Happy New Year to all of our lovely followers, family and friends – two-legged and four!
We hope 2021 brings peaceful and prosperous times for you and your loved ones. But, in the case that it doesn’t, we can take some comfort in knowing that 2020 has surely prepared us, in some way, for the changes and challenges which may lie ahead. As ever in this current situation, all we can do is keep calm and carry on.
We hope you all enjoyed pleasant celebrations and the opportunity for respite and time to recharge. Although we may not have been able to celebrate with family and friends in the traditional way, it’s important to still stay connected, and so we tried to make it as special and as sentimental as possible in our house. As always, the pets were at the centre of all the attention, they never miss a trick! Whether it’s the rustling of wrapping or a shred of tempting turkey, the plentiful pettings or the post-xmas dinner collective food coma, you’d find their snouts pressed firmly at the heart of whatever was happening. Christmas is a doubly precious occasion for Luna and Leia as we chose Christmas Eve for their joint birthday, based on a rough estimation by the vet.
This year, they turned five together.
Here’s a snapshot of our festivities (I can’t believe this was our third Christmas together?! How times flies!):
Mrs Claws 
Sloppy seasonal kisses
We would love to see #SeasonalSelfies of you and your furry friends, so drop them in the comments below or tag us on Instagram at @lovinglunauk.
Firstly, I wanted to thank you for all of the supportive messages we received following the publishing of our previous blog, titled ‘My mission statement and pledge‘, in which we announced a return to content creating.
It was heart-warming to receive such a warm welcome back and, as this year has taught us, small acts of kindness are something we should be truly grateful for.
‘My mission statement and pledge’
One of my favourite and pupper-related positives to take from 2020 is the fantastic year man’s best friend, across the world, must have had! Humans, at home? all year long!? I’m sure there’s been lots of extra treats and tummy-tickles in 2020. In their short time with us, how very important is that additional quality time which we may never have had a chance to spend together under normal circumstances?
What are your most treasured memories of time spent with pets last year? Maybe you had a working-from-home mutt mishap? Or perhaps they simply served as a welcomed distraction in a world that’s felt a little glum? Tell us your tales in the comments below!
For us, Luna and Leia have thankfully been able to continue to attend doggy daycare throughout the pandemic so life hasn’t changed too drastically for them. We’re grateful to the Collar Club for the effective safety measures they have introduced under the current government guidance, enabling the girls to continue their normal routine in this way. It’s also made working from home for me and mum a much easier transition.
It’s certainly felt like a funny old world though in which it’s the dogs who go out each day, maintaining a regular social life, whilst the humans are stuck at home! Being the ones to greet them as they return from a busy day away, excitable and exhausted in equal measures, feels like a slightly topsy-turvy dynamic.
Aside from their long days down at the club, they’ve enjoyed regular walks, come rain or shine, in this unpredictable but typically British weather! Lockdown has provided us all with the opportunity to appreciate our natural surroundings that little bit more. A chance to change your scenery, clear your mind and breathe in some of that fresh air really can work wonders for the mind and, if you’ve two bonkers canines for companions, you’re sure to have a few tales to tell on your return.
Walkies on the field
Chilly paws
Out exploring
Time for a snap
We’ve enjoyed getting out and about and exploring some new paths in our local area. Some new smells are great stimulation for the girls and it never helps to stack up a few extra miles to keep Luna trimmed down and to allow Leia to burn off some of that natural whippet-greyhound adrenaline. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since her accident which resulted in her completely shattering her knee-cap on a stray rock. At one point, the vets weren’t certain she’d ever walk again but watching her bolt across the field, down through ditches and high off in hills in the distance, you’d think you dreamt the whole thing!
Their bond as a pair continues to be as strong as ever. They love to play rough, particularly out on walks. You’ll often find Leia with a chunk of Luna’s flabby neck between her teeth or Luna barrelling her full-weight into Leia unsuspectingly. As dog owners, they make us nervous at times but, much like kids, you can’t wrap them in cotton wool…mainly because the cotton wool would be shredded in seconds and spread across the floor like a new layer of snow. It’s in their nature to be wild and reckless and roaming and that free spirit is what ties them so closely to one another. But for all of their bravado and savagery, they certainly don’t forget their domestic traits.
