WINNIE
Jane Carlin
War Memorial, Park Street
30 x 45 cm
Lockdown tails…
Winnie was a costly lockdown dog who arrived in December 2020, a
Miniature Poodle chosen online and born in Essex. My lovely Labrador had died
earlier in the year and although I felt I was too old to have another dog (in case
it outlived me), the gap without one made life only half as good and walks without the
enjoyment of a dog companion seemed very lacking. At that stage in lockdown it
was virtually impossible to find any dogs to rehome – which would have made me
feel less selfish. My granddaughters in Abingdon were desperate to own a dog
but couldn’t as both their parents were teachers working full time so they enthusiastically joined me in the hunt for a dog! We then stumbled across the brilliant solution of sharing a new puppy! It would live with me in the week and spend the weekends in Abingdon with my son’s family. I felt I should probably stick to a smaller variety and wanted one that enjoyed long walks and was happy to live with my two resident cats. A miniature poodle fitted the requirements!
It was impossible not to love her from the moment we collected her – a tiny bundle of
black curls and who quickly learnt to use the cat litter tray and chase the cats! After a settling down period, she began to spend half her time with her second family which continued all through lockdown, swapping her over every Friday afternoon. It was a special treat for me to have a reason see them all – sometimes just at the garden
gate in the strictest times – but wonderful to keep the link going. We were all uncertain on how Winnie would adapt to shared ownership, especially as poodles tend to be rather owner fixated, but she seemed to greet both homes with equal enthusiasm and love. Even more cleverly, she has worked out the different house rules of each family and knows where and when she can get away with rolling on beds, sitting on sofas and stealing treats.
A dog in lockdown was a wonderful reason to get out, talk to people and share
problems. When schools were allowed back, Winnie became an official therapy dog, going into school one day a week with my daughter in law who works in a
pastoral support department for children with anxieties. Winnie is always willing to sit on a lap and be stroked to calm things down. In Woodstock, she comes with me to
help at Stroke Club and is a happy diversion. Any dog is a commitment and a tie –
but I’m so glad I went for having another one. It is a joy and privilege to get to
understand your dog’s character and the bond and joy they give back is priceless.
Jane Carlin