Woof Woofington

Going up to the Big Kennel in the Sky

Well, readers, I fought the cancer but the cancer won in the end.  Life's a bitch, ain't it?

So, now, I am in the big kennel in the sky.  The Mistress is beside herself with grief.  She has written about me (of course!) in her own blog.  It's called Londoner in Exile.  I know how she feels!  Quite how long it will last - without me to inspire her - is anybody's guess.

For now, I am saying goodbye but if I feel so inclined, I'll be back!  Sadly, the Mistress could not afford to get me cloned so it may be in another form.  

Thanks for all your support.

Woof Woof

Back to Business

Right, enough of letting this cancer and REAL LIFE hold me back, it's time to get back to blogging!  Of course, I have been busy tweeting or twittering, too.  It takes up less time and gets great results. Beverley Cuddy (editor of Dogs Today) put out an SOS for two lost dogs.  Lots of dog-loving folk re-tweeted the message (ie repeated it) and I hope that, in some small way, their efforts contributed to the reunion of dogs and owner.

Anyway, anyway...I want to tell you about a business visionary who's also a good friend to dogs.  Always a great combination! Horst Rechelbacher is the founder of Aveda and his home is featured in today's Style magazine (part of The Sunday Times). 

He's described as an 'ecopreneur' and his views on cosmetics are steadfast. "The time will come when 

there will be warning labels on cosmetics like there are on cigarettes." Blimey!  

I reckon Rechelbacher is way ahead of his time; he founded Aveda in 1978. I think he's now trying to 

create his own biosphere...The article has lots of pictures of his ecclectic design style; "There's not much

new in my house...I'm really into recycling", he says.

There's also a shot of him with his seven dogs, "one of which was rescued from owners who had cut 

its vocal chords". Ouch, ouch, ouch. What a great life that dog must be having now; not only is it 

enjoying a loving owner, it's also probably got the best diet on the planet. Literally.

If you fancy seeing what Rechelbacher is doing now, check out his new venture, Intelligent Nutrients.

It includes a petrochemical-free sexual lubricant! Not sure that's one for me but I'll mention it to the Mistress.

Woof Woof

Twitter...a force for good? Absolutely!

OK, OK, it's me, back again, trying to blame the cancer when, in fact, it's the addiction to Twitter that's the problem.  The blog soooo needs a makeover.  I soooo need some TLC.  But Twitter is omnipresent!

I love it.  The Mistress loves it.  Even her friends are getting on board with the Twitter-thang.

The Mistress got asked, the other day, to recommend some great blogs - which she did. But guess what? She raved about Twitter even more and said that IT was where things were going - quicker to absorb than a blog, a zillion times more intelligent than Facebook and just so totally and utterly...compelling.  And who joined on Friday?  None other than Ms Winfrey herself - AND her dog, OBVIOUSLY!  The gorgeous Sadie.

So, if you know anything about social media, you'll know that Ashton Kutcher beat CNN (yes, BEAT CNN) to sign up a million followers on his Twitter account.  And he'll harness that power - apparently - for something good.

Anyway, anyway - I've come across two new blogs that I LOVE - here they are:

Backwards in High Heels and Liberty London Girl.

Tania Kindersley has been busy highlighting the plight of Roxana Saberi - a female journalist - now incarcerated in Iran.

I've done what I can on Twitter but now it's time to do something here, too.  

Send a postcard of support, if you can.

Woof Woof

Help! I'm a Twitter addict ...

Forgive me, readers, for I have sinned.  It has been months since I blogged properly.  I wish I could blame it entirely on the cancer (though that is a contributory factor, make no mistake) but it's because I've become addicted to Twitter.

The Twitterati warned that this could happen.  I just love Twitter because it's sooooo dog-friendly. Short sharp messages that even the dimmest canine can comprehend!  In the time it takes to write a post on this blog, I could have tweeted (or twittered?) goodness knows how many messages!

Anyway, I digress.  The reason that I have been compelled to return to the blog is that those media-savvy folk at the Dogs Trust are using Twitter to rehome dogs.  Now I happen to think that is an extremely good use of their time and resources!

One particular dog caught my eye and I think she deserves a mention here, too.

Tess, from Canterbury, is a gorgeous Golden Lab (yes, I know I'm biased) who has got three legs.  So many people will be put off by her disability.  But don't.  Although I still have four legs (the Mistress won't think of amputating my diseased one - too risky, says the vet), I am motoring around on three. It's hard work for an old girl, let me tell you! But, it's Tess we're talking about so here's here profile from the website:

I am a special girl, who is full of Labrador character but I only have three legs. My history is quite unknown as I am a stray so the staff don’t know how I lost my leg. I really am looking for a friendly, calm environment that will love me for me and provide me with the environment I need, one where I won’t be expected to do long walks and where I can pretty much poodle about and do my own thing.

