This page was last revised on 24th November 2004
Click on a photo (to follow) to see the bigger picture!
On 8th August 2004, I took up temporary residence at a four-star hotel called Silverbirch Kennels. My duty there was to help look after the humans who ran the place and, in due course, to run it for them. It was going to be some task, taking up to ten dogs and ten cats! Obviously, to begin with, I was the new boy learning the ropes but, after thirteen days, I had risen through the ranks to become Top Dog! Then just as I was knocking the place into shape, Ian and Julie turned up after 14 days and whisked me away! I ask you, all that hard work for nothing!
When they left me at Silverbirch on Day 1, Ian seemed really upset. I was desperately trying to run over and tell him I'd be OK but that, unfortunately, humans were not allowed to stay in the kennels: but someone had accidentally enclosed the Run infront of my unit, and I couldn't get out. Ian and Julie were off to France the next day, and I knew, as dogs do, that Ian especially was not looking forward to that. But as I watched them leave, I could only hope that my pets would be alright, and that they would not miss me too much. Just to be on the safe side though, I got on the Dog and Bone (that's phone in London-speak) and phoned an agency called InterDog. Unfortunately, the only dog available at Ian and Julie's first port of call - Euro Disney - a dog called Pluto, was already heavily booked, but at their second port of call, in Normandy, a Westie/long-legged Jack Russell (a Jackie?) called Toby was put on immediate standby to look after my pets for a week.
Click Here to read Ian's mind!
While in Normandy, Ian and Julie bought a Cricket. No they didn't purchase a large grasshopper, or even one of England's national sports (the one they're good at!). The Cricket originates from the D-Day invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944, and specifically from the American aspect of that Operation. Some argue that it was.the most famous device used by paratroopers on D-Day. The cricket allowed troopers scattered at night in enemy territory to identify friendly forces. When squeezed, it emits a 'click'. Crickets were purchased from local toy retailers in Britain, and distributed primarily to the members of the 101st Airborne (American forces) although some members of the 82nd were also issued with them.QUIZ: How much do you think an orginal Cricket is worth? Here's a clue: Julie uses a clicker (an almost identical device, including many of the same letters!) when I take her training, and that cost about £2.50 or $3..... for the answer, Click on this link: