Poor Sgt Maj Bob

We think he's been having withdrawal symptoms since the piano has gone. He likes to be spontaneous and that piano was always a good outlet for him. We'll have to get the new one in pretty quickly before he finds some other form of spontaneity!

Well Done Chino!

We had some really sad news in the village this week, with 1 family losing their dad, their home and all their possessions. The lady (carol Hopkins) from the Council came into the pub and asked us if we would help them to collect some money so that the family could get some urgent essentials and so we put a pot on the bar. When my friend Chino heard about this he came up with a cunning plan, and has been asking all the regulars to guess the score of the rugby game today. So far we have collected over £100 and we haven't even started yet today. Lets hope we can get lots more before the game starts this afternoon.

Sneaky Preview

Well here's a few to go on with...

You will see that Julie & Karen tried desperately to persuade Angus & Ross to pose nicely but James eventually took over and resorted to tying poor Ross to the fire!

Spot the pics of Me & Maggie showing them how it's done... and James trying to get in on the action...

Photo Shoot

If any of you are wondering what's going on today at the pub, we are having a photo shoot for our christmas cards. All the furniture has been rearranged and there's a bright red carpet going down at the moment. I'm just about to get a very severe brushing which I am not looking forward to at all and I have a sneaky suspicion that I may have to wear a ridiculous hat again. Angus and Ross will be here too and we may even get a really good picture of all of us together, which we can put on the bar wall (Angus & Ross spend as much time in there as me!). I'll put a preview of the best pic on my blog as soon as it's ready...

Just back from Yorkshire

James had to visit his Mum this week and so Maggie and I went along for the trip. He booked us into a lovely hotel near Driffield called The Old Mill:

http://www.old-mill-hotel.co.uk/index.php

The man that owns it is a Vet and so he was quite happy to let me and Maggie stay provided that we were on our best behaviour, which we naturally were...

It was a bit weird having to put up with other dogs guarding the bar though as that's my job at home, and at The Old Mill there was 2 Chocolate and 1 Black Labradors on patrol. Julie thought that they were very well behaved and has invited them to come and stay with us if ever they come to Wales.

We also went to the beach whilst we were there and had a run around which was the best fun ever. It's a shame that the beach at the sea wall in Redwick isn't quite so nice.

I Love a Parade!

Some time ago James showed me a video clip on "You Tube" of a Westie Parade in America, which apart from the fact that they were all dressed up in ridiculous santa suits was quite spectacular. My good friends Angus and Ross (that are nearly as big as me now, although not quite as smart), managed to persuade Chino that they would like to have their own parade right here in Magor Square and so it looks as if we will. We already have our own Sgt Maj Bob to make sure we all keep in step, so as soon as I know the date I will let you all know.

P.S. Note that it is a Westie Parade and not a Scottie Parade...

Pumpkin Competition

Well, the Pumpkins that attacked me and Maggie in the car looked a bit different last night after the staff had set about them with knives and fancy decorations. Last years entries were all fantastic, but this year they took it even more seriously and there were some very strong challenges to Fiona's Pumpkin Crown!

1st Place - Fiona Neil (Haunted House)

2nd Place - Josh Cox (Devil)

3rd Place - Emily (Werewolf)

Plus some more very scary pictures...

Murder in the Village!

Julie and James went to see the Magor Players play last night and came back looking as though they had had a really good time. Roger played the baddie again! If I were him I think I'd be a little worried about being typecast, but then again he may need a few more acting lessons before he could play the hero...

I have been considering joining the cast for some time and have just heard that the pantomime after Christmas is going to be "Dick Whittington". I do know a lot about cats, having lived with 2 all my life so may put myself forward for the role!

Attacked by Pumpkins!

Julie took me and Maggie to buy some pumpkins today for the pumpkin competition. When we got back to the car we discovered that james had left the boot full of rubbish which should have gone to the tip and so some of the pumpkins had to come on the back seat with us. This was all well and good until James took the corners at speed and maggie and I got bowled over by a load of massive orange things. We'll never be the same again!

Seeing off the witches...

We had a witch in the restaurant on the weekend! Maggie and I tried to see her off but she stood her ground and sat and ate her dinner with the humans. Apparently we are going to be getting lots more in this weekend so we are in training at the moment to make sure we can keep them all out. The postman is good for training on, but he always runs as soon as he see's me so I don't always get the opportunity of trying out my really scary growls. Anyway we'll be ready for saturday night so witches look out!

Party Time!

All my followers are cordially invited to join Maggie and I for a little soiree at the Lion next Tuesday evening (Julie & James will also be there). We are celebrating the anniversary of us moving to Magor and Maggie's 1st Birthday. There will be suitable nibbles in each bar and special doggie bowls for mine and Maggie's friends.

See you there!

Hamish xx

Big Heads!

Maggie and I (and all our customers) got abandoned this evening whilst Julie & James went off to the Groes Wen to see my friend CJ.

