Feeding the Dog!

Greyhounds are wonderful,  just the most superb of pets.

But they are large, and they find bending down to bowls on the floor a bit of a trial. To alleviate this we have an adequate, (but rather ugly) double dish contraption that I bought at a dog show here in England.

However,  in Brittany I wanted something more elegant and appealing to the eye, a few years ago, whilst we had two dogs my wonderful husband turned his hand to this beautiful tray.

We bought the coastal tray in a local, rather chi-chi shop, and then we added the legs, (they are simple brackets painted white).

The three bowls are ex-pate bowls from our local Super-U, and cost 1 Euro each!

All in all, a chic and elegant eating station for our dog.

I am now looking out for a pretty tray and lovely dishes to make a second dog bowl stand for my house here in London.

Walking the (new) dog

We have a wonderful new addition to our family.

He's been with us for five weeks now, and he  is gradually settling in.  These photos were taken a few weeks ago when he was still very new and nervous.

He is a rescued ex-racing Greyhound.  Although very large, he is very gentle.

I am just starting to let him off the lead when I have him out for a walk on my own.  This morning he suddenly shot off, and I had to resist the temptation to follow him, I would never have caught up, he really does run like the wind.

Instead I stood still, calling him his name, I was very anxious when he disappeared out of view for well over a minute, so you can imagine my relief when he whizzed back for a piece of Cheddar cheese!  (I am a great believer in bribery when it comes to gaining the confidence of a new dog.)

If you or anyone you know is looking for a new dog, then I can recommend greyhounds.  My last two dogs were also rescued greyhounds.  They are gentle, loving and wonderful to watch when they run (and you know they'll come back).  They are also fabulous with children. And if you have a busy life, they are quite content with two twenty minute walks a day, just make sure they have somewhere comfortable to lie at home and maybe a few toys to play with.

My daughter adores this handsome new fellow, and he has been fine when she has had friends visiting too.



We got him from Hersham Hounds, you can find their website here.  However,  if Hersham is  too far for you,  there are plenty of other specialist greyhound kennels, look at the Retired Greyhound Trust, here, you'll find a kennel local to you.  Please do go and have a look, there will be a dog there who is just right for you.

We have his Pet Passport and are really looking forward to taking him to France at Easter.

I'll be taking many more photographs of him over the next few years, I'm sure you'll get to know him well.

Dog (and Cats) in France

A Very belated Happy New Year!

I can't believe how busy the first half of January has been and I am feeling  terribly guilty that I haven't posted on this blog since last year!

I have, of course,  found time to look at other blogs though and my short post today  was inspired by a post in Diane's lovely blog Pilgrim and Pie, here.  She featured a lovely photograph of her cat, which had been taken for Racheal McKenna's delightful book The French Cat.  I thought the book looked so lovely that I have  ordered a copy for a friend, whom I know will love the combination of beautiful France and cats, the animal she really adores.

Now I myself am not a cat person but I do adore and love my dog, a twelve year old rescued Greyhound. So I thought I would post a couple of  photos of him at his holiday home in Brittany.

Sun bathing in the garden

Outside the boat shed

(he has now dug a huge hole here!)

On the beach Christmas holidays 2011/12