Be Still My Beating Heart

Confessional time.. and long overdue too I must add.

Whilst I am more than happy to escort any of the beautiful ladies who I am lucky enough to have as friends on a *date* yes even you Laciegirl ;) I have to say that it must be a purely platonic buddy date... you see...

I have given my heart away, a little while ago I sewed it into a a very cute stuffy toy (who is called Dave UK) and sent it across the ocean to my true love.. the one who makes my pulse race a little faster, my day a LOT brighter and my dreams a lot sweeter.

I'm sure there are very few of you who will have to read any further to know exactly who I am talking about but for the benefit of those of you that do... I will continue to gush

My girl is beautiful, smart, funny and kind hearted and its about time I publicly declared how much I love her..

I present to you...

The Very Gorgeous Miss Fluffy Tail herself.... Khyra






and here is my girl meeting Dave UK (and my heart) for the very first time..



so there you have it folks... it's official.. My heart is taken!

and I better go hide now because when Khyra spots this post I may be in trouble!! Sorry BeaWOOtiful.. just couldn't resist!

Oh and while we are on the subject of love.. It's Mum & Dads Wedding Anniversary today!! Happy Anniversary Oldies


Ben xxxx

PeeeS.. kinda got a busy week coming up getting ready for .. umm.. something.. well maybe something.. well who knows.. but anyway... if we are a bit quiet don't worry normal service will resume shortly. We will get around everyone as best as possible this week.

OH - MY - DOG!!!

Today I read this comment on my last post..

Now Ben...
It has come to my great surprise THAT YOU AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A DATE!!!!
I've penciled ya in for next month...(sorry..booked solid till then...)
I have only one request...
Could you please leave all of KHYRA'S FUR at home? For some reason, that girl makes me nervous...and when I'm nervous I tend to YAP and SHRIEK....
Loved that book on bloggin' for dummies!! Very creative, Ben!!
Love and soon to be dated kissies...
Laciegirl

say what!??




Now.. I'm not saying I'm adverse to dates (what hot blooded hound is?) but

Dear doG I'm quaking in my BOOTS! Can you see the TERROR in my face??



Ive been around for 12 months now, I've read the reports on Lacie's "Dates", Ive seen the fear, the trauma, the permanent ear damage!

To ensure my sanity I have decided that Lacie was joking, she didn't pencil me in, there will be no date..BUT just in case I have taken a few precautions

First I called guy advertising on www.dodgypassportouttahere.com

after an agreed exchange



he handed me these




So thats the new identity sorted should I need it!

Then I decided to look for place to hide (just in case I can't get to the airport fast enough)

I thought this would be a good place



but it already had a resident, who was a bit miffed (to put it mildly) at the intrusion



but then I realised that I have something right here that should work like garlic to a vampire, like a silver bullet to a werewolf, you know what it is don't you? Worth more on the black market than all the debts of the planet combined... and all MINE - The ULTIMATE canine protection aid (Well protection from Lacie anyway)

My Bag of Khyra Floof



so now I am exhausted from all the over-thinking.. time for a nap I think!

RSPCA and Puppy Trafficking Awareness

A little while ago a lovely lady called Jayne contacted me. She is currently working with the RSPCA to highlight their Give Animals a Voice campaign.

Jayne asked me if I would promote the campaign and include a infograph that illustrates what questions to ask when buying from a breeder.

The campaign is working hard to highlight the puppy trafficking business and the consequential welfare issues that arise from it. I am of course very happy to add my voice and support to this campaign.

You can watch a short video and sign up to the global campaign to show support HERE

We can help make a difference, we CAN have a voice.

Ben xxx

Ensuring she knows her place!

As you are all aware Mum AKA The Secretary has not being doing her job properly of late.
She seems to think it's acceptable to be a slacker.
I thought it was time to get some ground rules firmly established before she gets totally out of control.

First I went shopping and bought a book, which I left on her desk.



She didn't seem to take the hint, so I thought I better make things a bit clearer. I stuck this on the laptop screen..



Hmmm that provoked a slight reaction (if her screwing it up in a ball and tossing it in the trash counts!)

She still didn't seem motivated to get to work though. So I confess that I blatantly lied, I told her that in exchange for a years worth of solid blogging, no slacking and no excuses this was her reward..



Dumb dodo fell for it too! So don't expect me to disappear for at least 12 months.. Mum has her eye on her prize!!

Desperate times force desperate measures folks

Ben xxxx

Don't worry Dave I'm not planning on dog napping you for real.. just don't tell Mum that!

Farewell Dear Klaus

We are so saddened at the news that Klaus Our friend Bogart's Daddy has passed away. We know that the whole DWB community has prayed so hard for his recovery and today I know that all of us have both Lulu and Bogart in our thoughts and hearts.
We couldn't provide the miracle we all so dearly wished for.

To Lulu and Bogart, though our friendship can by no means replace what you have lost, we want you to know that it will always be here for you. Thank you for sharing with us your happiest of times and for allowing us to share in your saddest of times too. Our hearts ache for you. We love you.

To Klaus, may your soul soar, you touched so many of our lives and our hearts, this is not goodbye, but see you in the next life.

Ben, Sue, T, Mollie and Lilli.

