I'm Back...

Hi Folks and Dogs. How time flies. I can't believe that it's been months since I updated my blog. Frankly, I'm disgusted with myself but in my defense, I'm been very busy...but more about that later.

This morning, James got a call from a man who lives with two of my cousins (Westies) in Moffat in Scotland. He had been inspired by my blog and persuded his dogs, (Hamish and Freddie) to do a blog of their own. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing their blog in the near future. Good luck Cousins Hamish & Freddie.

Sorry to all my readers that I've been away. I'll start to update the blog more regularly again now.

More Trophies on the Bar

The Golfers came home with all the prizes, including a Grand trophy on Friday after beating Gary's team at the Rose. They just need to make sure they do the same when it comes to the next Tug of War competition at the end of May, although Maggie and I aren't altogether as confident about that as we were about the golf. Perhaps we should both take on Gary's dogs instead! Anyone reading this that wants to join the team, please come and put your name down for some training...

The Dog is Innocent

We dogs have a simple approach to life. What you see is what you get with a dog and we don't tell lies. Not the same can be said for humans. Some nasty person has posted a comment on a review web site saying that "a dog" bit her grandchild's bottom. It's a lie. Neither Maggie or I have bitten a child. She gets excited in the presence of children and their toys, but anyone who visits our pub knows that Maggie is friendly and non-aggressive and speaking for myself, I've never bitten a human in my life. The person who wrote this lie didn't even appear know that there is more than one dog in the pub, so I doubt whether she has even been in here. Anyway, she also said she wouldn't be back, so Maggie and me are glad, because we don't like lying humans.

Note to Self...

Why can some humans be so cruel and vindictive!

Easter Walk

Maggie and I took Angus & Ross along with us for a walk on Easter Monday. It was pretty manic with 4 of us chasing around along BlackWall Lane. Maggie moved a lot faster than she normally does and took control when the boys needed a reprimand.

Interesting Piccies

Julie met a lady yesterday, that collects postcards (1000.s of them) and she had lots of really old ones of Magor which she has agreed to make copies of so that they can go on display in the pub. They should be up in the next week or so if anyone wants to take a look.

My Mums Birthday

Yes it was Julie's birthday today. The day started with Maggie having yet another trip to see the vet at Marlows as she's managed to cut the inside of her mouth again, probably on one of the endless pieces of glass or china she chews. Deb reckons she's as hard as nails, but I think she's just plain stupid! Anyway I think Julie had a good day. We really celebrated it yesterday with a walk and a little present shopping in Abergavenny & Crickhowell, but she did have some lovely flowers and birthday cake today, and lots of cards including a very special one off me and Maggie. The pub was so busy tonight that I got sent upstairs and Julie couldn't even take part in the quiz as there wasn't enough tables & chairs, but she didn't seem to mind too much and was glad to see so many people eating & drinking.

Mums...

How many Mums can there be in 1 village?

Banished from the Garden!

Well it looks as though mine and Maggies garden treats have come to an end. James and Austin have been busy preparing the garden for an onslaught of children and we've been told that we have to keep out. Maggie actually got kicked out for scavenging in the bushes at the end where she finds all sorts of rubbish that naughty people throw over the wall. There was even a big cement mixer working today, mixing up all the sticky stuff to hold the new lamposts in place. Then came bags and bags of lovely smelly bark to top up the play area, but I think James was a bit miffed that it didn't quite cover it all and he has to get even more in. Austin has also been very busy taking down the wooden fence, which hid a lovely old brick wall. He's had to stop half way though as there is a tree poking through knocking it over which he has to get the chainsaw out to cut it down. Anyway the garden is nearly ready for the summer so if the sun is out come and enjoy... (cos i can't anymore!)

At it Again...

Whilst julie was away, maggie has been a bit off colour. She was actually a bit poorly before she went and julie made james promise to take her to the vet. James doesn't really like the doctors so he managed to put it off until today when Julie came home. Maggie had been eating and she was still playing fetch with me when we went out, but she had a funny mouth and kept scratching at it with her paw as if she had a bit of toothache. We'd all had a look in her mouth and couldn't see anything wrong! The clever doctor at Marlows spotted the problem straightaway and with a little help from james and julie who had to hold Maggie down, managed to pull this monstrous piece of wood from the roof of her mouth where it was lodged and had been disguised along the ridges. She's had to have even more antibiotics and pain killers, but is clearly feeling much better already...

Someone's missing

My human sister Sophie arrived on Monday night, stayed overnight and then disappeared again on Tuesday morning with Julie. We haven't seen them since. James doesn't seem to be bothered about their disappearance, so I suppose they'll be back soon. Funny here without Julie.

