Just back from the pub - tired dog , going to bed.

On Saturday night we walked to the local pub, the Grove Arms, Ludwell. It is on the A30, three miles from Shaftesbury. We were made very welcome, the owners are dog lovers and they were very nice to Mum and Dad too. Great chips! Mum and Dad enjoyed the wine. I was tired after all the excitement so it was great when we got a lift home.

On Sunday things got even better. We went into Shaftesbury, where the annual festival was on. There was a continental market with samples of sausage (very good) and cheese. We stopped for tea in the cathedral gardens. Dog bowl supplied: top marks. Dad found a designer gadget shop and I was allowed in. We really are not used to this kindness!

more in a couple of days ………..

It is too hot for a dog to walk today. Sadly my friend Peppy, a nine year old Dalmatian had a heart attack on Monday. It was his second attack, and this time he died. I will miss him, and his Dad, George, will be lost without him. My Mum advised him to get another dog, preferably an older dog like me (!) - most new owners prefer puppies, but Mum says they are hard work. She likes the fact that I was fully trained and when she is tired I don’t demand a five mile walk.

So we WERE going on another holiday! On Saturday I got a short walk before we set off through the traffic for Dorset. We stopped a few times on the way, including at a country bakery where the hot bread was cooling in trays outside - but they would not let me near it….
The dog friendly cottage was great, with a ‘Welcome’ bottle of wine on the table, so They were happy. There were lots of quiet lanes so I could walk off the lead most of the time. Dorset seems to be a great place for dogs generally, and some people were extra kind to me. The chef at The Mitre, Shaftesbury High Street, offered me a bowl of water when he saw me sit down. This kind of thing doesn’t often happen to a London Dog, and I was really grateful as I was extra thirsty in the hot weather. I think Mum wants to move there now…

More of my Dorset adventures to follow soon.

I think we are going on holiday again - They are writing lists and making plans. They turn it into a military operation, when really it is quite simple. I only need to pack: dog bed, dog grooming brushes,dog food, flea repellent, mineral water, sunscreen (for my nose), dog shampoo - because hopefully we will go on some really muddy walks.
I will report back after my trip.
Kev

Hi Kevin Here. I finally got my first holiday this weekend. Dog travel needs to be comfortable so we went in the Mercedes. We stoppped for tea on the way, and the cafe owner offered me a sausage, very kind as it was at least an hour since breakfast. Everyone knows dogs love beaches, we found a dog friendly beach at Camber Sands. I rolled in the sand hundreds of times, it makes my coat shine. Don’t know why They find it so funny - don’t they know a dog needs to look his best?