Khyra Floooof and More

Well I promised to enlighten you as to how I managed to get my paws on a substantial amount of Khyra Flooof.

Last week a parcel arrived.. for me!

Mum made me wait till she got back from collecting the beans from school to open it, I was beside myself with excitement, a very familiar, very yummy smell was emanating from the box.. the smell of gorgeousness!!

When Mum and the beans got home I was finally allowed to open it up

oooohhh thats MY name!



Theres MY girl!!



Mmmmm a HUGE bag of Khyra Floooof! Hubba Hubba aroooooo!!



Oh my dogness! Not one.. but TWO mini Khyras!!



A miniture version of me wrapped in fairy lights!!



and three little jittery critters for my furry relative GJ



Time for another snooter full of flooof!



I better check out the Critters for GJ.. just in case, ya know!




Behold my "Dog that got the Floooof" face.. I walked round with that grin on my face for quite some time.. it comes back everytime I revisit my bag of floof for a top up Khyra boost



Thank you beWOOtiful Khyra and her equally beWOOtiful Mom, you made me one very happy dog! Photo's of GJ enjoying his Critter gifts here

I know that Bogart and his family are very much on all of our minds right now and last night Mum was listening to some music and one song made her think of them all so we would like to share it with you and dedicate it to Klaus, Lulu and Bogart and all who love them. Get well soon Klaus, we love you.

Ben xxxxx



Oh and (if you didn't already) please read Mum's Book Review for the book written by Pen from Nowzad Dogs and the details of how you can nominate Pen for the Dogs Trust Dog’s Best Friend Award 2009.

*UPDATED* One Dog At A Time ~ Saving The Strays Of Helmand

A couple of weeks ago a copy of Pen's book "One Dog At A Time ~ Saving The Strays Of Helmand" arrived in the post.



We were soooo excited!! So I will now hand todays blog over to Mum who, as promised, will review the book and give you details of where you can purchase your very own copy!

So I settled down to read, book in one hand, cup of coffee in the other and box of chocolates at my side. The coffee went cold, the chocolates remained untouched, engrossed doesn't seem an adequate word.. I couldn't put this book down!
You don't need much imagination when reading this book, from the very start you feel you are on a journey with Pen.
The book begins in the weeks before his deployment to Afghanistan. His thoughts, fears emotions and expectations. By the time you have got to the part where he leaves his wife Lisa and their dogs Fizz and Beamer to begin his tour of duty you are sharing every raw emotion and every fear with him... no really.. by the time Pen arrives at the outpost in Nowzad you can literally feel the searing heat, the dust that clings to everything and you will be swatting away imaginary flies!
His first encounter with Nowzad at a dog fight, his fury at the senseless cruelty of it, his frustration as a dog lover will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion.
Nowzads arrival in camp some days later seems almost like fate, battered, wrapped in wire, his ears and tail cruelly cut off (to make him a better fighting dog) this dog had absolutely no reason to trust humankind, no reason to believe that anyone of the two legged variety would show him anything but abuse and cruelty. Temporarily placated with a sausage he was warily released from the wire, possibly the first act of kindness he had ever been afforded. Here in the book is where you may want to pause and arm yourself with a stock supply of kleenex, you are about to embark on an incredible journey, The subsequent bond which forms between these two unlikely friends is a journey I wouldn't want to miss and nor should you. It's ups and downs, the arrival of several more impromptu "rescue" dogs each of which this burly Royal Marine just couldn't turn his back on is captivating. The struggle to get the dogs to safety, the red tape and lack of communication with the outside world will leave you hanging off your seat, the failed attempts, the ticking clock as time runs out will have you chewing your fingernails down to nothing!
I have laughed, I have cried, I have felt frustration, disbelief and have held my breath till I needed to be reminded to breathe!
If I thought I knew the Nowzad story I was wrong, If I thought I was about to read a book where I knew the beginning and end I was wrong. The story is so much more than that of a dog loving marine who couldn't walk away. This is a story of love, fear, compassion, grief, determination and courage.
I won't spoil the book for anyone wishing to read it by giving away any more of the content, but I will sum it up by saying that the book is A MUST READ!
It is brilliantly written, the honesty and emotion is breathtaking and when you come to the end of the last page you will wish there was more.

Whether you are a dog lover, have loved ones serving in Afghanistan or just love a good story then this book is FOR YOU!

Sue

The book can be purchased via Amazon HERE

or directly from the Nowzad Dogs Website (where you can also pay by cheque) HERE

Okay now back to me, it's my blog after all!!



We have nominated Pen for the Dogs Trust Dog’s Best Friend Award 2009. The award is For a special human who has gone that extra mile for dogs, through fundraising, rescuing, or rehoming abandoned dogs. We think Pen truly deserves the title. If you wish to nominate Pen you can do so HERE
Lets show him how the four leggeds of this world appreciate his hard work and compassion.

Ben xxxx

PeeeeS: Especially for Miss Fluffy Tail Khyra (See I DO love you and I DO listen to you) a little photo of me enjoying a big ole handful of.....



KHYRA FLOOOOOOOF!!!

hubba hubba!!!!! (More piccies to come and the story of how I came to be in possesion of such a wonderful amount of Khyra Goodness amongst other things!! Very Soon!!!)