It is with great sadness that Trudi and Elia have to report of the untimely demise of their great friend and companion, Bartie.  Our dear Bartie had been unwell for several weeks and sadly the vet found, during an operation, that he had cancer and that it had spread, so the decision was made not to revive him.  We are all devastated. 

Rest in peace darling Bartie.  You gave us so much love and pleasure in your life,  We miss you dreadfully.

We had a super Christmas day in the convent.  Thank you all for your cards and good wishes - and all the various treats we've been munching our way through.  Staff working over Christmas were fantastic in ensuring every had a good time.  Thank you all. 

It has been a busy autumn, and now we're almost at Christmas!  Bartie and I were very excited this morning when our Receptionist Jan came in with a basket full of treats.  Our hopes were dashed though, when she said they were Christmas treats for all our visiting dog friends...   Here's Dora receiving her treat, with Vivien and Jan.

The Home is beginning to look Christmassy, as our decorations go up.  Thank you, as ever, to Philippe Vioux de Saint-Cyran for his donation of our tree.  It is looking wonderful.  The treats cupboard has also had a festive make over!

So from myself, Trudi and Elia, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Well it was a funny old summer.  Very hot, very dry – the grass shrivelling to nothing, and our garden looking very sad.  I popped into the lake in Chiswick House to cool down on the hot days, but everyone kept complaining about that, something about being ‘whiffy’… all too personal if you ask me!

Still, autumn is just about upon us and the recent rain and cooler weather has bucked the grass up no end.  Perfect for BBQ lunches and for Miller’s Ark, who visited us yesterday.
 
Here I am with a baby goat.  He seemed friendly enough – but we kept our distance.  The residents were braver and got in closer.

​We had a lovely afternoon, and the rose beds benefited from what they left behind….

​Trudie and I have had a marvellous time over this Platinum Jubilee.  There was a full programme of events at St Mary’s – with all our favourite activities: BBQs, afternoon teas, the summer sale with its food stalls, home-made ice creams – just the sort of things we love to hoover up from the lawn, when they are accidently dropped…

We always love meeting our old friends at the Summer Sale, and how nice to be able to have it again after a 2 year hiatus.  Despite gloomy weather predictions the rain stopped at noon, and by 2pm it was gloriously sunny and warm.  In fact we were lucky over all four days, rain did not get in the way of any of our activities.
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We send our heartiest good wishes to Her Majesty on this her Platinum Jubilee.  God Save the Queen!