Shop Dog

Which is my best side?

2012-01-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

or experimenting with cloning.

The post title could have gone either way.

I'm back

2011-12-22T04:12:00.000-08:00

The pressures of being a celebrity can sometimes be too much, and you need to take a bit of time out.

She packed me up and sent me to a "health spa" for a few weeks.

It wasn't quite what i expected, a lot of talking, no facials, no seaweed bodywraps.....

Honey I shrank The Hound

2011-10-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

It's a Whippet.

14 weeks old.

She tried to steal it.

Face? Bothered?

Princess Pooch

2011-09-30T03:08:00.000-07:00

Looking this good isn't easy.

I require regular shampoo and sets from Princess Pooch across the road.

I like a good blow dry as much as the next dog, but i don't like the hot air in my ears.

Emma kindly protects them in a towel.

Then we sit back and discuss tactics for Roller Derby.

Happy Days.

Special times

2011-09-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Being a dog of land locked Rutland, there is nothing I like more than heading to the coast.

Watching boats come in and out of the harbour, drinking a little wine with friends......

Just don't ask me to get on a boat.

Lurchers don't do water.

Summer days driftin' away

2011-08-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

but they have been good, pool parties, festivals, and the like.

Gifts of junk food, and a new collar.

Just as the old one reached that perfect aged look, and got really comfy, she gets me a new one.

It will take me months to break it in.

Women.

I'm gonna party like it's my birthday

2011-07-29T03:29:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna sip Barcardi like it's my birthday...

I have many gifts, i will do a show and tell next week, just incase i get anymore......

I keep being woken up and asked if i know it is my "special day"

My "special day" will come when it is just me, that cat, and a locked room.

Winner

2011-07-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

There was a competition.

Obviously i won.

and if Wallace thinks he can out cute me on the curled up sleeping pose....he can think again.

The acceptance speech is currently being worked on.

Hold on tightly, let go lightly

2011-06-22T04:46:00.000-07:00

Farewell old friend.

xxxx

Dog Borstal

2011-06-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

Whilst she went to a wedding, I was checked into dog borstal.

She thinks it's good for me, to hang out with other hounds, and generally just be a dog for a while. you are supposed to check our ego in at the door. Nobody cares about my celebrity status there.

I milk it on her return i do my best "i didn't think you were every coming back for me" face. You know the sort of thing.

Full of remorse for having left me, we go to Mr Ferrai's for a slap up tea and a run around the garden.

What she doesn't know, is that the borstal is just up the road from Hambleton Hall. I slip the kennel maid £50, check myself into 5 star luxury, bolt across the fields when i see her approach and nobody is any the wiser.

That is why i know i had absolutely nothing to do with the cat that went missing from the kennels. Nothing at all. No siree, wasn't me.

Out and about

2011-06-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

I don't spend all my time lying down.

I like to get out and about.

If i'm going a long distance

I take the train.

Maybe that's why the vet thinks i am fat.

#notbitter

What is it with collies?

2011-06-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

When they aren't being all good with livestock, rounding up sheep, and coming by.

They are weaving in and out of poles, being all obedient

or dancing on the television.

Collies, single handedly giving dogs a bad name.

Sleeping, eating, general mischief.

That is what dogs do.

Boy time

2011-05-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

Whilst the girls sip Chablis and eat parma ham, the boys play.

The little one is a bit keen.

What can you do?

I have a magnetic personality.

Attitude problems

2011-05-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

A couple from Northumberland came to ~~buy flowers~~ see me.

I didn't get up and do my usual routine of stretching, tail wagging and pouncing on leaves.

She is worried about my bad attitude and has said we need to go on a team building weekend.

Trust games, canoeing and a lot of thinking outside of the box, and chanting of "Modern flowers, Vintage passion"

Whatever.

Young at heart

2011-04-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

I am mainly photographed lying about, but i can be a bit boisterous.

In particular with other dogs. Small yappie dogs owned by ladies with the Harrods hair do.

Occasionally on encountering such a dog, i play bow and growl really loudly.

She always apologises profusely, and tells them i am just a puppy, and still in training.

Then they ask how old i am, we got away with 9 months old the other day.

God bless botox.

Boy time

2011-04-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

The trip to Disneyland was a ruse.

So this weekend i shunned the chance to appear in another national newspaper, and went off for some quality boy time.

Chillaxing.

I am not happy to be back.

