Monday is menosukhi day - the one in which I go all sentimental. For a few weeks this means you are sharing my memories of two darling creatures, Jade Dog MacWoof and Jasper Cat MacMeow.

July 29th - this is the date that I nominated as Jade's birthday.  When I had finally succumbed and brought her home, the seller could not exactly state her age.  She was known to be within 9 weeks old - so I did some arithmagog and came up with this date.

Random really, but it suited her.  Leo for the Lion Dog. Her Rhodesian Ridgeback genes were not all that obvious in puppyhood, rather the English Staffordshire was clear.  But by the time she'd elongated and reached 6 months, the Rhodi was clear in her expression and behaviour.  It was also evident that the claimed paternity was not as pure Staffy as might be though - I had strong suspicion of German Shepherd in the mix.  ...Which, on reflection, might explain some of that police business.

Being of the mainly African stock, though, she was not overly fond of the wet stuff.  When it rained, even, it was comical to watch her trying to reach her backside out over the edge of the covered patio in order to 'do business', thus protecting her darling paws from the damp!  If I insisted on walking in the rain, every puddle was skirted on tip toe, in case she should find herself up to her neck in it.  There was nothing she liked better than the towel down on return to the haven of the laundry.  So when "granny and granda" -  my parents - came to stay on the occasion of her 10th year and suggested we go to a specialised doggie beach, it would not surprise you to read that all was dandy until the moment she caught sight of the lapping ripples and the EMORMOUS puddle that was Newport Bay!

Having been bouncing around in bliss at a new place to explore and new dogs to meet, as she crested the little foreshore hillock, she quite literally stopped dead, her body locked rigid and her eyes agog.

Grandad thought this was all rather funny, but granny was quite sure she'd get the old dog to learn a new trick.  Something called swimming.

"Mum, this collie's pushing me in the wet stuffs!"

Even I looked at the older woman askance!  Neither of us had brought bathers with us, so shorts and t-shirts had to do.  As there were about 10 other dogs rollicking around in the water, Jade started to get a wee bit adventurous - but every time that water came near her toes, she was back up the hill to grandad faster than shoot.  He being a denizen of the Scottish Highlands had never learned to swim and was totally in sympathy.

"Gemme outta here!"

He was also armed with a camera - for which I am now immensely grateful!  Here are a couple to whet your appetite - and the outcome of it all will be here next week.

Don't forget to visit BOZO - and I would like you to pop over and say hi to Bertie, as his human grandparents and mum, Gail, are having a difficult time.  We must be grateful for all such memories with our elders, to whom we owe so much more than we can ever repay.

Sending Love with the capital 'ell'.  YAM xxx

Pee Ess - new Canine Chronicle posted over at TOO, too… &*)