Woof Everyone,
It’s two years today that I came to live here in Tramore. I was only 9 weeks old and Jean and Harry came allllll the way to the heart of Co. Wexford (that makes me a Yellow Belly) to get me. Well, they didn’t know it was me they were getting ‘cos there were five of us pups still waiting for homes.
We were all ‘love’ puppies. Our mama was a a golden cocker spaniel and our dada was a liver and white springer spaniel. Our mama was very, very pretty and was a champion show dog and often had puppies with other cocker spaniels. But she was in love with my dada who lived on the same farm and they decided that they wanted to have a family of their very own.
Funny enough, none of us looked like our parents. The others were all black and white and I was the only all black puppy. I knew I had a good chance of being picked by Jean because I heard the boss talking to her on the phone and saying that there was only one totally black pup in the litter.
It was dark when they arrived and I was all nervous. The boss brought them out to our shed and shone a torch down at us. I didn’t know what to do so I stood a bit back from the others and pricked my spaniel ears.
Harry immediately said: ‘Him, he’s lovely.’ He picked me up and petted me and then handed me to Jean. I clung onto her coat and tried to melt her eyes. I could feel her heart beating very fast and then I saw a little tear trickle down her cheek. (I didn’t know then that she was totally heartbroken and missing her precious Sophie who had died only 10 days before. Getting me had been all Harry’s idea ‘cos he couldn’t bear to see her so upset.) I knew I had won her over when she stroked my ears with as much love as any puppy could ever want.

And puppies do want love; everyone wants love and that way the world can spin around in a twirl of happiness like a puppy running after his tail.
You hear about ‘a fly on the wall.’ Well, I’m a ‘puppy under the table’ and I see and hear everything that’s going on. BUT, I don’t ‘love and tell.’ That’s one tip my dada gave me when I was saying goodbye to him that night.
I was kinda surprised to be called Stan ~ but now I know the whole story. I’m called after Stan Wawrinka, the tennis player who had just won the Australian Open in 2014.

If I’d been got today, I’d definitely have been called Leighton, after Leighton Hewitt who played his last match today after a great career. Poor Jean was sobbing when he gave his farewell speech. I don’t think ‘Leighton’ would be a great name for me, though. It’s a bit of a mouthful and very grown-up sounding.
Two years has flown by ~ I often wonder about my brothers and sisters and how they’re doing and, of course, I miss my mama and dada. I hope they are still as madly in love as ever.
But, I wouldn’t change anything for the world, except maybe running up to the very top of the cliffs in Kilfarrasy the other week. I’m not the better of that yet and have nightmares about never being able to get back safe. I knew Jean loved me long before that day but I saw absolute love in her eyes when I eventually found a way back to the car. She didn’t even give out to me but just cuddled me like no other cuddle I’ve ever got and I was soaking and covered in rubble from the cliff face. We haven’t been back there since.
So, I’d best go and see if she’ll take me for a celebration walk, even though it’s raining. I’ve a feeling she will!

Night all and Sweetest Dreams!
Love Stanny.
P.S. I love you, Jean, and I’m the lucky one, not you!
P.P.S. Good luck in The Austrialian Open, Stan W. You can do it!!!
I love the way you anthropomorphize the speech of your dog Stan. Beautiful creature. People don’t mind mind black in dogs but it is hard to adopt a black cat. they are the last to go. It is always interesting how people pick their pet’s name.
Jeepers, that’s anawfulbigwordtheonethatbeginswithA. -Stan-
Ha ha ha It sure is Stan!
That’s better. I still have to doogle that big word.
Ha ha ha. It just means perceiving non human either things, situation such as in your case Stan. Short of it your humanizing Stan.
Merciful hour! That’s another mouthful. I think I’ll stick to doggie talk. WOOF! 🎾
Ha ha ha
Woof!
Such a lovely post! I admire your writing style 🙂
Thanks a woof! I love writing, especially with stones on the beach.
Our dogs really are part of the family. It sounds like it’s a win win situation for you all.
Hi Tric, you sound like you have a dog? Is she a girl?
Pity there’s no win-win in tennis. I’m always wishing Stan W could win-win every tournament. Stanny.
Yes we have a small, almost human maltese, shih tzu mix. She is a real beauty and great fun.
Sounds like my type! What do you reckon? S
Psssssssst! Stan don’t tell Jean that I said that this is an excellent post!! ❤
Oh hello Willow. I won’t bark a sound. Lick, Lick.
Thanks Stan<3
You’re always welcome, Willow. 🐶
🙂 thanks Stan
You’re very welcome. Sleep well. I will, I hope. Sx
Thanks hope you do too, no doubt the sleep of the good!
You wouldn’t believe the bold things I dream up when I’m asleep.
I can well imagine!
That’s the thing, I suspect you can. Don’t ‘share, ” to use that awful word.
Stan, you are a natural blogger! Thanks for sharing your touching story. What a good boy!!
Hi Val, that’s a nice thing you wrote. I like ‘natural.’
Blogging is easy peasy, especially when you can say exactly what you want.
… and there’s the secret … being an authentic dog or human!
That’s another big ‘A’ word but I know what it means 🐕
I love the story spoken from the dogs point of view. I take it that it’s been a memorable two years ..wishing you both many more years together…
Joni, I hope we have forever and ever. Thanks for writing. Stan x
Hello Stan
Just thought I email and say hi…just said goodbye to the kids and grankids…great walk but gee they can talk can’t they…and I was on the short lead…SHE worries if I get too adventurous near the edge. But its lunch time now…for me…anyway…they scoffed current buns and homemade apricot jam and didnt share with me…something about not being healty…but really…anyway as soon as I have finished here I’m off to the kitchen just to let them know who is boss around here…they forget sometimes…I loved your story and feel that there is so much love around but it just doesnt get talked about…nice to chat….tummy’ wont hang for much longer:)
Dougal, isn’t it?
Hope you’re back in control of things and full to the brim.
Take my advice and stay well away from high edges. They’re deadly.
Talk soon, S
You’re killing me, Jean. Did so enjoy that.
Killing you? That’s not my style. I don’t understand you really but love anyway. Stanny.
Hm. Perhaps, that’s American slang that you are unfamiliar with, Stanny. It means the writing is so good, the story is so well told I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s a good thing. 🙂 I wouldn’t want you to take me literally, Stanny.
WOW, that’s an awesome relief! Does that sound American?
A fine dog by the sea – what more could you ask for.
Would a juicy bone be out of the question? S
Kind of made a tear form in the corner of my eye, too.
Oh no! I didn’t mean to make you cry. Here, I’ll give you a nuzzle. Hope that’s better now?
Yes, it was, Stan, thanks ever so much. I probably just got a bit emotional as Princess Kate, Roadie, and Abby are all black dogs, who have forever homes here with their humans and I love them ever so much.
Ah, you sound so kind. Those are lovely names.
Oh no, I’m all in a muddle trying to reply. How do you keep concentrated on this when there’s food on the go?
Maybe it’s not as muddly as I thought. Time for tea and a snooze.
Ah Stan, Happy Gotcha Day to you 🙂
Thanks Andrea, Gotha sounds good. 🎾
Nice! I was named after a Latvian athlete, javelin thrower Inese Jaunzeme who won Olimpics in 1956 🙂
Wow, we have things in common then. Sorry it took me this long to write. I missed you probably because I was sniffing around somewhere.
Better late than never. Love Stanny