PUCKERMAN-CHALAMET (PUCK)
Heather Fletcher
A private house, Oxford Street
50 x 50 cm
Puck has been described by friends as a playful, cheeky and mischievous pocket-rocket of fun. And I’d agree with that. He greets us each morning with an explosive whirl of excitement. No matter what life throws at us, he is a constant reminder of the power of positive energy and how, almost instantly, that can lift spirits. My eldest teen remarked one morning: ‘Mum, no matter what mood or issues of the day I wake up to, when I see Puck’s face each morning, I just can’t help but smile’ – and that for me is a cast iron conclusion we made the right decision about having a dog.
Lockdown tails…
As a family, we reflected throughout the ‘great pause’ on the new order. We considered both the negatives but also the family-bonding positives that came with it. Our morning ritual walks. The newly discovered cycle tracks and greater appreciation for Blenheim Park. The re-instated family film nights and cooking time. This gave us the space to evaluate properly ‘if’ there was enough time and space to have a little furry person in our home.
And because of the increased family bonding and new experiences, we try now to keep those positives alive. I’m pleased to say that family nights and Blenheim walks are no longer moaned and groaned at as the kids very much still value the breathing space and mindfulness they experienced. We very much keep the conversation of the benefits of the pause going and once hybrid working became a reality, then the light handed (previous) searches for a puppy became a reality. Four months ago, we brought Puckerman-Chalamet home.
He is, like most puppies, very curious. My pal shared with me recently that whilst he was on an ‘off the lead’ local walk with her dog (Puck’s bestie, Sam), they both went behind some bushes. When a larger dog barked at them, Sam came out fine but Puck was so shocked that he tried to run through the dense hedge. He was immediately stuck! Resultantly he resembled getting caught in the Stranger Things Upside down, with vines around his neck and only his eyes visible. Thankfully, they freed him pretty quickly and he was immediately licked down by Sam and off for more mischief.
Heather Fletcher