Children go free

2011-04-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

It is 19.30. We are still working, and apparently we will be through the night.

I have been promised a trip to Disneyland, because children go free.

but you don't get your own seat on the plane.

Image via the very wonderful all about Marilyn tumblr.

See you next week, when we return from our vacances.

It's a sign

2011-03-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Not one of those signs.

An actual sign.

Evidently it it is to be busy week, Mothers Day.

She doesn't have time this week to chat to everybody that stops us in the street to admire me.

Apparently this will save her a good 2 hours a day.

I am putting myself up for adoption.

PR

2011-03-17T03:44:00.000-07:00

The News of the World got hold of the video tapes.

~~Media whore~~ Miss P. did a deal.

The tapes would be destroyed, in exchange for a few coy "at home" shots.

I feel used.

An apology

2011-03-10T03:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Lady that came to the shop from afar yesterday.

I am sorry that i chose the time you were here to cough up the pigs ear i was snacking on.

Apparently this is off message.

Yours,

The Hound.

Teaching a young dog new tricks

2011-02-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

Fishing.

He favoured the apple bobbing approach.

To ensure a catch

you need to get in amongst them.

Passing on the knowledge.

I have been asked to point out, in the interest of full disclosure, no fish were harmed during this training exercise.

Valentine's Day - the Spanish Edition

2011-02-23T02:58:00.000-08:00

It seems my legion of fans is ever growing.

A Valentine from Lolo, short of leg, but a cute little thing.

Evidently this Lolo has started a blog too, and hired world famous photographer Polly Alexandre to shoot the photos for it.

These young upstarts.......

Inseparable

2011-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

The puppy grew up.

Valentine's Day?

2011-02-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

it was good.

I don't know if this will work - totally showing off

2011-02-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

The King is dead, long live the King

2011-02-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

The world of celebrity dogs is a small world. We are all busy people, but we try to get together once a year in Vegas.

Our world has been rocked a little by the axing of the Andrex puppy, replaced by CGI. It just shows what a fickle world we live in.

It also means that with that little oik out of the picture.

I am finally the King of celebrity dogs.

Going wild in the aisles

2011-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

When all the customers are gone, and the door is locked.

That's when the magic happens.

Dale Winton eat your heart out.

The darling of the wedding world

2011-01-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

That's me.

Appearing on Love my Dress this week, yours truly. There is something about a flower school on there too, but it's mostly me.

and my dear Polly is to be married.

I have been fashioning pageboy outfits all day.

I saw a mouse!

2011-01-13T03:26:00.000-08:00

Where?
There on the stair!
Where on the stair?
Right there!
A little mouse with clogs on
Well I declare!
Going clip-clippety-clop on the stair

Don't worry folks, it's not a mouse. It's me.

Sitting on the stairs, just a new thing i am trying out.

No clogs. Just muddy paws.

Anything those polar bears can do

2011-01-02T05:23:00.000-08:00

I can do better.

There is no need to look at the polar bears, they are not cute or intelligent or magically filmed.

Nothing to see.

It is still all about me.

May your days be merry and bright

2010-12-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Neglected

2010-12-16T03:21:00.000-08:00

Surrounded by spiky holly, made to share my bed with boxes of oasis, no strolls around town, a distinct lack of cocktail sausages from M&S.

An integral part of the brand, probably the only reason she got into You magazine in the first place, and this is how i am rewarded?

A goat?

2010-12-10T05:26:00.000-08:00

You think i look like a goat?

Face? Bothered?

Talk to the paw people, talk to the paw.

An impression of.....

2010-12-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

a giraffe.

I am not a performing monkey

2010-11-25T05:27:00.000-08:00

I have been informed that this weekend is the weekend of The Christmas Card Shoot. My last shoot was with new best friend and uber photographer Polly, there is a lot to live up to.

I realise I am an integral part of the brand, and having my face on the card is flattering and all.

If you think I am dressing up. Think again.

Copy cat

2010-11-17T04:25:00.000-08:00

White Stuff have opened on the High Street.

They have their very own shop dog.

Nice hat....

Let me see you shake your tail feathers

2010-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

All those Christmas wreaths require pheasant feathers.

I am in charge of procurement.

Mentor programme

2010-10-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have a new project.

I will be mentoring him in the important things.

Posing for the camera, how to work the wonky ears to his advantage, accessorising.

He is the Luke Skywalker to Yoda. If you can't beat them, you might as well mentor them, become their manager and take a percentage.