The customers in Penhow, clearly aren't quite as bright as they are in Magor as they managed somehow to come 2nd in the quiz. Apparently even CJ was speechless!

Another Reminder...

James said that he had a lovely birthday and enjoyed all the "Happy Birthday's" he got from all the regulars and even villagers walking by who had heard it was his birthday. We had birthday cake too. There was cake everywhere yesterday as it was also Steve's birthday and Toby's christening.

There will be more cake again next week as it's Maggie's 1st birthday, which also coincides with the day that me, Julie & James bought the pub. I think that they may even be planning a party...

Don't Forget!

It's James's birthday tomorrow.

I already have my card and after thinking long and hard about what to give him for his birthday I have decided that what he would love most is to be
taken for a lovely long country walk on his birthday.... after the cake that is!

What is it about CJ?

The Lounge was jam packed last night with the humans customers all trying to prove how clever they were. Julie had to keep finding tables and move them into the Lounge to the point that me and Maggie lost all our cosy resting places and had to watch where we sat in case we got trodden on.

CJ was his usual brusque self, taking no nonsense and having no sympathy for any unfortunate humans that weren't as clever as him. Julie & James came 4th with a little help from Val. (Austin was supposed to be helping but he probably peaks early in the morning, just before Maggie sends him into a rage by pinching his broom or tools) and somehow think that they may win next week...

Perhaps CJ should do a doggie quiz for me and my friends!

How Many Humans Does it Take to Deliver a Box of Pills ?

You may not all know this, but John Gallimore, one of my regular customers at The Lion has been in hospital this week. James's Guinness sales are right down so he hopes that John is back home really soon. If you don't know John, he's the man with the same colour hair as me and has a really loud laugh!

Anyway, John needed his pills collected from his house and taken to him in hospital so he asked his neighbour, another John to go and get them from his cupboard and bring them into the pub, which he did. He went to the house and collected a white box (quite a heavy white box!) and gave them to James. James took them and put them safe until Austin came in and then Austin took them into the hospital and handed them to John's nurse.

Now, I'm a dog and I even I know the difference between a box of nails and a box of pills. Can you believe that John, James & Austin (and Austin's supposed to be a handy man, so he should know a box of nails when he see's one!)all managed to carefully look after this box of nails and ensure that it got to the hospital safely.

Humans!

More Laughing Humans

There was another evening of laughter in the Upstairs room of the pub last night. Every month (on the first Tuesday of the Month) lots of humans come into the pub and eat pies and curry and other human stuff, then they all disappear upstairs at around 8.30pm. I sneaked up there and found the place is dark except for the far end of the room - where a stranger is standing telling stories and making the other humans laugh.

By all accounts, it was a "another great night" at the Magor Comedy Club and everyone went home happy. I managed to sneek a couple of pictures during the evening of Ashley Free - The compare and Karen Bailey, the Headline Act.

The Times

Page 36, Saturday 3rd October... Take a look!

Caught in the Act!

Maggie and me nipped out for a little game of "dare in The square" yesterday and thought we had got away with it, without getting caught by the dog napper or spotted by James. All was quiet and we were preparing to go to bed when there was a knock at the door, and it was not 1 but 2 policemen. We both hid in the bedroom but breathed a sigh of relief when we heard them asking Julie & James about a stolen car. However, we realised we had jumped the gun a bit when we heard the policemen say that they wanted to watch camera six so they could look for the car, but of course camera six also covers our dare spot... No stolen car but a great video of me making Maggie run back and for across the road! Needless to say we are both in a little trouble at the moment.

He's clearly as good as me...

Jon did just as well as me in his competition with a fantastic 2nd place. I think he may have had to work a little harder than me though. James, Julie, Jon, Rob, Debs & Fiona all went to the competition and they all told me that they had a great day, and Julie even managed to bring back loads of freebie chocolates off the nice Nestle lady.

They clearly don't give rosettes to Chefs as Jon just had a big lump of glass and a piece of paper called a "certy" something or another.

Debs always checks up on me and maggie too...


I think she may have been giving the judges one of her "don't mess with me" looks here...


Jon shouldn't have let Debs take the credit...


Congratulations to our Great Chef!


Pan fried Sea Bass, served on a bed of Mushroom & Tarragon Risotto with a Mussel and Spinach Cream


Roast Loin of Welsh Lamb served with Sautéed Kidneys, Glazed Mint Chicken Mousse and Drizzled with a Claret & Butter Jus


Poached Pear in Port served with a Lemon Bavoir & Mixed Fruit Compote


Debs clearly thought the papparrazzi had arrived...


Roll on next year!

p.s. It was a good job that Fiona went along and took some pictures for me - Thank You Fiona x

Good Luck Jon!

Jon, Debs and Fiona are just preparing to set off for the Chefs competition and having a last minute cup of tea to calm their nerves before they go. Julie, James & Rob are following on a little later once they have taken care of me and Maggie and given us our instructions for the day. I think that Chino & Karen are coming in later on to help us look after the pub so we may be in for a fun day!

