Poppy

9 January 1995 - 5 March 2009

The perfect dog for our family.

Brave, intelligent, devoted.

So many happy memories.

Much loved by us all.

Our home seems unbearably quiet without her.

Paws for Thought

I would like to draw your attention
to the little known fact that
many writers owe their success
to their Cocker Spaniels.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Virginia Woolf

Enid Blyton

Cocker Spaniels are renowned for their
sharp intelligence,
classical features
and total loyalty.
It is not surprising that they are inspirational.

Having said all that...
it does depend on what material you have to work with.
I try my best with MrsM.

Love
Poppy
x

p.s. Bonjour, Molly

Paws for Thought

Poppy speaks out on The Green Agenda:

Think of ways of saving energy...
Here are some of my favourite tips:

Reuse water - give your friends a shower
when you have had a bath.

Keep warm in the winter - wear a fur coat.

Reduce food miles - let the postman come to you.

Recycle that stick when it gets thrown away.

Be aware of your carbon footprint - don't sit too close to the fire.

Make a commitment not to waste food.

Remember...
we do not own the earth
we are merely custodians
for the next generation.

Love
Poppy x

Paws for Thought

Kennel Report : POPPY

Poppy settled in well
she knew that she would get a Bonio
when she walked into the kennel
and she enjoyed socialising with other dogs
that is unusual - are they talking about the right dog?
Poppy was very chilled in the daytime
she slept – as usual
and ate all her food
no surprise there
Poppy went out into the exercise area but did not stay long
She did not want to miss us if we arrived while she was outside.

All the kennel hands love Poppy
and look forward to seeing her again soon.
Poppy is gratified by this
but will be quite happy not to take up this offer

Paws for Thought

Now i lay(with everywhere around)
me(the great dim deep sound
of rain;and of always and of nowhere)and
what a gently welcoming darkestness--

now i lay me down(in a most steep
more than music)feeling that sunlight is
(life and day are)only loaned:whereas
night is given(night and death and the rain

are given;and given is how beautifully snow)

now i lay me down to dream of(nothing
i or any somebody or you
can begin to begin to imagine)

something which nobody may keep.
now i lay me down to dream of Spring

e.e.cummings

73 poems, 44

A Hay Meadow in June

I can remember my mother stopping the car one day.

"Some people have never seen a hay meadow
on a perfect June afternoon of sunshine.

Let's stay for a while"

And so we leaned on the gate,
watching the tractor

and breathing the sweet fragrance
of clover and buttercup.

"Don't ever take it for granted" she said.

Paws for Thought

Fur Talk

Stylists are vital for your self image - go regularly.
Make sure that the stylist understands your lifestyle:
Discuss low maintenance styles that you can shake dry.
You may wish to take your favourite shampoo with you
(I'm mad about Aloe Vera and Oatmeal at the moment)
Try to find a stylist that also does peticures.
Enjoy the complimentary beverages.

Do not bite your stylist.

Love
Poppy
x

Check out my new Secret Boyfriend!
(scroll down to the pic of him in the bath!!!!)

Paws for Thought

Six Ways to Live your Life More Like a Zen Dog

"Before enlightenment chew bones and drink water.
After enlightenment, chew bones and drink water.”
- Wi Lu -

1. Less is More
I have cut my wardrobe down to the bare minimum

- a fur coat, collar and lead.

It gives me more time

for meditation in the morning.

2. Simplify, Simplify
I have removed rich food from my diet.

I get all my nutritional requirements

from my pellets,

Bonios,

slices of roast chicken,

Maltesers...

3. Do one thing at a time
Single task - don't multi task.

When I sleep, I just sleep.

4. Do each task slowly and deliberately
If a postman throws letters at you...

destroy them carefully and completely.

5. Designate times for certain things
6.30pm

I eat.

Period.

