Prologue to Le Puy and beyond. Bye bye Snoops.

I'm looking at my snoring dog laid dreamily on my left hand side. We've returned from a penultimate walk before my flight on the 21st May. At nearly nine he is getting just too old for more than a few miles sniffing, peeing and trundling around the Wetherby District footpaths and bridleways. He'll come with me eagerly once I mention 'walk', bound along Braine Road and York Road looking back expectantly and he'll still demand, glancing back in my direction, we go where he likes best; leading the way towards the various paths we've traced over the years, but now, by the last home leg, Snoopy is really thinking of the treats he has in store once he arrives back at 42: a nice rub down with a warm towel, a twisty 'chewy' hide stick, a biscuit (various) and chilling/sleeping until dinner this afternoon: he has his zone on the seat - it is his and he'll always move any incumbent on from there with a nudge and a penetrating stare. I love him implicitly and wouldn't exchange him for all the money in the world or a cure for my malady. The times I've needed him to be there just to help me deal with whatever I am finding hard to resolve in my tortured mind or whenever I have returned from the various employments that have taken me away; while I was with the YHA, Pucelli's or PGL. This dog wants to bite me, lick me, he smiles a virtual snarl that might be misjudged by those who didn't understand his body language well. He is overcome with pleasure that he want to tell me he is blissfully happy and how else can he do this but with an eagerness that is fondness to the 'nth' degree; a waggy snarly pointed teeth showing happiness: my fleet-footed Huckleberry friend. From the 10 mile a day puppy and middle aged dog he is peacefully declining towards retirement and a different kind of companionship. Less the 'mad moments' dog of his youth; although he still likes my buffoon-ing play fight occasionally, now he is both tranquil and extra special. Around Emma's baby he is gentle and slightly unsure; sure he is already the baby's friend whom Finley pats and strokes and clambers all o'er, Snoopy knows he is clumsy with those big paws and deeply gray/blue eyes. A soul of truth and virtue and singularity; who has a 'smelly bum's' but other wise smells sweetly of tenderness, who licks away a falling tear without guile and for nothing more than to see you more happy and confirm he is for you as you are for him. I will miss you everyday, but I will know you will look after my mother, sister, Totty, Justin, Grizzly Bear and be waiting in the window once I return along Braine Road; whenever that is!

woof, woof; ruff, ruff; arf, arf; yap, yap; yip, yip; bow wow.
waouh, waouh; ouah, ouah; ouaf, ouaf; vaf, vaf; wouf, wouf; wouaf, wouaf; jappe jappe.
guau-guau; gua, gua; jau, jau.