13th FEBRUARY>>>>>MY BIRTHDAY
What a great day I have had, I was made to be spoilt. When it turned midnight and my special day had started, P took me for a walk down by the river, we love to be out when it's still and quiet and there is no-one else out (just as well, she was in her dressing gown!!!) We were both chilly when we got back but the fire was still on and P had a hot chocolate and I had a pigs ear.

When we got up in the morning I opened P's card then my presents. I got a new Roar Paw because the roar has gone from my other four. P says it's because I take them outside in the rain??? I got lots of cuddles during the morning then a phone call from Surrey. Would you believe, apart from an ecard with chipmunks singing happy birthday they sang to me down the phone and cut a cake the girls had baked with Roxy that had three candles on. Hey, did I feel special or what??

Later on friends from the village came in and would you believe it I got more presents!! Yummy little bones with meat in, my favourite chews, meat with bacon on the top mmmmmm and a toy pheasant. Now the pheasant makes very realistic noises and I wasn't at all sure that it was dead so I set about making sure. I shook it so hard that I got a bit of a headache but Phez knew who was boss I can tell you.

Then my cake came out with three candles on, more singing then a general hub-ub of tea, cake, biscuits and chat. There were pleanty of people to play with me and I wasn't still for a second but by the end of the afternoon I was glad to settle in for a cuddle or find a knee to sit on.

When everyone had gone I was really quite tired and I think both P and I had a little doze before going out for a walk. Usually we go to the beach on my birthday but we never got there today, however P has promised that we will go tomorrow so all in all it is turning out to be a very fine weekend.
By bedtime I was more than ready for bed. I have a lovely comfy fur bed (thank you willow) and on really cold nights like tonight P puts a warm hot water bottle underneath...bliss.

January 2010

Wow, we have had  SO much snow, I really loved it at first but then it got so deep that I had trouble walking. We couldn't get out of the village for days at a time but we had pleanty of food in so all was well. Clive has a four wheel drive and he went and got bread and milk for us when he was able so there was only a couple of days when I wasn't able to have my porridge. Needless to say I was brave about it. The tractor came in and tried to clear the front of the house and I really enjoyed climbing up the pile of snow he made. It even snowed on the beach when we finally got there. What a winter.

December 2009

What a nice Christmas we had, so many things to go to and people to visit. I really enjoyed the carol singing round the Christmas tree on the village green but it was a bit cold. P was poorly over Christmas so we stayed in and stayed warm and ate lots of turkey....I love turkey....I had lots of lovely presents and it was nice to see my Christmas stocking again.

September 2009
One of the things Ilike doing is barking, and I do it well. If someone walks through the village I need to warn P. So why does she try so hard to persuade me to be quiet????? Now she is going as far as to put a fence up so that I can't see out. Does she really think that will stop me??? When the first fence went up I taught myself to climb a tree so that I could see over the top. P was totally amazed and realised I think that you have to get up  very early in the morning to get the better of Pippin.

Tuesday 24th November
Well, it has been a long time since I talked to you. My scribe has been unwell on and off and not got round to it. There is too much news to tell you everything so I will just share an important event that happened when we were down in Surrey on holiday during the summer. Eleanor decided that I should be Baptised!!! It was all taken very seriously, Kim wrote an order of service (with a rather fetching photo of me on the front) and officiated. I was babtised with sparkling water that had rose petals in. The other family and friends sang the chosen hymns lustily, much to the surprise of the neighbours I suspect, then Roxy brought out a Christening cake she had made herself. Friends of Samuel called in and they joined in too.
We all had a great time, especially me....Pippin Benson.

P and I had another lovely holiday in Surrey this summer,  I love my village but it is nice sometimes to have all the animals and children to play with.

13th February was my birthday, I was two. It was a good day. P sang Happy Birthday at midnight and again when we got up, she hadn't got more tuneful after a night's sleep! The whole morning was about ME, we played ball in the garden and tug of war with all my toys and I had a bath and got brushed for my official birthday photo. I don't think it looks like me but I guess it's good for a lad to look smart sometimes. Unfortunately I forgot about the party in the afternoon and went and rolled in the snow so I was a scruffy mess again by the time everyone arrived. It was nice to have all my friends to tea and I had one of my new pig's ears that Rose brought straight away. There was a birthday cake for people and one for me. Rosie helped me blow out the candles then I took my presents round to show everyone. In the photo I am showing Rose and Rosie the teddy bear that Mary gave me. I had a phone call from Surrey which was special. I was quite tired by the time everyone left and P and I had an early night. I took one of my favourite chews that Audrey had given me up to bed and I took my new teddy bear, his name is Valentine. It was a good day and I am looking forward to my next birthday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

As you see I dressed for Christmas. I couldn't decide which subect to use for my fancy dress so apart from the angel I did the whole nativity as well. What do you think? It was a bit of a squash in the crib when I was Jesus but it was nice and warm on a rather cold day. P and I went to Surrey for Christmas and had a really good time. I was a little spoilt but really that is only fitting. I got a new toy called Gilbert that I cuddle when I go to sleep. I'll put his photo on too. When we got home I carried Gilbert all round the garden so he got used to his new home. We have just about got back into the swing of the village, I've been back to the sewing group and it was good to see my friends again, I'd missed them. Last night I went to a slide show in the village hall last night and caught up with more friends.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and got as many presents as I did and that 2009 brings us all everything we could wish for.

SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER

Well, our money raising efforts in the village continued and I was there to do my bit. As you know I am Scout mascot so when the Cub section of Village Scouting had a sale of work to raise money for the Send A Cow charity this week I was there to help sell raffle tickets. I'm pleased that we have helped buy a cow....I like cows. I have been having lots of photos taken for Christmas cards too but I will tell you all about that before I go South for Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing the children again, not too sure about Willow the cat or Mixi the rabbit but I'm sure a spirit of goodwill will prevail??????

Wednesday 3rd December

Two thigs have happened lately, firstly Kim came up to visit which P and I both enjoyed. P was in another play that the village Players put on, I didn't get to go but Kim came all the way up from darkest Surrey to see it and seemed to enjoy it. Secondly the church had a Christmas Fair, I sat on guard for a while but I will admit that there was a concern that I may be sold by mistake. P assured me that this would not happen and a great afternoon was had by all. Lots of the stuff sold I had watched being made on Monday afternoons at the sewing group and we made lots of money.

18th October

I have been to my first wedding.....and....I had some chicken. Ninette and Clive married in our village church and they both looked great, the photo is a bit blurred because P had indulged in wine. Honestly, I can't take her anywhere

6th October

We have a new herd of cows in the field this year and they are even more friendly than last year's. I go to the gate at the end of the garden and bark a few times then all my new friends come down to say hello. They are so much more fun than the silly sheep that were there before, it wasn't possible to get up close and personal with them.


It's hard to have a meaningful kiss through netting so I have learned how to climb up it for a propper cuddle. Unfortunately old slowcoach hasn't managed to get a photo of that yet but watch this space.

This weekend was our village show. It was my first visit because the threat of Foot and Mouth stopped any animals being there last year. In the big tent all the exhibits of flowers, veg, cooking, paintings and handicrafts were judged, P wants me to tell you that she did quite well, the pony sports had to be cancelled because the field was so wet but there was sheep judging, sheep dog trials and a dog show. I entered the class for "The Dog With The Waggiest Tail" and no doubt you will have taken it for granted that I won.....I DID !!!! P was SO proud, I couldn't stop her taking photos, and she cooked chicken for me when we got home. I know how they feel at the olympics now and I'll be there next year to defend my title.

SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST

Well, sorry about the long delay, P and I were down in Surry for most of the summer, I did amazing things while away, I went to London on the train and underground.....and.....went up an escalator!!! I went skateboarding with Joseph, went to my favourite garden center, watched Samuel play cricket, had great fun running in the park with Eleanor and was invited to Imogen's birthday party which was a paint your own pot party. I had one paw painted blue and put my mark all round my new water bowl. It was a good holiday.

WEDNESDAY23rd APRIL

Good morning, it's a special day, today is the anniversary of the day Kim bought me for Penelope and we both lived happily ever after*******


I am sure we will do special things today and I do hope the beach is involved but P hasn't been feeling too well for a while (she hasn't had a good winter has she?) so we will take it easy.

Now she is on the mend again I will see that she keeps my diary up to date but today we will just enjoy being together.

HAPPY EASTER

Well,it is Easter Sunday and I have been allowed one tiny egg that the children found after church during the Easter Egg Hunt. The others were just there for the photo so I wonder who will eat them????? We had a good run on the beach the other day and I met a tiny little poodle that was so small he made me look huge. I'm not usually bigger than the dogs I meet there. It is snowing outside so I am going out to play, I am sure P will turn that into a photo opportunity. Talk to you soon.

SUNDAY 9TH MARCH


Sorry, I haven't been on for ages, life in a village can be pretty busy. P has just been in a Play, the first stage production in the village for fifty years!! Well obviously I have had to go through her lines with her, I did a lot of appreciative tail wagging but truly I don't think she'll be on Broadway any time soon. The play however went down a treat and the village turned out in force, standing room only. A good evening but I'm glad we're back to normal.

P and I came to an agreement, I would get my walks by the river if I didn't bite the heads off any more snowdrops. A chap had to agree but there is still a temptation there.

Last night we went to an Australian Night s a sort of post play 'do'. It was great fun, I won the raffle, ate crocodile tail, kangaroo and ostriche!!!!!!!!!, got a great deal of fuss, behaved like an English gentleman despite the theme.....but I would NOT wear the hat. Even in the name of fun I have to have some standards.

