It was a year ago today since Lanky went (see blog post RIP Lanky) – I think Whitevanwoman has been thinking about him alot over the past few days, as it was a very difficult time for her, as he was very special and she had had him for nearly 15 years and he was her first dog. I know she still misses him alot as she talks about him quite alot to me, but I try very hard to cheer her up when she feels sad by clowning around to make her smile and giving her cuddles when she needs them, and to make her realise that, although Lanky is gone, I’m still here. I can’t believe I’ve been top dog for a year now, it seems to have flown past, and I must admit, that whilst I do miss having the company of another dog around the place, it is good to have Whitevanwoman all to myself (although I do have to share her with Miss Tibby who is very demanding about having cuddles and getting on Whitevanwoman’s lap).
I’m quite proud of Whitevanwoman actually as she has turned down several offers of puppies this summer. I know she gave some serious thought to getting a new puppy and it would be nice to have some canine company, but until Lanky went, I had never had her all to myself and this year has been great as I have been her constant companion, going everywhere with her, except for the odd occasion when I’ve been left home alone (see my blog post Home alone).
She did say that we would have great adventures together this year now that it is just the two of us, but sadly we haven’t, although it has been a busy year and there is lots going on at the moment, like my application to become a PAT dog. I have to be assessed to make sure that I am the right temperament for being a PAT dog – a few years ago I think I was maybe a bit too “enthusiastic”, but these days I have learned how to tone it down a bit, and me and Whitevanwoman have been doing lots of practice at walking nicely on the lead without pulling and being calm and quiet when going into a room full of people. Whitevanwoman has to arrange for my assessment but keeps forgeting, so I’ve been giving her lots of nudges to arrange it. I’m hoping that I might be assessed before Christmas and so I can start visiting people in hospital to cheer them up in the New Year.
I’m going to be quite busy for the next couple of weeks as it’s time to put together Volume 2 of Memoirs of a Mongrel and print out copies for all my friends, for Christmas. If anyone would like a copy of Volume 1, you can download it here. If anyone would like a copy of Volume 2, send me an email or post a comment, and I’ll put you on my Christmas list.
And before I forget, I need to write my letter to Santa so I’d better get that done, I’ll go and have a sit on the coal bunker and compose it whilst watching the world go past and warning potential intruders that I am here and guarding our kennel.
And finally, to Old Lanky in Dog Heaven – me and Whitevanwoman are thinking about you and hoping that you are having a great time chasing angel sheep and playing fetch the frisbee with the angels’ halos.
Happy times on the fells with my mate Lanky - April 2005
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