Viva la greyhound!

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Mine!

I love my husband dearly, but he's a sneaky towel thief.

The thing is, I don't mind that he uses my stuff (really I don't!) but under that polished, coifed and stylish exterior there's a sasquatch goin' on!
And sometimes those little curly black hairs that get tangled up in my towel, get tangled up on me! There have been a couple Clarence Thomas situations lately, if you know what I mean....
So I tattooed my towel. Hopefully he'll keep his grubby (furry) mitts off!!

The Mod Dog

Thanks to Kyra at the Mod Dog for helping my pets look bloody gorgeous!

Here's a little subtle brand placement...

It's not just dogs who get to be mod. Bisbee's collar is so perfect for him, but so hard to photograph through his long luxurious locks! We went for the 'Inked' theme because, as you know dear reader, Bisbee's pretty rock n roll. Remember his time spent in the slammer last year after a big night out?

While taking his photo he did his best Sid Vicious impression, though I can't really tell which finger he's giving me.
Thanks Kyra for styling Long Itchington's most fashionable pets!

So...where have you been?

This has to have been the longest break I've taken from the blog since this thing first started to take shape two years ago!! Hello again, dear reader. And how are you?Summer flew by this time around. It seems like just yesterday we were back in Pembrokeshire, but these pictures were taken the in the last two weeks of July!! I can't really get enough of the Welsh coast, Pembrokeshire knocks my socks off and I head West every chance I get. The rugged coast line, the bronze age artifacts, modern day artisans, and the deliciously slow pace of life when plodding about the coastal trail. Check out this stone circle we stumbled upon just about a mile from our hostel's back door.

And this old grain millstone with the world's greatest view!
The pace picked up a bit on the other side of the peninsula from where we were staying, with sandy beaches and the throngs to match. Mostly we took in the views on our own terms, though often the wind had other plans.

Can you see why we keep coming back?Oh! And did I mention the ice cream?? If you're ever in St. Davids you've got to stop off at a little coffee shop called the Bench. This adorable Italian man called Gianni makes the most amazing artisan ice creams. I insisted that we go back for a new flavour every day. (I still can't zip up most of my jeans after that trip!)Damn, that's some good stuff. My favourite was the Welsh honey and lavender. Manna from heaven.Did you notice the blue sky as we were packing up to leave? Isn't that always the way?

Sorry about the formatting - I don't know what the dealio is with all those links and to be honest, I can't be bothered to go through and sort it out!!

Puppy Love (this time in yellow)

The fields behind my house have been puked on by Big Bird.

Or maybe these are the fields of gold that Sting is going on about?

They make my dog smile and that makes me happy.

Know what else makes me happy? Floppy ears. Especially when he runs.

Watch this sequence.

How could you not love that?

It's okay if you want to make this one your desktop background. I already have.

On making me smile

Floyds Big Nose (explore #44)
Originally uploaded by Boab24

It makes her smile. Twenty times a day, two hundred times a week, two thousand times a season, how many smiles hath the thwacking of one tail wrought? Countless, though more to the point, counted upon, and therefore forgivable, since counting upon anything has been an ability she has not heretofore possessed.

Dante (the Wolfhound) from Sighthound, by Pam Houston

On taking note

The best way to waste your life, ... is by taking notes. The easiest way to avoid living is to just watch. Look for the details. Report. Don't participate.

~Chuck Palahniuk

This is a desperate lunchtime (Calgon, take me away) post from my office at college. Exams are officially over now, which means that I have about 1 second to finish all of my marking and get grades posted before exam boards with other local universities next week. I don't think I ever appreciated how much marking my college lecturers had to do, it seemed to me at the time that Starman must have intuited all of my grades. (I only got to hear him say "Congratulations" in that robot voice for a 4.0 one time in my 6 or 7 years at UW - how about you?)

Chuck's definitely on to something, though I have to admit, I wish my students had taken more notes considering some of their exam results! Summer is palpable now, can you feel it from where you are?

Take a deep breath.

"Oh soul, you worry too much. You have seen your own strength. You have seen your own beauty. You have seen your golden wings. Of anything less, why do you worry? You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.”

~Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Vote for Adam!!

This is a little bit weird for me, but I'm kinda related to this kid on American Idol. He's in the top 3 now and I'm hoping those of you in the States could vote for him, for me!

Of course, I haven't got a clue what all the buzz about him over yonder Atlantic, and maybe he doesn't even need my vote (by proxy) but I'd hate to have a whole new Al Gore situation on my hands all over again. I didn't vote in that election as I was in Thailand at the time, and I'm pretty sure I'll be burning in hell for it. So, c'mon, help a sinner out. Vote for Adam. (for me)

Talkin' Sweet Walkin', Heart Stoppin', Puppy Love Blues

Bluebells that is...

Can you imagine it? Stumbling upon this carpet of purest lavender on an unassuming walk through the local wood?
As far as the eye can see. Seriously, it blew my mind. (Get it? Blew. Blue. Tee Hee!)

And the fragrance! It was my first experience in a proper British bluebell wood.
I have to admit, I finally get what all the fuss is about.

The closer you looked, the more incredible the scene seemed. How can each one of these tiny flowers combine to make Summer's grand entrance?
And sometimes, if you looked really close, you could find an intruder of sorts....
But, I digress.... Introducing our new best friend, Cedar!!

We found him at the Dog's Trust in Kenilworth. We've been going to the shelter about once every couple of weeks since November, just waiting for our dog to appear.

And this is The One.

This guy was found chained to a post somewhere in Ireland, of all places. I'm not quite sure how he ended up in Kenilworth, at the Dog's Trust, but I'm guessing as a 'no-kill' charity that they must collect adoptable pups from other organizations that have slated them from 'destruction.'

The vet nursey types among you will notice his shaven forelegs that are telltale signs of time spent in hospital on IVs. He was skeletal when we first met him, three weeks ago, but seems to be putting on weight in no time. Every day, he looks just that much better.I mean, seriously, how f'ing cute is that?? He's turned out to be a fantastically mellow pup of about 6 or 7 months - and a super quick learner. In a week, he's learned a few basic heelwork commands, and can sit and lie down (most of the time!). Luckily for Cedar, I teach in the animal science department of a college that trains dog trainers!!Here he is after his first ever bath!
Feel free to comment on how friggin adorable this puppy is!

How are things with you? What's new?

A day at the wildlife centre....

I spent Easter this year taking another wildlife rehabilitation class.

Can you guess who this is?

I snuck out at lunch time to steal a few quick snaps of the residents.

Whoooo. Who's had a happy Easter?