George & Irene

Irene and the slightly more shy Sylvia

I wish, sometimes, that I had an iphone.
Its much easier to take photos with an iphone.
This morning was a case in point.
I had taken the dogs over to the field with a bucket of soapy hot water for a bottom washing.
After years of experience, it's the cleanest place to do it.
I gave George his scrub first, because William and Winnie enjoy theirs much more than he does, and had just let go of him when , in an uncharacteristic bout of excitement , he galloped off through the grass towards the sheep.
Now, Irene and Sylvia have nothing to do with the dogs in general . They will occasionally stamp their hooves in bad temper if approached too closely, but that's as far as their contact goes, so I was slightly gob smacked when George ran right up to Irene, barked loudly in her face then dashed off squeaking with the ewe in close pursuit.
It wasn't an angry chase...but a sudden, unexpected and rather joyful one, with the old Scottie scooting through the grass in large circles and the serious faced ewe prancing stiff legged just behind
I stood there, with a soapy cloth in one hand and with William's tail lifted up all ready in the other and watched as the pair galloped up and down like two schoolboys on a football pitch

It was the sweetest, most celebratory thing I have seen in an age





50 comments:

  1. When I had dogs I noticed that after a good bath they would get incredibly frisky.
    And you know what, Mr. Gray? You don't need an iPhone. You paint a perfect image with your words.

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  2. See what a good bottom washing can do?

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    Replies
    1. Its always worked for me

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    2. I'm having visions of you running around in large circles being pursued by a sheep!

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  3. When Tess has her fortnightly bath we have to clear the decks when she comes out of the shower because she tears up and down like a mad thing. Agree with your image painting without your iPhone.

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  4. Anonymous1:54 pm

    I love watching dogs do that joyful, scooting, loop-the-loop run, especially older ones (my guy's almost 11). I think some sort of "Got to run to get warm" instinct takes over after a bath.

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    1. I think they just have their daft heads on

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  5. Do you feel frisky when your bottom's washed?

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  6. Bottom washing - oh the images I can conjure up. (A twisted mind is a terrible thing to waste.)

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  7. Anonymous2:17 pm

    She's molting...

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    Replies
    1. They are indeed......they are late shedding their wool this year

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  8. I wish you had an iphone too :). Thankyou for the image in my head now though. Bless you all. Xx

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  9. My little house dog is getting older and not as frisky as he used to be except after his lavender bath. Then he runs and slides on the hardwood floor to his toys.....

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  10. Do you have the sheeps' wool sheared ever? Do you do it yourself?

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    Replies
    1. Liz.. They are soay sheep. They dont need shearing they shed their wool

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  11. I wish I had been there .. I could use something sweet and cheerful today. But your story about it did help.
    Especially the part with your description " soapy cloth in one hand, Williams tail 'in the other' .."

    I had an iPhone while living in Argentina and that was the best thing Ever ! instant photos sent to one and all whether they wanted them or not ... memories .. lots of memories are still in that old phone that no longer works but I didn't have the heart to throw it away.

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  12. teddy always does the same thing when she comes out of a lake or stream.

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  13. The visuals! Thanks for the smiles.

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  14. One of our dogs goes daft after doing a number 2, running and prancing round the garden!

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  15. Hooray for George for stirring up some excitement.

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  16. What a sight that must have been!

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  17. I can just see George running in your fields with Irene right behind. Just enjoying the moment !
    After every bath or bottom washing The Square Ones always took off running and jumping. Drying their faces, backs or bottoms by attacking any rug or pillows.
    We always said they liked they way they were and wanted to get their hair styles back to the way they liked it !
    Great post today.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Thank You.
      As with you everyday is better than the day before. Cried lots the first week but now OK !
      Not fully back because of some business, land sale problems with the x and 3rd quarter taxes blahblah blah...

      Thank You for your wonderful comments about Watson.
      Scotties are a hoot !

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  18. That was a fun visual, John. I love to see the animals get frisky!

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  19. Actually, I have a cat that does that too ... using the litter box then suddenly jumping out , tossing litter in all directions. I used to think she was afraid of what dropped out of her . Now the new boy does it too.
    There is a lot of litter tossing going on at my house now.

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  20. Anonymous7:19 pm

    Where's the video camera when you need it?

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  21. I didn't read the above, but I have to remind you that you must stop using an abbreviated 'and' on your title. It doesn't work.

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    1. I don't know about the ampersand but the sheep look bloody scruffy in my opinion.

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    2. They look like pack horses for the bottom washing kit.

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    3. I think they look rather regal

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    4. And thomas..are you emailing from some italian jail cell?

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    5. He's in a brothel dealing with his erection.

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    6. What with? A lolly stick and selotape?

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    7. It was a cornetto in his pocket.

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  22. Oh, to have a camera strapped around your head, just above your eyebrows!

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  23. Lovely.
    Did you hear about the sheep which was found near us with 40 kilos of unshorn wool on its back? He made Irene and Sylvia look positively groomed...

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    Replies
    1. I did ! I saw photos ... that poor poor creature ! How it even stood up is amazing .

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    2. He is nuch better now. And going to a new home soon.

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  24. I enjoyed the visual image of George and the sheep. Lovely moments xx

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  25. only YOU, john, could make washing a dog's bum sound THIS good!

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  26. Bottom washing.... do you finish it with a polish?

    George knows even an old dog needs a bit of play; lovely visual. =)

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  27. It was your reward for being willing to do a thankless job. The other day Phoebe raced up and down the stairs after a sparkle ball and then meowed loudly at the top of the steps that she had, indeed vanquished her prey. It made me smile very much.

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    Replies
    1. Megan,..we should always grab these little moments x

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  28. Great fun! I picture such a farcical image!!!

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  29. Ahh, life's great moments. Don't rush so much through every day life or you're sure to miss them. Our pets seem to know how to take a moment of fun even during their ass washings:) We should take notes from them!

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  30. I bet that sight got a few spontaneous belly laughs out of you, John! I love those moments with animals!

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