Did I tell you that my neighbour Gracie was expecting puppies? She is the English Bulldog who lives opposite my Nan;s house, she is a youngster and she got quite familiar with me at my Nan’s housewarming party. I played hard to get, of course! Well Gracie found a new dog to flirt with and shortly afterwards we heard that she was expecting puppies. The father, of course, did not stick around – no diamond rings or wine and roses were on offer! Bulldog puppies can sell for over £2000 each but there is a lot of work needed from the dog’s family to care for her and her pups. Also, English Bulldogs have to give birth by Caesarean section: this is a result of their inbreeding which has made the puppies’ heads too large to pass though the mother’s pelvis.

Sadly there were only two pups born alive, one dog and one bitch. The girl was sold to a nice family, but they have kept little Ted and this week we saw him out with his Mum for one of his first walks.  They were both wearing bandanas and both had the characteristic English Bulldog waddle. Mum was besotted – I think little Ted is going to be invited over for tea before long …..