Living by the Dart
by Heather Long
It’s a Dog’s life – thank Goodness!
My parents threw up their hands in dismay whatever the weather and have discovered all sorts of
when i told them we were getting a dog – even paths, shortcuts, beaches, woods and vantage points
though i am a grown-up with three children and that otherwise would have remained hidden from me.
have not been their responsibility for very many My favourite is Jane Franks’ memorial seat in the field
years. on Jawbones hill. I wonder who Jane was every time
I know why. they were remembering shep, the I sit there and marvel at the busy river below me, the
rescued collie who became our pet when I was 12 town coming to life, the sea shimmering to my right
after a dozen years of pester power! shep was the and Britannia Royal naval College sitting protectively
friendly, loyal, dog of my dreams – as long as he had to my left. I wonder how many people read her name
company. he was hysterical if left alone! he wrecked and feel grateful for her bench as I do.
the house, destroyed the interior of a Vauxhall Cavalier, the other wonderful thing about dog walks is the
buried lard down the back of the sofa, caused people I quite happily natter to just because we have
devastation when he locked himself in the bathroom, dogs. of course we are all known by our dogs’
stole food including a tray of Quality street, wrappers names, but dog ownership gives you the right to have
and all, one Christmas (with a twinkly outcome). In the very interesting conversations with complete strangers.
end we never left him - a tie to say the least! It was like Billy’s lady who told me about an ancient coin
easier if someone always stayed close enough to be her daughter found on a Dartmouth dog walk, and
carpeted with an endless supply of fluffy black and advised me on the best treatment for a scabbed
white hair. muzzle caused by over enthusiastic boulder digging.
shep remained with Mum and Dad long after I’d left and the retired chap with two spaniels who gave me
home (!) and I have a lump in my throat writing this tips on how to get bitumen off my floorboards.
because we loved him so much. Dear shep – so much Dilys the labrador rushes to greet us on Waterpool
mess and so much missed. lane and can’t understand why no-one wants to play.
But it’s Mum’s fault that Millie came to live with us – herbert and Wilfred are wire-haired Dachshunds who
a shiny black streak of nothing capable of a wall of make a great show of barking but probably don’t
death around the sitting room. Mum heard a quote: mean it. Polly is a King Charles spaniel puppy who
“every boy needs two things - a dog and a Mum bounces to her gate to greet everyone who passes.
who will let him have a dog.” My sons would not be Chesney is a nervous Yorkie. sophie the black and
deprived of doggy love. It was all the encouragement white greyhound gives Millie a run for her money at
I needed… Churchfields, then hides in the long grass when it’s
however Millie was not like shep! he was at least time to go home. I have seen her owner (Mr sophie!)
obedient - she was not. she was fast and she ran… pick her up and carry her away, long limbs pointing
usually at top speed away from me! Many’s the outwards and nose tipped to the sky, because she
time I walked an empty lead. she ate anything and just refuses to budge. harvey the elderly black lab in
everything from gutter and bin, and would leap onto Bayards Cove is so patient waiting for his lady and
an unwatched worktop after flapjack or a plate of watching the world go by, refusing to be tempted by
grated cheese. so I took her to dog school and things the passing gulls. stanley is a cheeky fox terrier, and
are better now. at four she is much calmer! she is also albert is like a grey Millie with wispy hair, loping
happy, friendly, affectionate and loved. she’s curled along the embankment smart in his red neckerchief
up on the sofa (she’s not allowed on the furniture) in a and enjoying an evening’s rest outside the Dartmouth
patch of sunshine as I write this, gleaming and snoring arms.
quietly. thanks to Millie I am part of a community on the
But the great thing about Millie has been her help move - dogs by the Dart in all shapes and sizes, and
with my new surroundings. We have to go out their devoted owners.
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