One sweet and comical example recently, in which parental intervention was required, involved Leia scaling a particularly high fence. She was over it in a flash, it presented no challenge (she once cleared a 6ft ‘secure’ dog field with ease) and landed with a yelp on the other side. I witnessed it from a distance but, had I not, rest assured that I would have been made aware from the impossible-to-ignore alarm Luna raised. Seeing her sister disappear over into the unknown set her off in a panicked frenzy, rushing up and down the fence, howling, crying, wiggling her bum and her tail, frantically leaping up at me. Once I’d made sure Leia was safe and secure on the other side, albeit slightly shaken at her own agility, I quickly retreated to Mum for back-up as my own short height had become my downfall in her retrieval. On returning with support, Luna greeted us in her same wide-eyed, flapping state and led us again directly to the scene. If she could have spoken in that moment, I think she’d have exclaimed, ‘Mom! Leia needs help! Quick!’. But, in her independent nature, Leia worked up the courage and sprung herself back over from the other side in one swift leap. Reunited, there was a flurry kisses and sniffs and licks between the pair. After checking her over, myself and mum couldn’t help but laugh. These are the same animals descended from those that once fended for themselves in pre-historic times and, although they possess many of the same qualities, they’re still very much big babies underneath it all.
After December walks, the girls look forward to getting home and snuggling up but not before a quick cleanse with the Mud Daddy to remove any excess dirt and get them feeling all fresh! Here’s Luna having her soak, we just love those amber eyes.
If you do struggle with muddy pups, the Mud Daddy proves a saviour! It’s a great, handy little gadget to have in your arsenal on colder and damper days. It’s easy to operate and takes little preparation for the humans and is a welcomed mini-spa experience for the dogs!
You can check it out here: Mud Daddy UK
Between daycare and walkies, the girls love nothing more than to sleep. Luna continues to be the laziest dog I have ever known. Her latest trick is favouring the cosiness of the sofa to a slither of beef! Never in my life have I met a dog (and former stray?!) who chooses to watch you tempting her from the sofa, tail slapping leather in a rattle-snake motion, but with a complete refusal to budge. Leia on the other hand, who’s always been food-orientated, salivating inches from the offering. But not Luna, she regularly makes the decision to sacrifice a treat if it involves any form of physical exertion past 6:00pm. Similarly, in the morning, she takes some real encouragement to arise from her basket.
Sisterly naps
Our favourite activity to witness is the downwards facing dog she performs every time she is begrudgingly beckoned from her safe, warm spot. She plants her two front feet firmly on the floor, presses into the ground and, with her two back feet still on the sofa, she extends into a deep downward dog position, stretching her spine and tail. This is a very regular occurrence and a quirky trait for a dog – who knew she was a Yogi?!
It really is a hard life for them isn’t it?
A less favoured but humorous trait which she’s also gotten into the routine of lately involves using the full force of her body-weight, thrown against my bedroom door at bedtime, sending it flying open with a startling bang. At night, Luna and Leia sleep in my mum and dad’s room in their baskets. This has been routine for them for a long time, stemming back to the year I didn’t share the same home as Luni, and works well because it allows them to both get up early with my dad, get fed and get cozied downstairs before I awake. It’s a good routine and works for everybody in the house. Luna however, wily independent and stubborn, clearly isn’t satisfied with this arrangement. Before you coo over the closeness and affection she must hold for me, by disturbing my slumber at night to come in, jump on the bed, do a circle and snuggle down, let me state for you with absolute certainty that this is, in no way shape or form, a reflection of her love. In actual fact, you will find it is the result of her preference of my wide, open bed over her perfectly cosy, snug basket!