New Food....

Jon, the Chef has been very busy practicing for his competition next week (with just a tiny bit of help from Debs). His new menu was supposed to be top secret, but my human friends in the bar all got to taste the new dishes yesterday after the practice session (the "builders thursday" crowd usually get a few bowls of chips so they must have thought we were trying to sophisticate them - as if!) . He has been receiving cards and emails wishing him luck, and if he wins he is going to cook it all again when he comes home for some "very special humans"!

As well as the competition he has been planning our new christmas menu, which Julie says is even better than last year, but as long as it means we will have an endless supply of Turkey leftovers, I don't really care what else is on there... Who needs melon balls and parsnips!

Julie & James started up the Scottish Country dancing last night. Maggie went and joined in, but I stayed well out of the way. I think they need some more humans next week, so if you need to get yourself in shape come along at 7.30pm on Thursday. James was puffing after just 1 dance!

CJ is also back next week, with the new quiz. I love seeing humans get told off so I can't wait for Wednesday and am secretly hoping that someone is silly enough to take their mobile phone out during the quiz!

Our boat Trip

With all the excitement of our win at the Usk show, I forgot to tell you all about our boat trip last week. Julie's Mum & Dad (Jack & Beryl) hired a canal boat for the day, which we all got on at a place called Goytre Wharf. Jack & Beryl just wanted to sit, eat, drink and look at the scenery, so James and our friend David were put in charge of driving the boat. It was very wobbly on the boat and it took me quite a while to get my balance, especially when someone spotted a duck on one side of the boat and all the silly humans rushed to one side causing the boat to almost capsize. When the boat slowed down at the tunnels and bridges James threw me and Maggie off the boat so that we could have a walk and a sniff along the paths.

Jon and Rob had hepled Julie prepare an enormous picnic and a special little picnic for me and Maggie. When we got back to the boat yard I decided that I could manage getting off myself (which I clearly couldn't) and fell in between the boat and the mooring. Needless to say I had a bit of a scare!


James got bored with driving after a while!

Showing Off

Maggie and I had a photo shoot today so that we could show off our rosettes. You will see from the picture of Maggie that she is still a little miffed that I beat her and wouldn't even smile for James to take a picture..

Will Jon the Chef do as well as me?

My little bit of success today has also put some pressure on our chef, Jon. He recently qualified to compete in the finals of a cooking competition. His is not just in Usk though like mine but, for the whole of Wales, and he is down to the final 5 chefs!

He always makes a great job of cooking my chicken so I think he may stand a chance of winning!

More Rosettes on the Bar!

We all went off to the Usk show today, which was a great day and we even got treated to a hot sausage roll from the Cornish Pastie lorry - "heaven"....

There were lots of other dogs and animals to see and smell so Maggie and I were really excited.

When we got there Julie got out our brush and tried to make me look all poncy and then after watching Maggie parade (get dragged) around the ring and come out with nothing, we were both taken in and made to compete against each other... I was mentally packing my bags and trying to decide if Chino & Karen would let me go and live with them, because if Maggie beat me there was absolutely no way I was coming home and putting up with her getting one over on me!

James and I went on the opposite side of the ring to Maggie and Julie, and pretended that we didn't know them. Maggie got called first, put on the table and given the once over and was then told to trot around the ring, which she surprisingly managed and which then put even more pressure on me. When my turn came, I gave the judge my handsomest smile, and even kept smiling whilst he groped me, so I thought at that point I had the edge on Maggie.....

Why did I get lumbered with James?

He took me off the table and just as I was preparing for my little trot, his size 9 boot came crashing down on my toes causing me to squeal, but I soldiered on with my trot - but not for long.... He then decided that he wanted to show off and started to run!. There's only so fast a Westie can trot, so I ended up almost galloping to keep up. Luckily for me the judge wasn't afraid of James and he shouted at him to slow down to give me a chance to show my stature, and luckily for James I didn't lose my cool.

There were about 25 of us in the class and we were all Terriers. Maggie was in amongst the Staffies (best place for her!) and I was with all the good looking terriers, and there were lots of noisy Jack Russells, but we were all up against each other and waiting for the judge to make up his mind...

The judge called out the winner (which may have been me if the nice little girl looking after that dog had been helping me, instead of james) and then the judge looked at me, then Maggie, then me, then Maggie, but who did he call next?

Me of course!

and then Maggie came 3rd.... hee, hee, hee...

Identifying Cruella !

It seems all the humans in Magor are trying just a bit too hard to identify Cruella and speculation is rife. Just Keep your eyes open! I personally don't think she's been spotted yet ! All I'm prepared to say is that there is more than one human that comes into the Square wearing lipstick.

It also appears that my blog is being read in some surprising places...! Welcome to all my new readers at Home and Abroad.

