Stories Of London

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Here are some photographs of some delightful dogs. Visitors to this website are invited to send me photographs of their dogs, cats and any other animals that they treasure.

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Here is a photograph of Georgie (Georgina) taken on Christmas Day 2021. She is the most beautiful West Highland Terrier (commonly known as the Westie) that I have ever seen. Her very proud owners were Keith and Helene Beckingham.

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I am not a lover of dressing cats and dogs in human-styled clothes. However, I received the following birthday card this past year showing a delightful dog where several accoutrements, which been added to a photograph of him, which greatly amuse me.

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This is a photograph of Kitty who sadly is no longer with us having passed away in mid-2021. However she is still missed by her owner, Mrs. Bona Starkeson, and those who knew her.

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A friend of mine from South Africa once had a beautiful black Labrador Retriever named Captain who sadly is no longer with us.

Captain in 1990

Prior to Captain coming to live with my friend and her husband n the 1980s, they had Buster, a female Scottish terrier. Buster was named after a character of Enid Blyton (1897-1968) in her series, Five Find-Outers and Dog. There were fifteen books in the series, which were published between 1943 and 1961.

Buster

Along with Captain, they also took care of two Staffordshire Terriers, Sultan (the brown dog) and Kelly. Sultan lived to the age of 14 and died in 2009. Although Staffies have a bad reputation, I am assured that both Sultan and Kelly were affectionate and calm dogs and were excellent companions.

Sultan and Kelly

My friends had Chappie until recently and who was a rescue dog from the SPCA and was a terrier/cross female, and was 14-years of age in the photograph.

Chappie – gone but not forgotten

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I was recently sent a photograph of two much loved animals named Silva, a Cairn Terrier, and Spinach, a beautiful black cat, who were the pets of the singers Anne Ziegler (1910-2003) and Webster Booth (1902-1984) during the time that they lived in South Africa (1956-1978).  Ms Ziegler and Mr. Booth were much loved singers and performers and were known as the Sweethearts of Song.

Silva (left) and Spinach (right)
This photograph was taken by Mr. Dudley Holmes

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For those readers wishing to learn more of the careers of Ms Anne Zeigler and Mr. Webster Booth, please following the links given below:

The Webster Booth-Anne Ziegler Appreciation Group

Webster Booth & Anne Zeigler – Jean Collen

Webster Booth & Anne Ziegler: Excerpts from Gramophone and Discography

A Series of books about the lives and careers of Webster Booth & Anne Ziegler by Jean Collen

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This is a photograph of Dizzy, a Labradoodle who lives with his owners, the musicians and Disc Jockeys, Keith & Pam Read. The breed is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodle.

Dizzy looking through the gap in the back seat

Dizzy, now gone but never to be forgotten

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Here is a photograph of Kim, a King Charles Cavalier  Spaniel, who was the family dog of the Pugh Family. Although he is sadly no longer with us, he is far from forgotten.

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Here is a series of photographs of Chico, a 10-year old Short Haired Chihuahua, who is very popular and greatly loved by all members of the Lawler & Pugh families.

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In 2007, I visited Melbourne in Australia and went to the Newport Railway Museum, which is well worth a visit.  While there, I noticed a Tabby Cat that seemed to be living in the Museum.  When I asked, I learned that a number of cats lived there and that some of the staff regularly fed them. It was nice to know someone cared for those cats.

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This lovely dog is Lilith who graced the cover of the Best Friends Magazine published in October 2022. She was looking for a permanent home and I hope that someone kind and considerate fell in love with her and took her home. Wherever she is, let us hope that she is happy and well-cared for.

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Here are photographs of Cubby, a 10-year-old male Tabby and Trixie, a 14-year-old female Tuxedo cat. Both were adopted from Cat Angels Pet Adoptionsin Cary, NC. They have clipped ears because when they were strays, a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Rescue Group sterilized them before release. Members of the Groups clip their ears so that the same strays are not trapped and neutered a second time.

Cubby

Trixie ……. very much La Femme Fatale ……. I hear that she excels in come-hither poses and is the consummate coquette and will do anything to get someone to stop and pet her!

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Beans

Beans was the name the cat rescue lady hurriedly gave him when we went to the Shelter to choose a cat to take home.  I had taken my then six- and two-year old daughters to pick up a female six-month old tabby.  I left with the promise of a eight-week old kitten, Beans, that is when he actually made it to 8 weeks.  We met him at six-weeks, flea-ridden, gammy-eye and in need of antibiotics.  He and his sister had been found half-dead and covered in fleas. We learned that his sister had already found a home.  I was signing the tabby cat paperwork when my daughter asked me to look at Beans who was sat on her six-year old palm where he was putting his best self forward even though he looked a sorry state.  When she put him down he walked to the litter tray and hoicked himself over – proving his ability to conform to basic hygiene standards!  I felt he had played his card well.  So we changed our mind and Beans came home two weeks later.  He was so tiny, the two-year old was a real danger to him!  He has been a constant friend, intelligent, calm, sweet and self-sufficient.   He has routines, and he misses us if we aren’t here.  People think cats are unfeeling, and with Beans at least, that is far from the truth.  He is also a ruthless killer and drags inside giant rats!  Definitely earns his keep!

Katie, Norwich, Norfolk

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Here is a photograph of Ozzie who is a Cockerpoo (also known as a Spoodle or Cockerdoodle) and is now 10-years old.

Ozzie

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Here are two more beautiful dogs who live with the Morkrid Family: firstly, Shotgun, a nine-year old black Labrador Retriever, and Bentley, a seven-year old Beagle. They share a home and are great friends.

Shotgun & Bentley

Shotgun has a wonderfully expressive face: below he has a wonderful woeful look! However, I am assured that he enjoys playing and running around very much.

Shotgun

Shotgun – Jr. Walker (1931-1995) & The All-Stars

(To read more of Shotgun, click here and join him at The Rainbow Bridge)

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Here is Bentley in a somewhat pensive mood:

Bentley

Recently, Bentley suffered an injury that required him wearing a cone in order that he did not trouble the area and impede healing. I am told that he used to crash through small openings which did not stop him from successfully passing through!

Bentley (with Shotgun) and with cone

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Bentley & Shotgun Together

Bentley & Shotgun Together Again

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Here is a photograph of Toto, a Chihuahua (Chihuahueño in Spanish) who is four years old:

Toto