London Bus

We are having one of those giddy moments when we are no longer sure where we are and what year it is. We thought this was Abingdon in 2009, but we have just seen a 159 London Bus saying it his headed to Trafalgar Square, outside St Helen's Church.

Ready for a Skirmish

The blue plaque says that on this site there was a civil war skirmish in 1645. Harry is all ready for a skirmish with his stick.

15 minutes of fame over

Back in January the Harry Dog Blog was featured in the Oxford Mail. The Oxford Mail photographer was there taking pictures of the Euro Bands playing in the park. But this time when Harry got close, the photographer didn't want the dog in the picture.

Looks like Harry's 15 minutes of fame are over.

See the water fly

Harry needs a jolly good shake when he is back on dry land. Press the image to see a larger image, and watch the water fly.

Retriever

Harry doing another gun dog impression. The warm weather has arrived and Harry now goes further into the water.

Harry in a Hole

Harry has dropped his ball down the hole and is going after it. I only hope he does not meet Badger down there.

Easter Egg Hunt

The easter eggs are just too high up for Harry.

A Big Yawn

After yawning Harry got up and went to explore a plain patch of grass some way away, turning once or twice as he sniffed about. That done, he came back about the half the distance and lay in the sun again, but far enough away from the camera so it did not bother him again.

Harry - the little monkey

A lady, with a smart looking labrador, seemed to be looking down her nose at Harry. Not only was he very damp and very scruffy, he was also very sooty. First, he went for a swim...
and then, the little monkey, rolled in an old bonfire to get dry.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

As you can see Harry was full of the Joys of spring today - so much so that he looks like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang taking off at the end of the film. In Harry's case he circled over Gees Farm in Cumnor - before coming down in a cloud of dust. It gave the birds a scare.

Harry and the Red Nose

I could not get Harry to wear a red nose on red nose day so stuck it on the end of his stick The nose is not made for dogs.

Saint Helen's Woof

It is good if Harry can learn the right name for things. On the far bank can be seen St Helen's Wharf. For Harry's sake we generally say 'Saint Helen's Woof'

"No Dogs" sign gone

The "No Dogs" signs have been removed from both entrances of the Abbey Gardens, and so Harry could go in and have a sniff around. Up to now he has been barred. He thinks that if he, and other doggies, behave themselves then this privilege could continue.

He told himself 'No barking at the squirrels!" But that was easier said than done! Lets hope nobody noticed.

After Glow

It was a mistake to give Harry the left over Ready Brek.

After the snow the floods.

GOVERNMENT VETERINARY HEALTH WARNING: SMOKING CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH

King of the Castle

There are not that many hills in Abingdon. Harry is on a small mound called the Motte - once the site of a small Motte and Bailey castle and the property of of a medieaval knight.

Dogs in snow

Harry loves dashing about in the snow. Sometimes alone...
and sometimes with another dog. This one has a red bandanna and a lovely smile.
There were a lot of snow men, and so Harry is just checking whether this is a snow dog.
This big dog doesn't like the snow very much, but has got an interesting walk which Harry is trying to copy. Harry is far more interested in big dogs than in little dogs like himself.
Finally a scent-post on a snowy morning.

Harry sniffs out Methane

We were jolly excited when we heard that Scientists have found Methane Gas on Mars. Harry has also sniffed out methane in Abingdon. It is sometimes just about noticeable near these curved posts in Southern Town Park.

Harry in Church

Harry got into church when nobody was looking, and was spotted near the children's activity table in the welcome area.

Harry keeps his feet on the ground

The slogan is Spring into Action... Not Harry! He seems more grounded today, after the sudden media interest in his blog.

Page 3

Harry has now appeared on Page 3 of the Oxford Mail - sticking his tongue out. I hate to think what he will be up to next.

As Featured on BBC Radio Oxford

Harry was featured on BBC Radio Oxford with Malcolm Boyden this morning. I only hope Harry's head stops growing soon or he won't be able to get out the door to go 'walkies'.

Blue Monday

The gloomiest day of the year is how the BBC described today.

On today's doggy walk a big dog knocked Harry's mum over in the mud. Getting near home she could not find Harry's lead or the front door keys. It was cold, and it took three hours and many requests to find help. Poor Harry! He was really shivering, and blue.