Thanks for your comments Lola, but shame on you for thinking James is 'pretending to be a dog'. He doesn't need to pretend !

Meanwhile, I'll get back to my usual fun musing and James can continue to welcome the customers.

There's been a development.... !

A few days ago I told you that cowardly Cruella deVille had reported us to the Dog Warden and Environmental Health officers... James & Julie were sad and angry that this happened and I felt that I had to do something, so I sneaked into the Pub office after they had gone to bed and created a poster. The poster some-how managed to find its way into the Post Office and onto the Community Notice board in the square. It was a nice poster with a picture of Maggie & Me. I apologised for having upset our neighbours and told everyone to let James & Julie know if we inadvertently did something "anti-social" or if Maggie escaped ... rather than call in the heavy-handed dog catchers again.

Well, The notice has caused quite a stir. The one that was posted on the notice board in the Post Office was actually STOLEN within 24 hours of it having been put up!!!! Can you believe it? It could only have been Cruella that stole it...No-one else would want to steal it - Would they ?) I sent James over with another copy this time and it's still there and Nic is keeping an eye on it this time to see if someone steals it again.

And here's the good bit... Someone else who says they are "Friends of Maggie & Hamish" have posted a notice of support beside my notice on the community notice board. I'm so pleased. It tells Cruella to get a life and worry about real problems in the village rather than picking on little dogs and the humans trying to run a community pub... Who-ever you are... Thank you for your support.

It's been a funny week at the Golden Lion

It's now a week since our brave Tug-of-War teams were slaughtered by the expert tuggers at the Rose Inn in Redwick and everyone is still feeling a bit bruised, sore and embarrassed about it all (except Snelly) who just didn't seem to take it seriously enough, so James says he'll have to work very hard to be in the re-match team next May.

Deb has gone off the Gretna Green for the week-end, but I'm very pleased to report that she hasn't eloped to get married. She's gone to witness her brother's Wedding which is taking place in Gretna tomorrow (Monday 7th September). I heard her telling Julie and the other human girls that she was going home to get "Sun-Tanned"... I've no idea what she was talking about because I thought you need the sun to get sun-tanned. You humans seem to have some funny ideas. Anyway, I'm a bit jealous that she's off to the land of my ancestors and I'm stuck here in Wales.

Everyone at the Golden Lion has asked me to wish Dave & Laura Perkins all the best for there special day.

There was another very busy day in the function room at the Golden Lion on Tuesday last week. Four Human men turned up with funny accents and proceeded to make a whole crowd of people laugh and clap their hands. I get very tense when all the humans in a room start clapping their hands together and James has to try and calm me down and make me sit still. (I don't bark, but I do like to run around when people clap. It helps me relieve tension.)

The funny men were providing the entertainment on James & Julie's Comedy Club night and by all accounts, they were very funny. (I don't get it - but then again, I never laugh. I just wag my tail when I'm happy and I can't clap either.)



The little guy who made all the introductions was called "Steve" (Porter) and he got everyone warmed up. I later heard James say that he'd like to get Steve back to do a whole "act". Two other humans called Luke & Richard told short funny stories and the humans all seem to be having a good laugh. The last funny man (I heard Julie call them all "stand up comics" - and they do stand up) was called Mark and he was very funny and stood up for a long time making the crowd laugh. After all the other other people left, Mark came to the lounge and stood up again near the bar until after One in the morning talking with James. I thought I'd never get to bed....



Julie said to someone yesterday that there's another "stand-up" comedy night at the Golden Lion on Tuesday the 6th October and tickets are available now. I just thought I'd do my bit to plug it.

NOT such a good fan...

Maggie and Me had a bit of a nasty shock today, which was a reminiscent of those poor pups in 101 Dalmatians.
The dog catcher came to check us out, because some wicked "Cruella" has telephoned and complained that Maggie and I are no less than vagabonds, roaming the streets of Magor, fouling wherever we go and that Julie & James just don't care!

If you see Me or Maggie being bundled into the dog wagon please come and save us, but more importantly if you see the evil "Cruella" (the lipstick should give you a clue) please come and warn us so that we can both hide.

More Fan Mail...

Jane (who didn't take part in the Tug of War!) managed to take this rather handsome picture of me, which I just needed to share with you all.

I also forgot to explain earlier, about Maggie's absence at The Rose yesterday - James forgot to put her in the car!

What a Disaster !

The long awaited Tug of War between the Rose Inn, Redwick and the Golden Lion, Magor took place yesterday (Sunday 30th August) in Redwick. There were two teams representing each Pub. Human Men and Human Ladies. There was no dog category for me to take part in so I provided security for the event and had a shirt to prove it. It was all very exciting with lots and lots of people turning up to watch. However, it all went sadly wrong when the Ladies Teams took the strain... The match was "best of three" and our ladies lost 2-0 in spectacular fashion. I've included some picures here, but there are lots more on the Golden Lion's Facebook Page and lots more again on the Cash machine screen in the Pub.


