Saturday 24 December 2016

Bertie's Christmas Message

Ahem!

I don't see why the Queen should have exclusive rights to the Christmas Message business. Do you?

Well it has been quite a year, 2016, I must say. What a funny old world this is. And not always in a good way.

For me, it has been a time to expand my horizons, and I want to tell you about a couple of the people I met on my big tour of Europe back in October.

It was late in the evening at the ferry terminal in Harwich when we came upon a bus-load of British Asians heading off for a weekend in Holland. A elderly, sari-clad lady tottered across to us, accompanied by her daughter. While the older lady made a big fuss of me, daughter acted as translator, telling us how her mother had owned a wire-haired fox terrier when she was a wee girl, and how seeing me would probably be the highlight of her trip.

Then there was the nice-looking young Argentinian in the hotel lobby in Amsterdam, who ran over the minute he spotted me and, struggling to hold back tears of emotion, explained how much he was missing Lupe, his beloved WFT, whom he'd left behind in Buenos Aires.

So you know what? It seems to me that humans all over the world, whatever their backgrounds, must have lots of things in common, if only they would take time to talk to each other with goodwill, and kindness in their hearts.

With that, I wish all my friends in every corner of the globe a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

25 comments:

  1. Bertie - If you travel with a four legged friend people will always smile and walk over and talk. If only more people travelled with dogs the world would be a happier place.

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  2. What a wonderful message Bertie. Yes, we have so much in common with others, when we look on the world with a heart full of love.

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  3. We wish you a very Happy Christmas Bertie and Gail.

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  4. What lovely stories and a beautiful message. Merry Christmas Bertie & Gail.

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  5. Lovely stories ! Merry Christmas ! Purrs

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  6. Hari OM
    'Tis so very true darling Bertie - a wonderfurs thought for this Christmas eve. Much Love to you and Gail, hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  7. Merry Christmas, Gail and Bertie! Here to wish you the most Merry Christmas (Our president-elect says thats the proper greeting. No Happy Holidays for him who shall remain nameless.
    Hope you are both well! Jo and Stella

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  8. Bertie, you are very wise, indeed. Merry Christmas Gail and Bertie from all of us!

    -Otto, Osa and Lisa

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  9. A lovely Christmas message, Bertie. I know how the lady at the ferry terminal felt. Once upon a time I had a wire-haired fox terrier named Daisy that came to me from a very classy pet shop on Maiden Lane in San Francisco. Having a WFT was a dream-come-true for me. Merriest Christmas to you and Gail!

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  10. that is a such a wise theory, Bertie. Yes there is something so much of us have in common: our love for animals, specially terriers, of course. Maybe this can be the base for something big what makes our world a little bit brighter? I believe it can. Merry Christmas!

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  11. Thank you for your good wishes, and those wise words, Bertie. We hope that you, Gail, Grandma, and all your friends, have the very best of Christmases.

    Love from Petite-Chose and Inca xx

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  12. Profound!
    Wonderful.

    A scientist who is also a philosopher

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  13. Merry Christmas, Bertie...to you and your loved ones! May 2017 be magical and wonderful.

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  14. Merry Christmas, bud!

    PS only one more day to RSVP to come to my barkday party on the 27th! Visit my blog for details!

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  15. Bertie Darling mom and I quadruple x 87 our sentiments to your Christmas message. Now that being said I am 100% sure your WFT smile and happy tail are quite the motivation to get folks over to say hi too...that coupled Gail's friendly purrsonality
    Hugs to you 2 and HGranny
    PS thank you for your darling card it arrived yesterday. You might have heard us cackle at the "some trees are special" verse
    Madi and mom

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  16. If only.......

    Looks like it may be up to us dogs to bring them together!

    Oh, Bertie, we think that makes you one of the unsung heroes!

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  17. Bertie, We wish you and Gail a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year too.

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  18. Wishing you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas - hope you had a wonderful day :)

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  19. Merry Christmas Bertie. Wishing you and your Gail a peaceful and happy New Year. No worries, and love, Stella x

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  20. Wonderful thoughts Bertie. Merry Christmas!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  21. We totally agree, as Dory and I traveled the US during the summer we found that we pups actuallt helped bring our Mama out of her shell a bit and bind with complete strangers....Here's to a wonderful 2017!!
    Smileys!
    Mama Beth, Daddy E, Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  22. Beautifully said, Bertie. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to you and yours!

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  23. How true, Bertie! Merry Christmas to you!

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  24. Dear Bertie,

    If only all people were as tolerant and forgiving as us Dogs, the world would be a very different place! But there are indeed many, many amazing people out there. Hurray for new friends this year! And isn't it amazing how us Dogs can bring the people together?

    Merry Christmas!
    Cobi

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