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Normal Service resumes........

6/17/2019

 
Northumberland beaches and castles
Thank you Elia for filling in.  Normal service can now resume; Trudi and I are back from our holiday with Sr Jennifer and Liz.

We were up in Northumberland – almost in Scotland – for a week.  It was a long drive up in the rain, not much fun, but when we found the cottage, we were delighted to see a nice big garden for us to run about in.  We soon made ourselves at home.  There were lots of pheasants around, who popped their heads round the gate, but they weren’t quite so keen when I bounded up to them to welcome them into the garden.  Can’t think why.
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​The Northumberland coast has the most brilliant beaches, and we all enjoyed our walks on them. 

Our local beach was Spittal, which had lovely views of Berwick on Tweed, and we loved Bamburgh beach and castle, Seahouses and Beadnell. 

​Lots of room for me to run about – and I even went paddling.

Long walks necessitate refreshment – here are Trudi and I waiting patiently for our cappuccino and cake; not sure I enjoyed the coffee but the cake was great!

ELIA'S BLOG

6/10/2019

 
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Hah!  At last I get to take over the blog…..   Bartie and Trudi are off on holiday this week in Northumberland.

Some people reading this may be surprised that there is a (rather superior) cat in the Home.  The other two make such a fuss – running around everywhere and lying on all the sofas and chairs.  I am rather more selective about who I greet and where I spend my time.

There is a very comfortable shelf above a radiator in the Chapel, where I can be found saying the office with the Sisters, especially in the winter months.  I find I can concentrate better if I close my eyes during chapel services….

In the afternoons I help Liz relax, by making her sit down with a cup of tea, so that I can sit on her lap and be stroked. On the afternoons when she is working, then I have to go into the office and see if anyone there will pay me some attention.

Sisters Ann-Verena and Jane Olive can usually be relied on to give me a few treats, as they come out of chapel – and a bit of a scritch behind my ears.
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I keep a very close eye on our other pets, the fish.  Sadly both tanks have lids on them, so I’m unable to play with the fish in the manner I prefer.  Ah well, maybe one day Les will forget to put the lid back on….

Easter Greetings

4/25/2019

 
A VERY Happy Easter to you all! 
I hope everyone kept a good Lent and were able to enjoy the festivities over Easter.  We were blessed with glorious weather – so much so Jane Wright and Sr Jennifer had to keep on moving the eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt – to stop them melting in the bright sunshine.

I found one of the eggs, and got excited as Sr Jennifer opened it – but unfortunately she didn’t give me any.  Apparently it’s bad for me.  Hurumph!
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​As you can see from the photo, I was all dressed for the occasion as the Easter Bunny – with ears.  Sr Jennifer thought I looked a bit like a sheep.  Cheek!  Trudi was just thankful Jan only had one set of bunny ears on her.
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This spring weather has been very welcome.  Richmond Park is full of interesting smells and animals.  I’ve been trying to make friends with the rabbits and deer – but they keep running off when I bound up to say good morning.  

​I'm looking forward to May - 6th May will be my 6th birthday.  I'm expecting presents!

March 2019

3/4/2019

 
January and February have whizzed by.  I’ve been occupied with overseeing the refurbishments we’ve been doing to some of our rooms.  My good friends Fred, Les, Michael, Alan, Andy and Josh have been very busy getting this done – but they couldn’t have managed without my help.  Muddy footprints are invaluable for showing up leaks in bathrooms and areas of new flooring that need a bit of a sweep!

February has proved a bit of a surprise with some lovely, if rather unseasonable, warm and sunny weather.  Trudi and I have made the most of it with longs walks  - and Sister Jennifer made the most of it by giving me a bath.  I was not amused.

Half term week meant that we had a few younger visitors at the home, here I am having a cuddle with Anna-Lucia, Vijay’s daughter, and Carmen’s granddaughter.
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​March sees the beginning of Lent, with our Pop-up Pancake Sale on Tuesday 5th March.  Trudi and I can’t decide what we’re going to give up for Lent. Sister Jennifer is suggesting biscuits at coffee time, but we hardly get any of those, so I’m not convinced……. 

Not looking forward to today.  Sr Jennifer and Liz are taking me back to the vet, to look at my eye.  I’ll be in need of LOTS of cuddles and treats when I get back.
 