I am a very sociable girl, I’m good with other dogs and everyone I meet. I love my food as a Labrador should and lying in the sun. I have not yet been around cats and I would best suit a home with children aged around 8-9 plus.

Check her out at the Dogs Trust website

You won't be disappointed.  

Woof Woof

Tweet Tweet - I've joined the Twitterati

So, I've finally joined Twitter (or should that be twitter)?

The first thing to note is that Downing Street will be watching my every tweet.  I kid you not.  Since I like to keep my paw on the pulse, I thought I would monitor what the Government was up to.  Turns out, they'll be keeping a close eye on me!

So, does that mean I can't now call the Home Secretary to account on account of her 'expenses'?  Or get diplomacy tips from Peter Mandelson?  I guess there is only one way to find out.

Twitter, I hope, will give me the perfect opportunity to sound my mouth off, in succinct sentences. 

Come and find me on twitter - http://twitter.com/woofwoofington.

I haven't posted yet but give me time.

Woof Woof (or should that be tweet tweet)

Who Wants To Be A Royal Dog? Not if Prince Edward (son of the Queen, no less) is nearby. Yes, he's been snapped beating his Labradors

I was going to write a post called, "A Tail of Two Labradors" about two puppies who found themsevels hitting the headlines over Christmas.

The first was a 10-week old black Labrador puppy who was dumped at the Dogs Trust in West Lothian,Scotland on Christmas Day - yes, Christmas Day - because his owners couldn't cope.

And then there was Gary Lineker photographed with his new squeeze, their respective children and a very cute yellow Labrador.  There was much speculation that the puppy was a gift for Christmas.  For Christmas! Didn't Gary know about the message, "A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas"?

But do you know what? Even though these pups had very different starts in life, I think they'll both end up hitting the jackpot.  Yes, I do.  I reckon the Dogs Trust will have been inundated with calls from potential adopters for the puppy.  And Gary's got enough cash to ensure his puppy is given the life of luxury. His sons go to Eton, after all.  Not bad for a Leicester Lad!

Which brings me to the hapless hounds of the Royal household.  And let's not forget the Queen is Patron of several animal charities, including Dogs Trust.

The UK's Sunday papers  are running photos of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, allegedly out on a shoot.  You know the score: you take a gun, the dog chases the birds to flush them out (ie send them flapping out), bang!, you blast the birds out of the sky and then the dogs bring the dead birds back to you.  That's the theory. But several black Labs decided to do something different, causing the royal prince to beat them with a stick.  A big stick.

Nice.

Of course, Buckingham Palace has stated that the dogs were unharmed. Yeah, right.  'Cos being beaten with a stick DOESN'T hurt.

Personally, I just think Prince Edward was getting his own back on his parents (the dogs are more likely to belong to them) for sending him to the Marines.   So he hit them where it hurt.   But that's just my opinion.

Remember when all little girls wanted to marry a prince?  Not any more!  Believe me, a dog beater is TOTALLY unattractive.  Such behaviour is beneath contempt.  Prince Charming?  In your dreams.

Woof Woof

Happy Holidays! Christmas Message from The White House (Barney and Miss Beazley with...President and Mrs Bush)

 

So, the final festive film comes from The White House.  Well, the final film from the Bush administration.  Which means no more Barney and Miss Beazley, the canine residents.

Whatever your political views, this is cute, cute, cute.  Check out the Olympians making a guest appearance, too.

Next year will see a new first family in Washington while the new, first pet has yet to be chosen.  Or so I understand.  Apart from all the obvious requirements this very special hound will need, presence in front of a camera is a given.  Never will a dog's heritage be sooooo important!  

So, forget the global meltdown for a minute and forget that Mr Bush is still the most powerful man in the world.  Gulp.  Just enjoy some homespun fun - for Barney's sake.

Woof Woof

"The dog that broke my heart"

 

No, not my heart!

The Mistress is in tears.  Again.  Anything seems to set her off at the moment, especially the word cancer. And if it's the two words, dog and cancer, in the same sentence... well, the floodgates open. And don't close!

One such trigger was today's Times.

Author and blogger, Stephen Foster, is clearly a man with a heart.  He knows that once you've experienced the love of a dog, nothing else compares.

One of his dogs, like me, was a rescue hound; Ollie was a very handsome Lurcher (saluki-cross).  Sadly, Ollie got bone cancer.  Like me.

