Newsletter August / September 2021

Newsletter August / September 2021

Dear Irish Terrier Friends,

This month has been one of ‘visitations’ . . . . not ‘long stays’, but frequent two to three days . . . . proper little jollies with old friends who we love dearly.

Miss Libbs and Maryb have been in ‘total immersion’ as active hostesses, eager to be in on everything, from the jubilant welcome to the sad farewells. Best of all was that Daisy was here for weeks. She moves in like one of the children, growing more riotous and full of herself by the day.

This is her thank you letter (possibly written by Richard) . . . but it does sound like Daisy to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday
 
Dearest Lucy
Thanks for having me to stay and for so long.
I really enjoyed myself with M.B. Aunty Bibs, who is very kind to me, though not always the other way round. And of course walks with Marie and the gang. To be truthful, I am a little sad today as I miss you all and you have been so kind to me and cheered me up when I missed my Daddies – they keep telling me very much, should I believe them??? Also all your friends who came to visit, some very much indeed!
Please give my love to Jamie and Marie and the girls too and my especial love to you.
Thank you again for my lovely holiday!
Love from Daisy xxx

 

We were forlorn when Derek and Richard came to collect her. We had a lovely last walk on the marshes, the car was packed, and they whisked her away before I had time to start wailing. The girls were cheered only when the next guests arrived.

Libbs is so dear to us all now. She is ten plus and at that heart rending time when they know everything there is to know about us and understands more than we do ourselves. She has been so helpful keeping Maryb and Daisy in some sort of order.

They love to run out into the shallow water, which I find alarming. Once I was calling and calling and becoming anxious about them. Libbs understood at once.She streaked out after them, but stopped half way, leaping and barking, twirling round in the water and dashing back to me . . . of course they followed at once.

‘How do I love you my wise old dog’.

I was fascinated to watch Daisy negotiating her way to being the boss girl. She’s not remotely aggressive, but knows exactly what she likes . . . She likes the front seat in the car, places herself in the corner when she noticed the first plate of dins was put down, and nipped upstairs just before the rest of us to book her place on my bed. She was very smart about leaping into Marie’s van and always chose the coveted place behind her seat.

Maryb adores her and has no complex for planning for life . . . anything will do as long as it’s fun and darling Miss Bibbs just lets the babies play.

She did abandon us only once however, when we were caught in a down pour on the marshes. She made a quick calculation that our friends had a far more effective brolly than mine. It was enormous, twice the size of ours, in a beautiful shade of green. What’s more, it had come room Sandringham no less. She took up her place, walking between our friends, while D, Mb and I legged it back to the car drenched to the skin.

Back to our visitors. It has been lovely seeing friends after this confounded lockdown. I fear however that my skills as a housekeeper, which have never been exactly top flight, have become even more hit and miss.
When children and dogs are added to the mix, I am so easily distracted . . . well, I like to play games with them too.

Unfortunately, we run out of groceries or I lose something vital . . . keys or specs are old favourites . . . just as we’re heading out for a walk. Everyone seems so efficient. Even the men can cook and can make sense of my space age kitchen, which has stubbornly remained a mystery to me.

I am haunted by the plight of all the dogs who have done their stint as a source of entertainment during the lockdown and are now being abandoned. There was a distressing piece in the Daily Telegraph about them and the dreadful dog walkers who have cashed in on the new owners’ need to be back at work and have their dogs walked.

Investigations have shown that they are often not walked properly or sometimes even leave the front gate. It is absolutely appalling. We have each of us a duty of care to all dogs to report any neglect or abuse. Which should be reported immediately.

My heart fails me to think that any Irish Terriers could be involved, but it is extremely unlikely. We are a very tight knit community and the breeders tend to keep in touch with the puppies and their families.
Besides, the Micks with their devastating charm seem to demand and receive a level of devotion from us all which I suspect would surprise some dog owners. We do, of course, need to keep a watch.

Here are two letters I thought you would like to read. They reflect these sentiments exactly and you can share a gentle laugh with me.

Inga, who took the iconic picture of James in a field of poppies, has recently moved to Poole. She writes about her new best friend . . . the darling Gertie . . .

‘Dear Lucy,
We met Gertie and her owner Jo in the park today. I’m in love! Just the most delightful girl, a beautiful Irish who rides on Jo’s bike, sitting in the dog seat attached to the front. She is half Ann Bradley’s breeding but is a Yorkshire lass.  There’s a little band Micks in Poole . . . what a joy!
Lots of love and hoping all is well with you and your girls’
.
 
 
This is one from Vanessa: 
 
‘My two Irish Terriers, Maggie and Mavis, are in Devon for the whole month of July. The girls had to come with me, obviously. My husband and son came for a visit and took them down to the pub on the harbour last night. Two people from both sides of the room leapt up and ran at them. They were ecstatic to meet the girls as they are also Irish Terrier owners and as obsessed as all of us. It is the best club to belong to and each and every one of our gorgeous four legged friends make life so much better’.
Vanessa’s letter describes so eloquently the love we all feel for our ‘best beloveds’.

We are so fortunate to have this feeling of belonging together and I do think it will help to keep them safe and happy.

  With many greetings
          and kindest regards
                  and my special love to the dogs

P.S I do hope you are taking some lovely pictures to send us for the calendar! We thought the theme aspects of Irish Terriers. Examples: fun, athletics, holidays, love for the children, comfort lovers really almost anything you like.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is Maryb jumping for joy and her tennis ball!
 
Click on any image to enlarge in a new window.
 
 
 

 

 

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