Still, tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday – and that means pancakes – so things aren’t all bad!

Christmas is coming........

12/13/2018

 
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Trudi and I are getting very excited.  The Home has been bristling with school choirs, all sorts of activities and parties for the past few weeks.  Not only are we in the run up to Christmas, but we’ve also been celebrating Liz’s 60th Birthday. 

There have been many occasions when we have been essential to the celebrations, particularly in hoovering up the crumbs left from mince pie baking, and Liz’s party on Friday 7th December.  The food provided by our talented staff for the party was excellent and, as we did some quality control tasting, we can confirm this!

Sr Jennifer has been much occupied with buying presents – for all the residents, the staff and our wonderful volunteers.  Not sure who's going to get these glasses...  Trudie, Elia and I are just hoping that we haven’t been forgotten – hint, hint!

Also, knowing how exemplary our behaviour has been the past year (ignoring the odd roll in mud and puddles) we certainly hope that Father Christmas might visit us too.   If he’s checked his list twice – we should be on the NICE list!

Christmas is always fun at the Home, and we will get the opportunity to see many of the friends and relatives of our family here  over the next few weeks. 
 
If we don’t see you in ‘person’ – Trudie, Elia and I wish you all a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

August 25th, 2018

8/25/2018

 

My very busy summer.

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​July and August have been very busy for me.  During our Holidays at Home week, I was, naturally, the star of the show at the Dog Show.  Although I didn’t win the overall first prize, I got an award for obedience – running straight to Sr Jennifer when called, ignoring temptation from sausages -  and was rewarded with a bag full of doggy treats.    
​Here I am pictured on the right with my friends Trudie and Sammy.
 
St Margaret’s Day on 20th July was celebrated with a BBQ lunch in the garden for everyone at the Home and their guests.  As you may imagine I was incredibly helpful afterwards with clearing up any stray food that had dropped on to the lawn!
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The hot weather certainly got to me and Trudie, and we enjoyed the impromptu baths that Sr Jennifer prepared for us.  I also went paddling in any water I could find during our regular walks in Richmond Park and Chiswick House – much to the surprise of the ducks.
Last Saturday saw me joining in all the fun of the Staff Family Day.  I was invaluable in helping with the games, chasing balls and entertaining all the children.  

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It’s been a fun but exhausting summer – but now I feel it’s time for a snooze.

July 23rd, 2018

7/23/2018

 

Fun & Games.

​Near the end of June, we went on a holiday to Norfolk. We were able to go on lots of walks as the beach was practically on our doorstep but unfortunately, Trudi was feeling ill so we decided to come back early. She is fine again now so she was able to join in on all the fun during the ‘Holiday at Home’ week. It was in the theme of animals and one day there was an obstacle course in the garden, Liz was dressed up in a lion costume with some of the other staff members dressed in different animal costumes for the race. I couldn’t miss out on this so I decided to join in on the race (I might have knocked a few cones!). I hope that you all have a great summer. 
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April 30th, 2018

4/30/2018

 
My new coat.
As you can see from the photo on the right, i have a new red coat, which even has a hood. I was able to use this for the first time when Poppy and I went to Virginia Waters for an afternoon walk (mostly for a swim), we walked so much around Virginia Waters that i now have a bit of a limp from all the exertion, i guess it is because i am nearly five years old!
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March 31st, 2018

3/31/2018

 
Happy Easter!
A very Happy Easter to you all!
 
Trudi and I always go for a short walk around the garden, usually before lunch, this is when I will do my quick inspection of the garden.  First, I will examine the weeds and the flowers. Then I will go over to the pond to make sure that the fish are happy and have no complaints and finally, I will check to see if the fox has snuck into our garden again. When my inspection is complete i will go back inside just in time for lunch!
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February 3rd, 2018

2/3/2018

 

My Look-a-like?!
Apologies for the late entry, i hope you have had a great 2017 and wish you a very happy 2018.

At the end of last year, i made a wonderful discovery, we were walking over at Chiswick Park when we came across my twin! I knew almost instantly we had to be friends.

Can you tell the difference?


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    BARTIE

    "My friend Trudi and I are the residing dogs at St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home. We bring joy to the home and the residents. Follow our tales along the way!"


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