If you want to see some really beautiful writing, check out his blog, Walking Ollie.  And if you read the post, Leaving Ollie, make sure you have some man tissues to hand.  There will be tears unless you have a heart made of stone.

I know what the Mistress will want for Christmas (apart from a miracle!); some Stephen Foster books. Along Came Dylan is his latest.

Enjoy.  And crying is OK.  Really.

Farewell Oliver Postgate - Creator and Narrator of Bagpuss, The Clangers, Ivor the Engine and Noggin the Nog

Bagpuss

The Mistress is very sad today; a piece of her childhood has gone.  Oliver Postgate, who was on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs last year, was the creator and narrator of children's favourites such as Bagpuss and The Clangers - together with illustrator, Peter Firmin.

The Clangers - the Mistress's favourite!

He revealed much about his life on radio and it won't come as a surprise that he was a troubled soul at times, with an unhappy childhood and an overwhelming need to be busy doing something at all times.

Ivor the Engine

Ironically, he has provided hours and hours of escapism for millions of children.  And nostalgic adults. 

The world is an emptier place for such an honourable man.

Woof Woof

Old Behaviour Makes An Unwelcome Return

People are dumping their pets at Christmas.  Already!

The festive season isn't even upon us yet but Britain's pets are already victims of the credit crunch and whereas older models (like my good self) get traded in for cute younger puppies, no one is buying the puppies.  They're just too expensive.

So...if you are thinking of getting your loved ones a dog for Christmas, wait until the New Year and visit a rescue centre.

Remember...rescue dogs love you more.

Woof Woof

Taxpayers' money well spent?

"Now, what did my coach tell me to say?"

In these credit crunch times, every penny counts.  Many British folk are bemused by the Government's handling of the current economic crisis.  Billions have been given to banks (who are slow to pass on rate cuts to their customers) yet life-saving drugs are still not available on the NHS.  Hmmm.  And now, if you've saved your hard-earned cash... forget any decent interest rates.  You might as well not have bothered.

Let's face it, despite Gordon Brown's personal commitment to beating child poverty, the recent spate of headlines can only confirm one thing.  Failure.  Paul Abbott's Shameless is no longer fiction; it's a reality right across the land.

If you think I'm being overly harsh, just put it down to me being a grumpy old girl.  In today's Times, an article caught my eye.  British Taxpayers have been footing the bill for Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith to have "executive coaching" while Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has had some help with his public speaking (via media training).  And don't laugh but Lord Mandelson has had training on using "one of the BlackBerry devices issued by the Department".  And last but not least and by far my favourite, you've also paid for Hazel Blears to learn Spanish - she's Local Government Secretary - so the Spanish will come in handy. 

But the question is this... why should the British Taxpayer finance such things?  That's clearly what Greg Hands, MP wants to know.  Surely, if training is required for politicians to learn how to...talk to their constituents, the party faithful should cough up? Or, the MPs get themselves a Career Development Loan; I hear the rates are quite competitive!

Woof Woof

"She's us princess"... Karen Matthews on her daughter, Shannon

For those readers unfamiliar with England's Northern dialect, it translates as "she's our princess" ie something precious.  Very precious and something to be treasured.

NOT something to be drugged, kidnapped and hidden away in a double bed divan for more than three weeks.

Yet this is what happened to schoolgirl, Shannon Matthews.  And, today, her mother was convicted of various crimes, including orchestrating the snatching and confinement of her daughter.

Anyone watching tonight's BBC's Panorama programme will have been left in no doubt where the blame lay.  With the mother.  The mother of "all lies".

Or was it?  The programme posed more questions than it answered.  And the chief policeman interviewed said that it was Karen Matthews' complete lack of responsibility (for herself and for her children) that was at the heart of the matter.

There was little mention of Shannon's father; where was he in all of this tangled web?

And this sorry tale reminded me of another child neglect case - albeit, much, much worse - that of Baby P.  Here, too, the father was very much on the sidelines.  Apparently, he DID try to intervene and has now been served a gagging order by Haringey Council, to stop him talking to the media about HIS take on the murder of his son.

Panorama talked about the story of Shannon Matthews exposing an underbelly of society that Britain was unaware existed.  Errr, I don't think so.

Like Baby P, social workers were all over this family - Karen Matthews with her seven children by five different fathers - but, in the end, decided the children were better off with the family.

Neighbours and family reported Karen to social services.  Baby P's relatives did the same.  And even the dreadful case of the British Josef Fritzl...involved social services.

