Phileas Dogg?

Bad news. I’ve just had to say goodbye to David Niven.

The David Niven of dogs that is. Dark, handsome, debonair, a charmer with the ladies and an utter gentleman, Dylan, the black Labrador has gone home.

Good news is that this means that his “Dad” is now back from London and enjoying a good recuperation having had extremely complicated and serious heart surgery. I can’t think of a better convalescence aid than Dylan so Graham’s recovery will be full and fast.

Dylan has been with me for 17 days and has been my constant companion along with my own three. He gets on well with everyone – human and canine, and has gathered quite a fan club amongst my neighbours and friends who have met him. This morning we did a final ‘tour of duty’on our walk so that everyone could give him a goodbye hug.

I’m going to miss his wiggly gait as he trots ahead of me on our walks, the weight of his head on my lap, the way he leans way over to the left to give me his right paw for a treat like he’s riding pillion on a Harley and I’ll probably still tear off an extra sheet of kitchen roll when I sit down for a cup of tea and a biscuit to catch his, often foot long, drool. I suspect that’s where the resemblance between him and the suave Oscar winning actor ends!

My dogs will miss Dylan hugely … and more especially his Orvis, Deep Dish, memory foam orthopaedic bed. Any time Dylan vacated it, one of mine would feel it her duty to keep it warm for him. Heck, I even had a couple of great power naps in it. I can see it being in a letter to Santa this year. Uh-oh, that’s dangerously close to mentioning the “C” word and we’re not even out of October yet.

Anyway, more good news. I will have Dylan again for a few days at the end of November … when I’ll be able to use the “C” word with impunity.

Thank you Pat and Graham for entrusting Dylan to me. He’s a very special boy and I miss him already.