Jun

26

The Friday Photo: Happy Birthday Bertilicious!

Filed under: Diary, Friday photo, Greyhounds, Photos — English Mum @ 7:16 pm
 

So today’s FP is dedicated to that most wondrously lazy and patchily hirsute of individuals, the Bertmeister, aka Burpy, the Biffer, Biff Sniff, Sir Biffington Sniffington, Bishous, Mumma’s bubby (sorry), the fella, the geezer, yer wan, that f*cking dog!!!, and any number of other stupid nicknames depending on how loved up we’re all feeling and whether he’s nicked one of your trainers and you really, really need to go out in a hurry.

‘Tis a glorious thing for a greyhound to be retired to a comfy sofa rather than being, er, retired in a completely different, somewhat euphemistic way.  I’m a realist, and let’s face it, people aren’t exactly queuing up to adopt a retired greyhound, and there’s a serious glut, which is a shame as they’re rather good company.  And for a greyhound quite as utterly, totally, completely, thoroughly, uselessly rubbish at racing as Bert was to have lived to have seen his fourth birthday is practically a miracle.  Thanks, Jen.

Once, when we were at the races, I remember #1 asking someone how long greyhounds live.  ‘Hmmm’, came the answer, ‘depends how good they are’.

So here’s wishing the gangling, clumsy great duffer a happy fourth birthday.  He might be shite at racing, but he always seems to get to the sofa first.  Bless.

25 Comments »

  1. My hero!

    Give him a big kiss from me ;)

    Comment by Grandad — June 26, 2008 @ 7:38 pm

  2. Aww I’m glad there’s someone else who allows their dog on their furniture I feel less of a goof ball! My brother had a racing dog as part of a syndicate after it was injured I specifically asked the trainer to let me know to see if it could be rehomed (not necessarily at my place). I was devastated when I found out they’d euthanased the dog because it could no longer race. His name was Go Black Teddy and was a gorgeous, sweet dog. I’ll never forgive the trainer for doing that. If only Bert knew what fate could have befallen him?

    Comment by Baino — June 26, 2008 @ 9:13 pm

  3. uh, does he normally lay that way?

    Comment by Tara — June 26, 2008 @ 10:30 pm

  4. And wouldn’t he LOVE to have a friend to share that lubbly sofa with?? Go on - you know you want another one!!

    Comment by SUSAN B — June 26, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

  5. I do want one, but my cats diasagree!
    Happy Birthday Bert! A big sloppy birthday kiss is winging its way across the Atlantic. And a big hug too. EM, please deliver both. Thanks.

    Comment by Don't Bug Me! — June 26, 2008 @ 10:53 pm

  6. Happy Birthday Bert and many more.What a lucky family you chose to live with.

    Comment by june in florida — June 26, 2008 @ 11:33 pm

  7. We both wish you a Happy Birthday Bert - waggy tails and chattery teeth kisses too

    Oh and a big cuddle and kiss from our mum too xx

    Comment by Taffy & William — June 27, 2008 @ 6:55 am

  8. Grandad: A pleasure - I’ll add it to the hundreds I’ve given him already today!!

    Baino: Go Black Teddy’s only got two races listed, March and April of 07, but he was good - came in 2nd and then 1st. I wonder why they had him destroyed?? What a shame x

    Tara: Yeh, he’s very strange - he either likes to have his head underneath something (like your armpit) or hanging over the edge. Weirdo.

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 27, 2008 @ 8:55 am

  9. Susan: Erm…I’m not sure there’s room in my heart (or my sofa!!) x

    DBM: Is that hug for me or Bert?! Both delivered anyway x

    June: Aw thanks. I shan’t be allowing him to choose his own cake like the others can, though!

    T&W: Thanks guys! You’re the lucky ones, eh? x

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 27, 2008 @ 8:58 am

  10. He sustained a knee injury on his hind leg not enough to cause problems for a pet but seriously hampered his racing career. I was furious I tell you. I spent $3,500 on my 4 year old labrador for a total knee replacement in 2007 after a rabbit chasing cruciate injury. I was particularly cranky because I’d asked the trainer to let me know if he wasn’t going to work out. We have plenty of Greyhound rehab places here. I’d have taken him in a heartbeat. Then I guess, you’re a dog person or you’re not.

