Willow - taken by a friend on an escape-the-work visit to the coast.
Ahh – Willow. Willow-willow-willow!
Recently several of you have asked about Willow and how she is. Is she still as gorgeous? Is she still as wonderful?
Well, yes actually, she is and we are still quite smitten!
As you’ve probably gathered, even if you’re fairly new to my blog, I have a large rambling family and have looked after animals – humans (of all ages), livestock and other sundry organic life forms – for many, many years. There’s not an inkling of a doubt that I’m extraordinarily passionate about their mental and physical welfare but I’m not given to sentimentality or anthropomorphism.
My dogs, whether working or not, have always been brought up with clear, defined boundaries. They are treated fairly but firmly and they’ve thrived. Then came Willow.
I believed the ‘ahhh’ factor would diminish as she got older; the cuddle factor would wane as she became more robust; and the indulgence shown to her would decrease in proportion to the number of socks and loo-rolls she ruined. But no, her charm still has us in its thrall.
Maybe it was my age? The lack of small needy creatures? Age possibly, needy creature…nah. But then I realised that Olly was just as bad. So I ruled out age too. And my stiff-upper-lip-don’t-smile-we’re-english husband is similarly affected; I’ve become used to hearing him muttering sweet nothings to her as they lounge on the sofa together.
My other dogs? Jealous? No. Tolerant to the point of stupidity ‘Tick her off’ I admonish ‘if you’ve had enough tell her. Let her know!’ But they give me woefully long-suffering looks and let her continue to harass them.
Strangers pass her by without a glance until something compels them to look and then they’re captivated ‘But she’s sooo sweeet’ they coo ‘What is she?’
‘Oh, a lucher, just a lurcher.’ I say as I watch them melt.
‘Is she? Really? But she’s…oh, just…’ and they trail off with more cochie-couchie-cooing.
‘Yes, a lappet (lap-whippet), a pocket lurcher…’ I reply, tongue in cheek (you see she’s forgotten to grow).
‘Of course’ they murmur without looking up ‘Of course’.
It’s quite hopeless really. Robert’s naturally researched the condition and has reached the conclusion that she oozes oxytocins– the cuddle factor (it just can’t be us – going soft in the head).
Willow is very okay!
Willow
Locks Park Farm 
24 comments
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August 4, 2009 at 9:32 am
Ryan
She is beautiful!
I too have a little minx like Willow, a Border Terrier called Maggie, who is equally as lovable as she is cheeky. She constantly harasses my Golden Retriever ‘Millie’, has been known to eat shoes as well as plants, and is spoiled in comparison to Millie as she often has cuddles on the sofa.
Keep us updated on Willow!
Ryan
August 7, 2009 at 8:21 am
paula
Thanks Ryan for taking the time to comment – much appreciated!
Do you think this ‘spoilingness’ could be on account of size? Though terriers are BIG dogs in little bodies…?
August 4, 2009 at 11:03 am
elizabethm
Funny, I was thinking when I visited that it would be interesting to see how the dynamic developed between your older dogs, who seemed to me to be lovely but very clearly “farm” dogs, and Willow, who seemed much more a companion dog. Interesting that they are resigned!
She is very beautiful, no doubt about it. How big is she going to get do you think?
August 7, 2009 at 8:51 am
paula
The dynamics are interesting.
I always have my puppies inside for the first 12/18 months and more often than not it’s their decision to join the ‘big’ dogs outside. Willow’s no exception (she’s 5 months) but she hasn’t the waterproof coat/tougher skin of the others and isn’t equipped to cope with our recent continuous rain (looking better this week though). This has resulted in some pathetic looks from the other dogs telling me that they’re totally unresilient to the weather too!
I was expecting Willow to be about 23-24 inches to the shoulder….fat chance!
August 4, 2009 at 1:10 pm
bringmesunshine
It’s her eyes, they’re like bottomless pools. And that’s just seeing them in a photo!
August 7, 2009 at 8:52 am
paula
…and she oh-so-knows how to use them!
August 4, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Lindsay
I have been wondering how Willow had been getting on – she is adorable!
August 7, 2009 at 8:54 am
paula
Any softening on the part of your other…?
August 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm
heidi
Willow!
She is gorgeous, right down to the white tip on her whip tail!
So much charm in one pooch cannot be denied, she is a star and that’s that!
After spending a long weekend on our friends farm, with their 3 border collies, one Australian cattle Dog named Samwise, and my favorite of the pack, Wally , the pitbull terrier mix who I adore and would steal away in a minute if I could.. Iam realising how much I miss having a dog, or dogs.
One day, the right one will show up.
-I had to laugh about the loo rolls, we have a special wooden “cupboard” with a door to keep the cats from disembowling ours..Dan had enough when the Twins destroyed three rolls in one day.
August 7, 2009 at 9:01 am
paula
I think a cupboard is in the making…for us and the entire contents of the house to live in! No, only joking, she’s actually quite restrained (other than loo rolls, soft toys, socks, and, and, and!).
You’re right of course the right time and animal will turn up…
You remember my beanbag? The one you said your cats would highjack? Yes, you’ve got it…Willow’s favourite place!
August 5, 2009 at 1:18 am
Noturus
My goodness – Willow is beautiful indeed. I can see why you are so smitten.
August 7, 2009 at 9:05 am
paula
Good to see a new face – thanks for the visit and comment Noturus.
So you’re another under the thrall of their dogs…hopeless isn’t it???
August 5, 2009 at 8:04 am
Mopsa
If it wasn’t for that white tail tip and black snout she’d disappear in that mass of sand and stone…is she a chameleon too?
August 7, 2009 at 9:06 am
paula
But of course – she’s anything…everything! Oh sucks!
August 5, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Sian
Ahhhhhhhh……… ooooooohhhhhhhhh……… sigh……… and I’m a “cat” person! LOL! Thanks for the update. She is one beautiful dog, and so photogenic too.
August 7, 2009 at 9:09 am
paula
…wait till you’re exposed to the full force of the cuddle-factor – not a chance then!
August 6, 2009 at 10:20 am
Michelle in NZ
Willow looks so adorable – and I’m another cat person. My ol’ Zebbycat exudes some much cuddle factor he all his vet centre staff loving him. Or maybe it is because he is daft enough to keep purring at them as they insert IV needles,lol.
Willow is clearly a sweetie -maybe she is part cat?
care to you, Michelle and Zebbycat in Wellington
August 7, 2009 at 9:13 am
paula
I think there is a wee bit of the cat in her – she uses her paws to play and catch. Much more cat-like than dog.
August 7, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Fiona P
Oh yes,she is adorable!!
August 10, 2009 at 12:03 pm
paula
Oh yes isn’t she!
August 8, 2009 at 1:20 pm
mary
She certainly is a lovely dog and I should think unique. I have never seen another like her. Is she fully grown now Paula and what sort of height is she when standing on her elegantly l o n g legs? It is hard to judge from the photos.
Where is her blue collar that matched her eyes?
August 10, 2009 at 12:29 pm
paula
Blue collar disappeared with blue eyes…they’re champagne now! Waiting to get her a proper soft greyhound collar, maybe when she’s finished growing????
She’s around191/2 inches to the shoulder – I was expecting around 23/24 inch hight! She may grow; she’s only 51/2 months old – still time-ish, but I don’t think she’s going to be an awful lot bigger. Maybe I’m wrong.
Seeing her run is pure poetry…she’s born to it!
August 10, 2009 at 6:49 am
Lindsay
Paula – I am afraid no softening from Husband regards a four legged friend.
August 10, 2009 at 12:31 pm
paula
Oh Lindsay – shame on him!