Last night..

...as I was lying in bed I started thinking (odd that I then dreamt about Stephen Mangan) about how much I WANT a dog.  A little cutey one similar to my friend's dog, Harvey. His fur is silky soft and when he came to visit he was an absolute delight.  After dinner as we sat drinking wine and talking rubbish, Harvey sat quietly occasionally nodding in the direction of whoever was talking, as if in agreement.


And then last night we met Twiggy.  Twiggy is two months old with the littlest face and the tiniest paws.  She was sat at the bar in our local pub with her incredibly pretty blonde russian owner.  The blonde sipped on her vino and Twiggy sat quietly in her lap taking in the atmosphere.  I couldn't resist and went over to stroke Twiggy who then desperately tried to gnaw off one of my fingers (I think she could smell the scrummy cassoulet I'd just eaten).


Ohhhh how I wanted a dog until I woke up this morning feeling a little light-headed and remembered that right now Twiggy or Harvey would be desperate to go out for a walk which would mean me walking the streets, half asleep with a plastic bag. 


My brother and his family have owned a dog on and off for over a decade and when I discussed getting a dog with him the other night he was of the opinion that it can be a royal pain in the rear, especially if you go away a lot and you need someone to look after the little pooch.  A friend of ours in LA puts his dog into Doggy Day Care... and when you go and collect your little dog you're given a report card on his behaviour and who he played with and what he'd eaten.  We thought this was hilarious and that it must be an "LA" thing but it's huge over here too.  


I had a look at the Battersea Dog's Home website but be warned you need to have a strong heart when you look at the pics of all those unwanted dogs.  Under each picture is a short biog, selling you their best points and how they'd love to live in a home with you.  Battersea Dog's Home also advise that you read their document "Getting a Dog" - it's written on the premise of a "A dog is for life and not just for Christmas'.  This however is my favourite advice from their website:   Regular walks provide your dog with a change of scene and the chance to meet other dogs. Remember, your dog needs a social life, too!


Oh what fun we'd have, me and JJ skipping along to Doggy Day Care or meeting her pals in the park.  Maybe letting JJ have her friends over for dog biscuits and a run around the garden.  Sadly I think we're going to have to find our new home in the country before we start looking for a JJ.


  
http://www.battersea.org.uk/