Stanley.

So sorry there was no blog yesterday. I had a bug. Still feeling quite weak and wan so today there is just the gloriousness that is Stanley the Dog.

Yesterday, he lay sweetly with me on the bed, watching over me with his amber eyes.

Every morning, when we go for breakfast, he makes my mother smile.

He was abandoned twice, in his previous life. At some stage, something bad happened to him, I’m not quite certain what. At the beginning, any raised voice or sudden movement could send him into a funk. Even now, he still sometimes becomes a bit fretful when I shout at the racing on the television. But he has grown in confidence and self. He has a charming optimism and a morning joy. Each day, I wake up to someone who thinks that marvellous things are going to happen. Come on, he says, wagging his tail and licking my nose, let’s get at it. I find it incredibly touching that a dog who had his trust tested to the limit should decide to give it another go. He is funny and dear and gentle and athletic and I am very, very lucky to have him.

Oh, and he is also absurdly handsome. And there is the thing with the ear. The ear kills me.

As an added bonus, the daffodils are finally coming out:

Have a happy Friday.