National Dog Day? Definitely.

Wow! An official day for dogs. And I almost didn't notice.

Four-legged-friend and Bertie Baggins didn't notice either - no bones; no extra walk; no gift of flip flops to chew (that was yesterday's entertainment). Just another day, much like all the other days. A day in a dog's life - sleep, eat, chase something - your tail, a rabbit, each other, a shadow, a butterfly (not exactly manly, but with a satisfyingly crunchy reward at the end), a wasp (okay ... you only chase one of those once. Ever.) - walk around a bit and sleep again, dreaming of more to eat.

And that needs a whole dedicated day for the nation to celebrate? Hmm ... definitely.

A dog is not called 'man's best friend' for nothing. Where else do you see eyes so trusting? What else do you fall over because it's lying at your feet? Who else nudges your knee and leans against you thereby telling you that it's okay, things will work out?

Yes ... they deposit piles of poo all over the garden.

Yes ... they are the sock monster.

Yes ...their hair gets everywhere (even inside the fridge).

But we are better of with than without them.

Sadly Four-legged-friend and Bertie Baggins did nothing special for their national day other than fulfill their doggy-members-of-the-family roles.

They had an exhausting morning ... watching me garden;

they vigorously assisted with the fruit picking (it is not in a dog's nature, even when it is their National Day, to show a plant, particularly one bearing juicy blackberries, any mercy at all. Overzealous ripping off of fruit, plus leaves, plus several inches of stems means that there will be fewer branches bearing fruit next year);

and they got terribly excited when we returned home from an afternoon barbeque with friends.

Four-legged-friend was excited but, as all four of his legs and his bottom were on the ground, you can't see his tail wagging.

Should I feel guilty - no special walk; no best wishes cards for a Happy National Dog Day (I bet that if there aren't cards now, there will be in a year or two!) and no presents?

Their pictures published here ... that'll have to do.

And tummy rubs at bed-time.

Before bed is there time to sneak in some dog related poetry?

Ted Hughes captured this moment of a dog's relationship with his master -

'I ate a bowl of good boy
Still keeping my master's eyes safe,
And resting his footsteps in my right ear
Till I slept.'

Those of us lucky enough to have dogs know that moment well when we glance up and find our eyes 'kept safe' or see the ear that twitches when we move, betraying that our faithful friend is not yet asleep.

Comments

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Walking The Dog

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