It’s a comedic routine every night: I get comfy, begin to drift off, I hear the double patter of two sets of paws bolting up the stairs, one set angelically tots off into it’s basket in mum and dad’s room and, as for the other, I await the deafening boom of my door as it slams against the wall. She slinks in in the darkness, jumps aboard the bed and settles down. A few minutes later, my mum follows up the stairs, not quite as sprite and nimble as the two pups, and pops her head in, catching the assailant in the act. Luna, knowing what’s coming, puts on her best act. It takes me back to that which I witnessed in Greece and is a coy, submissive and almost flirtatious routine. Head down, puppy-eyes on, tail slapping the bed in that distinctive and cheeky manner. To which my mum will respond, ‘Luna? Are you getting in your own bed?’, at which she will accept defeat and, with a slobbery kiss, she’ll depart. A black waggy tail disappears out of the room and around the corner. It melts my heart every single time.
Over Christmas, Luna and Leia were kept busy with a whole host of festive fun down at the Collar Club. How cute did they look in their seasonal sweaters for Christmas jumper day?
Christmas jumper day
The wonderful staff down at the Collar Club made sure all pups in attendance had barrels of fun with activities planned including a Christmas costume competition, treats and cakes, festive games and raffles with treats and prizes.
There was also a special guest straight from Whoville (specifically Mount Crumpit) who joined the crew to meet all dogs and hand out presents. Luna, initially, was far from impressed as the traumatised shot below reveals. You have to admit, he is a little scary looking…
Meeting the Grinch
However, by her second introduction, it appears that even she had managed to encourage the Grinch’s heart to grow. One swift lick of his hairy green nose sealed their new found friendship!
‘We did our worst Max, and that’s all the matters’ – The Grinch
Now, if you think special guest appearances are VIP treatment, wait until you see the delicious Christmas dinner the lucky pups were also served…three times in one week!
Inclusive of chicken, sweet potato, broccoli, carrots, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy! As you can see from the pictures, it was gratefully received.
Christmas dinner for dogs
ft the Santa suit
All dressed up and nowhere to cocoa
As if the experience of having a dog at doggy daycare could be any more likened to having a child in nursery, check out these lovely paw-made Christmas decorations the girls returned home with for the tree.
Luna’s pawprint present
You have to commend the efforts of the staff at the Collar Club. These thoughtful little additions really make the whole experience so special and it’s that extra thought, particularly at this time of year and after the year we’ve all had, that mean the most. As for Luna, well, who knew she was quite the artist!
The week was rounded off in typical Collar Club fashion with a festive photoshoot. This one will make a cracking Christmas card, I’m certain of it.
Santa’s little helper
and so, as we draw this blog to a close, I hope this winter update has perked you up and kept you filled in on all the usual madness that’s taken place. As noted in my previous blog, my intentions for 2021 is for it to be a year of more regular content and updates, as we find our feet with blogging again, and so I wanted to thank you all for your continuous support and generosity.
Also, a message to stay safe in these difficult times, to hold your loved ones close and to be grateful for every moment, whether it’s flying across a field with boundless energy or simply snuggling down for the long winter ahead, we hope you share these special times with those you hold dear and pray for brighter times ahead.
Cosy and close
We’ll be back soon with another blog titled ‘But why Greek animal rescue?’ which will be more focused on the wider Greek stray crisis. As below, we’ve been actively involved once again in promoting petitions and supporting the cause recently, one particular petition I would like to highlight seeks to reverse Le Shuttle’s recent decision, made overnight and with no prior warning, to stop the transportation of dogs in quantities more than five across the Eurotunnel.
This decision will have a detrimental impact on international dog rescue, including those lucky pups who are already set to travel to promised homes, with immediate effect.
Amidst COVID-19, DEFRA has authorised continued life saving transport for animals. The decision by Le Shuttle will only make this necessary work all the more harder for the many rescuers and rescues globally who devote their lives to the welfare of animals.
Every signature counts. Access it here for further information and to sign: Petition · Reverse draconian decision by Eurotunnel costing the lives of rescue dogs around the world · Change.org
An excellent admin assistant
Until then, signing off with love,
Charlotte and Luna
x
Loving Luna and Friends 