The men didn't do much better despite everyone shouting and screaming at them and me barking my head off. The men lost 2-0 as well and judging by all the laughing, they weren't taking it seriously enough. The Rose Inn men knew what they were doing and the rumour was that they spent the morning pulling a tractor around the village with its brakes on... Our men spent the morning exercising their right arms in the bar at the Lion, but it simply wasn't enough.



Everyone came to the Lion in Magor after the event for some human food called Curry (and by the way, it's about the only human food that I hate!) and the presentation to the winners. James & Garry presented the new shield to the Captain of the Redwick Team before all the humans clapped their hands together for ages and ages. It's a bit like us dogs wagging our tails, but much noisier.

I heard James say that we lost it on technique and so all the members of the Lion's Team are now committed to bringing the trophy home at the next challenge which will take place at the May Bank Holiday next year.

Julie says that she will ban any Golden Lion customers who fail to turn up for training sessions in the run up to the next match. She says that having laid down the challenge to Gary & Sarah at the Rose, it will be humiliating if we can't win at least one pull next year.

Back in charge...

Just arrived back. All seems to be in order and my usual pals are in the bar - Chino, Karen, Angus, Ross, Sgt Maj Bob, Dave and Jane, Malcolm and Bev - and all please to see me home, of course...

A massive rope has appeared on the floor in the bar, which I understand is the rope for the Tug of War tomorrow.

Girls!

Having resigned myself to the notion that Maggie can be rather foolish at times, it hadn't quite occurred to me (until this week) that it isn't just female dogs we have to worry about.

The next time you are in the pub, ask Fiona about her "car wash" and Alea about her recent "BBQ"!

Missing You

Well I'm still here at Jack & Beryl's and feel back to my old self, although I did have a relapse when Maggie visited yesterday. I'm clearly also missing all that is going on at the pub. There was an Italian evening yesterday with lots of Pizza and Pasta things on the menu and even cheap Pinot Grigio! but Julie has promised that they will have some more Italian nights so that I can get some cheesy pasta. Maggie's parents were called Bella & Pablo (ridiculous names for Scottish dogs if you ask me!) so she is claiming that she is half Italian (maybe that's why she's got such a big bum!).

Tonight, James & Julie are taking a group of regulars to the Wickwar Brewery to see how they make their beer, sample lots of it and hopefully choose a blend of beer to be called "Hamish" and they aren't even taking me...

Tomorrow is the last night of the Celtic music lessons. Donald, Dana and Dave have been teaching groups of children (& James) how to play musical instruments and tomorrow, being as it's their last night they are having a concert to celebrate. Somehow, they have also managed to get One string Loose back as a supporting act for the children, so it should be a really good night and I'll be missing it all...

I'll hopefully be back home for the weekend to see the Tug of War and support my team when they take on The rose at Redwick. If anyone else wants to come and support us, the "tug" will start at 2.30pm at The Rose and then there is free curry for all the contestants and supporters back at The Lion afterwards along with the prizegiving.

Not Quite Myself...

I'm not feeling quite myself lately and have decided to take a break and stay with Jack & Beryl for a few days. I'll hopefully be back to my usual, fit and healthy self in a few days and back in charge at the pub. I do have access to a computer whilst I'm here (if I can get Beryl off the thing for long enough) so may give you an update in a day or so....

Another Great Picnic

We don't seem to manage to get out for the day every Tuesday, but I do think that Julie & James try and make it a special day for me and maggie most weeks and today was a very special day... I thought at first that it was going to be a day of shopping as we dropped Julie off at Marks & Spencer, but I could smell the Picnic as soon as she got back into the car. We had quite a long journey, but ended up at Talybont where we laid out our picnic. Maggie and I even had our own blanket (which Maggie later soaked) and ate fancy bite size sausages that should really have been on sticks.





Crossing the river was fun. I eventually gave up trying to stay on the stones and jumped in, but Maggie just sat there whimpering until James went and carried her across.

All was well at the pub when we got home. Our new garden lights had also been delivered which once they have been connected will mean that humans will be able to stay outside even later.

Maggie needs a Sat Nav...

I was away from the pub all day today, helping James collect the remaining belongings from our old house. Without me being there to keep an eye on her, Maggie went missing again. Julie, Chino and lots of other staff and customers were searching the streets looking for her and she eventually turned up and was sat on the doorstep when Julie staggered back from a long trek down the lanes.

The option of fitting a tracking device to Maggie has been discussed regularly, but I think she has finally pushed Julie over the edge and she will therefore, soon be rigged up to set alarm bells ringing if she sets foot outside the pub. The question is, what device will work best? If anyone has any advice please let me know and I will pass it on..

Did you know?

that I was abandoned as an 11 week old puppy.....

