This is my official blog Christmas Card. For those that don’t know , this is Finlay my very first Welsh Terrier.
Unlike Roger he was bright.
Unlike William he was selfish
And unlike Mary and Meg he was lazy, and cowardly but in a good way.
He was the first dog to both capture and tear my heart into pieces, and he started my love affair with a breed which is now rare, and remains the oldest in the British Isles.
I remember taking this photo 21 years ago.
Finlay was only four years old and he was asleep just before Xmas Eve in 2005
He slept through the silence of positioning the Prof’s Christmas Santa
And. Didn’t notice it as he was fast asleep, warmed by the coal fire
I remember thinking of how lucky I was that evening . My husband was asleep in his arm chair with a bad tempered Scottie called Maddie at his feet. Finlay was snoring lightly on his sofa and old Joan the cat was curled up by the fire.
The Christmas Tree was lit and it really felt like Christmas .
Like it does today
So Happy Christmas my dear friends
Happy Christmas …..I will leave you with this lovely piece above from my lovely lisping Spanish choir…it’s called Nocturn …….I was in the audience for this !
My highlight of 2025
Happy Christmas My Friends…..
I love how you link your old life with the present
ReplyDeleteFinlay seems a right character and who was Maddie , I know nothing about her
Happy Christmas my friend that I will never meet
Keith
Xx
Merry Christmas to you and the pets. Good things to come in the New Year!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Bun
Merry Christmas, John -- have a wonderful holiday season!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you, your family and all good people (and animals) near and far!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wit and wisdom you share with us, who one and all await your book. Just sayin'!
Holiday hugs!
Finlay looks more like a teddy bear than a real dog. It's a lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas John. Sending hugs and love.
Happy Christmas, John ;-)!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you, John....who brings me such great joy every day. Peace and love to you in all ways
ReplyDeleteSusan M/ Calif.
Finlay looks like a long-haired Teddybear and I'd love to run my fingers through those curls.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and your four-legged family. Thank you for sharing your life and opinions with us - often amusing, challenging, emotionally charged, thoughtful - thought-provoking, and often inspiring. You're an important part of my day. XX
Have a most WONDER-FULL time for Christmas, JayGee, and a 2026 of all the things that make YOU happy. And carry on posting, PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you, John, and all in your house.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, John. And here's to a fabulous new year! Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely Christmas post! A very Happy Christmas to you and best wishes for the coming year. Those are such precious memories to treasure.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you too John, and all best wishes for the year ahead
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, John. I wish you health, joy and laughter for the coming year. xx
ReplyDeleteA beautiful greetings "card". And to have been there....
ReplyDeleteA blissful dog...
Wishing you all the best xx
Merry Christmas to youJohn.
ReplyDeleteMay 2026 bring you much happiness and joy. Carole R.
Have the best Christmas, John and here's to 2026 bringing health, happiness and a bit of wealth wouldn't go amiss! Thanks for another year of laughter, tears, thought-provoking posts, and wonderful music from your lisping choir. xx
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your furry pets a very merry Christmas or Buon Natale, and a new year of good health, peace, happiness and success. Thank you for another year of such interesting posts. Hugs ~ Ro (nw italy)
ReplyDeleteNadolig Llawen John.
ReplyDeleteThank you John for another year of your glorious blog, have a very merry Christmas and trust that the New Year of 2026 will be special for you and your four legged family. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteI love this photo and the character you captured in it. Happy Christmas to you, darling John!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas and all the very best for 2026
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, John. Frances SW
ReplyDeleteAnother poetic and beautiful post, John, how I love your ability to set a picture with your words. 2025 has been something else, hasn't it? Esp here in the states. I pray your 2026 is one filled with little and large pleasures, kindnesses and joy. Thanks for writing and sharing your life with us. MUCH love to you!!
ReplyDeleteLovely memories. Happy Christmas John, to you and all the furry family. I hope it's a restful and peaceful time for you all ... as long as Weaver has nothing planned!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful Christmas card and memory.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your furry family.
We have a bossy, old Cairn Jack Russell cross, Daisy, who barks at DH until he does what she wants. She tells him when the hens need their scatter corn, or shutting in for the night, when the breadmaker is done, and when she wants feeding. Her list of demands is growing. She will not settle until he has completed them.
I look forward to your blog every morning John, it is very important to me. I am wishing all the best for you in 2026. Have a great holiday with lots of laughs, good friends a lovely food. Hugs, Gigi
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John to you & the furry family. Thank you for your wonderful blog. Here's to 2026! Sue P x
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John, have a brilliant one, Blods xx
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas !!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas John. from Canada
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, John. May the New Year be filled with peace and joy! xo
ReplyDeleteNice Christmas card.. Finley was a cutie, as are all your dogs. Each with their own personalities. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year! Cali
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John and a Happy and Healthy 2026 to you. Simone x
ReplyDeleteDear John, a very Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for your lovely blog, I'm a big fan of yours. I hope 2026 brings you everything your heart desires.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John to and all yours and a very Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you! I celebrate the Solstice now, pagan that I am, with a lovely dinner coincidentally on Xmas Day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas John! I'm still chuckling over that picture of Finley, he looks like a stuffed animal. Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas John to you and the kids xxx
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a very merry Christmas, and may the New Year be filled with all that brings you happiness and contentment!
ReplyDeleteMerry Happy Christmas to you as well. May your days be Merry and Bright!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas John! Thank you for sharing your life! Your blog has inspired me in many ways and I wish you the very best in 2026. Look how far you have come!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending the biggest Christmas hug ever. Thank you for being a wonderful part of my everyday life.
ReplyDeleteHappy happy happy to you John and all of the readers here!
ReplyDeleteSeasons greetings old friend, have a cool Yule xx
ReplyDelete