About Me

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Hi! I'm Eunice and I live in Bolton, Lancashire, with my two dogs Sophie and Sugar and an assortment of cats - well it used to be Sophie and Sugar, now it's Sophie and Poppie. I first began camping back in 1997 when my then partner took me to Anglesey for my birthday weekend. We slept in the back of the car - a hatchback - using the cushions off the settee at home as a mattress, and cooked and brewed up on a single burner camping stove. The site was good, the views were great, the weather fantastic and I was completely hooked. Following that weekend we got a two-man tent and some proper accessories and returned to Anglesey two weeks later, then over time we progressed to a three-man tent followed by an old trailer tent, then a new trailer tent, a campervan and finally a caravan. When my partner decided that the grass was greener on the other side of the street - literally - in April 2009 and I suddenly found myself alone after fifteen years, I decided there was no way I was going to give up camping and caravanning if I could cope on my own. This blog is the story of my travels, trials and tribulations since becoming a solo camper - I hope you like it

Wednesday November 5th 2014 - A new little camping friend

For several weeks now I've been tentatively exploring the possibility of getting another little dog and my thoughts have veered wildly between ''No, two's enough'' and ''Yes if the right one comes along''. The reason for my thoughts is Sugar. Since the beginning of the year she has slowed down considerably with age and as she turned 16 in July I can't expect her to live for ever. Although she still likes going for walks it now takes more time and the slowing down has been accompanied by a gradual reluctance to play, which for some reason has been more evident since coming back from California in September. Sophie however is still very much a live wire and while off the lead on walks she loves to run round and explore, which she is increasingly doing on her own.

 With this in mind, and as I don't want Sophie to end up as an 'only dog' when anything happens to Sugar, I've spent the last few weeks checking out rescue centres and the internet for another little friend. After finding a couple of 'possibles' and a few 'maybes' I came across Poppie, who seemed to satisfy most of my personal criteria, so last Thursday I drove all the way over to Grimsby on the east coast to see her. She's six years old and wasn't quite what I expected, having a very short docked tail which is no more than a bob and slightly longer legs than Sophie and Sugar, but she was a sweet little thing so within half an hour she was in the van and on the way home with me.

 For the first few days she seemed very timid and shy but that's only to be expected when everything is so new  for her, however she's getting on fine with Sophie and Sugar and is eager to go out for walks. This morning when I got back from work she actually came to greet me so she's gradually coming out of her shell; I think she has the makings of a great little friend for both me and the other two, and I'm now looking forward to eventually taking her on her first camp.




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6 comments:

  1. klahanie5 November 2014 at 00:37

    Hi Eunice,

    I understand what you're saying in regards to Sugar. Penny is getting on herself and I know my son would like to have another dog to keep her company until that sad day. Some might say the more dogs, the merrier.

    Penny sends her pawsitive wishes :)

    Take very good care and apologies for my lack of interaction over the last three months.

    Gary

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  2. Tigermouse5 November 2014 at 09:54

    No apologies needed Gary, I know how difficult things have been for you over the last few months.

    I'm glad you and Penny approve of Poppie, I think she'll turn out to be a great little friend once she gets used to her new way of life.

    Given the fact that you now don't have a garden and you and your son have to share Penny I don't know how feasible it would be for you to have another one, but if there's any possibility then it's worth considering. A companion could be all that Penny needs to stop her from crying if she's left for a while.

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  3. Unknown6 November 2014 at 08:21

    Oh my goodness, she is gorgeous!!! She doesn't look 6 years old at all, more like a little Poppie-puppy. Glad to hear she's already coming out of her shell. What a wonderful little canine companion.

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  4. Tigermouse6 November 2014 at 09:27

    I agree, she certainly doesn't look 6 years old. That's what I was told by her previous owners but as she's had more than one owner it could be a rough estimate. Saying that though, Sophie has just turned 7 and she still looks and acts like a young pup so it could be that Poppie is of a similar age.

    Last evening when I got in from work she greeted me big style, jumping up into my arms and giving me kisses, so she's definitely losing her shyness :)

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  5. Kernow Camper17 November 2014 at 09:03

    Poppie is gorgeous Eunice. Wish we were 'brave' enough to get another dog, just don't feel ready yet. Never say never eh? Hope Poppie settles in with Sophie & Sugar. xxx

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  6. Tigermouse17 November 2014 at 13:29

    She's settled in with the other two really well Sharon and has completely lost her shyness with me now, so I think she's finally accepted us as her new family. Obviously I don't know her history but wherever she came from originally someone has taken the trouble to train her as she knows several commands and will often do things without being told. She's also very mischievous and will jump up on my bed or computer chair as soon as my back's turned, even though she knows she's not allowed - and sometimes I find it hard to tell her off as she's very good at giving me that 'cute' look :)

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