Here she is!
Willow's first day at Locks Park Farm
Robert has asked me to formally introduce you to Willow Lark Thylacine…‘Umm? What?’ I can here you thinking. Let me explain.
We were being indecisive between the choice of Willow and Lark (elegant, graceful, dainty. swift, fluid, alive). As the suitability of each was being tossed backward and forward between the family, Robert, in a world of his own, was staring at her quizzically. “I’ve got it.” He suddenly exclaimed “I know exactly. She reminds me of a Thylacine.” (You, of course, are totally familiar with the extinct Tasmanian Tiger? In fact, I’m sure it’s just what you were thinking too…) “Thylacine. That’s what we should call her, Thylacine!” He rushed off to get his mammal book for those who were looking more than a little perplexed.
taking it all in
In the meantime ‘puppy’ was getting a little fed up with what she thought was a quite obvious choice, and decided to make it abundantly clear to us the next time ‘her’ name was called. So with instant recognition, a bound onto my lap and a million little licks, she was, she informed us …Willow!
Robert, a little put out that we hadn’t rapturously agreed on his choice, thought, in those obviously formal situations (?), she should be known by her full name of Willow Lark Thylacine…
a wee bit sleepy - but I shan't give in...
She’s a delight. She’s bright, alert and quite enchanting. A definite people person she has won over the hearts of the whole family. Not a collie though, not a collie at all. Instead of finding the draftiest, most inhospitable spot in which to fall asleep, she actively searches for downy comfy-warm softness (fleecy snug-basket in front of aga)! Bright as a new penny, she’s already sussed out the characters of Skye and Ness, who, surprisingly, are not as put out as I thought they might be. She asks to go out for a wee or poo and has good recall of the house and immediate surrounds, knowing how to get both out and in – a cat flap for her present size would be perfect.
I will keep you fully informed of her progress!
29 comments
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April 13, 2009 at 11:14 am
Mopsa
Oh, oh, oh…ADORABLE! Gimme, gimme, gimme!
April 14, 2009 at 10:04 pm
paula
come and have a cuddle when you’re through with the lambing lark!
April 13, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Sian
OOooh I so want her too! She’s adorable! I like the name Willow. A farm cat who adopted me for a while chose to be known as Willow – largely because he slept among them! LOL! Willow is definitely a name you can yell across a windswept field, or shout sternly when needed. Thylacine is a lovely name too, just probably not suited to aforementioned circumstances – I invisage a lot of spitting as you say it with vigour! However to have it part of one’s formal name is entirely fitting I feel.
April 14, 2009 at 10:07 pm
paula
Piranha is the newest name – confidence brimming, teeth sharp agony! She’s such a character and so game!
April 13, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Lindsay
How utterly adorable and a wonderful name! Please send a brother of Willow’s directly in the post to me. Am still pining for Rescue Dog – Husband being “difficult” about a replacement.
April 14, 2009 at 10:11 pm
paula
Husband must be manipulated.
Her brother’s were quite glorious too. Amazing colours. Will see if I can pop a spare over to you post haste. Can’t have continued sadness and grieving for Rescue Dog
April 13, 2009 at 6:19 pm
bringmesunshine
Oh, but she is beautiful. Such eyes: you could be lost in them for an eternity.
April 14, 2009 at 10:15 pm
paula
Hi there, I’ve seen you over at Jo’s . I love your pigs! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Her eyes are quite something aren’t they – I hope they stay as remarkable..
April 13, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Jane
She is a honey. Willow really suits her… it’s perfect. I can’t wait to read about her antics in the coming months. Welcome to Locks Park Farm little Willow!
April 14, 2009 at 10:18 pm
paula
I think it does – well she certainly thinks it’s right! Antics are in full flow now and today she fell over in the river – didn’t phase her though!
April 14, 2009 at 4:17 pm
mary
What a delightful little pup and such lovely blue eyes. How unusual. She has a very wise look. Well named Willow.
April 14, 2009 at 10:20 pm
paula
She is Mary. And how is Lily? I hope she’s going from strength to strength.
April 14, 2009 at 11:15 pm
colouritgreen
how lovely
April 17, 2009 at 8:57 am
paula
…and using her considerable ‘tiny’ appeal to manipulate us all!