Now, I don't want to demonise social workers.  Far from it.  But what I do want to ask - and since my time on earth is limited - is how did the control of those departments, where the welfare of children is dependent on political correctness, happen?  Why is it that targets are more important that child safety?  For most people watching and reading about these cases, common sense would prevail and say, nay, scream that something wasn't right.  Children shouldn't be left to exist in such squalid conditions. Sometimes, you DO have to intervene - however un-PC that may be - and remove children from woefully inadequate parents, step-parents or whoever else is an adult in that environment.

Ironically, if animals are kept in the same conditions, the RSPCA would remove them.  Simple as. They may fail at the prosecution stage BUT the animals concerned would have been taken away from the hell and neglect that they were experiencing.

How is it, in 2008, that British children aren't afforded the same rights?  Why aren't questions being asked about why Karen Matthews and the mother of Baby P are the way they are?  Shame on us - not as individuals - but as a society.

Woof Woof

Sh*t Happens

The Mistress and her other half were supposed to be seeing Primal Scream tonight.  But one thing and another, neither can go.

Last night the Mistress's other half - still suited and booted from work - stepped into the lift of the hotel where he is staying.  Lo and behold, Mr Gillespie was in the lift, too.

The Mistress's other half wished Bobbie good luck for the gig and explained how he had wanted to go but couldn't.  (Quite what Mr G thought of random tall bloke in a suit, in the lift, is anybody's business!!!)

No worries, said the band's front man.  "I'll get you on the guest list."

Sadly, the Mistress's other half, declined, albeit very graciously.  WTF?!  (Personally, I would have got on the list, even if I could only join the band AFTER the gig....)

And Bobbie Gillespie's response?  "Sh*t happens!"

Yes, it does!

Roy Keane Leaves Sunderland...was a dog responsible?

Now, if you're a Sunderland fan, you'll know that Roy Keane and the Black Cats have parted company. The Mistress's other half is gutted - more by Sunderland's recent poor performance, than Roy's reported exit.

The thing is, the company has spent many millions getting in new players.  The Stadium of Light was looking like a destination for top-class players, rather than the graveyard slot.

But Kean-o could not deliver the magic.  It was loss, after loss, after loss.  Imagine the mood in our house!!

However, I have since learnt that Mr Keane got a new dog, alongside his already-famous Labrador, Triggs. Apparently, it's a German Shepherd.  

Now, I am no pedigree-fascist, not at all.  But when Keane was on top of his game - as a player AND manager, it was just him and Triggs.  I just wonder if the new dog's arrival had anything to do with Sunderland's poor performance....

Personally, I know the answer.  Get Triggs on the training pitch; he'll show those players what being a winner is all about.

Go Triggs!!!

Life sucks - I've got cancer

So, it's official. I've got cancer. Bone cancer, to be precise. Life sucks. The Mistress is beside herself. She can't stop crying! Enough already, I say. Life's for living AND snacking, not for moping about full of pity, doom and gloom. But the Mistress being the Mistress, she's taken action. First she got the low down on the diagnosis and prognosis. I've got months, at most. "Prepare yourself for early next year," the vet told the Mistress. The options? Amputation with chemo' thrown in for good measure. But if they "whip off the leg", as the vet described, they'd have to go right up into the hip, as that is where the cancer is. For most dogs, the problem is at the knee. This doesn't cure me. It could buy me a few months at most. But think about it. I mean really think about it. Losing a leg is serious surgery. And the recovery... I mean, it's not as if I am a whipper-snapper now. Sooo....right now, I'm keeping the leg and the Mistress has got onto the homeopathic vet. She thinks he is God in veterinary form. He's suggested a cocktail of homeopathic remedies, which should arrive any day soon and then off we go! Tablets-a-go-go. In the meantime, I've been milking the sympathy vote and the Mistress is being very generous with the snacks. It won't last, mark my words. Woof Woof

PS I really can't get the hang of this new Typepad edit nonsense!!

Dignity over dosh - Guy says no thanks to Madonna's millions

Come on, you didn't really expect Guy to take any of his wife's money, did you?  Really?  Anyone who's seen his gangster films - Lock, Stock, Snatch and now RocknRolla - will have told you that his male pride simply would not have let him.  Guy's a man's man, right?

That's why he's fought for the kids and hired Stephen Cobb, QC; if cash was the goal, he wouldn't have called in Britain's finest legal brain on children and custody, particularly when an ocean separates both parents.

Apparently, Guy has 'done a Piper' ie he's copied Billie Piper who left her marriage to Chris Evans empty-handed.  Actually, I am sure the Piper/Evans situation was very different - there were no kids and the couple are still friends, even though they are now married to other people.  The friendship has endured. Good for them.

