Hi India, I hope the vintage crab has been located and your nose is getting a bit of a break from all things crustacean and rotten. Made my mother read your post and it made her chuckle. My aunt is gravely ill and mum has been the primary caregiver and seeing her smile means a lot. Thank you.
Oh my gawd I feel your pain. Went downstairs this morning and discovered carnage. Black mud and something else (greasy?) all over my lovely sofa. Dog looking extra whippety and sheepish in her bed. Looked in the dog's bed and there's something brown in there and Jamie and I are FREAKING OUT thinking it's a rat (saw one in the garden yesterday). Anyway, I kinda kicked the corner of the bed and this thing shot out - she's somehow got the half coconut filled with fat and seeds that we put out for the birds and gnawed it on the sofa. Little whippety bugger.
Oh God, the horror of thinking it was a rat. Lupin killed one in the summer and I've never run into the house faster in my life. Actually - THANK GOD - he killed it very briskly and immediately lost interest, but I had a vision of him carrying it inside and I could not have coped.
Funniest bad dog story ever. It didn't put me off my breakfast, but it did make it seriously hard to wear an appropriate expression while sitting in my office.
I fear it also made cat-lovers feel extraordinarily smug... our darlings would never do anything so gross. Though actually... thinking of their vile hunting habits and their genius for abandoning mouse corpses in a place where they are only detected when the stench becomes unbearable .... Last year at Christmas we found a mummified mouse in the hand pocket of our oven glove, where I had never dreamed of searching -)
Lupin haha but also bad dog! We just lost our 18 year old Jack Russell cross on 2nd January. He was very Lupin-esque. In my daughter’s eulogy to Charlie post she said he definitely wasn’t the “ goodest of boys” but he was the best. Always up for nicking food or other items and generally keeping us all on our toes. Once crab-gate and the accompanying odour has subsided, this will become a legendary story in Lupin history, “ remember the NY Lupin nicked the dressed crab and kept it going for weeks and he nearly dissolved with all the baths”. Thank you for reminding me how much they add to our lives, even if we sometimes face challenges to our olfactory abilities. ❤️
Very sorry about Charlie. Crab STILL not located, one bath today, starting to worry about his poor fur/skin, but of course you're absolutely right - the absurd comedy of it is in part why we have dogs.
I've just read Peter Carey's 'The Chemistry of Tears' and the imagined construction of this mechanical swan is the basis of the story. Having never heard of it previously, it seems to be having a moment.
No dog antic story to add. The awful repetitive nature of Lupin and the smell returns that was clearly a torment for you, while providing fab copy, and a delight for us to read.
I do, however, have shedloads of stories of stomping around Soho until the early hours and beyond into the very dawn (actually often a transcendent moment that could stop one in one’s hedonistic tracks to transport one to a quite different realm). But none of them are germane to the piece. And might bring Lupin up so short that he might decide to stay in the house and involve himself in worthy, home based crafts like weaving his own fur into slippers in the rural vibe of East Anglia.
I am one of those people who always say I can’t draw. Because I can’t. But, sometimes I get a yen to do so…to use my brain and my hands and my eyes in a different way. So, your sketchbook link looks like worth a punt.
I might end up sketching illustrations of early hours Soho and other after dark city life.
I am very PRO the worthy home-based crafts as hobbies for Lupin. Improbable, somehow. Also I bet you can draw, or draw enough. Also for me the thing about drawing is that home-made looking, wonky drawings are far more appealing and evocative than anything more accomplished.
This made me laugh so much and Lupin is adorable as well as crafty - love that he didn’t take you to the crab - where can it be though that it’s not frozen - so weird.
Exactly - it is properly Artic here today, even colder than yesterday, so I let him out thinking SURELY the crab is either finished or rock hard. But no. Another bath. He IS adorable as well as crafty but I'm a bit fed up now.
Lupin IS very lovable but also very naughty. He does not enjoy the spa treatments and afterwards he races around drying himself on all the sofa cushions.
Thank you so much for mentioning the Bowes Museum. Always worth a visit but at the moment they have a stunning exhibition juxtaposing the work of LS Lowry and pitman painter Norman Cornish. Ends 31 January.
Very funny, although probably not as you bathed dog for umpteenth time! Just the thought of rotting crab doggy aroma made me feel quite queasy. Thanks for link to the James Marriott article, no wonder I sometimes feel like a dinosaur despite best attempts to be part of 21st century. He was a good guest on the excellent Better Known podcast (I think you would be a great guest on that, India)…
What sort of dog would you say Lupin is? (breed I mean) - we’re at a long range point of getting a dog and my husband (who grew up with dogs) is keen on one with character. He’s thinking lurcher and I’m thinking Jack Russell so we may need to effect a Lupin sized compromise
He's a Lucas terrier - not many of them about - they're a cross between a Sealyham and a Norfolk. Working dogs, bred for hunting, incredibly fast runners. And the rest! Quite LONG dogs, though close to the ground.
I bought my sister the puzzle for Christmas it's an excellent one. And the Abask slippers! I saw this brand when I was in Palma and have lusted after them ever since.
Hi India, I hope the vintage crab has been located and your nose is getting a bit of a break from all things crustacean and rotten. Made my mother read your post and it made her chuckle. My aunt is gravely ill and mum has been the primary caregiver and seeing her smile means a lot. Thank you.
“… hands in pockets, whistling nonchalantly…”, just genius! Oh Lupin xx
Oh my gawd I feel your pain. Went downstairs this morning and discovered carnage. Black mud and something else (greasy?) all over my lovely sofa. Dog looking extra whippety and sheepish in her bed. Looked in the dog's bed and there's something brown in there and Jamie and I are FREAKING OUT thinking it's a rat (saw one in the garden yesterday). Anyway, I kinda kicked the corner of the bed and this thing shot out - she's somehow got the half coconut filled with fat and seeds that we put out for the birds and gnawed it on the sofa. Little whippety bugger.
