Welshie Thoughts on Wales

Welshie Big Adventure in Wales

Maisie and Winston surveying the countryside with Fernanda

I have had a chance to discuss the trip to Wales with both Maisie and Winston and thought my readers might be interested in knowing their thoughts on the trip thus far.  If you have a Welsh, you know that Welshie thoughts on a subject can be easy to discern if they feel strongly about something.

Welshie thoughts on Wales from Maisie

Sniffing a work of art with real animal pelts inside the steel frame.

I am very pleased to be on this journey with my parents.  While I enjoy my time away from the humans when they go on travel without me, I get only passing smells from the places they have been.  Going on this trip means I get to sniff and learn everything in real time.

The language of dogs here is a bit difficult to understand.  When I pass dogs on the lane or in towns, they usually just walk by without a glance!  I have tried to give them my best stare in hopes to stir up some feisty discussions but they just don’t understand my look.  I may just give up on the stare while I am here as it is clearly not worth the effort.

Listening to the sounds outside.

The cottage where we sleep has comfy couches and windows that I can sit in and look out.  There is even one window with a lambskin rug and nice pillows.  I really like this particular window because I can watch Dad using his computer and see them eating their meals.

Maisie's favorite viewing spot.

We have a nice big yard with slats so that I can look out at the sheep in the field.  I met a horse here, her name is Destiny and she stops by every day near our fence to say hello.  I’d like to get closer to her and give her a sniff but I’m not allowed.

Destiny in the background.

Speaking of sheep, I got to sniff a ram up close and he had a rich earthy scent that I liked.  I was just about to give him a lick when Winston made a sound and scared him away. 

Meeting the rams at the farm.

I wish Mom had left him at home, he can be such a party pooper when other animals are involved.

Touring Newton Hall.

Mom said I should tell about the places we have traveled.  All I know is that we always take a long car ride to get places and then we do a lot of walking and sniffing.  Some places we go have smells that are really old, like way before my time and I’m almost ten.

Hiking the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve.

We seem to always hike up hills to get to these old places and there are loads of interesting wild animal smells.  I really enjoyed walking through the field of sheep, but was vexed that I wasn’t allowed to taste any of the yummy poo that was just everywhere.

Welshie thoughts on Wales from Winston

Looking and listening to sounds in the water.

Well, I really liked the plane ride here because Mum, that’s what the Welsh dogs call their Mom, let me sleep on her lap the entire flight.  I think it’s called a cwtsh in Welsh but I call it a cuddle.  I really love cuddling with my Mum.

Having a cwtsh on Mummy

We drive a lot here, and I really don’t like being in cars.  But I am trying to be on my best behavior and not throw up when we move.  I think because Dad is driving slowly on all the twisty roads my tummy has been better.  I just sit in the backseat and look backwards.

NB: For the safety conscious readers out there I do have a safety harness on both dogs.

Mummy, this is MY blog right now, go away!

I really liked meeting Destiny the horse because she is so tall and has lots of smells.  She said something to me but I didn’t understand her because it was in Welsh.  Welsh sounds all jumbled in my ears but I am really trying to learn.

Hi Destiny!

We do an awful lot of walking here.  I really hate walking and would prefer if I could be carried everywhere instead.  But, Mummy says it’s good for me and that I am not an old man. 

One of our long walks.

So, we walk up these really huge mountains and she doesn’t let me stop nearly enough to sniff and rest.  She keeps talking about being on a schedule.  I don’t know what that is, but I don’t think that I like schedules.

I am Prince Winston of Dinefwr Castle.

Do you know what a Prince is?  Mummy says that I am her Prince when we get to the top of the mountains.  She then lets me pretend that I am in charge of keeping the castle safe from predators.  I am really good at hunting predators and I take my job very seriously.

These places are really old and I sniff each stone I can to make sure we are safe from trouble.  Lots of other dogs and people have come here before me, so there are loads of smells and things to learn.  I like coming to these places because they usually have lots of grass and no other dogs to bother me.  And it means I get to be with Mum!

Winston exploring.

Mummy reminded me to tell you about my pub visits.  This is really special because she brought me to the pub for dinner and not Maisie.  Maisie can be too bossy so I got to come alone and sit next to her while she ate.  I know I am a good boy because everyone there said I was.

Trying to say hello to Rory.

Maisie keeping an eye on Mummy.

Yesterday, we went to Cardigan and we went to a pub for lunch.  Maisie kept trying to eat everything on the floor, but I just stared at a little boy named Rory sitting next to me and hoping for a little cwtsh.  He was shy around me, but I did my best to let him know that I was a really good dog, and I do love people.

Sleeping on the couch all by myself.

I have only one thing that makes me sad here in Wales, and that is I don’t get to sleep with Mummy at night.  The nice lady, Karen, who owns this cottage says no dogs in bedrooms.  I guess she doesn’t like it when we make lovely mud designs on the white covers.

Maisie loves to connect with me however she can.