I was up early as I needed to pick William up from the kennels. A mix up with her inoculation dates meant that Mary couldn't board with him for the weekend so she went to "trendy Carol's"house for the duration. Winnie as usual lived the life of Reilly with my bulldog loving friend Norma whilst George bed and breakfasted at my sister's home.
Going away together often takes some organising.
I arrived at the kennels well before opening time and as I waited I walked up to their security fencing to peruse the dogs. I spotted William instantly for he was laying in the lap of one of the kennel girls who was sat on the floor holding him like a baby. She looked as though she was talking to him as she rocked him back and forth.
I was intrigued and asked the girl who was in her teens what was going on when she brought him trotting back to reception.
" some dogs just don't rest when they are here" she explained seriously, " I'm told which ones they are and it's my job to mother them for a bit"
Monday felt just a bit sweeter for her words.
It's Peter V's funeral at lunchtime ( he of the monster ,Flower Show winning fuchsia,) It's in the next village of Caerwys and I am going with the affable despot Jason. Peter's partner ,Trelawnyd Val, has asked us all to dress in bright colours and so I have dug out a summer shirt( covered in sailing boats) and have donned my pea green trousers..... I look like a friggin American tourist for god's sake
I hear there's a large number of Trelawnyd-ites going.
Peter was well liked.
It's sunny today, funerals need sun, often it's the only warmth available to the grieving I always think.
So before I leave I shall take Winnie and Mary and George out for their walk.
William I Will leave in the warmth of the bedroom window ledge.
He is fast asleep and won't be moved.
He is home.
Going away together often takes some organising.
I arrived at the kennels well before opening time and as I waited I walked up to their security fencing to peruse the dogs. I spotted William instantly for he was laying in the lap of one of the kennel girls who was sat on the floor holding him like a baby. She looked as though she was talking to him as she rocked him back and forth.
I was intrigued and asked the girl who was in her teens what was going on when she brought him trotting back to reception.
" some dogs just don't rest when they are here" she explained seriously, " I'm told which ones they are and it's my job to mother them for a bit"
Monday felt just a bit sweeter for her words.
It's Peter V's funeral at lunchtime ( he of the monster ,Flower Show winning fuchsia,) It's in the next village of Caerwys and I am going with the affable despot Jason. Peter's partner ,Trelawnyd Val, has asked us all to dress in bright colours and so I have dug out a summer shirt( covered in sailing boats) and have donned my pea green trousers..... I look like a friggin American tourist for god's sake
I hear there's a large number of Trelawnyd-ites going.
Peter was well liked.
It's sunny today, funerals need sun, often it's the only warmth available to the grieving I always think.
So before I leave I shall take Winnie and Mary and George out for their walk.
William I Will leave in the warmth of the bedroom window ledge.
He is fast asleep and won't be moved.
He is home.
"I look like a friggin American tourist for god's sake" - hey hey hey, SOME of us know NOT to call attention to ourselves when we travel! ;-)
ReplyDeletebright colours and sunshine - a better way to do a funeral, methinks. RIP, peter.
As I think I've probably said before - I want black, black and more black at my funeral (preferably with veils). I don't want people there for a good time. I'm thinking something in the Imitation of Life sort of vein.
ReplyDeleteWith a black singer and bev dressed as lana turner
DeleteAnd you sobbing, banging on the hearse doors as it pulls away from the kerb....
DeleteI'm with Bel-Ami on this one... black is the only colour I want at my funeral... I will be completely vexed I won't be there... alive... and only black will represent that
DeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
May the sun warm your shoulders.
ReplyDeleteTourist stereotypes, we could have fun with that, with that color combination you would have to gain at least 50 pounds to look like and American.
Sad day. I bet William is glad to be home.
ReplyDeleteI agree that funerals need sun, but it teemed with rain when we buried my sister and that seemed fitting, too. I would love to see your American tourist look. Better on you than on a real American tourist.
ReplyDeletePoor William...he's a homebody. Happy to hear he was being loved on. I also hope for a sunny day for my going away. It will make it easier for family I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sounding kennel!
ReplyDeleteHave a colourful time at the funeral.....the way a funeral ought to be.
