ENGLISH MUM: A shining star of wonderful gorgeousness

Sep

Hit with the ugly stick

Filed under: Uncategorized — English Mum @ 1:19 pm

Looks aren't everything. Thank goodness.

It’s the National Ploughing Championships next week in Tullamore (you heard it here first, folks). J asked me whether I’d take Bertie down and help man the IGB stand for a day (The Irish Greyhound Board have a trust promoting greyhounds as pets). As it turned out our geography was a bit dodgy and it turned out to be a bit of a long drive, but also I had to tell J that Bert is no good example for anyone wishing to adopt a greyhound. He’s rather over-enthusiastic and having a very large furry rocket coming full pelt at you for a kiss is not going to further the cause, methinks. Now don’t get me wrong, we LOVE Bertie. In fact, he’s the most pampered, indulged, spoilt greyhound possibly in the whole world. He is regularly smothered in kisses, has beds upstairs and down (no idea why as he prefers our bed or the sofa), sometimes gets porridge for breakfast, and has a fur-lined coat for when it’s nippy. But I’m a realist, and let’s face it, they’re not the prettiest looking dogs in the world. In the village shop recently, Hubby picked up a card for the local boarding kennels. ‘Oh, do you have a dog?’ the lady enquired. And on hearing that yes, we have a greyhound, the lady answered ‘I love dogs but they would be my least favourite - they’re so UGLY’.

Now instead of being offended, Hubby nodded sagely. Because, you see, in some ways she’s right. Take the revolting sight of Bertie roaching on the spare bed. He has back legs like grotesquely enlarged chicken drumsticks that are not only completely bald, but because he’s a blue fawn his skin is black, too. He’s huge, spindly and has a ridiculously long nose and skinny tail, too. All of this I can see, but from some angles he’s actually very pretty, as other pictures I’ve posted do prove (unless I’m just blinded by love). Ah well, as me Mam often points out, looks aren’t everything - he’s very warm and cuddly in bed and his fur smells yummy too. Still, we’ll keep him away from the IGB stand. Just in case he frightens the children.

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. . . or perhaps it’s better to avoid his getting picked for adoption by someone ELSE!! I think he’s found his forever home already - handsome bloke that he is!!

Comment by SUSAN B — September 22, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
Susan, I KNEW you would come rushing to his defence - I nearly put it in the post!! Yes, you’re right. He might be ugly, but he’s OUR lovely cup of ugly (and he’s handsome to us). xx

Comment by englishmuminireland — September 23, 2007 @ 10:01 am
I’ve never really thought about it but yes I think that before I met Bertie I’d have said the same.I’m a greyhound convert now though and your picturs of a happy healthy dog with a lovely temperament have helped.
He really is a smashing dog.

Comment by Isitjustme? — September 23, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
I’d LOVE to have a greyhound. Not that I think they’re a visions of beauty (although they have that gracious air about them). But I DO think they’re treated appallingly and that every dog deserves a proper home. And family. And loadsa spoiling.

Unfortunately I’ll probably have to bury either my desire for a greyhound OR The Ultimate Other Half.

I’m quite keen on The Ultimate Other Half as well so it’s touch and go. Sir Sprout would miss him a lot as well. And I need somebody with over 6ft frame for changing light bulbs.

Guess no greyhound then.

Life is cruel.

Comment by Foreigner — September 24, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
ISIT: Thank you, glad you’re a convert. He really is the perfect family dog - very cuddly and affectionate, clean in the house (he has the bladder of a horse - has to since I disappear shopping for 5 hours at a time) and his only bad habit seems to be Bourbon stealing, which I can live with!

Foreigner: Cruel. Hmm…other half or greyhound. Tough decision. Yes, it’s rather nice to spoil him knowing he worked bloody hard for his living (well, he tried). I know other retireds don’t have the same happy ending.

Comment by englishmuminireland — September 24, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
As a fellow converted lover of greyhounds - I too think they are lovely creatures and their friendly and loving temperament far outweighs any previous thoughts of them being skinny & ungainly. Ok they can be a little clumsy with polished wood floors and take up a lot of room on the bed but they are the best hot water bottle I have ever had (Just don’t let my OH see this comment!!)

Comment by Taffy's Mum — September 25, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Ah their legendary hot water bottle-ness. Yep, nothing like a warm greyhound to keep out the cold. We had to ban Bertie from the bedroom as he insisted on dreaming about running whilst acting it out in his sleep and kept catching Hubby in the goolies. Nasty.

Comment by englishmuminireland — September 26, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
LOL After similar experiences poor old Taffy is banished to the floor when OH comes to bed! After Taffy has had enough of his own bed on the floor, he slopes off downstairs to sleep and dream race in comfort on the sofa!

Comment by Taffy\'s Mum — September 26, 2007 @ 2:12 pm