BUFF BILLY

Billy looking even more beautiful after his haircut yesterday! Friends being very helpful walking him since I hurt my knee. Am now in walk in hospital centre waiting for an assessment. Good to blog when you're in a long queue!

Billy and Empathy

Coming out of Waterstones yesterday I tripped up on some uneven pavement and may well have broken my knee.V painful!!We're hoping it's just badly bruised but we shall see...Billy so concerned! He came andy lay his head on my poor knee as if to send it get well vibes. He's looking very puzzled by the crutches and concerned when I wince! He's now just jumped up on the bed to keep me company. Such a lovely boy! xxx

Operation Billy!

Caroline Buchanan

My beloved Billy has to have an operation on Monday to remove his front dewclaws. He keeps injuring them when he's running and the vet says it's for the best…I feel very nervous about it. xxx

My embarrassing mum!

Billy talking here: 'We met a beautiful golden doodle in the park yesterday. For those not in the know she was a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle. Gorgeous! Her name is Saffy. Anyway to my horror mum asked Saffy's dad if he'd like to make babies! And then to make matters worse she said I hadn't had the operation. Yet! Yikes!'

INTRODUCING BILLY THE AGONY UNCLE!

Billy is in the acknowledgements section of my new book. He really has helped! xxx

Billy enjoying the snow in his snazzy fleece!

He's looking forward to some more snow - but might be too exhausted after his recent adventure...

A Rival for Fenton

Well, well, well. Darling Billy had his first romantic encounter today. He went chasing after a golden lab on the towpath. He was absolutely mad for her! All the calling in the world wouldn't bring him back. The bitch's dad was running way ahead of me and could clearly see that Billy was humping his beloved. But did he stop them? No! Images of lots of little labradoodles came to mind, not to mention a paternity suit! I shouted, I yelled,I swore, I even did my four-finger whistle that my brother taught me years ago. The man just kept running, not hearing me because he was plugged into his music.A cyclist came up behind me - 'Please stop that man!' I begged. I watched as he did just that thing. But then the man ran on again, puffing Billy still humping his lady love. Panic began - what if darling Billy disappeared forever? Running is not my best talent, but finally I caught up with the guy, wheezing away like a a goodun. Me - not him! He removed his ear plugs, but he still couldn't hear me! Finally, I got through... 'She's 10 and a half, an old lady,' he said. 'She hasn't had this much attention for years! That's life. They're enjoying themselves! How old is your dog?' 'Two,' I said. 'and five months.' 'Well,' said the man. 'How would you react if you were chased by a 20-year-old stallion?' Let's just hope we won't appear on You Tube tomorrow!

Dog blog

My boy Billypop, he makes my heart go giddy-up! Billy will be 2 years old at the end of this month. And he has brought us the most enormous pleasure. We love him so much Now we're looking to find him a wife because he really should breed. He is such a lovely doggy in so many ways.

Puffing Billy

Billy moves with such speed - but after a wonderful retrieving session he lay down and had a good pant. Dogs seem to know exactly what they need to do and when. Yet another lesson for us to learn!

Billy and the red coat

Billy has been having long walks every day and is still wearing his red fleece when it's freezing. I must work out how to publish a picture of him sporting his very fine garment. He's hinting about going out again - he's 18 months old now and is feeling a bit frisky. On the lookout for talent, no doubt.

Billy in the snow

Billy is a dog who really knows how to live in the moment. And he just loves the snow. After a wonderful long walk yesterday, with three other doggy pals, he came home with impacted ice on his paws. I filled a saucepan with warm water, and paw by paw, we defrosted him. He looked a little bemused at this new trick, but hey, he was going to enjoy it anyway. As we know it's not what happens to you in life, it's how we deal with it that counts!

Billy and Christmas

Billy has the Christmas message alright - unconditional love. But he's just been told off for eating some of the Christmas decorations...And that was after noshing two or three of the sausages I got at the Christmas fair in Beaminster. Billy is 17 months old now but clearly is still a puppy. We went to see my friend Maxine, a fab artist, and her latest work. Billy somehow rubbed his tail across a still wet painting...It must be worth a million now! xxx

Christmas has started

Christmas has started for Billy. He has stolen the stollen! My husband just sat down with two early pieces of his favourite Christmas cake. He turned his back for a second and Billy wolfed down the bigger of the two slices. But of course Billy only stepped in selflessly - saving Simon from himself. He's such a thoughtful dog...

Soggy doggy

With that luscious black curly coat... poor young Billy sure soaks up the rain. Another wonderful thing about doggies, though, is that they get you out, whatever the weather. And he's so cheerful - just like mum, of course! He is so nice to everyone - even those who aren't particularly fond of dogs. He seems to accept everyone unconditionally. Although he did growl at a little boy on a scooter. Extremely unusual. It must have been the mode of transport that upset him. Billy obviously has standards! In fact he hates to see me doing housework, good chap. Whenever I get the Hoover out, or a broom, or a dustpan and brush, he gets very cross indeed and tackles them head on. Wonder what he would be like if anyone else in the flat used such things? Of course we may never find out...

Slippers been Billied

Turned my back for a second and the slippers have been well and truly Billied. Great lumps chewed out of them.

Never mind, I got to see Tamara Drewe at the Gala showing in Bridport. The reserve ticket came up trumps. Got all nicely settled in and then asked the woman next to me to save my seat while I went to the loo. 'Guard it with your life!' I pleaded. When I returned she had her hand on that seat very protectively. 'Thank you so much!' I said gratefully.

The film then started and what a jolly romp it is with its beautiful scenery in more ways than one. That Luke Evans is a bit of alright...

I was exhausted, though, having been through the trauma of having my handbag stolen earlier in the week but I managed to keep my eyes open throughout. I hope.

We all clapped like mad when the film finished. And then the nice woman next to me got up and went onto the stage. It was Posy Simmonds herself! Well, well, well. What a star!

Back to Billy now. He is snoozing peacefully having just come back from a lovely walk which included jumping into many streams. I will have to work out how to get his photograph onto this blog...

Billy taking the medicine

Billy has now eaten his eardrops!!! Clearly he will do anything rather than have me put them in!

Billy in Dorset

What adventures we are having - and some not so nice...Poor Billy has had an ear infection - perhaps he's been eating too many pearl earrings! And I had my handbag stolen which was very upsetting..And insurance doesn't cover it.... Am on the reserve list, first in the queue, for the Tamara Drewe film tonight - that would cheer us up!!