Who's the boss then? Me or Ellie? ME!

Hello! It's sooo nice to be back! Ridiculous to say this really, I only missed one post, my Wednesday post, but when I don't do a blog post, I really miss dropping by. I really and truly do. And my excuse? Well, tiredness, plain and simple. And not feeling 100%. These days do happen to all of us don't they, and it was just one of those days, nothing to worry about.

Anyway, I'm bouncing back like a little 5 foot 2 kangaroo (I am five foot two, so I am little).

I've been painting today, rather than papier macheing, after a fun visit to the florist. (My idea of fun, visiting the florist). And actually, my local florist, Julie, is one of those people that's a joy to be around, she's always cheery, chatty and delighted to see people. So not only do I get a lovely cheersome chat, I always come out of there that little bit uplifted from being around the flowers, and buying some too, (my second favourite pursuit, after buying yarn).

When it came round to the time to take the doggies for their afternoon walk, they were still cosied up. Ellie pretended not to hear the word most dogs love to hear. "Walkies!" Douglas looked at me as though to say "ahem, I am, as you can see, stuck. Positively wedged in by her royal highness, Queen Ellie. Couldn't move, even if I wanted to."

Ellie reminds me of an uncommunicative teenager. "WOT! Naaahhhh. Boriiing." That's what Ellie is saying.

It was two against one, and they won. Well, they think they won, there will have to be a walk later on. It is ridiculous isn't it? Whoever heard of a dog not wanting a walk, most dogs don't get enough walks. I think it's dachshunds, they must be lazy as a breed. I know Penny from blog Planet Penny has similar walkies trials with Higgins (who is SPLENDID, and adorable, and very, very handsome).

These pictures of Ellie and Douglas, squeezed into one bed in my studio, are very unusual, and to us as dog owners, a bit like gold dust. It must be what parents feel like when they see their children playing together nicely, or watching them as they sleep, cuddled together on the sofa, it's melt the heart stuff.

You see Ellie has boundaries (that's Ellie on the right), that's why these photos are so unusual. She's very vocal, and will tell us in no uncertain terms when she doesn't want to do something, which is most of the time. Of course, if food is involved, it's a different matter, she becomes quite nicely spoken. People often think we neglect Ellie in favour of the placid Douglas, but it's so much less of a battle to give Douglas affection, and our noses stay intact when we're cuddling Douglas. Ellie will stand in a deserted street and bark her head off. She'll bark at someone she wants to be friendly to (she'll be wagging her tail at the same time). She's complicated.

Dog trainers would say we need to be more firm with Ellie, and I try, but she puts up an almighty fight!

Though after all is said and done, we love Ellie a lot. She's our dear little crocodile.

Here are a few photos of Ellie, on one of the last days we could sit on the promenade and have a coffee.

And one of the last days children could comfortably play on the beach.

One of the last days we could eat ice cream without feeling completely perverse and English eccentric for eating ice cream on a freezing cold day type thing.

Ellie you're so cute! I could just risk my nose for a little cuddle with you.

Just incase you're wondering, aggressive behavior from Ellie is told off, but the telling off ruins the intended cuddle, so cuddles are then abandoned.

"What! ME! AGGRESSIVE?! That's OUTRAGEOUS, a PREPOSTOROUS accusation!"

"It's all POPPYCOCK, I am now HIGHLY offended."

We'll be seeing my sister at Christmas, and she'll make lots of fuss of Ellie, as the poor neglected doggy she obviously is. I just hope Ellie remembers her manners.

Well, dear readers, I'm going to put another log on the fire, and get on with a bit of the papier macheing. Hugo's making fish cakes and homemade coleslaw for supper, should be yummy. Have a good weekend, hope it doesn't whizz by too fast! Love Vanessa xxx

 

Comments

[Veronika]

Oh, I want an 'Ellie Dog'! :) She's way too cute!
Have fun papier macheing!
have you started on the coat yet?? :)

[Liz W in Missouri, USA]

Well - I would say that Miss Ellie simply has her standards and that, as they say, is THAT. As crocodiles go, I think she's just top notch. Miss Lucy thinks she would make a fine friend!

[Heather]

Oh Ellie, you do sound a complicated little soul. Cute as cute can be though.

Hx

[June]

I just adore dacshunds. Ours is a spoilt boy. He is very affectionate and lets our cats sleep in his bed! I love your red and white spotted dog bed. Ours has to have plastic otherwise he chews them in the night. Once spoilt him with a suede bed which lasted a few months before having to be thrown out as it had been mauled to bits!
June.

