Saturday 2 May 2009

A Tail of Two Dogs

The last Dog who lived with us, was a Samoyed called Kola. He was big and white and fluffy and gorgeous. His name was a Sioux word meaning "friend" and never was a doggy name more perfect or more apt.

A Samoyed is a type of husky dog. Originally bred by the Samoyed tribes of Siberia, they have more stamina than Siberian Huskies so they can pull sledges for longer distances albeit with less speed. Their sparkling fluffy coats keep the tribe warm at night, and their high pitched yap carries far across a vast flat and barren land.


The day we collected puppy Kola (a walking cotton wool ball) from his breeder was my birthday and a week before I discovered I was pregnant. Bad timing because Kola was a very naughty dog! That's the nature of a Samoyed. They think they're human but when I say 'human', think "boistrous teenage boy". He was alot of work, needed grooming every day, and never ever did as he was told. Not for lack of training either, that's just what the breed is like. But his gentle and fun-loving nature, and lovely smiley face won everyone over and he knew it.


The day he died, 7 years ago from cancer, was one of the saddest days of our life, so we have been reluctant over the years to fill his space with another but Jimmy has been nagging us ever since.


And so it happened that last bank holiday we went for a walk to a place where last we went, Kola was with us.


We reminisced, we discussed, we remembered, and we thought "wouldn't it be nice to have a dog today", then one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we decided that the time is right. But despite their captivating personality, another Samoyed was out of the question. NO, no no! We need a dog who does what he's told, who is laid back, easy to care for, low maintenance and most importantly, mature and in need of a home. So we called The Retired Greyhound Trust. Two weeks ago - they don't half move fast! We had to choose a dog from a list of dogs needing homes. That was difficult ... how could we discriminate? But choose one we did, and when he came to meet us, it was love at first sight.



The polar opposite of Kola. We have named him "Marley". Because he is black and chilled, and Jimmy already thinks he's a Legend.



23 comments:

Locket Pocket said...

Oh he's lovely! I hope he settles in well. Lucy x

Kitty said...

Awww, he's so handsome! I hope you're all the best of friends very very soon. x

Daisie said...

We had a retired racing grey hound when we were young, my dad overheard her owners talking of shooting her because she couldn't run anymore. Dad brought her home, she was lovely and when we went to the beach she could still run :-)

Hope Marley settles in well.

xxx

Jane Le Galloudec said...

He looks so happy to be with you!! :-)... Dogs are so cool (never thought I would say that... I was always a cat person until Fergus!) x

Tracy said...

He's beautiful!! A new four-legged friend in the family--so happy for you all! Enjoy these days getting to know each other and have fun! ((HUGS))

Thedarkerside73 said...

Ohhh he is lovely. I wish we could get a dog Boo Bear is just crazy about them. We did have a beagle and they must be a bit like your old dog. He really was a little devil. but very loveable. Think minxy child in a body builders body, as they are quite muscular dogs.

Hope you have fun with him.

MBBx

Diane said...

He's a very handsome fella. I hear Greyhounds take their retirement very seriously so you should be ok with him. xxxx

Anonymous said...

Ahhh hes gorgeous! xx

Gina said...

He's lovely! I'm sure Marley is going to settle very well in the Marmalade house.

Anonymous said...

What a handsome pup! His eyes speak volumes, kudos to you and your family for adopting a retired racing g.hound!

walter and me said...

Welcome, Marley, you've landed on your paws! You're a very handsome boy and I suspect you'll have Family Marmalade twisted round your paw in no time.
xxx

driftwood said...

hope he settles in well xx

Anonymous said...

welcome to Marley... he does look chilled out. i love greyhounds...a friend has a very chilled out ginger greyhound.. called 'ginger'!

Twiggy said...

He's a beauty!!! hope he settles in nicely.
Twiggy x

Mrs Moog said...

Oh, he's lovely!!! My friend has a retired greyhound and she's such a gorgeous, gentle dog - it looks like Marley is just the same :-)

Congratulations in the lovely new addition to the Marmaladekiss household.

xxx

Rebecca said...

Hi, we have a retired greyhound and you couldnt of made a better decision, they make wonderful pets. Marley is lovely.

silverpebble said...

Lurchers and greyhounds are some of the gentlest (and ironically laziest) dogs around. So fabulous that you've rescued a retired greyhound xx

dottycookie said...

He is adorable. I wish you all many happy years together!

Joanne said...

Greyhounds are just lovely natured dogs - I hope he's settled in happily to his new home. I'm sure he's going to be loved to bits.

Kathi D said...

What a wonderful surprise for all of us! He is a lucky dog!

Former neighbors of ours had a rescued greyhound that was the sweetest couch potato ever. They are graceful, loving, and quiet.

Congratulations to all of you!

angharad handmade said...

Aww he's a beauty! Hope he's settling in well!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

He looks beautiful and sounds like a dream. What a wonderful thing you have done giving him a home.

Kate North said...

he's a sweetie - hope he settles in nicely! (oh, and don't feed him the corset - bound to give him indigestion...)