My daughter’s dog – Bert or Bertie (depending on his behaviour) – came to stay for the ten days leading up to Christmas while she moved house. And the household adapted to being dog-centric. One feature of the adaptation being regular dog walking. The weather was not kind.
The UK has taken a battering from deep Atlantic depressions sweeping in across the country bringing floods, structural damage, travel disruption and power outages. Some people have endured a thoroughly miserable Christmas holiday. Thankfully we were spared. The dog walker (me) and Bert seldom left the house without returning wet and muddy. The only real exception was Christmas Eve after the worst storm had blown through. And for the only time, I went out with the Canon G10, and struggled single-handedly (not something you can do with a dSLR) to get some images. And here they are.
Sun on wet road surface produced classic B&W drama, and the dog sat still.
Out of our village, part of our route took us on a single-track road.
Heading back home, with the Sun low in the sky, we both grew taller, until Bert resembled a Giraffe.
All is now quiet in our house, Bert and his owners have departed, the house has been reclaimed and we are ‘chilling out’.
For those new to this blog, I have posted images of Bert (an Entlebucher) previously. See them here and here.
A New Year looms – my best wishes to you all for a Peaceful, Healthy and Prosperous 2014.
LensScaper 
The first shot is outstanding, Andy. I hope you don’t miss Bert and his walks too much.
LikeLike
Strange, getting up this morning and coming down the stairs and finding no-one to greet me enthusiastically! But at least I can now time my walks when the weather is clement!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your walk Andy. It’s the nearest I have come to exercise (apart from shopping) for a couple of weeks! 🙂 When it wasn’t blowing it was raining and usually it was doing both. At least we have been spared the snow, oh dear . . . . should I have said that?
LikeLike
Yes – it was doing both on the majority of occasions the dog decided he needed to go for a walk. I’ll know who to blame when it snows! A very Happy New Year to you
LikeLike
Dog centric was a brand new experience. Bravo to you and I hope your daughter appreciated it ! I like the shadow pic !
LikeLike
Many thanks Kathryn. The dog is now departed and we have the house back! Great fun having him, but I’m not sure I would want him the whole time.
LikeLike
I completely 100% understand ! Its a BIG adjustment!
LikeLike
The only real joy is the enthusiasm of the dog on seemingly endless rainy days ! But like you Andy I do take my camera nowadays in case there is a breakthrough of sorts …
Love Bert as a giraffe and you sporting flares 😉
LikeLike
The worst part about a muddy wet day is the way the dog waits until he is inside the house before having a vigourous shake – muddy water goes everywhere – fortunately it is only the Utility Room but still.. Not only dry the dog, but wipe the walls down too! Flares? – trick of the light LOL!
LikeLike
Great shots, Andy. Really like that silhouette frame, too.
Bert looks like nice company to have around and it was very nice that he took time to take you for a walk. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Jimi. Me being taken for a walk just about sums it up!
LikeLike
I really like the first shot Andy. I was thinking of getting a dog recently, I had plenty of volunteers to take care of the walking and with a huge field next to me I thought why not? I then had the ‘pleasure’ of a visit from my Mum’s dog Daisy. An extremely boisterous Lakeland Terrier. It was only four nights. It felt like a month. She was wonderful to have around in so many ways but the mud and wet dog thing.. It soon put paid to my desire to go looking for a pup and suspect that was my Mum’s intention. What a pleasure but at the same time, what a chore they can be. Have a fantastic 2014 Andy. I look forward to many more of your posts in the coming new year!
LikeLike
Thanks Adrian. Your Mother was very wise – giving you the chance to see what it is like. Dogs are great company, I was brought up with one and we had one for about 13 years when the children were growing up. But a boisterous young dog is a handful, and life has to adapt around ‘it’, and that is where the problem lies. It may sound selfish, but I’ve waited until retirement to feel I am now in control of my life (for a while at least) and a dog certainly upsets that new equilibrium. You can’t go into dog ownership half-heartedly. Happy New Year Adrian. A new blog for the new year – stay tuned.
LikeLike
I got some good chuckles from reading about the dog-centric life that you plunged into however temporary. It’s a good reminder of life with pooches! Nothing is every the same again once a puppy crosses the threshold. I swear they make puppies too cute to resist so that we forget what’s in store for us. 🙂
Have a very Happy New Year! Stay warm! 🙂
LikeLike
As the saying goes: ‘A dog is for life not just for Christmas’. And, by the way, I think it must be you who has been posting such nice comments on my Flickr Page (unless there is another George Weaver). Assuming it’s you – thanks so much for all your comments, George. And a Happy New Year to you.
LikeLike
There are more George Weavers than you could believe, but that one was me. 🙂 I loved my tour of your page at Flickr! So many beautiful images, Andy! Happy New Year to you guys, too!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed your visit George, and thanks again.
LikeLike
Beautiful picture of the dog. Happy New year.
LikeLike
Thank you Shimon. Happy New Year to you too.
LikeLike
Love that first shot! Have a Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Thank you Michael – and a Happy New Year to you too.
LikeLike
Terrific shots Andy. I am sure that you enjoyed having Bertie for the holidays just as much as chilling after his departure. Have a wonderful New Year.
LikeLike
Thanks Len. All the best for 2014 to you. It’s a miserable wet New Year’s day here in the UK.
LikeLike
Dog as photographic assistant? Bert got you out with a camera on a day when you might not have bothered, and look at the fantastic light on wet pavement. He even helped you to discover your inner-giant (and his inner giraffe!) I am not much of a dog person, so will not be needing a canine assistant, but they sure seem to have their uses.
LikeLike
I’m not quite sure who was talking who for a walk – I think he thinks I am the one who needs herding and checking up on.
LikeLike
I think walking the dog is very healthy, even when the weather is almost never kind. I like the look of your walking.
LikeLike
Thanks very much for commenting Bente. Living in a village means we are very close to open countryside – perfect when it is dry but very muddy when it is wet as it was for much of December and early this month.
LikeLike