Not romantic?

I regret to report that the euphoria of last week's perfect powdery snow under (sometimes) blue skies has given way to gale force winds, freezing rain and treacherously icy pavements bordered with dirty sludge.

So after a quick trot around the park we're staying indoors today, and Gail has decided to show me some old letters sent from Human Grandad to Human Granny, in 1955 when they were just engaged to be married.

It won't come as a surprise to my long time readers that Gail's family are not demonstrably romantic by nature. 

Or at least I thought not until I saw this letter, written in the late evening when HGD's work had taken him away from home for a few days to a work-related conference in Eastbourne. 

It has to be admitted that HGD's handwriting was never the most legible, so here's a transcription of the passage that caught my eye:

"However, when the day does at last come to a close I lay in bed and think of ourselves, and all the pleasant things that the future surely holds for us, and the encouragement that I have received from our friendship. Somehow, since falling in love with you Maureen I have gained a new confidence in myself and a sense of responsibility to you because you seem to have confidence in me and I can't bear the thought of letting you down in any way. When away from you this seems to find its outlet in a desire to do my job as well as I possibly can in order that you can be proud of me."

Sadly, the collection of letters that Gail found when clearing out her parents' house after they died did not include a reply from Human Granny.

By the time I knew Human Grandad his wits were beginning to fail him, although he always would remember to save a bone for my visits and to welcome me a fond pat on the head. 

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends!

Bertie and Addi's Postcard from Paris

Goodbye TANK, hello SPACESHIP...

It is so important, isn't it, not to allow one's relationship to become stuck in a rut?

Now the more literal minded amongst you might be thinking, no danger of that with you and Addi, is there Bertie, with such a splendid tank at your disposal?

But of course I am referring to a metaphorical rut, and, well anyway, this year I decided that my darling Addi deserved something altogether more special and uplifting by way of transportation to the Heart to Heart Valentine's Dance. 

Oh I thought long and hard about the matter. Eventually, inspiration struck. What could be more uplifting than a spaceship!

Surely, to experience weightlessness is the dream of every larger lady. And as you know, Addi is a plus sized gal.

(So much gorgeousness. Aren't I the luckiest pup in the world?)

But I can tell you, it took some planning, this trip into space, to the realm of zero-gravity.

Of course, my scientific credentials helped secure me a place on NASA's elite astronaut training programme. Having passed all the required courses with flying colours, I was certified fit to command my very own spaceship.

The next challenge was to overcome Addi's natural reluctance to don the required protective wear. It was only when she saw how handsome I looked in the unisex blue spacesuit, that she was persuaded this was one outfit which could in no way be deemed 'girlie'.

Finally, on the eve of February 14, we were ready for blast off...

Click here to find out what happened next….

PS from Gail: I am indebted to Murphy and Stanley's brilliantly talented mom Carol for the wonderful photoshopped images in this post. 

Finding the ideal mate (scientifically)

Fellow pups, thank you all so much for your many and various responses to the question I posed last month, when I asked you to tell me what attracts you to a potential mate.

In good time for Valentine's Day, based on the data you kindly provided, plus my own unique in-depth analysis using specially devised scientific algorithms, I can now exclusively reveal the perfect, evidence-based formula for a successful partnership.

It seems that to appeal to the 'typical' (I refuse to say 'average') Blogville citizen, you need to be:

PLAYFUL (this is absolutely the most important thing) + WELL ACCESSORIZED (e.g. a ball, a bucket and spade, a sharp suit) + POSSESSED OF DESIRABLE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES (long legs, nice tail and sexy ears are particular priorities) + BEHAVIOURALLY COMPATIBLE (e.g. both enjoy being treated like royalty) + RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS' SENSITIVITIES (not all pups like to play rough) + A GOOD HUNTER (effective rodent killing seems to be a preferred trait, especially amongst the terriers) + ROTUND (indicating access to a great food supply - impressive logic there Stella!) + OPEN WITH YOUR EMOTIONS (not a problem with most pups, I suspect).

What else did I learn?

(1) Diva cats (yes I am thinking of you, Mayoress Emeritus Madi) are picky, picky, picky.
(2) Although many dogs are open to a romance with different breed groups, there does seem to be a tendency for terriers to favour other terriers.
(3) The delicate topic of neutering was, perhaps surprisingly, only raised once and in general one must conclude that the lack of, er, 'equipment' does not dampen romantic ambitions.
(4) It is well known that dogs as a species vary more in size than other animals. Amongst most Blogville citizens, common sense prevails and partners of approximately the same height are generally sought.
(5) Finally, full marks to Aunty Yam for pointing out that us four leggers are SO MUCH better than our humans at keeping things simple and straightforward in affairs of the heart.

I trust you found this analysis helpful. Wishing you all the best for February 14th…

My darling Addi 

Respectfully,
Bouncing Bertie Boffin
(Director of Scientific Affairs).

PS Addi, you are the only girl for me...

A special Valentine poem for Addi

TO ADDI

I could compare you to a star, 

But Addi love, that's wrong 'cos you

Are quite unique. The stars are many;

Bonnie pups like Addi few. 

So long to seek, so hard to find,

You look exquisite with no clothes on.

No, not a star, but something rare,

My very special own Higg's boson.

And never fear, my Addi dear

To me your largeness is no curse.

There'll always be some space for you

In my expanding universe. 

Such beauty does uplift my soul,

And as I gaze and feast my eyes on 

You, I know I'd brave the blackest hole 

To traverse your event horizon.

As light bends round your extra mass

I ponder my proclivity

For awesome girls. For you I feel

A special relativity.

Oh I would wish to ride the skies 

Besides you in our rocket tank

To far off galaxies we'd fly, 

And there create our own BIG BANG! 


Please do visit Jazzi's Addi's blog to read more about Bertie and Addi's Valentine date.

And many thanks to Addi's Mom for the artwork!