Love story

Looks like Dunstan has managed to get himself a foxy* lady friend! It's Lacie! How did he manage that?

*OK, strictly speaking she should be called a Lakie lady friend, being a Lakeland Terrier, but it just doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?

I wonder what Lacie's brother Scruffy thinks? Don't worry Scruffy, I think his intentions are honourable. I know his manner is a little stiff, but his heart's in the right place. I just hope Lacie doesn't push him around!

Quiet please

Shhhhhh! Jackson's asleep. Probably still hung over from Asta & Bailey's birthday pawty. Look, he's sneaked onto J1 & J2's bed again. He has some kind of radar that just knows when their bedroom door has been left open. He knows he's not allowed in there but his mission in life is to jump on the bed and drool all over J1's pillow.

In case you're wondering, it's me, Dunstan here. Yes, I know you've read about the other dog on wheels toys, Seymour, Hamilton and Barnaby but I'm the tall quiet one. I may not be fluffy but I think I'm J1's favourite. Don't tell the others though, they might get jealous.

Like Jackson I'm a rescue dog too. I was found languishing in a shed where I'd been for years with no-one to talk to. J1 rehomed me last year. I'm much bigger than the other toys and I'm made of plastic. I think I'm about 50 years old, so I'm kind of in my prime. It's my job to watch over Hamilton, Barnaby and Seymour and make sure they don't get into too much trouble. Remember when Seymour escaped from the coal cellar and got drunk on absinthe? That was because I wasn't around to keep them out of trouble!

I think I hear yawning and scratching coming from the bedroom. Jackson must have woken up. Better go pals, don't want him to catch me!

Dunstan x

Asta's Pawty

Big Chief Jackson here. I'm sure most of you know that it's Asta and Bailey's pawty today to celebrate both their birthdays. A whole crowd of us blogging dogs are travelling to the USA to pawty on down. I'm just waiting for Ruby to come and pick me up in her jumbo jet. The pawty is fancy dress with a cowboy theme. I thought I'd be a bit different and go as a Native North American.



I might send Ruby a few smoke signals telling her to hurry up cos I don't want to be late!

Happy Barkday Asta & Bailey!

World Beard & Moustache Championships 2007 Part 2

Remember earlier this year when I hosted the World Beard & Moustache Championships (WBMC) for dogs? Read about it here if you need a quick reminder. The winner, voted for by the dog blogging public, was Pappy with a rather splendid effort.

Anyway, on Saturday 1st September the Human WBMC took place in Brighton. I DID try and get a special invite but unfortunately dogs weren't allowed, even handsome old me.

However, J1 and some other moustache-less pals attended and had a fan-tache-tic time! She picked up an application form for me to become a Friend of the Handlebar Club, who organised the event. I wonder if they'll let me join?

For your delectation I've compiled some photos of the human contestants and intermingled them with the mutt entrants. Please turn on your speakers to hear Jimmy Edwards sing the fantastic "Bushy Mush" song.

Enjoy!

My Favourite Word

My human pal Blue tagged me with a very interesting challenge. She asked me to think of my favourite word. Lots of MPs, poets and other bigwigs are also selecting their favourite words as part of a UNESCO project to promote literacy in third world countries. The results will be compiled into a book which will be sold in aid of the Education Action program.

It's very difficult to pick a single favourite word. I could have chosen freedom or peace or love but instead I thought I'd go for something more personal to me. It is my blog after all. So my favourite word is ...

RESCUE

And so this post is for all those special people who dedicate themselves to rescuing all kinds of animals (yes, even cats!) Every day I thank dog for those who give their all to help animals in need. Thank you. I hope that my story below will help explain to others why you do it...

...

Most of you know I'm a rescue dog. But did you know that I was in a bit of a sad way when J1 & J2 took me in? My background is a bit of a mystery. I was found as a stray and taken to Battersea Dogs Home in London where I stayed for a month before being taken to Fox Terrier Rescue.

Who's this sad looking little fella?

Yes, you guessed it, it's me. This photo was taken 3 years ago when I first came to live with J1 & J2 and I'd just had my first haircut. It was really hard getting the clippers over my ribs because they were so prominent. I was on a special diet for a long time and had to be fed little and often to try and encourage me to eat. I'd lost my appetite for life and I didn't trust anyone. My only comfort was my toys. I didn't interact with people, and I wasn't bothered about being stroked or getting ear scritchies. As long as they left me alone to get on with destroying my toys I was fine. Gradually I began to come out of my shell. There were a few setbacks along the way. It broke J1 & J2's heart to see me flinch everytime anyone raised their hand near me. They still remember the time I ran and hid when J2 took off his belt (he was just getting undressed!)

The last 3 years haven't been easy. I've come a long way from the scared skinny little chap I once was. I've been attacked by other dogs, had terrible health problems and yet now I'm a happy dog, glad to be given a second chance here with J1 and J2. They wait on me hand and paw, just as it should be.

So to all you noble souls involved in animal rescue. This is why you do it. To help dogs like me readjust and go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[Special thanks to Lee England, at Fox Terrier Rescue who let J1 & J2 offer me (and Watson before me) a new home.]

Forever Foxed

J1 is always looking for greeting cards with Wire Fox Terriers on them. It's turned into a bit of an obsession over the years. Last Christmas she hunted high and low for nice cards, and while she bought some cute Xmas photo cards from the Fox Terrier Network, she couldn't get any she liked that featured quirky drawings or illustrations of us handsome mutts. Instead of doing her usual moaning, she was spurred on to make some herself. Rather to her surprise, they were quite well received, and this, in turn, made her wonder if anyone else would be interested. After much agonising, she designed some more cards (inspired by handsome me, of course!) commissioned a website and so hey presto, Forever Foxed is about to be launched on the unsuspecting public.




The cards feature our 3 favourite terrierific breeds; WFTs, Airedales and of course, Irish Terriers. More card designs coming soon but J1 can only draw dogs that are kinda square!

The website was designed by the lovely Reagan (another WFT owner) at Zea Creative who has the patience of a SAINT, dealing with J1's stoopid questions. Thanks Reagan!

We'd also like to thank S at Idleformat for his technical expertise. Thanks pal!

Please take a look at the website; we hope you like it!

Bravest Pet in Sussex Awards

Some of you may know that I reached the final of the Bravest Pet in Sussex Award along with 9 other cats and dogs. The Award presentation took place on Sunday and the winner was a very deserving dog called Sapphie. She had been badly injured in a road accident but is back on her paws again now. I was honoured to be one of the 10 finalists and would like to thank everydog that voted for me. Thanks pals!

All the finalists got loads of lovely loot, including biscuits, treats, a stripey collar and lead, portable water bottle and a cat toy which I instantly destroyed (don't tell Miss Peach!). J1 & J2 got a bottle of champagne!

You can read more about Sapphie and the Award here.

The ceremony took place at a posh country club and there was a display of lots of exotic animals including Solomon the Giant Tortoise:

A lovely skunk that had been de-smelled (ignore the lady in the background, I don't know why she was mugging in MY photos!)

Look at his huge claws!

There was also a ginormous snake that slithered over lots of children, but it didn't eat any of them, mores the pity!

And a giant toad!

It was a lovely day out, and I think that on the day the best dog won. Congratulations Sapphie, I hope you continue on your road to recovery.