6. Devote time to sitting
Practice the art of sitting

- it will free your mind -

Be at peace and travel lightly.
Leave a gentle footprint on the surface of the Earth.

with thanks to my Zen Guru

Paws for Thought

I have been reading A. Waller Hastings

and I was very struck by this extract:

"I am not aware that this aspect has been observed before, but almost inevitably, "good" characters in Disney cartoon are either dogs or dog-lovers. Cats, on the other hand, tend to be viscious, and cat-lovers are evil or morally obtuse....There are some exceptions to this latter characteristic (The Aristocats, the eponymous hero of Oliver!), but none that I can think of for the positive moral value of dogs."

Crosscurrents of Children's Literature.

An Anthology of Texts & Criticism ed. J.D. Stable et al.

OUP, 2007

Dear Professor A. Waller Hastings,

I agree

Yours sincerely,
Poppy
(Cocker Spaniel)

X

A big shout out to my pal Quincy

Yay, Quincy!

Paws for Thought

It is that time of year again
and so I thought I would pass on
my tips for effective revision.

Break your work up into bite-sized chunks.

I recommend these high energy snacks

- they are delicious and nutritious
and will release serotonins to help you feel relaxed.

If a friend suggests a walk in the park - say YES!

Make sure that you get plenty of sleep.

Love Poppy

x

I am thinking of getting white highlights too...
What do you reckon?

Paws for Thought

Make time for your friends.

Organise special treats to enjoy:

A walk in the country or a meal together.

Let them know that you value their friendship

Love Poppy

x

Please think of Ellie

who is going through difficult times.

Thank you.

Paws for Thought

Accessories are the key to a successful outfit.

Try to ensure that they are co-ordinated.

Update them regularly with new looks for each season.

Red is the new Black for Winter 08.

Love Poppy

x

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to my beagle buddy.

Paws for Thought

Spend time with your team.

Tell them that you value them.

Love Poppy x

Welcome to Roy

Cutest Puppy in the Blogland posse

Train your family early, Roy.

Paws for Thought

Make your bathroom a sanctuary.

Scented candles will help you relax.

Invest in some luxurious towels.

You are worth it.

Love Poppy x

(Respect to Audrey : Screen Goddess)

Paws for Thought

Make time for yourself.

Allow yourself the space to relax.

Express your inner child.

Love Poppy x

(Yo! Ginger!)

Paws for Thought

Try to get into a regular sleep habit.

I recommend at least eight hours a night.

Sleep helps your skin to relax and regenerate.

Love Poppy x

(Reaching out to the spaniel community)

Poppy

1. Poppy knows when it is 6.30pm EXACTLY because that is suppertime. She wakes up at 6.28 and 30 seconds, stretches and arrives at my feet at 6.29 and 59 secs. Even when the hour changes.


2. Poppy does not like venison but does not wish to offend and so she carries it very politely in her mouth and hides it under the Dining Room table where she knows I only clean once every six months


3. If you say to Poppy “What’s the weather like???” she will rush to the window and look out. This is because she had an intensive training course with MasterM when he put little biscuits on the window sill. The vet would not approve if she knew.


4. Poppy HATES Golden Labradors. Big Time. This is because when she was a puppy she was on a lead and a group of dogs jumped out of the back of a van and ran towards her. The one that got there first was a Golden Labrador and from that day on Poppy has always made sure that she gets the first bite in. Just In Case.


5. Poppy knows that hedgehogs are a Big Threat to Chez Magpie but does not know how to deal with them. So she has a special emergency bark to warn us of incoming hedgehogs.


6. Poppy has only recently discovered that squirrels do not hide behind trees when she chases them. To her astonishment they climb up them. Weird or what?


7. Poppy has lived on the same diet for twelve years. A dried biscuit in the morning, a bowl of dried biscuits for supper and two dried biscuits at bedtime. She remains the same weight that she was when she was two. I am thinking there is a moral here.


8. Poppy bites. Small children, kind old men, friendly teenagers, vets, postmen. We are lucky that we have not been sued but she has a high personal injury insurance deal.


9. Poppy sits at the bottom of the stairs and growls if children come down stairs after bedtime. I did not train her to do this but can highly recommend it.


10. Poppy adores me. Not sure what I have done to deserve this.