I heard the clip clop of the ponies’ hooves when I was sipping coffee in the kitchen. Roger barked as they passed the kitchen window and I could hear the twins scampering across the bedroom floorboards to watch from the window seat.
The ponies return is a big deal on Cwm Road
Not fully caffeinated, I marshalled the Welsh and we drove to Parisellas in Colwyn Bay for breakfast. It was cold but we sat outside and shared a table. By force of habit Mary sat on her own seat. Roger sat on the floor making googoo eyes at any passing dog.
I ordered a flame hot americano and a sausage bap which we shared
A group of people opposite seemed amused by Mary’s politeness and asked about her.
She’s my old girl I told them and they smiled at her obvious age, the slightly milky eyes, the patchy coat then they “ oohed and aahed” as she sat on my knee, warming herself inside my coat flaps
She is an old gal, not that long for this world now
And as I thought that, I enjoyed the thump, thump thump of her heart as she pushed herself against my chest, and I sipped at my coffee
Beautiful tribute to Mary and your heart.
ReplyDeleteI’m grieving for her
DeleteGrand. Owning pets is a delightful and eventually heartbreaking option. But what would we be without them?
ReplyDeleteNothing
DeleteWhat a sweet story and I love the picture of Mary snuggled inside your coat so you could feel her heartbeat, sharing both warmth and love. It seems so recent that you considered her having a litter but suppose years have passed since then.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have the ponies back in the field!
Hugs!
I went over at 6 am this morning and breathed in their noses
DeleteSomehow your photos of Mary make me happy and sad in equal measure.
ReplyDeleteMe too, she always now has a faraway look about her
DeleteJackie said it exactly. Happy and sad.
ReplyDeleteX
DeleteBlinking back a tear at the thought of dear Mary snuggled inside your coat. xx
ReplyDeleteShe feels the cold like old ladies often do
DeleteSweet, loving Mary. The is the best.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see the ponies.
Yes it’s so refreshing to see them return all four of them
DeleteI hope that Mary has a long and contented old age.
ReplyDeleteThank you dearheart
DeleteThis made me smile and get puddle eyed in equal measure. Love that the ponies have returned and so agree with Mary Moon that may your wee Mary have a long and contented autumn of life.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too
DeleteYour usual beautiful and expressive way of writing conjured up the scene perfectly and brought tears to my eyes. lini from petaluma
ReplyDeleteXx
DeleteSounds like a wonderful & heartwarming morning!
ReplyDeleteHope you're snugged up warm & dry with Mary, Roger, Bun & Weaver this evening.
Stay safe, warm & well, John dear.
Every night we cuddle up
DeleteOur pets come into our lives to share part of our
ReplyDeletejourney.Your words make
that sound idyllic.To them
we can be life long
companions,to us their
time with us is too brief.
Love them each while they are here.xMary
Amen
DeleteDogs make a home I say. I couldn't live without one I don't think.
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t either. They have pulled me through my dark days , always with gentle alacrity
DeleteMy shepherd cross has started what sounds like a CHF cough, just the beginnings though. And this morning I thought the cat was dead, so still and slightly cold. She's not thankfully.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good day John.
Thank you pixie
DeleteI have no idea when I first started reading your blog, but I would guess around 17 years ago. It seems like yesterday that Mary arrived.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Yes, I too have been a long time reader and remember John getting Mary. I can't fathom how old the old girl is now, it doesn't seem but a few years since John found her on the table sat in a pan.
DeleteShe came to me as replacement for Meg who died aged 10 . It was 2015 and the year I married
DeleteI know what you feel here. My beloved dog is similar and not much time left.
ReplyDeleteI’m just quietly enjoying her
DeleteLove this; beautifully written. I’m lucky enough to have an old boy (a long-haired Dachshund) who brings joy every single day. These days, he always wants to be near me; that feeling is mutual.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how old Mary is? Seems she about same age as my Mo who will be 11 in March. Pugs can live past 16 so I am hopeful. He is more ''middle aged'' than senior. Looks like Welsh can live similar amount of time. Hope so, she is your little lady all these years.
ReplyDeleteYes the same age , Meg was just 10 when she died. William was 12
DeleteI have a real love for older dogs. They always seem so patient and wise. Big kiss to Mary.
ReplyDeleteShe’d love that dear cro
DeleteOh goodness, don't they steal your heart away. I'm lad the ponies are back, somehow, although they're not "yours" they add another dimension to your menagerie. I remember back in time, when you had birds of various kinds over there too. But you have far too much on your plate, with study and counselling, to have more animals these days.
ReplyDeleteYes , the ponies are my vicarious pleasure
DeleteMary has such a 'knowing' yet world-weary look. My heart goes out to her.
ReplyDeleteYes she often looks weary
DeleteMary is such a lovely dog, my favourite if all your pics is of her in the dish as a youngster. It doesn't seem long ago that she arrived. What of her phantom pregnancy?
ReplyDeleteYes, I will always adore that photo
DeleteThe phantom pregnancy disappeared as fast as it arrived
DeleteOlder dogs and cats are wonderful aren't they, it's a privilege to have them as long as we can. Sadly Suky the Pug, who was the youngest of our trio died last year, now Ginger the cat keeps scaring me to death by going into the deepest of sleeps and seems to be barely breathing. Mavis is currently enjoying a 'second wind' as the vet has just put her onto steroids and they are really suiting her. Mary is magnificent. 💖
ReplyDeleteI remember suky with affection xx
DeleteShe loved George. :-)
DeleteI seem to recall that you adopted Mary in 2015. A canine life is not a long one is it but hopefully there are a good few miles left in the old girl yet.
ReplyDeleteThe year I was married , she was six months old
DeleteSounds like a wonderful morning, one of many to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely
DeleteHow sweet.
ReplyDeleteI can barely keep warm inside the house this morning, let alone imagine sitting outside to eat breakfast! It's bad enough that I have to go out this afternoon to get a tooth fixed (chipped it shelling pistachios before Xmas and have waited this long to get a dental appointment, so don't want to cancel even if being on the road is taking my life in my hands at 33-below when intelligent people stay home). I am envying your Wales weather. Also your sweet Mary. We no longer have pets and I don't often get to cuddle with a dog. Sometimes I pretend our little Duckie Doodle can still be held against my breast and squeezed affectionately, to comfort myself at sad moments. I like to believe he is really here.
ReplyDeleteI miss Dorothy , her physical presence in bed cuddled up beh8nd me
DeleteWha a faithful friend Mary has been John ...... don't write her off yet ..... I'm sure she has a good few years left in her. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI hope so x
DeleteNice to see the ponies back. My Peggy is 10 and Coton de Tulears have a span of 14 to 16 years. I do hope she outlasts me as I could not bear to be without her. I hope Mary will continue on. Gigi
ReplyDeleteI hope so too but I’ve never had a Welsh pass 12 x
DeleteI’m sobbing, cant be helped. Woke up to zero degrees Fahrenheit but the sun is shining so hoorah. A trail of both rabbit and coyote tracks in the new snow from last evening are another reminder that Nature isn’t always nice. Glad you could sit outside and also enjoy the ponies.
ReplyDeleteWhen we had snow, a lone badger tracked over my lawn
DeleteThe photo of her on the sidebar sat in the fruit bowl is my favourite ..
ReplyDeleteI think I remember when you adopted Mary. I can't believe she's already a senior citizen. I was lamenting the aging of our dog this morning too.
ReplyDelete