April 15, 2009 at 3:40 pm
heidi
So damn sweet! I love her coloring..Willow is a perfect name for her, although with the needle sharp puppy teeth I think Robert’s choice might be apt..even if I can’t imagine yelling it across a field..:)
Oh sigh..I want a puppy now…
April 17, 2009 at 9:01 am
paula
And how you understand Heidi! She’s developing alarming similarities to ‘Alien’ at the moment – with an ultra switched on brain!
Go on – get one…
April 15, 2009 at 7:50 pm
elizabethm
Isn’t she beautiful? We have my son’s dog here for the week and she is making me feel like having a dog again. My lovely husband is also being unconvinced in a pretty major way. sigh.
April 17, 2009 at 9:03 am
paula
A perfect companion for taking on your long walks…though maybe not so good for new found freedom!
April 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Catherine Sherman
So many wonderful things happening in your life! Congratulations on your new granddaughter, so beautiful.
Your new dog is so pretty. The eyes and fur are so lovely. I enjoyed reading about your trip to France, too. Sorry you brought back a cold with you….Customs should have confiscated it!
I love the violets in your banner. I’ve been out stalking violets with my camera this past week. Finally, spring is here.
April 17, 2009 at 9:13 am
paula
Yes all rather fecund and bursting with new spring life around here! Now why don’t those pesky customs realise what’s really not good to import?
I’m glad you like the violets – there is a wonderful show of them this year. In fact since I took that photo they’ve multiplied by their glorious thousands so I may have to take some more photos.
April 16, 2009 at 2:28 pm
LittleFfarm Dairy
What a wondeful puppy! Lucky you, several new arrivals all in the space of a few days…..it does much to make up for the dark days of earlier in the year, I’m sure. Willow is a very apt name for such a graceful little girl, especially with her eyes the colour of a sunny stream by the river bank where the willow branches bend to the water. i must admit I wasn’t too sure about Thylacine – a little too reminiscent of a sort of ‘roll-yer-sleeves-up’ veterinary medicine!
May she bring you much joy.
April 17, 2009 at 9:19 am
paula
I hope her blue eyes stay, but I think they most probably won’t. What a lovely picture you painted of the stream, willows…beautiful!
Now her confidence is brimming over Thylacine/Piranha could seem a little more apt!
April 17, 2009 at 7:33 am
Lindsay
I dragged Husband to computer to show him the delightful pictures of Willow and your comment hoping to melt his heart. No luck as yet! Hope Willow is settling in well.
April 17, 2009 at 9:29 am
paula
What are we going to do with him! Heart not melted by the appealingness of those eyes? Maybe just surprise him with a ‘Spring is Here’ present?
She is settling in very well. Amazingly bright and switched on she’s worked out my office is upstairs – and in fact there’s a whole new world to explore (not sure how good that is for me though). Very much a people person, and full of confidence, though she is cautious when she needs to be. I’m always worried about the yards, tractors, large animals etc. but she seems quite sensible – at the moment. I carry her in a rucksack so she becomes familiar with things but stays safe. I’ve always done this with tiny puppies and it seems to work quite well.
Needless to say she has the whole family under her spell!
April 17, 2009 at 4:18 pm
alison
Her eyes! in that marvelously expressive face! What a little beauty, and your photography really brings it out . I have always loved the brindle coloring, and that pale cream and blue is just gorgeous. She looks like a lovely little imp, and I’m sure she will bring you much joy! I look forward to hearing of her adventures and seeing pictures as she grows up…
May 16, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Cman
Cute, but not a Thylacine or even close in looks.
May 17, 2009 at 10:16 pm
paula
No, most probably not…though those teeth – getting closer!
And thanks for the comment Cman.
May 29, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Niki
I was actually doing a search for Thylacines when I came acrossed this picture of Willow… I do see the resemblance.
And Willow is a beautiful name for this beautiful little puppy! Can I ask what breed she is?
June 3, 2009 at 10:36 pm
paula
Niki – sorry I’ve taken time to reply, my family arrived from New Zealand and I’ve been overwhelmed!!! She’s a lurcher pup, with the nickname of Willowcine! She has deerhound, whippet/greyhound, bedlington, saluki and of course collie in her. She’s quite special (to us!).