On Sunday night just gone midnight, I gave Ben, my loyal and loving 13 years old dalmatian boy, a last cuddle and said my last goodbye. His lordship and I wept as we watched the vet administered the lethal dose, and how very quickly the drug took his life. No more pain, my dear boy, and rest in peace.

The house has become very quiet – No Ben’s excitement as he rushes for his food. No barking at the man with his “chinese” dog as they walk past the house. No huff-n-puff-n-a-great-big-sigh as he plonk himself down on his favourite chair only to sleep for the rest of the afternoon. No sitting by his biscuit tin and adoringly looking at you with his sad brown eyes saying “Please give me a biscuit. I’ve been such a good boy and I’m starving” …..

This has been the most difficult blog post I’ve ever written. Every word and every sentence brings so much memories and my tears start flowing again – Kinda difficult to see through tears-covered spectacles to be able to type!! I took these three photos as they remind me most of my loving dog.

His armchair – This is Ben’s favourite chair in our living room. Most mornings he’d be curled up on the sofa in my study/office keeping me company as I go about my business, but by the afternoons when the sun shines through our living room windows upon the armchair, Ben would be straight on it. Sleeping soundly and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Not only did he get a commanding view of the kitchen, but also a view out of the window into the street, where he gets to bark verociously at the man with the “chinese” dog.

His food bowl – Food was top priority for Ben. He loved his food!! He would hop and dance around us as we prepare his meals, barking with great delight and enthusiasm as if it was the only meal he’d ever had for months. As we carried his food bowl downstairs where he is fed, Ben would shoot down the stairs like a lightning and get there before you can even blink your eyes. Oh yes, he LOVED his food. Ben would eat anything – Definitely not a fussy eater!! Bananas, all sorts of fruits, last night chinese takeaways, chicken jelfrezi … not fussed!!! Just wanted lots of it!!! The word “biscuits” had to be spelt out in our household, for the mere mention of the word and Ben would be straight there, sitting beautifully in front of you, with his sad eyes looking pleadingly at you saying “Did you just say biscuits? Yessssss pleaaaasssseee”.

His collar – Ben. Yup. That’s what it says. That’s my boy Ben. We tend to take his collar off when he’s at home and picking up the collar signals it’s time for walkies. Ben loved his walks and never tires of them. He slowed down as he grew older and as his back condition worsen, but he loved his walks nonetheless. He’d wait with great anticipation for His lordship to arrive home every evening, because it signals the start of everything he loved – Biscuits. Walks. Dinner. Armchair.

It’s been two days now…. His bowl lies in the hallway. An empty armchair. A collar never to be worn again……… Rest peacefully my dear companion, my friend, my Ben. I love you and I miss you so much.

I haven’t been doing much photography lately; The last few weeks have been taken up mostly with geeky computer stuff and website designs… all very good but it keeps you glued to the computer monitor and stops you from going out there in the big blue yonder to do what you love most – Photography!!!

I was going through the backlog of the gerzillion tons of photos that has yet to be processed in my archive, and found this little gem! I love the nightlife (I

know these words are the begining to a disco tune and I am trying very hard not to burst into a song & dance number) and I love Soho. But especially so at night – Soho comes alive with the myriad of colours, people and characters.

Must try and find some time to do more night shoots in Soho before winter sets in. By the way, I was debating on whether to keep this as a black & white shot or in colour. Settled in the end for a black & white version. What do you think?

The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust;
Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight;
Past reason hunted and no sooner had,
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
Laid on purpose to make the taker mad:
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
…All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
…To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.

by William Shakespeare

LOL …. The boys (and girls too) participating at The Blacksmiths competitions held at the Edenbridge and Oxted Country Show. The competitions are part of a qualifying round for the National Blacksmiths Competition, and are one of the

ten qualifying rounds held nationally, promoting the traditional craft and the skills of the blacksmiths.

Had a great day out yesterday at the Edenbridge and Oxted Country Show with my buddy Randall and his partner Jay, his lordship and his father Geoff (and the “Portcullis” gang – Gerald, Eileen and Reene!!!).

The best part of the day is definitely watching the terrier racing, and the copious amounts of beer and food of course!!!!