Somehow or another I have turned into a well balanced dog, but it could quite easily have gone the other way for me. I was bought by a lady with a funny accent (she wasn't British) who didn't have any family nearby or anybody to help her look after me when she went away to work, and so after letting me stay with her for a week or 2 she took me to a kennels and left me (It wasn't even a proper kennels, and I was locked in a dirty old portacabin, all alone with no other dogs for company) until I was rescued.....

This picture is of me and James, just after Julie had convinced him that I should go and live with them!

My Very Own Postcard!

I received my very own postcard today, which was posted all the way from Skye in Scotland by Samantha Stewart who is on a tour with her family (Crimes Against Folk)!.....Thank You x

Tintern Abbey

The sun has been out again and we all managed to sneak out for an hour this afternoon. We went to Tintern Abbey and had ice cream and played with my favourite ball on a rope. I always manage to beat Maggie to get to it when it's thrown, but what she has now learnt todo is just let me chase it and then ambush me for it when I take it back, just so she can pretend that she has retrieved it. James falls for it every time and tells her what a good girl she has been! We had a good walk and then came back to the pub, which had been left in a bit of a mess by the staff today, so Julie was very grumpy.

Since I last wrote, we have also had lots of visitors. Sophie, another of my human sisters came to stay for a few days, but she always makes more of a fuss of Doris & Duchess than she does of me and Maggie. Doris spends time in just about every house and business in the square. She pops into Snippers and Farthings most days, but on Saturday she made her way into Dawn's bedroom and was caught eyeing up her newly hatched baby chicks. Dawn managed to save them in the nick of time, but if any of them turn out to be noisy cockerels I may arrange to give Doris a bunk up so she can finish him off before he gets as noisy as the other one. Everyone else thinks that the early morning wake up call is really cool, but I like to have a lie in and can do without any more noisy Cockerels!

We also had some late night visitors on Friday night or al least that's what James is saying. Somehow he managed to lock 3 ladies in the pub. We were all getting ready for bed as it was gone 1am, when James rushed back downstairs, because he could hear some ladies in the toilets. Luckily for them he did put his dressing gown on before he went down...

Comedy Night

It's been a bit like christmas today...

At lunchtime we had a great big crowd of ladies (and a few gentlemen) from The Lawns, which is a sheltered housing complex quite close to the pub. I'm very friendly with Kath (and Roy) who keeps an eye on everyone there and she came along with them all. Julie had asked Sgt Bob to come in and play the piano, which was moved especially for the occasion and sounded even louder than usual. Sgt Bob enjoyed himself so much that he just kept on playing all afternoon. My paws would have been so sore if I had tried to do that for so long. Doris occasionally jumps up on the piano and pretends that she is playing a tune.

Tonight saw the start of the long awaited Comedy Club. The 3 comedians turned up just as Dinner was being served and managed to get themselves served before me. It sounds as though everyone is having a good time and they have all been drinking lots of beer. Julie & James have said that if it goes well they will organise one every month so I will let you know the outcome tomorrow.

I have to go now as Maggie did another disappearing act at the start of the show and so we (I always get punished for no reason) have been confined to the office and Maggie has now decided that she is going to eat her food dish, so I have to go and put a stop to it before I get in trouble for that too...

CJ!

I now have permission to share the full details of my eavesdropping from friday night...

The man that came in to see Julie & James was CJ from Eggheads (they had no real idea who he was, but I did, because Jack & Beryl always watch him on the tv when I go to visit). The reason that he was in the pub, is that he is going to run the quiz for Julie & James on a Wednesday night. He seemed very nice, but he's a bit of an ogre on the telly! I also got the impression that he is going to be VERY strict with all the contestants and not take any nonsense, which I can see being very entertaining and I can't wait to watch him tell someone off for using a mobile phone. I love seeing humans get caught doing something wrong as it takes the pressure off me a little... and Maggie even more so...

The quiz will be starting at 8.30pm which is a little bit earlier than before and I did hear CJ say that he hopes to get it finished by 10.30pm so that he can hand out all the prizes (which will also be better than before) and everyone can get home reasonably early. Beryl has already asked if she can have CJ's autograph so I can see me having to do some form of crowd control at the end of the night to stop poor CJ being trampled by autograph hunters!

Angus & Ross

It's been a busy week-end here at the Golden Lion. Although the weather wasn't great on Saturday, it did brighten up later in the afternoon, and I don't think we had any rain on Sunday!.

Angus & Ross have had all their jabs now, which means that they can go out for proper walks and Maggie & I got in on the action twice this weekend. They need someone to show them all the good walks, but to be perfectly honest they were a bit slow for me and I had to keep telling them to keep up, but it was still worth it.

I wasn't that happy about having to share my chicken with them when we got back though.

We still haven't seen Norman since he went to live with Sgt Bob!

Hot Gossip

I've never considered myself to have big ears, although when I was a pup, I did get teased a little, but that was just beacuse my head hadn't finished catching up with my ears.

