My collie is called Smudge. She’s mostly black, but has white paws, chest, chin, neck, belly and the tiniest dab on top of her head, as if she’s brushed against some wet paint: hence the name. I didn’t want another dog, but after eight months of my wife mourning our previous collie Molly, I capitulated and bought Smudge. She was a little charmer right from the start. If you held her against your chest, she would snuggle into your neck whilst issuing groans of pleasure and sweet puppy smells.
There were a few surprises along the way. Smudge had huge paws for a puppy. Everyone who saw her said she was going to be a big dog. Eight years on, she’s actually very small for a collie but she still has big paws. As is common with collies, Smudge was desperate to be trained from a very early age. Although she seemed keen to please, she was either too giddy or just didn’t understand what we wanted. The first eighteen months were a nightmare: trashed carpets, furniture, wallpaper, shit everywhere. We even had to buy a cage for her: we were at our wits end. Then, almost overnight, everything just clicked into place, and she was well behaved. Now she can learn quite complex games and commands in next to no time.
Although Smudge is ostensibly Maeve’s dog and it’s Maeve who walks, grooms and feeds her, Smudge is definitely mine. When we come home, Smudge shoves Maeve out of the way to get to me. Although Smudge is obedient when she’s with Maeve, when we’re together she demands a second opinion on any Maeve instruction. Maeve can find this rather frustrating on occasion.
What really sets Smudge apart from other dogs I’ve owned or known is her sweet nature. She really is a joy to be with and never fails to brighten my day.
Smudge
30 Saturday Jun 2012
Posted in dog, friends, Life, Musings, pets, relationships, Thoughts, Uncategorized
