May 2024 in Hampshire

2 weeks in England with 2 cute young Cocker spaniels

I love puppies and Eddy, 10 months old, was the most adorable one. A bundle of energy sometimes acting in a rather silly way. Ollie, 4 years old, was much calmer but a cute chap too.

I just noticed before leaving our sit in Hampshire Eddy was chewing up my passport, that he found in my suitcase while I was packing ! The police woman at the border asked me what had happened to the cover (severely biten), but let me leave England and jump on the Eurostar when I explained who was responsible. Another dog lover I guess...   

When you are living by the sea, what is more interesting than running to the water, paddling in the waves or taking a bath in muddy streams, especially on rainy days. Especially when you are free to run unleashed.

  

Other animals than dogs were a great fun too  ! Watching deers, cows and wild rabbits, approaching horses an ponies, ducks and swans in ponds... There were plenty of opportunities to enjoy !

             

Well trained by Peter & Kate, the dogs behaved well in pubs, scarcely begged, laying usually under the table. Sometimes the smell of mussels or chili con carne was a little too tempting and a head appeared !

     

 

 Eddy & Ollie followed us also while Vincent and I were doing tourism or shopping. We took them everywhere, even on buses. Other passengers were amazed how quiet they remained. Even when they faced another dog on board.

   

Ollie & Eddy loved very long walks, quite early in the morning and another long one in the  afternoon. From Havant to Emsworth it took us a good hour on foot. I was more tired than them on the return ! 

Once, surprised by the high tide, we were obliged to change plans  the  footpath was under water... a peasant gently opened a gate to help us cross his fields

We went to Hayling Island on foot too, very close to Peter and Kate's home : long and safe footpaths allowed the pets to run safely witout bikes

  

At home,the dogs were not as much excited as outside : there were no canine friends to play with ! In the garden, they enjoyed to run after balls but refused to give them back to me. More time was obviously needed to train them !

    

They looked rather surprised when we dared lock them behind the baby gate as they looked much too muddy sometimes to be allowed upstairs on the woolen beige carpets... 

 

Ollie loved to be brushed but Eddy much prefered to be cuddled. To thank me in return, he often licked my ears. How sweet !