Wednesday 31 January 2018

Savoy dreams


And just like that he was turned from hairy beast into smart dog.

The littlest boy has memorised the passage in Plumdog where Plum goes to the hairdressers. She says, I felt like a filmstar. Bert does too.

Do you need a reminder of the Before look?


Oh he was wild and woolly. Now he is like a whole dog made of velvet. And he can see out!


We can't stop looking at him. And he is faster too. No longer at the park does he canter a feeble six feet after a ball before giving up and letting the big dogs get it. He's in the game, sprinting after it like Usain Bolt.

I made omelette Arnold Bennett for tea for the non-vegetarians (ie. all of the people except me). Well, not quite, it was actually an ordinary omelette with smoked haddock in it. The real thing is a bit fancier with all sorts of fluffy sauce and grated Gruyere, but being short on time etc. etc.

I looked up the recipe first and discovered that it was created for AB while he was living at the Savoy. Can you imagine it? Honestly, there would be absolutely nothing to do ever in the way of chores. Not a single dish to be washed or a shelf to be dusted or carpet to be vacuumed. Imagine all the time! I too could write a novel in such circumstances, I am certain of it. Especially if I was being fed dishes especially created for me by top chefs. Nut Roast Above The River perhaps, or Noodles CJ. I am very fond of noodles.

Oh, but they would never manage without me. Who would get cross about the mud and operate the washing machine and the vacuum? No-one else knows how to do it. No, I fear I am utterly indispensable. The Savoy will have to wait. I will make do with a cheese omelette made by myself and the odd half hour of writing time at the dining table. I hear that the Savoy omelette-fuelled novel wasn't his best work any way. A little suffering is a good thing no?

31 comments:

  1. The other night, my husband and I were watching a history-related show and it was mentioned that the man being discussed had sent his wife to a hospital to "rest" for some people of time (it was the 1930's, she had a "nervous condition"). My husband was clucking his tongue about how mean, how harsh, and all I could think is how peaceful and calm her little room looked, and how much I'd like to "rest" for a few days someplace else. And I don't have any "nervous condition," I'm just tired and in need of some time off. I would like to try that omelet. We've had a lot of smoked salmon around lately (smoking it ourselves at home; well not me, exactly, more him), but I'm looking for ways to eat it differently, just to have variety, so I think I'll try an omelet next. Your dog looks so different! WOW. He's like a new man. :)

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  2. So beautiful:). And yes a little suffering is the only way to a great novel. That omelet sounds rather morish...might have to give it a go. B x

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  3. It’s always good to see eyes again after a grooming.

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  4. So handsome, and he knows it, right? Wonder how long it would take your men to get the house to rights if you did take a week "off" and went away for yourself?

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  5. Bertie is magnificent! I love him both ways. But it is nice that he can see better. I wish I could give him a big hug, he looks so soft. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. You wouldn't think it was the same dog! Very smart indeed.

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  7. Quite the opposite of starving in a garret! I love Bertie's makeover! xx

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  8. My goodness, have you swapped dogs? Very handsome indeed. I now can’t wait to rejuvenate t and p (March) xx

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  9. Oh look at him, what a gorgeous boy! My heart has just melted. A little suffering is probably good to get the creative juices flowing, but I wouldn't mind trying out the Savoy for a little while ... Enjoy the rest of your week CJ, Jxx

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  10. From wooly mammoth style to velvet filmstar dog in just one day! Bertie looks handsome both ways. I could do with a timeout at the Savoy. Mind you, at the moment I'd take a tent in a muddy corner of Scotland complete with cans of cold baked beans, as long as it is peaceful. I thought I was indispensable but realised a few years ago that I wasn't. I am still suffering from the blow but I have used this new knowledge to my own advantage because now that I know they know how to operate the vacuum cleaner I make them practice. I am still the only one that gets cross about the mud everywhere. Have a lovely week xx

