Sunday, January 17, 2016

Little things.


The cold snap has arrived. PON weather. Loic, the heavily bifocaled gardener, tells me it will last three days


For lunch we go the new 'American' restaurant in the shopping centre. They do salads, which 'The Font' likes. The salad is a great success. Angus's burger less so. The meat comes 'bleu', the fries are of the reheated variety , there is a strangely runny cheddar sauce . The accompanying glass of red wine is borderline drinkable. The replacement of the burger bun with a brioche is perhaps a Frenchification too far.


Out with Bob at 6.30 this morning. A dead badger on the road. Probably some driver rushing through the village in the small hours gave it a glancing blow. The body quite untouched, the face peaceful. Each night Sophie has rushed through the orchard to bark at this snuffling presence on the other side of the fence. A well worn path from the sett marking where parents and cubs have set off on their nightly search for food.


Indoors for a pair of gardening gloves. He's heavy. 15 kilos ? I carry him into a field and put him down by a gorse hedge on a carpet of  bog myrtle and wild orchids. Strange the things you notice. A fitting place for this old neighbour. Bob who has sniffed the body and somehow understood that it's dead and nonthreatening watches me, tail down, in silent and calm fascination. This canine understanding of life I find interesting.


Those little things about life with dogs too inconsequential for a diary but too important to go completely unrecorded.


27 comments:

Coppa's girl said...

You found the perfect resting place for the poor old fellow.
Somehow, looking at the photo of the "American" restaurant, I can't think it would be much of a culinary experience - it looks so bleak. Surely well cooked is the way to have a hamburger - not "bleu"?

Virginia said...

Oh, dear. Poor Mr Badger! Will one parent successfully raise the cubs? They would need protection against what? Foxes? Birds of prey? Isn't it interesting Bob wasn't interesting in eating or playing with it?

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Poor badger.

Kittypup said...

Bless you for removing the dear old Brock. Bless Bob for his touching reverence.
Super blog....where else would you find burgers and badgers within a few lines?

WFT Nobby said...

The monster badgers I used to see around my parents' house looked like they could weigh at least 15 kg. It seems your one died a quick death and now rests in a peaceful spot.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

We've done the same for animals hit on the road near our drive way. I always hope their end came quickly and wish them God speed.

Anonymous said...

Poor fellow. Thank you for finding him a nice resting place and doing what probably all who read your blog would wish to do for him too. I hope he's snow scampering around in rainbow fields with a gentle sun on his back, and no roads to traverse.
x

10NISNE1 said...

Bless his heart! Sadly, my beautiful boy Petey passed away on Wednesday.

Angus said...

Oh, we're so sorry to hear that. He had been a good and faithful friend through the years. Our thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sorry to hear about Petey; I'm sure he had the best of lives thanks to You!! Keep happy memories of him.
We recently lost our 12 yr old lab, but it now sounds like we'll have a new puppy the end of Feb. :)

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Poor badger. Thank you for taking him to a lovely resting place. We too are having a cold snap. -41 celcius yesterday morning and this one as well. Oh Canada!

rottrover said...

Fancy burger joints are all the rage here in California. Brioche buns a must have item. But the meat should be pink, not blue!

WFT Nobby said...

Sorry too to hear about Petey.
Our thoughts are with you.
Gail and Bertie.

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Heart felt thoughts being sent to you, for your loss of Petey.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

A lovely resting place amongst the wild orchids.
Fitting.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I'm so sorry about Petey.

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Was this Yogi? May you have many joyful days ahead with the new puppy!

Unknown said...

It is touching to read of the kind and sensitive laying to rest of the poor fellow with steadfast Bob at your side.

tammy j said...

such a beautiful post angus.
i haven't commented in a long while.
but i still visit every day. and if i should miss... i always catch up.
you'll possibly never know how addictive and wonderful we find your special world.
those of us who remember two little white ghosts... ever in heart and memory.
and now these two amazingly individual little beings that have made their own places as well!
thank you for sharing the continuing adventure with us! XO♥


Anonymous said...

Yes, we lost Yogi in December to cancer. It's so hard, but every pet lover knows this.
Thanks so much for you kind wishes ... it means a lot. We're really looking forward to to our new little pup.

Emm said...

Poor badger, and now I'm going to worry about the badger babies. As do others, I thank you for taking care of another of the world's creatures.

VirginiaC said...

So thoughtful and feeling as usual Angus....I would have done the same thing for the poor badger.
He looks pretty big and I would have needed a little help to give him a decent burial.
I bury animals that stray into my garden to die all the time.
Bob is a wise guy and he knows when to be respectful...a wonderful trait for him.

Kari said...

Do help the little ones if you can, Angus. The large fellow is beyond cares. It was a fine thing to do to place the remains in a more secluded spot. Hopefully he will return to earth as generations before him have.

Louise said...

Such a sense of peace and calmness came over me, looking at the photo and reading your description. I don't know why, as there should probably be a sense of sadness that his life was sadly cut short. I think I feel peace just knowing that there are kind, gentle and respectful souls (both human and canine) in this world, who will take the time to do a simple, but such loving act.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry for your loss x

Susan said...

Not much I can add to the thoughts expressed here already but a big hello from les Gang in Nova Scotia and a thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful post xo Susan & gang