It’s a dog’s life
The house belongs to three dogs, Violet and Buddy, both Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and Harvey the Golden Retriever. Inevitably, most of the photos I take with my phone include one or more of this trio. Harvey doesn’t yet come with me when I set off with my camera, but that may change as he gets older and slows down a bit. We do, however, head out together every day, so a lot of my photos of the local area just happen to star the big lad.
Violet, Harvey's big sis and the big boss.
Buddy, Harvey's 'big' brother and BFF. This little terror responds to many names ranging from 'Puppa', 'Little Dude' and 'Short stuff' to 'You little ****bag'.
Violet taking charge, as always.
Harvey at about 9 weeks. Little did we know then that chewing on a stray leaf would turn into full landscape remodelling!
Bud wasn't too sure of the big lad when he first came home, but now they are best mates.
Harvey loves snow.
There's often nowhere for the humans to sit, but Harv is a lot bigger these days so there isn't room for all three of them on the same sofa anymore.
He does make a good pillow.
Pre-work walks in the winter because it's dark before I finish.
This chair was supposed to be for us. I don't think we've ever sat in it because this happened the moment I finished assembling it.
More hogging of the big sofa.
The boy loves to be in the water.
Sticks are a favourite, although if we're actually walking he insists that I hold on to one end.
Post plodge stick.
This happens a lot. He's less keen on the drying and brushing when we get home.
He's a curious boy too.
He's always got some part of the garden in his mouth. We should've called him Alan.
He did eventually get the hang of the frisbee!
Harv watching Crufts. Not sure if Puppa isn't a little jealous.
Vi is the queen of comfort.
Staking his claim to the patio furniture.
Wondering why I won't let him jump into this inviting mini-reservoir above Middlehope Burn, north of Westgate.
Harvey surveying his domain during a sunset walk at the end of a very warm day.
When they're not playing manic games of bitey face, Bud and Harv often curl up together. We treasure these rare moments of peace.
Drying and brushing him after a walk often takes as long as the walk itself, especially when he finds a filthy sike like this one.
The Golden Boy in the Golden Hour.
Buddy having a plodge in Derwent Water in the Lake District. Harv's antics in water have given this little fella more confidence to try getting his feet wet.
A trip to the Wear at Eastgate with the whole gang on a cloudy and cold November morning. One of Harv's favourite places.
A slightly out of focus Violet exploring the 'beach' down by the river Wear at Eastgate. None of the Puppa on this trip because he couldn't resist walking straight up to the lens every time I pointed the camera at him.
Little 'un pulling a pose.
Short stuff trying and failing to stay awake on the doggy sofa. Yes, we have a doggy sofa.
I was enjoying the mist and low sunshine on this winter morning walk, but all Harv wanted to know was where all the snow that he loves so much had gone.
The Big Lad on probably his favourite walk that doesn't involve a car ride - along Stanhope Burn.
This is Maple, the tiny terror who came to stay with us for a couple weeks while her family were away on their hols.
This is Millie who's just a few months older than Harv and joined our little tribe in 2024. Like all Cavaliers she loves her food, but she's obsessed with walking on the fell; every time I approach the backdoor she's raring to go!
In memory of our beautiful Violet who closed her eyes for the last time in July 2024.
