshment. And to do my bit, I'm going to highlight these places so we can all show our appreciation to businesses who welcome our whole family.
First off, I found a brilliant cafe in Canon Mills called The Roamin' Nose. Lucky and I had a lovely table by the window with plenty of room, and I had a delicious burger, minced in the kitchen and served on a home-made roll. Lucky made a friend, just like he always does.
This is a great place staffed and run by nice people. If you're in Edinburgh and have a pup, (or just love dogs) why not give it a go? And remember to tell businesses who welcome dogs how much you appreciate it.
The tide seems to have turned in the last few years, and not before time, because although he will stay at home with no incident, Lucky is a sociable boy, and he would much rather be out and about with us. So it's great news to see that a campaign has been started, encouraging businesses to declare their dog friendliness.
It began in pubs, but has spread to businesses of all descriptions. All over town, you now see the above sticker in the windows of pubs, restaurants, shops, even hairdressing salons. It's a welcome change, because the vast majority of dogs are perfectly behaved in public places.
Of course, Lucky has a particular challenge, and that's his enormity. He simply doesn't fit in most places, even if he is welcomed. So I've been looking out for spots where he can have his own little space while we enjoy a refreshment. And to do my bit, I'm going to highlight these places so we can all show our appreciation to businesses who welcome our whole family.
First off, I found a brilliant cafe in Canon Mills called The Roamin' Nose. Lucky and I had a lovely table by the window with plenty of room, and I had a delicious burger, minced in the kitchen and served on a home-made roll. Lucky made a friend, just like he always does.
This is a great place staffed and run by nice people. If you're in Edinburgh and have a pup, (or just love dogs) why not give it a go? And remember to tell businesses who welcome dogs how much you appreciate it.
Sunday 8 September 2013
Cheerio.
Tyninghame Beach has long been a favourite walk of ours. It was the first place Scot and I took Truman for a day out together just after we met 8 years ago. Truman adored the combination of woods and coast, as do we.
Truman at Tyninghame 2005
Today, we took our Lucky there for the first time and, at last, we scattered Truman's ashes. It felt like the right place and time. We talked a bit about Truman, and also about how happy we are to have Lucky, whom I needed a hug from after. Lucky indeed.
Today, we took our Lucky there for the first time and, at last, we scattered Truman's ashes. It felt like the right place and time. We talked a bit about Truman, and also about how happy we are to have Lucky, whom I needed a hug from after. Lucky indeed.
Friday 6 September 2013
Monday 2 September 2013
How I Became Good
Before Lucky came to us, he'd lived a very easy life in a wonderful rural setting with another dog and a family whom he loved and who also loved him, and he had always enjoyed lots of freedom.
To bring him into a big city was always going to be a challenge. And he was completely freaked out when he first came to Edinburgh, with the sounds and sights, and the restrictions that life in a city and on a lead brought. Scot and I had help, mostly from Heather of Posh Pets, and we introduced him to city life and rules, and Lucky coped well.
It has been work, as dog training always is. But it's good work, because dog training is about making a personal connection with your dog, and letting him see that you are not just his boss, but also his family; the main people for him to love, and who love him in return. The result, you hope, is a happy dog who looks to you for his cues, and obeys you at all times. In my past experience, the beginning bit seems the longest and hardest, but when you arrive, it's a great feeling.
There seems to have been a quantum leap in the last few weeks. Suddenly, Lucky walks perfectly to heel, he obeys us when we ask him to follow us in the park, he can play with other dogs gently then come away with us when we say, and we have really solid recall. The result, satisfyingly, is that he's starting to enjoy freedom again. He's absolutely good off the lead, and he's looking to us at all times for instruction. This is making for a seriously happy, free-living boy. We feel as if we've arrived.
Today is the 2 year anniversary of the death of our beloved Truman. It's also the 112th anniversary of my Grandmothers birth. And today, Lucky was with me at work, happy and contented, with lots of new friends visiting all day. He had a brilliant time today. And I had a day to think about loss and renewal, and good fortune.
Scot and I are so grateful for this beautiful, cheeky, and loving boy. And Lucky is a very happy boy with us, of that we're certain.
I think Lucky should write a book, and the title should be 'How I Became Good'. Because this boy is an expert in how to be good.
To bring him into a big city was always going to be a challenge. And he was completely freaked out when he first came to Edinburgh, with the sounds and sights, and the restrictions that life in a city and on a lead brought. Scot and I had help, mostly from Heather of Posh Pets, and we introduced him to city life and rules, and Lucky coped well.
It has been work, as dog training always is. But it's good work, because dog training is about making a personal connection with your dog, and letting him see that you are not just his boss, but also his family; the main people for him to love, and who love him in return. The result, you hope, is a happy dog who looks to you for his cues, and obeys you at all times. In my past experience, the beginning bit seems the longest and hardest, but when you arrive, it's a great feeling.
There seems to have been a quantum leap in the last few weeks. Suddenly, Lucky walks perfectly to heel, he obeys us when we ask him to follow us in the park, he can play with other dogs gently then come away with us when we say, and we have really solid recall. The result, satisfyingly, is that he's starting to enjoy freedom again. He's absolutely good off the lead, and he's looking to us at all times for instruction. This is making for a seriously happy, free-living boy. We feel as if we've arrived.
Today is the 2 year anniversary of the death of our beloved Truman. It's also the 112th anniversary of my Grandmothers birth. And today, Lucky was with me at work, happy and contented, with lots of new friends visiting all day. He had a brilliant time today. And I had a day to think about loss and renewal, and good fortune.
Scot and I are so grateful for this beautiful, cheeky, and loving boy. And Lucky is a very happy boy with us, of that we're certain.
I think Lucky should write a book, and the title should be 'How I Became Good'. Because this boy is an expert in how to be good.
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