Do Dogs Tweet?



On the lookout for more news

I know, I've been terrible - the more news I have the less time I get to tell you about it. But I am now making a concerted effort.

A human friend suggested to me that I should should tweet instead of blog, as I can ramble stream-of-consciousness style as and when the wisdom comes to me. But I've heard that people tweet things like "I've got out of the shower with no makeup" and "I've had a cup of coffee and it was nice." Now if that's the level of news to which we are all aspiring these days, then perhaps I really will just go back to incessant barking.

Anyway, since I haven't barked since February, here is a bullet-point list:

• Second in Postgraduate Dog at Crufts! (and I had to beat someone to win that!)
• Fun at the Otterhound Club Open Show 
• Pub dinner at our local Duke of Cambridge organic pub (5 Finnegan paws!!!)
• Modelling in Islington (now this one is worth some detail ...)



Nigel Barker, ANTM



I was on my way to Regent's Canal at the end of our street with Leo and the humans as we were setting off for a big adventure (walking along the canal all the way to Victoria Park! about 3 miles!). Anyway, we came across a fashion shoot and the photographer, noticing my boyish good looks, asked if I could model in the shoot. Well, I don't spend hours and hours watching the "Next Top Model" franchise for nothing. I was brilliant ... moved slightly, posed, turned my head, posed, gazed at my model, posed, winked at the photographer, posed. Just like Nigel Barker (at right) always says, keep moving but give your photographer enough time to catch your poses. Really, I think I'm onto something here. Anyway, the shoot was for Patricia Nicolas, a famous designer (and she blogs as well), and I am hoping she will be the one that years from now is credited with my "discovery" ... when I'm being profiled years from now in E! True Hollywood Story for my rock-band lifestyle. I like modelling more than showing. Showing involves standing behind another dog's bottom. Usually something I fancy, but as none of the others in my classes are ever girls, it is really disconcerting now I've discovered my mojo. Maybe that's a good suggestion for the next spin-off for the NTM franchise - Britain and Ireland's Next Top Canine Model!



Make me a supermodel ...



Anyhow, after my fashion shoot (that's me on the left), we made our way to Victoria Park, meeting lots of new dogs along the way, including an American Cocker Spaniel (she was lush!) and some of the lucky dogs that live on the canal boats. One was running back and forth along the roof while they let out the locks. He kept barking excitedly at me on the bank, but I couldn't really join him. We also had a chance to road test the fabulous Rosewood No-Spill Portabowl for water along the way (and for our lunch in the pub) - you can even carry water in it (it has a drawstring). I recommend it to everyone. And I don't get any commission or free bowls! That's just a genuine good impression. Even I couldn't knock it over in the pub! It's the first time we've had water in a pub that didn't need a mop afterwards.

So after a walk through the park we went to the fabulous Crown, which is very dog-friendly (there was a little dog running around in the pub, and she was a very pretty raven-haired minx). They even have dog bowls behind the bar (although I had my fabulous Portabowl). And they made us feel so welcome, Leo and I loved it. Only problem is there are no photos, because the human forgot her phone (think it was on purpose as she gets so many emails).

Anyway, will be in touch again soon! I mean it! But I am still not sure about this tweeting business ...

All quiet on the North London front

Well, I have been very quiet I know, but it's not for lack of excitement. Let's see ... I went to the Battersea Reunion Day in September (with Leo the Bedlington Terrier, who is of course a Battersea alum - here he is on the right in his fancy dress), I went to Discover Dogs at Earls Court in November (where I starred on the Otterhound Stand again), it snowed in London in December and we played in the snow in Islington Green, and I went shoe shopping in a shoe shop! As a picture says a thousand words, I think I will just show you the pictures.

A couple of highlights though. I got a little bit bus sick on the Number 19, and the bus driver was not very gracious about it. He was driving like a crazy person, so it's no wonder my Battersea Reunion treats "reunited" in my mouth and on the floor of the bus. My entourage was very swift with the baby wipes, alcohol spray and paper towels. But nevertheless, there was quite a to do about it. So Number 19 buses are off my list. But here I am (on the left) on the bus in my Battersea Reunion tag, about a mile before the "incident".

But I had a totally different experience coming home from Discover Dogs at Earls Court. I went for my first tube ride on the way (without incident!) and then on the way home, so many people piled on at South Kensington that we decided to get off (in case my lunch came up). But it was so crowded, Leo couldn't get off as well. So they went on to Knightsbridge. Now, as we all know, Leo can be carried on the escalator. Not so for me as I am now rather big (just over 40kg!). To our dismay, however, one had to take an escalator to the emergency stairs. We used the help phone to see where the emergency stairs were, and they directed us to an escalator! Alas, we were stuck. But not to worry, the wonderful man at South Kensington tube said, "Wait right there, I will be there to help you." And within minutes, he had stopped the escalators! And we ran up, with an audience of seemingly hundreds waiting for the escalator to re-start. The South Kensington tube man then helped us to the stairs so we could leave. He was so lovely! So South Kensington tube gets 5 Finnegan stamps!

Valerie's in Bloomsbury were also very accommodating the other weekend when we had lunch there after shopping in Fopp in Gower St (5 stamps!). 3.5 stamps for Valerie's (because obviously we can't eat inside ... otherwise would be 5)

Finally, I have also been shopping at Spice shoes in Islington. I even had my photo taken in the shoe store by some fans who work there. Here I am on the right, posing for photos. They were so lovely to me. And of course, we left with some lovely new shoes (not for me though). Another 5 stamps for sure!

Leo and I have also started a new venture together - Dogs at Law - for lawyers and their dogs. We are hoping to plan lots of exciting social events so I hope we will see some of you soon.

Finally, a thought for the day. I have heard that the stupider you are the more energy you have. That worries me a little, as I am always full of beans and Leo is always exhausted. Although that could just mean I am surrounded by brilliance. I am sure that is it.