But just as divorced women are a fund manager's dream - just think of all that cash they have to spare -the walk-away-with-nothing folk believe that there are some things money just can't buy. Like...dignity.  Of course, Guy's a multi-millionaire in his own right so he doesn't need the money. But what happens if you're the partner left with the kids and no money?  Then what?  Then dignity flies out of the window.

But is Guy setting a new legal precedent?  Is walking away the recession version of the have-it-all divorce? Who can say.  In the meantime, good for Guy for fighting for his kids.  Those boys will need his influence more than ever.

Divorce is a messy, messy business.  And remember, couples don't just argue over the kids - dogs (well, their custody) can cause MAJOR problems in proceedings, particularly if the owners can't agree who gets the pet pooch.  That's why the divorce lawyers don't need to worry too much about today's news. There will still be plenty of work, regardless of the financial settlement!

In the meantime, just WHO is doing Madonna's cosmetic surgery/assistance these days?  She looks...AMAZING!

Woof Woof

Farewell Michael Crichton, Creator of Jurassic Park and ER

New puppy coming to the White House - Barack tells the world!

President-elect, Barack Obama gave a rousing speech in Chicago this morning.  And now he has definitely got my support...because this is what he said to his daughters:

"Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

Yay!!! Methinks that will be one of the luckiest puppies in the world.

Woof Woof

America has declared Barack Obama... 44th President of the United States

Well, well, well...Barack Obama (or should that be Bark Obama!!) has achieved the impossible!  He is the first African-American to have been elected President of the United States. 

Congratulations to Mr Obama and his family.  John McCain has just given a very gracious speech acknowledging his competitor's success.  He praised Sarah Palin who caught the world's attention but not necessarily always for the benefit of the Republicans.

Apparently Mr Obama will be celebrating later, probably with Oprah Winfrey close at hand.  Ms Winfrey caused great consternation when she pledged her support for Mr O rather than Hillary Clinton.  Many said she betrayed her gender.  Well, it seems Ms Winfrey trusted her instincts and knew that change - phenomenal change - really was possible.  In her lifetime.

In the meantime, I hope Oprah will persuade the Obama family that the White House needs a new canine resident!  Oh yes.  Ms Winfrey LOVES her own dogs so I hope that we'll see four paws padding around in the Oval Office.

Tonight's result should not be underestimated.  It really shouldn't. A new era in global politics has begun.  It IS a life-changing moment in history.

Woof Woof

Is this Fawlty Towers Week? Now John Cleese Hits The Headlines...

Hey!  Something very strange is going on; the BBC is keen to drawn a big line under the 'prank' phonecall fiasco.  Heads have rolled, stars have resigned or been suspended and...I can't help but feel that Radio 2 listeners (to Jonathan Ross's show on a Saturday morning) have lost out.  But let's not go there because this debate could go on and on and on.

Anyway, anyway, it's OLD news now.  Right?

Well, the Fawlty Towers connection ain't going away.  

John Cleese, who played Manuel's boss (Andrew Sachs, in case you had forgotten!) has been promoting a programme on the Dave channel.  No bad thing. Except poor Mr Cleese is feeling rather battered and bruised from his third divorce that is costing him a pretty penny, which is why he has to do work that doesn't fulfil him.  Bet the PR people at Dave loved that!!!!

But what was the headline that grabbed media attention?  Well, it wasn't his new programme.  Nope. Mr Cleese has a lot to say on the matter of marriage (and having children) and believes that like dog licences, marriage should be renewed every five years.  Well, if we still had dog licences, he'd have a point but they were phased out decades ago.  It's so sad.  He's such a comic genius yet he just sounds like a bitter old man now with another axe to grind.

But it got me thinking; should everything in life be made into a contract?  Would it stop things like 'Manuelgate' happening?  Would listeners and viewers have to sign a contract before turning on the airwaves?  Hmmmm.  In the meantime, marriage contacts definitely are NOT the answer.   It's something that Madonna tried with husband Guy but that was a little one-sided and sounded like a long lists of do's and don'ts - for him.  And how embarrassing that it should be revealed to the world!  

However, this is not the point.  I think this week can only end one way - we need to have a Fawlty Towers marathon on the BBC.  Surely, what we all need is a jolly good laugh (and clearly NOT of the Russell Brand type...) so I propose they scrap the screening of the film Speeed (to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross - WTF?!) and give the nation what it really wants.  A throwback to better times - no credit crunch, no celebrity overload where a girl's desire to be a porn star can result in a Commons debate, no freaky weather like snow in October due to climate change....

So, BBC programmers, if you're paying attention...open the vaults and let the show begin...

Woof Woof