It’s a Dog’s Life: Teddy Gets Soaked

Monday, 28 September 2020 11:19

By Helen Stockton

Autumn’s well and truly arrived, and Teddy, along with his interpreter, are steeling themselves for the rainy days to come

It’s been an interesting year for many significant reasons, but the weather has also played its part.

After a winter that had ‘Them Indoors’ planning an ark, we had a sunny spring and a summer that has, occasionally, forced a retreat to the shade for consumption of copious quantities of liquid refreshment and something from the barbeque – for ‘Them Indoors’ as well as me.

However, as a fellow dog walker remarked the other day when we sloshed passed them in rainy weather that was less ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’ and more ‘downpour and dreary dampness’, “That’ll be it until April then…” I do hope not.

It has to be said that I’m not a keen walker at the best of times. Other dogs may work themselves up to an excited frenzy at the sight of their lead, but I retreat miserably to my bed and have to be coaxed out with treats.

Why would I want to go out for a walk in dubious weather when I could be lounging in comfort on my own hearth? There are some dog owners who subscribe to the view that you shouldn’t walk your dog in inclement weather.

However, as I will only attend to one of the necessary businesses of walking when I’m not in my own garden, out I have to go in order to go, if you follow my meaning.

The Irish have the expression that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes, and that’s a view ‘Her Indoors’ tends to subscribe to. She has a proper weatherproof anorak with a zip-in fleecy lining and a hood, waterproof trousers, walking boots and a range of gloves.

Very attractive she looks too! Us dogs, however, are a bit more limited in our attire: it’s fur, long, short, or in between, depending where I am in the grooming cycle.

‘Her Indoors’ does occasionally add to my indignities with a coat to protect me from the worst of the rain so that I don’t have to spend hours confined to the kitchen drying off.

It previously belonged to my predecessor, the Boss, and it’s fluorescent. I look like I need the matching hard-hat and steel toecaps. I’ve tried passive resistance; it’s difficult to put a coat on a dog who refuses to get up, but ‘Her Indoors’ is remarkably persistent, positively terrier-like
in fact.

Still, I get my own back in the icy weather. We usually walk down small, country lanes that don’t get gritted, so they can be dicey if the temperature drops below freezing.

I have a significant advantage as I’ve got four-wheel drive and a low centre of gravity, but ‘Her Indoors’ is tall and totters around on two legs. In spite of her best efforts, she does occasionally slip, and I’ve noticed on those occasions, that it’s usually, in some bizarre way, my fault.

I just see it as payback time for forcing me out in the first place, whatever the weather!

More from Animals

It’s a Dog’s Life: Let it Snow... Somewhere Else

With the festive season fast approaching, Teddy ponders on the vagaries of the weather at Christmas, as explained by Helen Stockton, his human translator
It's a Dog's Life: Foods are Seasonal, Treats are Perennial

Despite enduring health and weight checks at the vets, Teddy still enjoys a treat when the opportunity arises, as his human interpreter, Helen Stockton explains
It's a Dog's Life: World Animal Day

As autumn approaches, Teddy ruminates on the changing season and his human translator, Helen Stockton, puts it into plain words
It's A Dog's Life: Never Assume...

Teddy reveals that dogs, much like their human companions, are individuals with different likes and dislikes, as explained by human interpreter Helen Stockton
Fostering Happiness at Raystede

Could fostering an animal with Raystede offer the joys of owning a pet without the financial and logistical commitment? Hanna Lindon investigates
It's a Dog's Life: Why So Much Sport?

This year’s summer of sport has been a testing time for Teddy! His human translator, Helen Stockton explains why
It's a Dog's Life: A Partly Political Broadcast

As the nation heads to the polls for the General Election, Teddy ponders the policies he would like to see introduced, as Helen Stockton, his human translator explains...
It's a Dog's Life: Our Hobbies are Not the Same

Hobbies are subjective, what entertains some, may be a bore to others. Teddy ponders on his own interests, as Helen Stockton, his human translator explains
It's a Dog's Life: Our Currency is Biscuits

Teddy explains, through his human interpreter Helen Stockton, that currency transactions are not financial ones made through a bank as far as he is concerned...
It's a Dog's Life: Teddy & the Dragon

Teddy has been musing on the origins of national credentials and that the truth of the matter could be quite different to any literal interpretation, as his human translator Helen Stockton explains
Paws for a Cause

Sussex-based animal charity Raystede has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of animals for over 70 years. Hanna Prince visits its Sussex site to find out more
Kids Zone: Lambing in Spring

Tap into the super cute side of spring with a visit to some frisking newborn lambs, suggests Sara Whatley
It's a Dog's Life: Access Denied

Although he's not allowed everywhere, Teddy tells his human interpreter Helen Stockton that he's actually OK with that
It's a Dog's Life: February is not just for Pancakes

Teddy has discovered that the month of February is far from uneventful – with many special days to recognise and celebrate, as his human interpreter Helen Stockton explains
It's a Dog's Life: Cleaning Up

The annual January household clean up makes Teddy feel a bit anxious. Helen Stockton, his human translator, explains that Teddy isn't the greatest fan of cleanliness
Top 10 Garden Birds to spot in Sussex

Alice Johnson from the RSPB describes some of the species of birds you might see during the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch this January
Top Tips: Keep Your Pets Safe this Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night is just around the corner. A night of fireworks and celebrations, it's fun for us, but not always for our pets.
Advertising Feature: Plan Bee

Advertising Feature: The relationship between bees and humans dates back thousands of years, so its reassuring to know that Carl Slade is making beekeeping easier for both the novice and experienced apiarist; we sent Robert Veitch to meet him.
It’s a Dog’s Life - The Quiet Life

Teddy is looking forward to a chilled out month of rest and relaxation, hopefully with some sunshine to bathe in, as Helen Stockton, his human translator explains.
What should you be looking out for in your Sussex Garden this Summer?

A Sussex garden is not only a place of beauty and tranquility but also a haven for a diverse range of captivating wildlife. We have complied a list of some of the wildlife that you’re most likely to see in your garden this summer:

It’s a Dog’s Life: Teddy Gets Soaked

Share

More from Animals