You should try an Australian funeral in a hot north wind with a temp of 40. Not nice. The kennel sounds like it is very good, with very caring management and staff.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen I traveled more, I used to think, 'Thank God for the Germans and the Japanese!' Otherwise, Americans stood out even more.
ReplyDeleteHow's Albert?
Apart from nearly getting run over by a farm lorry when he was attempting to follow us of this afternoons walk, he's fine
DeleteGood to hear! Thanks. Tell him to get out of the road. :)
DeletePoor William, I bet that was a lovely sight to see as the girl was rocking him. Very sweet. May the sun shine brightly today.
ReplyDeleteThe bitter and the sweet.
ReplyDeleteI have no intention of having a funeral. I shall be simply collected from wherever and shipped off to the crem and then afterwards all my loved ones can pick a beautiful sunny day and have a big party and scatter my ashes.
ReplyDeleteSame here.
DeleteMe Too !
DeleteMe too, definitely the way to go !
DeleteI can never board m dogs for they are miserable and won't eat.
ReplyDeleteI will have no funeral and would like to drift out quietly. It is good that you all go to honor your friend and comfort his mate.
ReplyDeleteWilliam reflects many with his comfort in being home.
When I used to board Watson and thehamish they always asked if i wanted more one on one playtime or cuddle time. They had a Doggie bone shaped pool and a fetch yard. The Square Ones liked cuddle time best.
ReplyDeleteEveryday a helpers came in and sat on the floor and cuddled and talked to them. They loved it.
What a sweet place for William.
I like the idea of wearing bright colors to the funeral.
cheers, parsnip
Not certain about the sun at funerals thing. When we buried a dear friend it was a bitter cold day and, unusually for here, flurries of snow were falling with vicious wind. Not only did it express the way we felt, we all thought she would have approved. Which made us smile. And THAT was necessary.
ReplyDeleteA metaphore for you day perhaps?
DeleteSorry to hear of Peter's passing. May he RIP. Great that you wear bright colors to the funeral. We still haven't seen you in the pea-green troos, John. I would continue to take my doggie back to kennels where they are mothered like William was. If you have a chance tomorrow John, please do pop over to my post. I think you may chuckle at my lack of mechanical skills when Grant came out of surgery recently. xx
ReplyDeleteWill do x
DeleteWilliam looks so happy to be home John. But I am sure on the odd occasions when he goes to kennels he knows you will be coming for him in a day or two. Hope the funeral went well.
ReplyDeleteThe vicar was quite lacklustre she didnt capture peter's natural exuberance
DeleteI wondered why it was beautifully sunny today. All for Peter V. May he rest in peace and be remembered fondly by his nearest and dearest.
ReplyDeleteVery positive outlook! The bright colors are a nice touch even though there may be an American tourist there.....RIP to Peter.
ReplyDeleteI would much prefer American Tourists or anyone dressed brightly and happily at my funeral - when the day comes!
ReplyDelete"Please dress like a friggin American tourist for god's sake" is going to be the leading line in my obituary! I'm putting the instructions in my will today!
ReplyDeleteSweet story about your dog!
Oh golly that is just the sweetest thing. I once worked in a piggery and got caught with the runt pigs asleep on my lap. My bosses were not as appreciative as this lassie's bosses are, but what the hey, I'd already been sacked anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again, John - in the space of a few lines you made me smile, then cry, then laugh. The Hawaiian shirt was likely enough on its own and possibly the pea-green trousers were over the top ...
ReplyDeleteI hope Peter's wife is doing okay. It's hard when all the Must Do's are over and everyone goes home.
I like the idea of bright colours for a funeral, rather than dreary black in all directions. I always think a funeral should be for celebrating someone's life rather than mourning. Of course there's grief, but there should be room for something more positive as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's cute that the kennel has someone whose job is to comfort unsettled dogs. That's the mark of a good kennel!
ReplyDeleteOlga is like that whenever she comes back from the kennel. She crashes for a day or two, out like a light.
It is great when you find a great kennel, it sounds like you have, but there is no place like home. our boy ignores us for days when he comes home and sulks little a teenager.!!! Trouble is the looks he gives me make me laugh so much I think that only increases the duration! Hope the funeral went ok, well as OK as funerals can. Maria
ReplyDelete