A bad owner

2010-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

always blames their tools.

Perks of being a shop dog

2010-10-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Flower school yesterday.

A lady called Andrea brought me treats, which i may or may not have eaten in a single sitting.

Then Polly took me to the pub for a glass of fizzy pop.

It's not Ibiza, but there are worse places to hang out everyday.

This is a man's world

2010-10-15T03:49:00.000-07:00

not that you would know it here.

This morning I was forced to walk alongside her new shopping trolley. Humiliation.

I am a man, a hot bloodied male. Baskets won't do. I want chrome, leather, steel, glass.

What's that you say? Had the chop? 4 years ago? Right.

As you were.

Re: The Ham Hock

2010-10-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

It wasn't me.

I wasn't anywhere near it.

That's my story, and I am sticking to it.

Introducing.......Radish

2010-09-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Another one of her friends has got a puppy.

At least this one is a lurcher.

Cute, if you like slightly wonky ears and salad vegetables.

Hungover

2010-09-25T01:36:00.000-07:00

A night with the boys, The Sparkster and Devon.

It started with a few sherries in front of the woodburner.

It ended with tequila slammers in Peppermint Rhinos.

Somebody bring me a bacon sandwich.

According to the website

2010-09-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

Miss P. likes to cook.

Knock yourself kiddo.

Funny face

2010-09-09T04:20:00.000-07:00

She's painted the workroom floor cream

2010-09-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

It's like a snowstorm in here.

While you were sleeping

2010-08-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

My slumber is often disturbed by somebody with a camera.

I exact my revenge

by howling to be let out

at 3.56 am

on a Sunday.

The animals went in 2 by 2

2010-08-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

It is still raining.

Last night i built an ark.

It has all the mod-cons, 18 hole golf course, cinema, forno a legno, dancefloor.

By my calculations at 16.00 hours the water levels will lift us clear of the 7ft fencing, and we should be in Capri by next Tuesday.

The answer to most questions is "Andiamo in Italia"

It's my bush

2010-08-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Get your own.

It's all about me

2010-08-19T03:48:00.000-07:00

Even world famous photographers name check me on their blogs.

Right back at you Polly.

Wake me up when summer returns

2010-08-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Whilst the cat's away

2010-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Hounds will play.

He called me a Mummy's boy.

I called him a vagabond.

Good times.

1461 days

2010-07-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

I shall be spending the day sleeping.

Nobody likes a show off

2010-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

That puppy again.

I would like to see it try and jump a 7 foot fence.

That's a party trick,

anybody can roll around in a towel.

Tis the season to get married

2010-07-20T03:54:00.000-07:00

I get exhausted just watching all those tablecentres and bouquets being made.

Delphinium week - A canine special

2010-07-03T03:40:00.000-07:00

In my favourite shop.

Adding insult to injury

2010-07-02T04:26:00.000-07:00

I am injured.

A sporting injury to the left front paw. Sustained in the pursuit of cats.

I returned to work this morning to find my bed has been given a "summery retro feel"

Not impressed.

I did it again

2010-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

She forgot to clip my lead on.

I took advantage of the situation.

and went looking for cats.

I may have pushed my luck a little too far this time.

I read somewhere

2010-06-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

that most dogs are fed dry biscuits.

Not me.

Timbale of carnaroli rice, pan-fried turkey mince, chargrilled asparagus.

Silver platter optional.

Hounded

2010-06-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am being recognised a lot.

Requests for autographs.

Book deals.

Next week I am going to L.A.

for a screen test.

Move over Marley, your time is up.

The Peoples' Hound

2010-06-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

Capturing the hearts of the nation? Done.

Look like an angel

2010-06-10T02:35:00.000-07:00

You probably heard what happened this morning.

I didn't eat any cats.

Everybody got their flowers.

I don't see the problem.

Introducing.....The Enemy

2010-06-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

She resides with The Mother Hen and The Captain.

She has a face only a mother could love.

You're thinking "Is that the smallest cat in the world?"

I'm thinking "Baked or fried?"

One day.

New kid on the block

2010-06-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

Mr Naylor has got a puppy.

It is a Norwich Terrier.

It is small and cute.

Whatever.

Making mischief

2010-05-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

When at work i keep my bits and bobs in a VINTAGE wicker basket.

Customers lap up all that twee.

Underneath all the toys, books and healthy snacks

lurks a bottle of JD and a pack of Marlboro Red.

sometimes i also hide the sharp flower scissors in there

and all the pens.