Oh God, the horror of thinking it was a rat. Lupin killed one in the summer and I've never run into the house faster in my life. Actually - THANK GOD - he killed it very briskly and immediately lost interest, but I had a vision of him carrying it inside and I could not have coped.
Omg the trauma. When this thing shot out of her bed we both squealed like girls 😂😂🤍
Hahahaha! And FAIR ENOUGH.
Funniest bad dog story ever. It didn't put me off my breakfast, but it did make it seriously hard to wear an appropriate expression while sitting in my office.
I fear it also made cat-lovers feel extraordinarily smug... our darlings would never do anything so gross. Though actually... thinking of their vile hunting habits and their genius for abandoning mouse corpses in a place where they are only detected when the stench becomes unbearable .... Last year at Christmas we found a mummified mouse in the hand pocket of our oven glove, where I had never dreamed of searching -)
AMAZING re oven glove! That is really ingenious/clever.
Also gross, obviously. But CLEVER.
Lupin haha but also bad dog! We just lost our 18 year old Jack Russell cross on 2nd January. He was very Lupin-esque. In my daughter’s eulogy to Charlie post she said he definitely wasn’t the “ goodest of boys” but he was the best. Always up for nicking food or other items and generally keeping us all on our toes. Once crab-gate and the accompanying odour has subsided, this will become a legendary story in Lupin history, “ remember the NY Lupin nicked the dressed crab and kept it going for weeks and he nearly dissolved with all the baths”. Thank you for reminding me how much they add to our lives, even if we sometimes face challenges to our olfactory abilities. ❤️
Very sorry about Charlie. Crab STILL not located, one bath today, starting to worry about his poor fur/skin, but of course you're absolutely right - the absurd comedy of it is in part why we have dogs.
I'm so sorry about Charlie xx
I've just read Peter Carey's 'The Chemistry of Tears' and the imagined construction of this mechanical swan is the basis of the story. Having never heard of it previously, it seems to be having a moment.
How strange to come across it twice in one day! Have not read the PC but will look for it.
No dog antic story to add. The awful repetitive nature of Lupin and the smell returns that was clearly a torment for you, while providing fab copy, and a delight for us to read.
I do, however, have shedloads of stories of stomping around Soho until the early hours and beyond into the very dawn (actually often a transcendent moment that could stop one in one’s hedonistic tracks to transport one to a quite different realm). But none of them are germane to the piece. And might bring Lupin up so short that he might decide to stay in the house and involve himself in worthy, home based crafts like weaving his own fur into slippers in the rural vibe of East Anglia.
I am one of those people who always say I can’t draw. Because I can’t. But, sometimes I get a yen to do so…to use my brain and my hands and my eyes in a different way. So, your sketchbook link looks like worth a punt.
I might end up sketching illustrations of early hours Soho and other after dark city life.
And yes, rich ox cheek stew looks about right.
I am very PRO the worthy home-based crafts as hobbies for Lupin. Improbable, somehow. Also I bet you can draw, or draw enough. Also for me the thing about drawing is that home-made looking, wonky drawings are far more appealing and evocative than anything more accomplished.
Lupin & the crab - hilarious India. Thank you. Perked me up on this chilly morning !
Love the slippers of joy but my feet cannot grip in babouches so I can only shuffle around. All the pairs I bought in Marrakech never got used :(
Oh that's a shame! They do take getting used to but I love them.
This made me laugh so much and Lupin is adorable as well as crafty - love that he didn’t take you to the crab - where can it be though that it’s not frozen - so weird.
Thanks for all the lovely link I do enjoy them.
Exactly - it is properly Artic here today, even colder than yesterday, so I let him out thinking SURELY the crab is either finished or rock hard. But no. Another bath. He IS adorable as well as crafty but I'm a bit fed up now.
Those slippers look like Lupin
Haha, they do
I already love Lupin - sorry! Are you sure he doesn’t just enjoy the spa treatments and this is his way of telling you ?? 😂
Lupin IS very lovable but also very naughty. He does not enjoy the spa treatments and afterwards he races around drying himself on all the sofa cushions.
(leaving just the very faintest crabby trail)
Thank you so much for mentioning the Bowes Museum. Always worth a visit but at the moment they have a stunning exhibition juxtaposing the work of LS Lowry and pitman painter Norman Cornish. Ends 31 January.
Oh wonderful - thank you for telling us!
Very funny, although probably not as you bathed dog for umpteenth time! Just the thought of rotting crab doggy aroma made me feel quite queasy. Thanks for link to the James Marriott article, no wonder I sometimes feel like a dinosaur despite best attempts to be part of 21st century. He was a good guest on the excellent Better Known podcast (I think you would be a great guest on that, India)…
Just the one bath today. Lupin and I are both wearying. Will listen to pod!
What sort of dog would you say Lupin is? (breed I mean) - we’re at a long range point of getting a dog and my husband (who grew up with dogs) is keen on one with character. He’s thinking lurcher and I’m thinking Jack Russell so we may need to effect a Lupin sized compromise
He's a Lucas terrier - not many of them about - they're a cross between a Sealyham and a Norfolk. Working dogs, bred for hunting, incredibly fast runners. And the rest! Quite LONG dogs, though close to the ground.
America, yes, two countries separated by the same language (GBS, apparently). We have far more in common with Germany.
Slightly disconcerting thought, for some reason.
I bought my sister the puzzle for Christmas it's an excellent one. And the Abask slippers! I saw this brand when I was in Palma and have lusted after them ever since.
They're REALLY nice, aren't they? And so pleasing to look at.