Harry's new bowl

Harry's bowl got broken in an accident last night. He has had that same bowl since he was a puppy. Today I took Harry to our local pet shop to look at new bowls. There were a wide range, but in the end he got a brown one - like the old one.

Mother and Child 'and Dog'

This statue of 'Mother and Child' near Abingdon library is by Franta Belsky, and dedicated "In Memory of Margaret Belsky". Harry cannot understand why he is not going anywhere.

In Memorium

This bench at Otmoor has a very large plaque to say to whom it is dedicated. When Harry is gone we hope to dedicate a town centre water trough for dogs in his memory. It will say "For all the thirsty dogs of Abingdon irrespective of breeding or lack of it - from Harry."

That won't be for a long time I hope.

Happy New Year from Harry

Harry says a Happy New Year to all doggies out there.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day and Harry has just opened his present, a little Santa Claus. When he tried to give it a squeeze, it started to play a little tune, and then to sing "I wish you a Merry Christmas." After that Harry went back to playing with his golf ball.

Harry Back on Ice

I've just been reading a pets advice blog on keeping your pet safe during the Winter Holidays. It says "Older dogs may not be as sure-footed on ice... If an older dog slips on the ice, he can actually tear ligaments between its legs and cause very severe problems..."

Harry did tear a ligament when he was much younger while trying to catch a frisbee and landing awkwardly.

Harry, Red, and Angus

Here are Harry, Red, and Angus, taking it in turns to leave a mark on the Albert Monument.

Angus, like Harry, is a Border Terrier, and a few months younger. We used to meet Red out with his owner when Harry was a puppy, and they were contemplating getting a Border.

Harry has seen Angus on and off for many years. And although I say excitedly 'Harry there's Angus!' they barely acknowledge each other.

Its a doggy mystery why dogs get excited to meet some dogs and ignore others.

Wolfy Talk

I'm not sure Harry is the same dog after meeting Martin Clunes. All that wolfy wolfy talk has gone to his head.

Harry's Not Behaving Badly

Martin Clunes recently made a documentary series about dogs, and has written a book based on his own family life with dogs called "A Dog's Life".

When Harry saw the billboard outside he knew that this was one book signing he did not want to miss.

He was not to be disappointed. Martin knew about Border Terriers, and knew lots of other things besides. All about Harry's great great great ancestors the wolves, and the painted dogs in Tanzania. Man! those dogs know about behaving badly.

(* Martin Clunes starred in Men Behaving Badly)

Harry's Poppy Appeal

Harry Says 'Only a few days left to buy a Poppy.'

'You are not having this one either.'

Harry and the Tiggy-Winkle

Harry knows better than to sniff or play with a Hedgehog. That thing can hurt!

Harry and the Golf Ball

This golf ball is Harry's favourite toy.

Harry and Roland Rat

Harry didn't do it!

Roland Rat was dead before he got there.

Harry looses half a leg

To some people this is the autumn, and to others it is fall, but to Harry its a time when he can easily loose things among the leaves. Today he has lost half a leg. He is looking around wondering "Where did it go?"

Harry and the fishing gnome

A gnome has started fishing in front of the Roysse Room on Bridge Street. He is saying to Harry "You can watch but don't frighten the fish!"

Harry Goes to Church - well almost

Harry went into the church reception area when nobody was about. He rolled upside down and scratched his back on the bristly carpet near the door, then explored the children's activity area. But being just a dog he did not go into the Holy of holies.

Harry Gun Dog

This is harry doing his imitation of a gun dog. Not as good as his bear cub I know. Harry did find a poorly rabbit which just didn't move, but he just stayed by it and did not touch it.

Harry the Bear

This is Harry doing his best ever imitation of a bear cub.

Harry on soil erosion

Harry is on the bank edge looking down a six foot drop to Sandford Brook. He used to be able to get down on a sloping path but it has all eroded away so now he can only look.

Harry and the Lawn Mower

We used to have a Jack Russell called twopence who went crazy when the vacumn cleaner was on. Harry reacts in a similar way to the Lawn Mower. He barks and tries to bite it.

Harry and Fake Paws

Whats it all mean? Well I dunno. I'm only a dog after all. But it seems to me that either you have got paws or you aint. You can't fake them!