Wednesday 23 November 2011

An unexpected encounter by the Trent

I don't know if any of my friends suffer from the same problem, but Gail is totally hopeless when it comes to photographing people and dogs that we spot when out on our daily walks.

It's not like she's shy in general. Well perhaps a bit, with humans she doesn't know.

Anyway, it sometimes happens that I want her to take a photo and she says, "no Bertie, I'd feel awkward", and I have to illustrate my posts with the help of images from the internet instead.



So it was last weekend. When walking along the river Trent we met an elderly gentleman in what I thought was a funny hat, out for a morning leg stretch with his enormous and exceptionally handsome Rhodesian ridgeback.

They stopped to say hello. We found out that the dog's name was Raja. I bounced around him for a few moments, but then left off as he didn't seem to want to play (see I am learning). Raja's owner smiled politely at me and, in a gentle and well-spoken voice, said that he was so sorry but now that Raja was ten he wasn't very sociable any more.

Gail later explained that the gentleman was a 'Sikh' and that he was wearing a turban, not a funny hat. He looked strange to me 'cos we don't tend to see Sikhs in the north of Scotland, but apparently there are a lots in Nottingham. When Gail was a child many of the city bus conductors were Sikhs, then quite newly arrived from India, and they were allowed to wear the city council badge on their turbans, rather than the standard uniform cap.

I rather liked the look of the turban. What fun it would be to unravel! I bet Raja had a blast when he was a puppy.

Oh, I am being told to stop rambling on. Gail fears I am veering into dangerous territory.

But I was only trying to tell you about an encounter that I thought you might find interesting.

19 comments:

  1. Bertie - You are the very epitomy of multiculturalism .

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  2. Bertie, you said hello and wanted to play. Sounds like a great way to meet people and dogs. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  3. You're growing up, Bertie.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra, Bella & Roxy

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  4. My Beautiful Raja was named Raja but she was a girl dog so this is all a bit confusing for me.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  5. Sorry Mango but in Indian languages Raja means King or Prince and is definitely not a girl's name!

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  6. meeting all sorts of different people is part of the journey! We love your stories Bertie!

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  7. Hi Bertie, I too would like to engage in happy play when meeting others, but they don't always have the same ideas. I guess we are getting a little older and wiser!

    You gave me a great visual with the unwrapping comment! BOL!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie

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  8. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, I bet that fellow and Raja would be fascinating to talk with. I'm sure their lives are interesting. Thanks for sharing!
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  9. Well, sometimes it is WISE to avoid others.. both two and four leggers.

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  10. Yep this one is a bit hopeless at times.but sometimes when we stop my Lily starts screaming
    Benny & Lily

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  11. Well Bertie you really are growin up.

    But you will always be Bouncing Bertie!

    Woos, Tessa

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  12. Bertie: You ought to get a DVD of The King and I, then you could learn the Getting to Know You song and put it to work for you on walks.

    Cheers and hugs,

    Stella, Jo and Zkhat

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  13. The thought of you unraveling that turban.... BOL!!

    -Bart and Ruby

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  14. Hey there Bertie-bud,
    The world is full of pretty amazing people. I fly the flag of 'Unity in Diversity'.
    You aren't doing a bad job yourself! Well done, buddy.
    Lotsalicks
    TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  15. Hey Bertie! We have many Sikhs in Phoenix. The majority have the name Kahlsa and they have an elementary & pre-school that is very popular. When we return to Phoenix we'll tell their dogs that you met Raja. Maybe they'll know him!! (Mom just said probably not.) Have a great weekend!
    XOXO-
    BabyRD & HOotie

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  16. Mum tells me that there will be lots of hair under that turban Bertie so you might not want to unwrap it. They seemed like a nice pair and well done for not being too bouncy at Raja!

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  17. hey Bertie,

    How very interesting! You meet the most fascinating humans! And I always enjoy reading your observations.

    I met a Rhodesian Ridgeback once. Very handsome dog! Sorry Raja would not play with you. I don't know how he could resist, even at age 10.

    I am glad you are growing up and learning, but also am very happy that you still think like a puppy! Unraveling a turban would be totally fun and totally something a puppy would do! But your Gail is right, as a mature dog, we mustn't indulge our more outrageous inner-puppy thoughts. BOL!

    Suka

    p.s. Your human Granny and Grandad are such a lovely couple, and look so much younger than their years! Fifty years together - very pawsome! Yay to them!

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  18. Looks like you made sure your HGD had a wonderful birthday. What a lovely couple, and so lucky to still have each other.

    You are indeed becoming a dog of the world, young Bertie. Bet Gail is tickled pink at how your manners have matured.

    Jed & Abby

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  19. You just reminded us of how much fun rolls of toilet paper are. But we digress. Time to read on ....

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