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  11. Bert looks stunning - he could be a poster boy for healthy hair - cause he's worth it!
    I think I would hate living in a hotel, after a while it would get so terribly boring, what am I but cleaner, decorator, introvert who prefers quiet and sleeping on the sofa of an afternoon? A break at the Savoy - heck yes, pamper me, feed me grapes, give me massages but then let me go home :)

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  12. An enjoyable post and lovely pictures, Bertie looks like a different dog.
    I think that you'd get bored with a life like that. Happy writing. xx

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  13. Have you read any Arnold Bennett? I once tackled "The Old Wives Tale" because AS Byatt said it was the best novel in the English language. I am suggestible like that. Antonia, I beg to differ. Poodles are especially tactile when clipped. Not clipped into silly shapes, just clipped evenly all over and Bertie looks gorgeous. Do you know CJ one of the best things about getting old is that mud and dust and smeared windows cease to matter. There must be something deeply biological about caring about such things during the child-bearing/rearing years and make no mistake I was fully signed-up in my day, but nowadays there are far more important things to do. I give you this as solace for the future.

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    1. This is good news indeed. I have pretty much perfected ignoring the windows, I shall work on ignoring the mud and dust. I haven't read any Arnold Bennett, just made the omelette. I shall avoid The Old Wives Tale, also the omelette one, which I think was Imperial Hotel. And let's be honest, probably all of the rest of them too. Bertie is deliciously tactile now, it occurred to me earlier that his legs are like chenille. He is fed up with all of us stroking him now I think. CJ xx

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  14. What a handsome boy he looks now, although he doesn't look too impressed by it in the first photo! X

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    1. That was straight after, he was still in shock. CJ xx

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  15. I do think a life of luxury is seriously overrated and not conducive to your best work! Little Bertie looks mighty fine with his new hair cut.

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  16. He'll be wanting a lady friend next...now he's all grown up like! x

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  17. Oh my! Bertie, if only you were human........You are just gorgeous....... Believe me CJ there are days after the birds have flown the nest that mud and dust and dirty washing would be nice for just a little while. Two people knocking around in a nest can often be lonely. Also our children do grow up so quickly and its nice to think back to the mud and mess and know that you have done well to bring up a number of children into reasonable adults together with the hordes of animals too. Its funny how we see the grass is greener on the other paddock.

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  18. Your writing today prompted me to read about Arnold Beckett. He is quoted to say -
    My mother is far too clever to understand anything she doesn't like.
    And I thought - now that is an easy way out!!
    Thanks for your lovely blog!

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  19. He is adorable! Love the idea of noodles CJ, you will have to share a recipe. Love the idea of living in a hotel too, but only a really nice one if money was no object and not forever, I would miss my own home too much! For a little while though it would be a treat wouldn't it.

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  20. What a transformation! I love the sound of a velvet dog. Maybe you could hire him out as a tactile experience. Could make a fortune!!

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  21. What a handsome boy! I bet he's like a piece of flying chocolate out in the park. You've got a novel or two in you fueled by your best ingredients in that home. Have a good weekend!

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  22. Oh My Goodness I just found your blog with the caption harry dog to smart dog. I love your bear both ways.
    We waited till iwinston was 7 months till we had him cut. Now he looks like a big boy dog instead of a crazy curly puppy dog. I kinda miss my little puppy .

    cheers, parsnip and mandibles

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  23. All the better to peer soulfully at you!

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  24. Ooooh he is soooo Gorgeous,I Love him before and after lol.I am Gloucester born and raised but now live in Cornwall.x

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  25. Bertie looks so different, was he OK at the dog groomers? Sarah x

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    1. She said he was an angel... Suspect she says that to all the dogs! The truth is he was probably strapped to the ceiling and given very little chance to complain. CJ xx

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  26. Your boy scrubs up rather well. He's a handsome chap. Here, Angus is suddenly obsessed with vacuuming. He does a haphazard job and isn't exactly thorough but I'll take it. If only he'd make his bloody bed. X

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  27. He looks darling, but I fear he is all muddied up by now. I will have to take my two to the groomers, not that should be and adventure.

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