AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Here I stand — or rather, sit — Sentinel. Much like the Egyptian Sphinx, I guard the citadel, ensuring my master and the Mrs are safe while they admire my noble profile. Perched high upon this stone plinth, I feel rather grand, though I can’t help thinking I should be cloned so that I might occupy the adjacent one as well.

This ancient doorway, with its studded timber and weathered stone, isn’t my home in France — though the masonry feels familiar. It belongs to the medieval castle ruins of Eymet, a 13th‑century bastide town where I’m temporarily residing with a somewhat reluctant female companion. She has, so far ignored me, rebuffed my advances and even voiced her displeasure at my attention. Still, I refuse to let that dent my ego.

So here I pose in imperial fashion, hoping at least to impress the Mrs on this fine morning outing — to remind her that I am, above all, a lovable and loyal companion. I’m not sure how long I can maintain this exemplary behaviour, but as long as she keeps treats in her pocket, I shall persevere.

 

JULY 2026

Please, please can we go to the lake so that I can jump in and swim around in the water to cool off and fetch branches out for you????

As you have probably already guessed, this is my pleading look, chin resting on the arm of the Bosses chair, ears flat and soppy looking, eyes big and staring straight into his eyes…….

I can maintain this look for quite a long time – long enough for the Boss to feel guilty that he he’s been dozing while I’ve been patiently waiting for signs of life.  The moment he stirs, I activate the full-strength stare, willing him to give in and take me swimming.

Occasionally my technique fails and I have to appeal to the Mrs in a similar manner which usually elicits a response such as “your dog wants to go for a walk, probably to the lake”.   Eventually one of them cracks and I get taken to the lake where I can dive in and swim around to cool off and play.  The only trouble is the Boss then gets involved in untangling all his fishing gear and dangling it into the water, in which case I am banned from swimming near him and have to remain clear of his rods. It’s a fishy business so I paddle around the other side of the lake and test out the theory that I can catch a carp faster than he can………

 

JUNE 2026

Did you know I was a contortionist in a former life….. 

I know this looks odd but believe me in this recent heatwave this method of sleeping with my head and ear on the cool tile floor is most advantageous.  The next step would be to put my entire tummy, head and neck on the tiles and the step after that is to take a dip in the lake and after that a hosing down with a cold hose pipe. 

You will be pleased to hear I have shed most of my under fur (the insulating layer that allows me to swim in winter without freezing).  The Mrs is not so pleased as so much came out in this heatwave she felt it was unnecessary to buy any carpet!  Most of the bird’s nests in this area are lined with my fur, they can’t believe how generous I am with my undercoat. 

Did you know that the name for heatwave over here in France is “canicule” which closely resembles my canine genes.  When I first heard the word, I thought it was all about me and preened in hearing myself spoken about so much.  When the Mrs explained that what everyone was talking about was the heat wave, I was somewhat disappointed but cheered up when it could also be explained as “dog-days”.  All you want to do is sleep like a dog when it is so hot which indeed both myself, the Boss and the Mrs did during the hottest hours, however on closer inspection upon breaking the word “cani cule” down in translation it appears they may be talking about my bottom from which, on occasion, surreptitious eruptions have made me rather unpopular in this house.  So given these varying descriptions I think it best to stay out of the heat and keep a “cool” profile!

MAY 2026

She has stolen my bed!!  Well not actually stolen but usurped may be a better word.  Laying their defying me with her watchful gaze.  Meet Cookie, sometimes known as The Cookie Monster owing to her rather aggressive attitude to dogs she does not know.  She came to stay for a few days.  I can’t really call her a girlfriend as we have a sort of love/hate relationship – I love her but she hates me - can you believe it???

When she is not actively ignoring me we occasionally play chase but when things get a bit too energetic she has the knack of retreating under a table or a chair where she knows she has the advantage of size as I am too big to follow her.    Here we have a stand-off.  She knows well enough that this is my new bed and she has no business laying on it but we have had a bit of a runaround so a rest is required.  As soon as she is on the move again I shall make it my business to regain rights over my new bed and be sure to stretch out covering most of it so she has no option but to cuddle up to me if she wants to use it again.  I am not top dog for nothing – I have my wily ways to win her over…….

 

APRIL 2026

I went travelling with the Boss and the Mrs - they have bought me a new kennel. It’s white, has wheels and can travel wherever I want to go. There is room for my bed and also one for the Boss and Mrs who are lucky enough to sleep inside with me. The Mrs wasn’t sure about sharing the sleeping arrangements so made sure I had a thorough bath and spruce up beforehand. I was indignant about that but by the end of bath time she was as wet as me so we both had a spruce up!

We travelled to Wiltshire, stopping alongside a snake of a waterway. It was here I learnt that one is not allowed to dive into the canal but must walk sedately alongside while viewing all the longboat people who live on it. The Mrs walks me every morning and as each place is new there are a myriad of new smells to investigate and new people to meet.

This little walk along a ridge high above the canal was littered with many holes which I think were made by badgers looking for worms. Either there was a shortage of worms or they were very hungry as the number of holes in evidence was phenomenal. The Mrs had to be careful not to fall in one - which leads me to my grand misdemeanour when I inadvertently tangled my lead around her legs and tripped her up. Boy, was I in the dog house for that, especially as her best glasses got broken in the process. I am currently trying very hard to regain my position in her best books by being very sweet and good but I am not sure it will work until she gets her new glasses and can see my exemplary behaviour……

MARCH 2026

 Me and my mate Teddy.  Teddy and I went on another week’s holiday alone, staying with my girlfriends and I am happy to tell you that this time Teddy came back without a scratch on him.  I spent a most enjoyable week playing with their toys, being chased around the garden and then turning tail and chasing them back, or just running for the pleasure of it, something I never do with the Mrs….  While the Boss and the Mrs were sunning themselves on sunny shores I stayed home and was treated like royalty and presented with a new basket and bed with a soft insert and an elegant new mat to lay on. Although the Boss said they had nice sunbeds to lay on during their week abroad, I went one better and came home with mine – something they apparently were not allowed to do.  I wonder who got the best deal?

FEBRUARY 2026

 Dreaming of sunshine

This was me last summer when I was having a little snooze in the sunshine after running around like a mad thing and rolling in the dry grass.   I remember it was so hot that I had to eventually move into the shade.

 I hesitate to attach any type of animal sense to my playmate Bun-Buns as she is a stuffed toy, but as you can see, she somehow had the sense to lay in the shade from the get go.  The lawn was more like a field of cut hay and was a delight to roll in, scrunching and scratching when I wriggled about.  However the Mrs was not so happy when I traipsed bits of straw indoors with me. Bun-Buns got the order of the boot as well so we both ended up outside again.  I was only allowed in after a good brushing and Bun-Buns received an almighty shaking – poor thing, I am surprised she didn’t lose some of her stuffing, but like me and my playmates – we are made of sterner stuff.