[Planet Penny]

Ellie and Douglas are so adorable in their spotty bed! For little dogs, dachshunds have huge personalities don't they? And are determined to be in charge. The only one Higgins can't boss about is Henry the cat who controls the situation with a pawful of claws in the bum when Higgins goes too far!
Hope you are not too inconvenienced by snow where you are, it's so beautiful but causes so many problems.
love Penny and Higgins xxx

[Siobhan]

She's such a little sweetie though isn't she? - I'm sure you forgive her for any erstwhile behaviour. All animals are totally different even if they may look similar, that's one of their joys. One of my cats is just so cute you really want to pick her up all the time but she just does not like that AT ALL - yet she comes to be stroked and fussed over and will sit on your lap and purr. My other cat is as cuddly as can be on some days but on others not. I love them both dearly. Having animals is about accepting all their funny, quirky and yes sometimes naughty little ways. Little Ellie is perfect at being her own funny sweet little self. I don't treat my cats the same - they wouldn't like it but I do love them equally. Little Ellie looks mighty happy snuggled up having her cuddle.

[maggie]

Well, I will forgive you this time Miss Vanessa, for making Miss Ellie the star of the show. You know my heart belongs to Douglas..... But they look so cute together don't they?
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and looking forward to more of your blogposts in 2011.

[andrea]

i've been enjoying your dachshund posts-we have a mini long haired doxie :)

[Jessie]

Lovely pics Vanessa :) Now you menion papier mache...it gives me an idea! All I need now is another week to do all I need to do before christmas. Why do I find so many essential jobs that need doing immediately at this time of year?! ;) xx

[Gill]

Hi Vanessa
Any snow up your way??? We've got a couple of inches but more to come I think!
Great pictures of Ellie and Douglas curled up together in the spotty bed
I'm really enjoying seeing your adventures in papier mache
Love Gill x

[Janice Perkin]

love them all snuggled up but sad no pictures of the flowers you bought - flowers like yarn always do lift the spirit

[Teje]

Hi Vanessa, Ellie and Douglas are so beautiful! I agree that it's always so wonderful to see our dogs like that, sleeping and relaxing together! Thank you for all these lovely photos!
We wish you and your family Joyful Christmas time!
Teje and Nero

[Alice and Raymond!!!]

"Our dear little crocodile" is a very telling quote!!!!!
She is so deliciously cute, but wow, sounds a bit scary too!
Glad to hear you are feeling better and looking forward to seeing your next round of papier mache! Keep your lovely self warm and have a relaxing weekend!
XXX

[June]

Hi there,
Yes, Charlie is a standard wire-haired dachshund. A true gentleman of the doggie world. No malice in him at all. They are big personalities on little legs aren't they?
Best wishes on a freezing day!
June.

[Helen]

Those two little dogs look soooo sweet cuddled up together! It's so cold - now is the time to stay in and make things! I hope you're enjoying your papier mache. Keep warm. Helen x

[Hahnsmum]

YOUR Dogs are trully sweet & are cute..But as l love all dogs l`m a pushover for cute cuddley photos.. Best Wishes for Christmas..Stay warm & safe.. Regards, Pam Clarke.
New England, NSW, OZ

[mlleparadis]

oh you have one of those "love divas" too?

[Josie]

Your pups are adorable and I can completely relate as we have 3 of our own, including one that could have a barking match with your Ellie. LOL post! Have a lovely holiday with your 4-legged family :-)

[MiA]

Hi Vanessa!
Stopping by to wish you a very merry xmas!!
Hugs from Sweden

[katy alston]

Hi Vanessa (first time I've done this!)
Lovely lovely dacksies - I'm a whippet girl myself but can admire your pooches.
Fantastic papier-mach'eing!Love the girl and pig!
Katy

[andrea]

so cute!
i don't know.my doxie wants to walk so bad i can usually not even get the leash on her fast enough-unless it's snowing or raining-then forget it :)

[Val]

Hi Vanessa, I love reading your blog - I am inspired each time I do. My little dog Bella is cute too, they really are very characterful aren't they? I want to say a little Thank You for the pleasure of reading your posts by awarding you with The Stylish Blogger Award, if you pop over to my blog you can take the button for the Award and add it to your own. While you are there please take a peek at my Give Away for the 31st January. I hope you have time to participate and to enjoy your Award :0)
May you have a wonderful creative New Year!
Val xx

[Dees]

Ohhh another thing I LOVE!Dachsens!I have an almost 13 year old dachsen lady called Brechtje:)we just adopted a galgo from Spain.His name is Felix.Dachsens,esspecially the wiredhaired have a special place in my heart.Brechtje was born out of wiredhaired parents but never got the wirehairs...she is kind of smooth.But you can tell by her built she is a wirehaired dachsen.xoxo