Hamish and Poppy

Well as many of you would know, these are my two dogs Hamish and Poppy.  Hamish on the left is the elder statesman of the two and will turn 9 in September.  Poppy is just a youngster at 2 and a bit.  She has pretty much given up her puppy ways now although will occasionally still help me dig holes in the garden.  They are both Golden Retrievers but come from different lines.  My first Goldie, Sam came from the same line as Poppy.  Poppy came along after we lost Hannah, another Goldie and Sam and Hannah are often in my thoughts.

Hamish is a bit standoffish but has a very soft spot for elderly gentlemen, particularly those that might have a treat for him.  He gets carsick and the minute the car starts moving he starts panting which makes long journeys interesting in the Chinese curse sort of way.  He is a therapy dog and visits a Nursing Home fortnightly and is much loved by most of the residents and staff.  There are a few that ask me to keep him away but the world is full of people of different views and we all have to get on don't we.

Poppy has also passed her assessment as a therapy dog but hasn't got her own facility to visit yet.  She is probably going to go to our main hospital here, The John Hunter, once I manage to go 4 days a week instead of full time.  It's on the cards really it is and soon I hope.

She has a really sweet nature but truth be told would rather be chasing seagulls or swallows than visiting a hospital.  She is built like a cheetah and  goes at a cracking pace when she is after something.  As you can see here, she is eyeing off a black shouldered kite that was hovering over the dunes.   Hamish runs like a big girl throwing his front legs.  Oh well, I suppose you can't have two athletes in the family.

They both tolerate a mad owner who makes them sit and pose and dress up at the drop of a hat.  The mad owner of course loves them to bits.  So here is my entry for Blipdogs 2018.  I have really enjoyed seeing our other blipdogs here and am looking forward to seeing many more to come.  Remember, you have until 25 April 2018 to get your blip in.