Now I know I keep banging on about where we are, moored by the Black Lion pub, here in the wilds of Staffordshire towards the end of the Caldon Canal, Consall Forge. We are still here for another day but, if ever you find yourselves anywhere near, you must visit.
Jason is the hardworking boss of this delightful free house (haven’t worked out what free means). He is supported by a busy friendly bar team to include Laura, Michael and Dara to mention just a few and Tracy and another Laura are busy in the kitchen preparing snack lunches and proper dinners. My humans have sampled all departments with much delight and I have eaten a small bit of steak that I was given and can recommend it, medium rare.
Today my long haired one’s daughter Fiona and her family arrived for a visit. They all had a barbecue lunch at The Black Lion, I got nothing, but I had worked out a plan from my vantage point under their table.
The plan: I would return to the hamburger barbecue where I had clocked rather a lot of discarded hamburger bits and buns.
The opportunity arose when they all returned to the long kennels for cups of coffee. While they were fussing as to who would have what. I did a vanishing trick, returned and got under the gate, across the railway line under another gate through the gardens to the barbecue.
Just as I got there, undetected, I was arrested by a nice lady who spotted that I was not on a lead which is a requirement in the gardens because of the chickens. She recognized me and was bringing me back to my long kennel as my family came looking for me. Just my luck, my bearded one was quite cross with me.
My photo today is my long haired one having her coffee and me thinking about hamburgers.
Love Douglas
Douglas, first of all, we are very concerned that your bearded and long haired one are now so familiar with the staff of the Black Lion – this is the first stage of going native. Keep an eye on it. If you have not departed by Tuesday, let us know and we’ll hatch a plan to rescue you.
Secondly, despite your senior years, we have to say that your MO for gaining human food is all wrong and your risk / reward ratio is out of balance. Staying firm under the table is the far better option. Whilst the frequency of food falling to the floor is less, the risk of getting hit by a train is zero. We vote stay under the table every time x
Bumble and Trooper have nailed it. They think they are camouflaged but they forget that the floor is my colour.
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Ahh they are from the Labrador tribe you know.
Dougie Doggie xx
Yes it was a bit scary crossing that railway line and to no avail. Do you know those noisy things they call trains? They make such a lot of noise and puff a lot of steam smoke and everything. They run on lines they call rails and pull boxes full of humans, most odd. I don’t think I will try crossing railway lines again but I do like hamburgers and sausages. Love Douglas.
Hi Douglas –
So sorry to hear your little plan was foiled. Better luck next time. Mind you, it does sound as if your bearded one ought to stop sampling the food – and drink – at the Black Lion and get moving again.
Lovely sun here too – Fox came looking for food last night but there was only some bread for him as mummy and daddy and some actors who had supper with them had eaten everything up, greedy so-and-so’s. I gave him your love, anyway.
Love and scratches
Millie
Hi Millie I remember foxy very well in fact I dream about him and I am going to get him one day. Do you remember the day I chased him over the 8 ft wall and couldnt get back? I was young then, I don’t think I could do that again. I am having a lovely time but few squirrels and no foxes at the moment just ducks they are not much fun, they just jump in the air and stay there, very annoying.
Love Douglas
My body is a temple. I do not scavenge! I only carry shoes
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Yes I know your body, you are from the Labrador tribe I was pleased to note when we met a couple of weeks ago the temple is a bit bigger than it was. Love Douglas xx
Hi there ‘bruv’ – Don’t they remember your pedigree – father a capable ‘stand on my own paws’ campo dog and mother a much-travelled swiss mountain adventurer and they treat you like a tame household pet – good for you plotting on the hamburgers – that’s the spirit – pity you failed – watch out for the trains though and sorry to hear that you are relegated to under table starvation again – we will make up for it next time you come – as you know the routine is very different here and there are always after dinner table treats – we are used to being fed with a fork when guests are here and do it very politely………….
here’s a reminder of how it used to be – watch out for your name – https://youtu.be/KiupuXv7P5k
Hey Bruv here, it is lovely to see the film again I do love these family movies. If any of my followers have not seen it please do have a look it is really interesting. I think I do rather take after my father more than my mother. I am certainly the most handsome don’t you think? Love Douglas
So gorgeous seeing Dougie as a pup. X
What do you think of this, Douglas? The blinking guinea pig gets to be on the actual table! Not on!
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OMG if they put a squirrel on the table wow you are lucky did it taste nice? Love Douglas