“Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.”
– Author Unknown
No truer word has ever been written in my opinion. The sound of paws scattering across the floor, whether to greet me each morning or follow me around the house, is soul soothing.
I’ve been fortunate to have four canine companions in my life this far, two of which have now passed on and two who are with me today. Venatrix, who is roaching* by my side for the third time in her adopted life and Coco, who is laying by my feet; hoping I will drop some crumbs or make my way in to the kitchen to retrieve delicious treats.
It’s safe to assume that I am a dog person. I prefer the company of dogs to that of other people. After all, a dog will allow you to be yourself and not make any judgements whether you’ve made a complete fool of yourself or had a particularly bad day. All it takes is a wagging tail and nudging snoot and everything is put back in to perspective.
I owe a lot to the dogs in my life and aim to make their short lives as happy and loved as possible. I photograph my girls on a daily basis in order to make a memory last, record a goofy expression or capture a mannerism unique to them. In looking back at these photographs, it never fails to make me smile or feel connected to them.
As a family, we try to take Venatrix and Coco with us as much as possible so that they can explore and investigate new things, people and experiences. I firmly believe that sharing these memories with our hounds has cemented our bond and enriched our lives. Seeing how excited they get to sniff ALL the smells is a definite favourite and encourages them to feel more confident in various settings.
In my blogs I will be posting about days out we have had, places we have found that welcome furry friends or lifestyle choices for our dogs. Some of these may be with our National Trust Membership or through recommendations from clients. I have made it my aim to take Venatrix and Coco to at least one beach per week for a free range run around and paw dip. Luckily, Cornwall has a plethora of beaches, coves and marshes for fun and adventurous walks.
*Roaching is a term commonly used by greyhound owners to describe the act of a hound laying on their backs with legs akimbo. It’s a sight to behold.
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