Anyway, my perfectly formed ears came into their own tonight when I commando crawled underneath a table that Julie & James were sat at with a man I hadn't seen before. They were busy discussing dates and I have a strange feeling that the nice man might be coming back on a regular basis.....

Door Stop Wanted

I desperately need a new door stop for the front door. James has had the door off for the past few days to paint it. It used to be stopped open with a chunk of wood a bit like a cheese, which meant that I could wander in and out as the need arose. Once the door was removed it meant that the stop was left there, alone and far too much of a temptation for Maggie, and the cleaners have today had to clean up the last of the splinters of wood strewn over the floor. The door is just about to go back on and I know that without the stop it will remain closed, and I will be confined to the ramblings of Austin & his friends this afternoon.

Better late than never....

It's been a very busy week. We had a Barn Dance last weekend, which it looked as though everyone was enjoying and there was lots of cheese for me and Maggie. Just before it started, Roly delivered a trailer load of straw which was used to make the room look and smell a little more like a barn. I did manage to get caught having a sneaky pee on one of the bales outside, for which I got a massive telling off. At the end of the night Debs had this daft idea that it would be easier to slide the bales down the stairs rather than carry them, but as well as making loads of mess, she miss fired on one, which flipped over and somersaulted down the stairs nearly knocking poor Rhiannon flying. The newly installed python also broke down and so Julie and the girls had to run up and down the stairs all night fetching and carrying beer so I had my hands full keeping an eye on everything and everyone.

James has had the boys fixing the ceiling in the shop, which had to be pulled down to fit the new python for the function room (which a nice man came in and fixed the morning after the barn dance!). Plans for the shop are now on hold as it's full steam ahead on the new letting rooms and extension at the back of the pub (which will mean even more for me to keep an eye on). In the meantime a company is going to use the shop and if what I have heard is correct they should be in there within a fortnight.

My friend Mary had a nasty fall on Monday and is in hospital with a bad hip. I think that Julie is going to pop in to see her today and give her a card off me and Maggie as we hope she comes back in to see us soon.

Finally, I have been asked to dispel a few rumours. There are a few humans in the village who have too much time on their hands and they just seem to sit around all day and make up bad stories. I know for a fact that one of the same group was also responsible for painting my ears bright red with a ghastly lipstick during the rugby, but I just can't get the words out to tell anyone (perhaps James & Julie will read this and undertsand!). The latest rumour is that ladies aren't allowed to have pints of beer in The Golden Lion, which is utter nonsense and the silly "Bitch" (I am allowed to call her that) that started the rumour has a bucket waiting for her when she comes in.

Poor Me!

Maggie and I were very fortunate to get 2 really good walks yesterday. They're a bit like buses really... but I wouldn't dare complain. Anyway somewhere along the way I managed to get a sore toe, which I couldn't stop myself licking all last night, but it just didn't want to get better. James finally got the message this morning and took a look before sending Julie off to get her tweezers. They pinned me down thinking that I was going to put up a fight, but little did they know the sheer pain I was in (I think that they thought it was a tick, but if that was all it had been I'd have sorted that out with my teeth). Julie eventually took an almighty tug and pulled out a thorn as big as a stake!

Later today we had to endure a shopping trip to boring shops that Maggie and I aren't allowed in. There was a highlight to it though, when they came out of 1 shop with a coat for Maggie. she hadn't wanted to go out for a wee earlier as she didn't like the rain so Julie had this notion that a coat would do the trick. She couldn't even walk in it, let alone have a wee so that will end up hanging alongside all the coats they tried to get me to wear.

On our way home we called in to see Gary at The Rose in Redwick. Maggie had fun chasing his cat (the one that Gary supposedly doesn't like, but he wasn't too fond of Maggie chasing it, so I think he must secretely like it). They confirmed the arrangements for the Tug of War challenge between the 2 pubs, which is taking place on Sunday 30th August and will be great fun to watch. one of my best friends owners is our anchor man and I can't see many people being able to pull him very far!

Angus & Ross

Angus & Ross, my 2 new Westie friends came in to visit again last night. It was lovely to see them and they have already grown so much. They'll soo ne able to join me prowling around the pub, and help me keep Maggie out of trouble. She was banished to the office after disgracing herself with the cardigan on thursday, but it back fired on James as he foolishly left a new pair of shoes under his desk. Need I say any more.......

Sgt Bob sat and played the piano which seemed to make everyone happy and he's promised to bring Norman in soon so that I can check him out.....

There's to be 2 BBQ's this weekend. Today the Undy Lions are having their End of Season Party here and then on Sunday there is going to be a great big picnic in The Square, which all of Magor has been invited to.

Naughty Maggie, AGAIN!"

Maggie successfully devoured a bobble off someone's cardigan tonight. It was a good job the lady noticed when she did as Maggie would probably have just carried on eating. It was also a very good job that the lady was Annette, and that she managed to see the funny side of it. James & Julie have asked me to say thank you to her on my blog for being so understanding...

I can't be watching her all of the time!

Officially THE most important Pub Dog!

"I" am to have a beer named after me! Yes, Hamish The Pub Dog Beer ! Can you believe it?

Julie & James recently had a real ale on the bar called "Bob" and it got us all thinking that it would be really good if there was a beer named after me.

Julie had scoured the country and eventually broke the sad news that there wasn't a Hamish beer to be had anywhere in the country. However, being a true West Highland White Terrier, I wasn't deterred and earlier today I met a very nice lady called Helen from the Wickwar Brewery who has said that she will personally arrange for a very fine Real Ale to be named after me. It will obviously be a strong and hearty ale, and very tasty. http://www.wickwarbrewing.co.uk/index.php

Supported by Julie & James and other regulars at the Golden Lion and of course Helen's help at the Wickwar Brewery, "Hamish the Pub Dog" real ale has a very good chance of going on sale at The Golden Lion later this year. It also means that I will have my very own bar tap clip, complete with a picture of me and even beer mats and all the usual paraphernalia!

So there you have it, I'm going into Beer sales.... watch this space.

We went for a walk today... a long walk to St Brides and into the woods on the top of a hill. Julie didn't walk - She went on the horse, leaving Maggie, James and me to walk beside her. We had to jog and trot to keep up with her some of the time and eventually James got fed up dodging the cars, so he took us off road across the fields and through the woods to meet Julie (and the horse) on the other side of the hill. The woods were dense and the grass in the fields was very long, so we nearly got lost a few times. However, it was a great walk and I really wish we could do it more often.

back home at the pub this afternoon, Maggie is exausted. You see, she just isn't used to this amount of exercise and she's not as strong as me... which is why she won't get a beer called Maggie named after her.

See Ya

Lucky Chino!!!

Chino, luckily survived the wrath of Aunty Karen when he presented her with their 2 new puppies and it wasn't long before she was cooing over them like everyone else.

James is seriously contemplating docking all the staff's wages for yesterday (inc Julie) as they spent far too much time just staring at the puppies whilst they slept on the bar stool.

Sgt Major Bob has called his Norman! Chino and Aunty Karen are calling theirs Angus & Ross, but nobody knows yet, which is which.

The secret is OUT

We have not 1, Not 2 but THREE new Westies in the village.....

Chino has adopted a pair of boys to join their family and Sgt Major Bob decided to adopt the other brother.... It's all so exciting.

Here we all are in the Garden at the Golden Lion. Maggie of course, couldn't sit still long enought to have her picture taken....

At this point, my Aunty Karen didn't know they had been adopted and we were all obliged to keep the secret until Chino gave her the surprize of her life....

I'm off to see them again now. More later

It's all so exciting !! New Pals

I've got a secret !

I'm itching to tell you about my secret.... but I can't !

Maybe later

Maggie's New Friend

We have a brand new friend in the village - Tara... She is a great big horsey thing and Maggie loves her and gets right in about her feet when we go walking and then has a girlie sulk when we put her back in her field.

Judging by this picture, its probably safe to say that the only reason that Maggie likes her is because Tara's bum makes hers look small. Did you know that some of the customers that come into the pub have a secret name for Maggie -
"J Lo"!

When we haven't been out with Tara, we have been very busy supervising the painting of the Function Room. Julie and James had lots of help from Ray, Dawn and Lynn and managed to get most of it finished in time. Fiona, who usually makes the scrummy cakes, made some pretty bunting which goes all the way around the room. Julie wants her to make some more but according to Mhairi, she is all "buntinged out" so we'll have to see what happens.


I managed to sneak into the first function and hide under one of the tables which luckily had some children on who shared their sausages rolls with me.... Maggie went in to help clean up the following day, but after the vacuuming had been done so she missed out big time. She did however find the balloons and a left over roll of ribbon, which she used to recreate the andrex puppy ad with through the bar downstairs until Debs spotted her leaving a trail right out of the front door.

The Sun is back....

I felt a little like a Hollywood Star on Friday when The Square was inundated by crowds of very smart young Ladies and Gentlemen, who all gathered under my office window. (That's me at the window above the word "Lion")

They were apparently all heading off for their school prom in Cardiff and destined to have a very enjoyable evening, after adding a little bit of "Sparkle" to The Square...

The Sun came back with a vengeance on Saturday and we had lots of boys and girls playing in the garden enjoying the sunshine and playing with Maggi and Me.

Julie has been very busy organising lots of parties for the new function room which opens next week and has lots of bookings already. We are also having a Grand Opening Party on 25th July - Barn Dance with Crimes Against Folk. Dana who runs Sessions music across the square is also going to be using it to teach music lessons and has promised to let James sit at the back so that he can get a few tips for his Mandolin.

There is also going to be a great big picnic in The Square on 19th July, organised by the Council, but I overheard the kitchen staff saying that they are going to be putting the barbeque out at the front of the pub to feed all those that forget their sandwiches - I can't wait!