Just got back from a long walk beside the reens. Maggie and me stayed out of the water though. Julie never seems to be happy when we've been in the reens.

Slightly Worrying!

I have just come across a very worrying bit of paper that makes me think my poor little life may be in danger. There are still some big hooks in the cellar and bottle store, although I haven't seen any dead animals. I do hope that James doesn't get any funny ideas.

What's On

I succumbed to a blackmail plot today... James and Julie took me and maggie for one of our favourite walks, down along the Blackwall Lane and then back along the road through Whitewall. Apart from being thrown on top of the Procurators House for a "photo opportunity" we had quite an eventful and fun walk. We saw the signets having flying lessons from their mum and dad; a Buzzard having a bath and lots of lambs running about in the sunshine. We teased 2 big alsatians(because they were behind a big fence) and then had a bit of a fright when Maggie wound one of them up so much that he jumped over the fence, but luckily he didn't eat us...



As compensation for this lovely walk I had to promise to write about a few up and coming events at the pub:

Quiz Nights

CJ is now with us every wednesday at 8.30pm. Everybody say's that CJ is very serious, but there seems to be lots of laughter during the quizzes for some reason...

St Patrick's Day

It looks as though Crimes Against Folk are coming back for a party to celebrate. James already has a very silly hat that looks like a pint of Guinness!

Gourmet Evening

The next Gourmet Evening will be on Thursday 18th March. I have had a sneaky preview at the menu - Black Pudding; Swag Bag's (Don't ask me what this is!); marinated Salmon; Pork with Leeks; Baked Alaska; Meringue Swans (just like the one's we saw today!) and lots of lovely cheese...

Rock n Roll

We have Graham Cooper doing a session in the lounge this Saturday night (Saturday 6th March) and he will be back with his band for the May Ball on Saturday 15th May. This weekends event is free, but the tickets for the May Ball are now on sale.

Well I've done my bit and must now dash off to see how the darts team are doing in their match. So far this season they haven't been that successful, but they are apparently favourites to win tonight. We'll see...

Sick Bed Update...

Well, she now hasn't been sick for a few hours and she managed a little walk this afternoon. She has however, so far reproduced enough silver foil to sink a small ship!

Poor, Poor Maggie!

A few weeks ago, one of the staff at the pub put a plate of the Valentines Day chocolates on the shelf under the dresser... Not a good idea when Maggie is about! She tried to pretend that she hadn't eaten them all, but the tell tale Red Foil in her poo gave her away, along with the fact that she had a very poorly tummy. And she's clearly been at it again, as she's had another poor tummy for the past few days and this time has kitchen foil in her poo (and sick). None of us got any sleep again last night so Julie thought enough is enough, and took her to see the dog doctor at Marlows Veterinary Practice. After telling Maggie that it served her right (which was so satisfying to hear), she gave her some tablets and said that she wasn't to have any food at all for 24 hours (again, very satisfying!) and it will be a few days before she gets any better. As I write this she has just brought up another clump of foil, but considering that we've caught her crunching on glass and china in the past, at least foil is reasonably soft...

I'm still allowed to eat though, and I'm quite prepared to have Maggie's share of any treats...

Devil Dogs.... Beware!

When I was just a pup I got set upon by a Staffie. He was out walking with 3 children who had no control over him whatsoever. James saved my life and probably broke several of the Staffie's ribs in the process, but kicking him was the only way that James could get him to take his teeth out of my back leg. Since that incident we have always called them "Devil Dogs" and been on our guard whenever we see one (If I'm out with Julie, she usually picks me up, just in case), although I do acknowledge that it is unfair to tar them all with the same brush and in all honesty haven't met many unfriendly ones since.

I do however, have to warn you all that there is a very unfriendly "Devil Dog" living in Withy Close (just behind the pub). He set upon a friend of mine recently, who's owner had to resort to a similar action to James, in order to save him. If you are out walking in the village and happen to see a Staffie, please be careful, just in case it is the one from Withy Close.....

Birthday Tea

Just had some lovely human birthday cake!

Catch Up...

No point making any excuses for my lack of news over recent weeks, I have purely been a little lazy and disorganised, but do promise to make amends...

We have all been very busy. Christmas came and went. Maggie and I got locked up on New Years Eve so we missed all the fun in the square. Maggie has also been into hospital since I last wrote but is now back to her usual self. We have had lots of visitors and even have a special new room where they can stay and it looks as though even people we don't know can stay (but they do have to pay james some money for the privilege).



This is a picture of me on Christmas Day!

P.S. It's my birthday tomorrow