Home Wanted

2010-05-14T03:19:00.000-07:00

Meet Tipsy

She is currently living in Cyprus, most exotic.

She is looking for a new home in the UK, all costs will be paid, and she is learning English. She will not need to be quarantined.

If you think you can give Tipsy a loving home, please contact Alex on alexandracb10 (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk for more information.

She was found on a rubbish dump.

I can hear those heartstrings being pulled.

Doesn't everyone get hand fed steamed asparagus?

2010-05-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

No?

Shame.

3.8 seconds

2010-05-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

The time taken to get from the bottom of the garden, up 2 flights of stairs to the bed.

This is a personal best.

Conditions were wet.

I didn't stop to wipe my feet.

Readers' dogs

2010-04-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

Meet Cairo.
A Saluki (cross?)
Note the characteristic feathering of the ears.

and the characteristic "I can see a cat, but i am too lazy to catch it, instead have it lightly grilled and brought to my bedchamber" look.

This bed ain't big enough for the 3 of us.

2010-04-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Other shop dogs

2010-04-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Meet Bertie. He hangs outside a flower shop in Dartmouth, chasing seagulls, eating fish and chips, crabbing and other seaside activities.

When there is a wedding on

2010-04-16T01:30:00.000-07:00

I perform a supervisory role.

Quality control, logistics, that sort of thing.

Contrary to what you may have heard

2010-04-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

I am very helpful in the garden.
Inspecting the borders for weeds.
Inspecting the lawn for cat damage.
Looking devilishly handsome.
Looking out for cats.

Readers' dogs Part 2

2010-04-09T02:10:00.001-07:00

Meet Watson, as spoilt as I am, photographed as much as I am, just much smaller.

How to get whatever you want Part 1

2010-04-08T02:57:00.000-07:00

I am the master manipulator. Learn from me.

This week, how to get a couple of hours of undivided attention,some cuddling, stroking, some gentle words. You know the thing, we all need a bit of love sometimes.

Step 1. Find a corner near your owner and lie down, if it is an unusual place all the better.
Step 2. Look listless, but never close the eyes, they will assume you are just tired
Step 3. Keep your eyes on them at all time
Step 4. After a while they will notice you "not being yourself" raise your head slightly
Step 5. When they come over to you, and ask of your general well-being, extend a paw to rest on their arm
Step 6. Slightly wag your tail, not too much just the tip.
Step 7. Revel in the attention as they lie next to you stroking your head and saying slightly concerned sweet words.
Step 8. Enjoy it for a couple of hours, do not take it too far you may end up at the vets.

Readers' Dogs Part 1

2010-04-07T02:19:00.001-07:00

Contestant number one Finn, a fellow Saluki cross.

Resides with the artist Anna-Wilson Patterson.

Nice use of chair and heart shaped cushion, but definitely too handsome.

Readers' dogs

2010-03-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am all about the audience psrticipation.

Are you a dog?
Think you are cute?
Would you like to feature on this blog?

Then simply upload your photo to the Shop Dog Flickr group, and your face might feature here. This will be an on-going thing. Please note this offer is not open to cats.

To upload your photo you must first
1. Take the picture, be inspired by my photos above.
3. If not already a member then join Flickr
8. Join our Shop Dog group
56. Add your photo to our group - it's a whole lot easier than Miss P. made out.

I will check the group and select some to feature here, you might want to add some details, your name, breed, favourite food....but don't build up your part. This is all about me.

Happy snapping

Rainy days and Mondays

2010-03-29T05:16:00.000-07:00

Sleep is the only solution

Hide and seek

2010-03-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

Can you find me?

Food review

2010-03-24T03:31:00.000-07:00

I was seduced by the packaging, I don't know who Lily is, but she makes good food.

I'm getting golden rod, rosehips, aniseed, marigold petals.......

All that stuff is in there.

It's a bit like being a flower shop dog, rose petals, bits of rosemary and stems always fall in my breakfast. Now you can have that experience in the comfort of your own home.

It ain't cheap, but if I was having a lady over for a bit of "supper", it would do the trick.

Somebody stop me

2010-03-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

and tell me this is available in the UK?

via Rockstar Diaries

Who, what, why?

2010-03-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Saluki cross Lurcher known as The Hound.
Resident Shop Dog.
Available for shameless plugging of canine products.

Also considering Twitter.