48: Anniversary

This month (January) marks my first year in Leeds.  The beans with which (whom?) I live now stole me from my previous home (kennels) just one year ago.

It was quite a shock I assure you.

Not only did I end up in a strange home with stairs and other frightening fitments, I entered a whole community of beans who wanted to stroke me, pet me and talk to me.

It was overwhelming.

I have since learned that they mean well - but  I’m not that kind of girl.  I don’t give myself to all and sundry; I enjoy a degree of privacy and like to maintain my dignity at all times. (I have come to know that this makes me the Megan Hornby of the canine world).

I know some regard my  demeanour  as aloofness (and I also realise that my regular expression of relative indifference can be taken for disdain) but I think I have finally educated the residents of Earlswood Avenue to maintain their distance and respect my personal space.

Of course, I have had to let my own beans get somewhat closer.  We dogs soon learn that this is the price we pay for our food and board.

The guy who lives next door (let’s  call him James, because that is, I believe, his name) and I have a’special relationship’ - I wait patiently on his driveway (looking as if I want to be there in the cold) and he comes out and gives me some sort of doggy treat (usually some high quality treat as well … better than some of the cheap rubbish I get at home).  The problem with James is that he is unreliable … the above interplay occurs only about 3 times per week.  Sometimes, i stand on his drive for many minutes but he doesn’t make an appearance.

However, all in all, it has not been a bad year. My beans rarely go out. I have lots of admirers.  I am well looked after.

I think this is an anniversary I can genuinely celebrate.