February 14th


Happy Valentines Day to Willow, Maxi, Dasher, Maisie, Fishes, Turtles and Hens

Thank you to all my friends for the birthday messages you posted, it really made my day. x

What a day I had yesterday, it was brilliant. We met up with most of my dog friends at the beach very early in the morning and ran through the mist barking madly. sciruffy got a bit lost but we found him. I had chicken for lunch which is my all time favourite and as I don't usually have lunch now it was a treat. In the afternoon village friends came with cards and gifts, I got loads of chews and a teddy bear. There was a cake with a candle for the human contingent and a cake made out of rabbit (yum) for me. when it was brought in I thought I could eat it straight away but no......they started to SING.....for goodness sake, I was forced to BEG!!!!! not something I choose to do very often but it had the desired result and the cake was wonderful (P did remember to take the candle out)

During the afternoon my guests thought they would chat and drink tea. No no no no no!!!!!! My birthday, my guests, I must be the centre of attention at all times so I ran round like a mad thing trying to find the e numbers they were talking about, jumped on everyone, grabbed their clothing, licked their faces, made them throw toys for me, posed for photos and generally made my presence felt. P said that I was being a right little pain and wouldn't be having a second birthday party but my friends kindly put it down to too many chews and too much rich food. Nobody left until late by which time I was very tired but P wanted to take one more photo of me in party mode. It was all very posed and contrived, it amazes me sometimes what amuses her but here is the result. (does my head look big in that hat?????)

FEBRUARY 13TH 2008

Good morning, today is my first birthday and I wanted to say hello before heading off for the beach. Actually my celebrations started on Monday when we went to sewing, there was a cake, with a candle. P helped me blow the candle out but I am sure I could have managed on my own.


This morning I have opened birthday cards, toys, chews, a comb???, a new lead and a squeaky toy. Not a bad haul. My doggy friends are meeting up on the beach in about an hour for a birthday walk and I am really looking forward to that. (P has "had her back" for quite a few days so there have not been as many walks as I would like) This afternoon I have human friends coming to tea (another cake?) so I will be the centre of attention for quite a while. Does this mean I'm not a puppy anymore????

I will post photos of today's celebrations tomorrow, I just wanted to share my day with you. Woof x

15th January


I haven't been out looking for friends in the garden lately because it has been a bit cold and P tends to keep the door closed. However, yesterday we had our usual Monday afternoon at the sewing group. i have to say I am royally treated there, everyone pets me and tells me how good I am????? there are special doggy chew biscuits that are provided at tea time and I have my own toy there, Mr Bananaman that I play with. Anyway, I had a relaxed afternoon and felt like playing in the garden when I got home. I was just nosing about when I found a very small frog, he seemed like a nice chap so I picked him up and took him indoors. Usually when I get in P asks me what I've been doing and this would have been the ideal opportunity to present froggy. Unfortunately she was sitting with a tray on her knee drinking a bowl of soup. I stood next to her waiting for her undivided attention but it took too long and froggy was tickling my tongue so.....I was forced to spit. Wow, you should have seen froggy fly, right onto P's tray. P was then in a panic incase he got into the soup because it was hot. I have to admit I hadn't thought of that so I decided to help catch him. It was pointed out, rather sarcastically I felt, that I wasn't helping. I retreated to my food bowl, P caught frpggy, took his photo and put him back by the pond. She never lets my friends stay over.

HAPPY NEW YEAR KIM, in fact we had another Christmas day, we had saved opening our presents until we were together, I had another special dinner....small again....and a big hide cracker full of goodies and a radio all of my own so that I can listen to Classis FM when P has to go out. I was really sad that they were only here for a few days but it was great fun and i will go down to see them later in the year. I will have to work out how to make friends with Maxi and Willow but hopefully that won't be too difficult. P said that it was a good job they had got home before the snow came but personally I would have liked them to be here so we could have played in the snow together. Maybe next year.

I have had a great Christmas, we went to lots of Christmas fetes and fairs, sang carols round the tree on the green and opened presents and ate goose. Audrey spent Christmas day with us and took the photo of me opening my stocking. I had expected a very large Christmas dinner but evidently we had to be careful my tummy wasn't upset....yeh!!....I thought that was what one did at Christmas. On boxing day we went out for another christmas dinner with friends and then the same on the Thursday ALL TOGETHER AGAIN On Thursday night Kim and the children arrived from Surrey to spend New Year with us and I was really excited. I'd just got used to them being here when they all went to bed but I was there in the morning to meet, greet and kiss. At one point Kim could hardly get her breath but I'm sure she liked it. We went to the beach and Joseph and I tried to jump the blocks, Joseph jumped them all and back again while I only managed to climb onto one. I did get right to the top corner though. I went skate boarding with them and walks and we went into town and on Old Year's Night we all went to a big party in the village hall. I was up way beyond my bedtime but it was fun.

I am not at all sure about the decorations P is putting everywhere, I don't mind the twigs and lights but all these silly hanging things are just asking to be pulled off. The trouble is every time I removed them P put them back....so...I took a load out and buried them in the garden!!! Isn't it amazing the things that displease her??? She even dug them back up and washed them!!! I am looking forward to my stocking being filled and I am really looking forward to eating goose, I think Christmas will be fun so I would like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and all good wishes for 2008. I will talk to you again next year xxx