Daisy, our recue Staffy is a roller. She always has been. As she has aged, some of her nervous disposition has increased. She is easily frightened by loud noises, especially hunting gun shots, which happen a lot over the field behind our house.
But one thing she has always done is roll. I have to take photos quickly and surreptitiously, for she hates that too (another intrusive shot I suppose if not from a gun). In Durham yesterday, she started happy (in the photograph below on the path that runs along the wooded side of the river Wear); tail up and wagging – happy with the world and her command of it, checking it out through the nose.
It took till our return across the lawned quadrangle that is Palace Green, bordered by the Cathedral, the Old Bishop’s Palace Library the Castle and the Dunelm Monk’s Hospital to catch her out. The Internet photograph below captures the Green in better greener days but, apart from the Castle behind the photographer, it wide-shots very well all the buildings, library on the right, and hospital on the left.
But, yesterday, the signs were good for a roll even if the grass was not at its best, and still recovering from being used by Durham Fringe Festival. Daisy eyes a rolling spot and is on the alert.
Nevertheless, there was still time to be diverted by a stick about which you can put on your angry face. But sticks and Daisy part company easily. However, the tail is wonderful isn’t it in its taut curve.
But in she goes for the roll. They happen quickly and I take photos slowly – a poor combination. Anyway, I have to take them from a distance, and enlarge the place of action later. Somehow I miss the best bits.
Until I finally do get my chance for an enlargeable long shot. Misshapen teeth showing and all her legs waving this is the nearest I got to her best. There is something so wonderful in the serious attention given to rolling in our Daisy.
So, that was Daisy’s day made. Of course she had to put up with a book shop visit – they bore her so, but I, to my delight, found a book I love (blog will definitely follow), with Tom Overton, the biographer of Berger he says – but oh! how many more years can he say it with no book even pending, here editing Berger text that has been forgotten about miner’s protests, including the voice-over text for a BBC film on the making of their series Germinal in the 1970s based on Zola’s novel . I can’t wait to enjoy it after the Booker frenzy is over. It contextualizes it, as Berger so brilliantly would, in terms of strikes and the right-wing backlash to them led by Margaret Thatcher.
All my love as ever
Daisy will keep on rolling – hopefully for a long time yet.
Steven xxxxxxxxxx
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