We’re starting to get into the Christmas spirit here. Our Mistress doesn’t know if she’ll actually be spending Christmas with us yet, but it’s starting to look as though there is at least a remote possibility. We helped decorate the tree and I think it’s looking rather good this year. The star is wonky, but that’s normal in this house. Our Santa, who used to be attached to a light pole he was climbing up, is sitting quietly on a plant pot. His lights blew up a couple of years ago and although our Mistress still used string to hang him from the stairs he did have a tendency to kick unsuspecting passers-by in the head! Anyway, he’s happy by the front door in the Yucca plant that is close to death through lack of water. (I could rewrite that sentence with the name of any one of our house plants – even the cacti look parched!)
I’ve also been having a dabble at writing a new Christmas Carol. This one is specifically aimed at carting dogs, but I might do some more. I wrote one about the sheepdogs watching the flocks a few years ago, so my repertoire is growing.
Also as it has turned cold, my Mistress has put food out for the birds. She sat down with Shadow and me first. For me it was the old ‘This seed is not for you. Please don’t go knocking the bird table over so you can get it,’ routine. For Shadow it was ‘I like the birds, please don’t kill them’!
We had some very exciting news the other day. If all goes to plan we are going to have the chance to learn dog carting at our fun day next September. How cool would that be? I’ve already said I’d like to put my name down for it, even though I do find the days quite gruelling. Ari was jumping up and down with excitement and Shadow went all sweet and asked if she could have her own cart as a retirement present when she stops breeding after the next litter. She’s even found one that she could have a nice purple harness. Actually, I think it was my Mistress who pointed out the purple.
Alfie’s Diary – the Book is available at Amazon UK –https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00583ZGSA
You can find short stories to read at www.alfiedog.com
Alfie, thanks for the news about the fun day. Put my name on the list, I would like to have a go at carting. Everyone says I am big and strong so I think I should be OK.
I went to the beach on Saturday and had a great time. There were lots of dogs, big and small, to run and play with. Love to you all in Yorkshire, Dickens X