    Comment by Baino — June 27, 2008 @ 10:05 am

  11. Baino: Jeez, what a terrible shame. Bert ruptured his gracilis (sp?) muscle - he has a huge, ugly scar on the inside of his rear leg. I think the trainer thought he could be good (his sister is a coursing champion) so he was prepared to spend the money. Sadly, they’re seen as a money-making commodity - if they’re not going to make money, they’re surplus to requirements. It’s awful to think he went ahead with putting him to sleep after you’d offered to have him. :(

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 27, 2008 @ 11:06 am

  12. Love love love.

    *pats Bert on head* hello you. Happy birthday.

    Comment by nuttycow — June 27, 2008 @ 1:04 pm

  13. Nutty: Ta. Pats conveyed and warmly received. Thanks! x

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 27, 2008 @ 2:02 pm

  14. Oh, I’m so late… but many hugs and kisses to Bertilicious the birthday boy!

    Comment by Coastal Aussie — June 27, 2008 @ 2:23 pm

  15. How strange …. I was thiniking of Bert yesterday !, I was on a sodding long flight from South CA to Maine (don’t think you could get a longer flight and still be in the same country), anyway.. i was thinking about him, and how he must have thought all his birthdays have come at once, living the life of luxury .. and low and behold, I log on this morning, and it is his birthday !!!!!… weird !

    Comment by Moon — June 27, 2008 @ 2:45 pm

  16. Aussie: Aw thanks. If only he could get all this attention in person eh?!

    Moon: Spooky. And yes, we often remark upon how he’s slotted into indoor life after being brought up in kennels. The life of Riley indeed! x

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 27, 2008 @ 4:33 pm

  17. LOL!

    Happy Birthday Bert!!! Lucky, lucky boy!!

    This is SO funny! Guess what I got today?

    A six week old lil’ greyhound girl! She was found shivering under a gorse bush and is currently staying in a basket in a fire station until I pick her up tomorrow. She’s itsy bitsy and fawn with a dark nose.

    Would the guys on this blog like to suggest a name for her? Or will we call her ‘Bertha’ in honour of Bert’s Big Day?

    Comment by jennynib — June 27, 2008 @ 5:48 pm

  18. Surely he is living the life of O’Riley ????

    Comment by Moon — June 27, 2008 @ 6:19 pm

  19. Yes, English Mum, if only he could, that’d be brilliant. Oh, Jennynib.. what a precious story, I’m so happy to know she was found and rescued. I have some ideas for a name.. Bea, or Bebe (French for baby) in honour of Bertie… also, Belle, Bella, Bijal (lightening), Bibiane (lively), Blaze or Bryn! Hope that helps. Will you be keeping her, or re-home-ing her?

    Comment by Coastal Aussie — June 28, 2008 @ 5:11 am

  20. Awww … Bertie performing the famous Greyhound Nose Ballet! What a sweetheart!

    My Princess retired with a dropped muscle, too (the gracilis rupture) and also a wrist ligament on the diagonally opposite wrist. Pretty commonplace, I guess. She’s fit for walking, trotting on special occasions and galloping once in a blue moon. What can I say? She isn’t called the Princess for nothing!

    The little greyhound girlie should be called ‘Spark’ or maybe ‘Sparkler’!

    Comment by Jay — June 28, 2008 @ 5:53 am

  21. Jen: Remember your favourite foster family… always available in times of trouble, crisis, and in the event of small cuddly animals needing assistance!!!

    Moon: Indeed.

    Aussie: Oh I love Bella - what a cute name!

    Jay: Or Sparky!! Yes, Bert’s not build for hard labour. Well, I mean officially he is, but he very rarely fancies a walk, and NEVER fancies a run (unless there’s rabbits, natch)!

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 28, 2008 @ 11:35 am

  22. Missus: Well, I wasn’t going to ask but since you insist… LOL!!

    Bijal and Bella are my faves, since she’ll probably go to Italy, we could call her Ciao Bella!

    Hope Bertie likes his new lil’ sis…

    Comment by jennynib — June 28, 2008 @ 12:16 pm

  23. Jen: Hurrah!!! Am hastily assembling old newspapers as we speak. xxx

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 28, 2008 @ 12:59 pm

  24. Happy Belated Birthday Bert - you have come home my friend - and it shows! Sending hugs, peace and love.
    Kate, Toria, Hippie and Max xx

    Comment by Kate — July 3, 2008 @ 6:28 pm

  25. Kate: Aw thanks. Hugs, wags and slobbery kisses back atcha! x

    Comment by englishmuminireland — July 4, 2008 @ 10:02 am

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