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.

My friend Sandra wanted some help with Lightroom and Photoshop, so I organized a little tutorial session and invited Randall to help too. The idea was to do some work, and if the weather is nice, a barbecue afterwards.

Sandra and her partner Tongai arrived just after midday, and Randall & Jay not long after. The weather wasn’t exactly barbecue friendly which was a shame but it didn’t stop the festivities.

Way too much alcohol and food, and very little coaching in Lightroom or Photoshop (actually Randall did ALL the tutorial. Well, someone’s got to organize food and drinks… hee hee), the evening progressed to a very entertaining game of Longhop – a gambling greyhound racing game with beautifully painted lead dogs circa 1920′s that his lordship had inherited from his great aunt.

It was a most delightful day.

A friend of my great buddies Randall & Jay, I first met Dharmendra last weekend when Dharmendra and Randall popped round the house for a visit and an impromptu barbecue.

The only vegetarian at a meat feast of a barbecue, Dharmendra was also not involved in the arsonists’ activities of burning of dandelions. LOL

We have visitors – his lordship’s Canadian cousins; Jean, her husband Brian and Faye are here on a two weeks vacation. I’ve been playing tour-guide and showing them the sights and attractions around London. Yesterday, we started the day over at Greenwhich. It was a glorious spring day (though the winds were a little on the chilly side).

After coffee at a little cafe just round the corner from Greenwhich Market, we headed towards the Old Royal Naval College where we saw the Painted Hall Exhibition.

It was soon midday and we are ready for a pub lunch and some beers!!! After a lovely pub lunch, we took a stroll to the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. This soon followed by more beers at another pub……. and another….. and another…….

The day ended at the Pembroke pub in Coulsdon, where we met up with his lordship, my buddies Randall and his partner Jay, and Don for pizzas and, you’ve guessed it, more beers!!!!!

Last Sunday, His lordship & I decided to go walking in the countryside with our two dalmatians. After a hearty breakfast, we set off and drove to Woldingham to do the Woldingham Countryside Walk.

It was a gorgeous day for a walk with the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing gently. But what REALLY top it off was when we came upon this beautiful woodland completely covered with bluebells.

Spent the day wandering around Newhaven with my good friend (and brilliant photographer) Randy & his partner Jay, his lordship & our two dalmatians – Ben & Jazmyn. We found a wonderful pub called The Hope Inn over at the west pier – Wonderfully welcoming and great food. But most of all, it’s a dog-friendly pub!!!

The day ended in Brighton, with several more beers enjoyed over at The Amsterdam Bar, situated on the seafront opposite Brighton’s famous Palace Pier.