Sunday 1 March 2015

Netherfield tails/tales


So, on Friday morning, Gail and I went in search of doggy treats (hooray!) We drove to Netherfield, a small community near where Human Granny lives.

Netherfield was built mainly to house railway workers back in the 19th century.

These days it is, let's say, Staffie not golden retriever territory. Amidst the terraced cottages, we sniffed out an eclectic selection of independent businesses. 


Eventually we found the pet shop; a modest establishment, with noisy caged birds more prominent than goods for the canine palate.

The place was empty and Gail browsed the (frustratingly out of reach) selection of bones, pigs ears, dried tripe, chicken feet etc. undisturbed for a minute or two.

Then a man appears from the back and, within seconds, is all over me like a rash.

"A wire-haired fox terrier! You don't see so many of them these days. At least not round these parts. There's a fair few in Lincolnshire. What's this one's name? Bertie? What a fine specimen he is. His coat looks great, I hate to see them all shorn close. My grandfather used to breed fox terriers just down the road from here. He won loads of trophies at Crufts and all. Those dogs wanted for nothing. He took them out every morning for an hour's run round Colwick Woods, then back to heated kennels each with a large enclosure and treats galore. Oh and the time he spent grooming them for the shows".

He pauses for breath and to caress my tail. He notes the slight kink in the middle and asks if it was damaged when I was a pup.

"Of course you're not allowed to dock the tails any more. Grandfather used to do it himself with his bare teeth."

The pet shop man then demonstrates the action, thankfully putting his fingers and not my tail in his mouth.

"Of course my dad always told him not to but there was no telling Grandfather…."

With disturbing enthusiasm, he repeats the demonstration several times, perhaps to indicate the docking of a large litter.

At this point I notice that Gail has gone ever so slightly pale and seeks to change the subject to her intended purchase of pigs ears and a rawhide bone.

To be honest I was, for the first time in my life, not entirely sorry to exit a pet shop.


27 comments:

  1. Well the Polish Food place looked interesting, as well as the Garden Gnome store. :)

    Wyatt

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  2. Such a way with words... "more staffie territory". I love it. But did Bertie get his pigs ear?

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    1. He did. And much appreciated they were.

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  3. Hahahahahahhahahaha! Mum's rolling on the floor laughing? Staffie not golden retriever territory. Way too funny! Even funnier we know exactly what you mean, aye? Mum reckons she knows EXACTLY what that pet shop owner bloke looks like! Too, too funny, Bertie. Looks like an interesting place to visit.

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  4. Hari Om
    ...it took that long for Gail to pale??? I was sheet-like by the time he had mentioned breeding and Crufts... I was almost hearing the twanging of banjos by the end. Glad the ear was worth enduring this for Bertie lad!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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    1. Twanging banjos? That made me smile.
      Thanks! Gail.

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  5. Glad ya gotta outta dere wif your tail intact, BOL!

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  6. We live in a staffie sort of area....loads of them. We're happy you didn't lose your tail! And got some treats.

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  7. that would of worried us too - biting off a tail with ones teeth !!! Hope you got some extra treats that trauma caused

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  8. LOL Staffie territory. Glad you found treats. Have a serene and easy Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  9. oh boy.... I wouldn't like to meet the grampy of that petshop man... hope you are back in your granny's house... and I would lock the door, just in case that grampy is on the way with his teeth...
    easy rider

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  10. That was a strange encounter Bertie. Hope the treats were worth it.

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  11. Wow. I wonder how long it took for the man's grandma to allow his grandpa to come within an arms length after the tails were docked. Kudos to Gail. Muzzer would have barfed all over the man's floor!


    Gussie

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  12. We can so picture that store keeper talking really fast while telling his tale. Good thing you hi-tailed it out of there quickly!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  13. OMD Bertie.... we See that Mr. Foods has Delivery Service.... Pawhaps that might be a better option the next time... you could have some nice fresh bones delivered... and maybe even a STEAK...
    PeeS.... Please tell us you did NOT get a TATTOO!

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  14. OH MY WORD BERTIE FIRST OF ALL NOT HAVING PROPER PET STORES WAS ENOUGH OF A SHOCK BUT OMWFTs what a tale of tails you heard about days way back yonder. Can you imagine? I bet after hearing that you and you kept you precious tail tucked and were happy to high tail it out of there.
    MOL MOL MOL
    Hugs madi your bfff
    PS it is a very pretty village though

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  15. You have been without treats all this time? Good Lord!!! I could have sent them to you from California faster than that. That being said, taking care of human grand mom is probably the only acceptable excuse for such travesty. Stay patient -- you and Gail are doing a great thing!

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  16. Whoa....glad he didn't have any scissors to demonstrate with............glad you made it safely outta there with some treats!

    The Mad Scots

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  17. That might make us feel a bit freaked out too!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  18. "shiver".....Scary stuff Bertie, we are glad Gail helped you make a hasty retreat...after a good look at those birdies!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  19. O. M. D.!!!! WE have docked tails, but...not THAT way!!

    -Bart, Ruby and Otto

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  20. We're sure Mr Pet Shop meant well butt we're glad you high tailed (<- see what we did there?) it out of there, with your tail still intact!
    Wally & Sammy

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  21. Oh my with his bare teeth sheesh! We are glad you got out of their intact. Our mom loves that selection of gnomes in the other store, she has a thing for gnomes

    retro rover

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  22. Bertie you stirred up some fond memories for the owner of that little pet store. I think Lee would have loved to meander the area. Good thing Gail did not take you to the tattoo shop that could have ended up much worse.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

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  23. One adventure after the other. I bet that shop owner regaled everyone he met that day with tales of Bertie.

    How is Granny doing, is she at home?

    Cheers,
    Stella

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    Replies
    1. Human Granny is comfortably settled into the hospital rehabilitation unit and is doing well, spending her time learning to walk with a frame and writing long lists of things for Gail to sort out at home….

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  24. Oh wow. That sounds like one trip to the pet shop you'd like to forget. Now about those pig ears… ;-)

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