Monday, June 20, 2011

A thousand pigeons.









Off to Paris to give a Sunday lunchtime talk to an American company that makes aeroplanes . Those nice people at Air France , god bless them , cancel the early flight and consolidate it with the next flight two hours later . At the airport hurtle into a cab and make it to the front door of the hotel by the skin of my teeth . Opposite the hotel something you don't see very often : the Polish church has an overflow crowd that's spilling through the portico and onto the square outside .

Wilfs at the airport to meet me . He prefers to stay and wait in the back of the car these days , his wild tyre christening days a thing of the past . From a distance he looks like a vision of health but under all that shaggy fur he's continuing to lose weight. Down from 25 kilos to just under 18 . He really should have a good trim but he'd end up looking like a mere shadow of his former self . Into our ninth month and the subtle changes coming more frequently now. He's started to fall asleep in the most unlikely places , his usual spots forgotten or ignored . Some nights he's up every hour , other nights he'll snore away oblivious to everything . The first signs of nervousness . More worryingly meals being left half or three quarters eaten ; unheard of.

This morning on the village green a thousand happy pigeons pecking away . A trailer full of freshly harvested wheat has hit the speed bump scattering grain everywhere . It's ' the fonts ' birthday . Wilf ambles alongside us through the village scattering the pigeons as he goes . We look at him and laugh . The presence of the family fellow the best , if somewhat unexpected , birthday present . A testament to the restorative powers of sausages, coconut ice cream , and bisous . " For him in vain the envious seasons roll , who bears eternal summer in his soul " .

28 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to the Font. I hope the restorative powers of sausages and coconut ice cream continue to aid sweet Wilf.

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  2. What a lovely quote to start my week . For him in vain the envious seasons roll, who bears eternal summer in his soul . Your boy certainly has summer in his soul. Happy birthday to your family and a long summer for Wilf.
    Bisous Henriette and Hugo

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  3. Wilf lives on love as well as food. A wonderful birthday present, indeed.

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  4. Very Happy Birthday wishes to 'the font'. Sweet Wilf, I bet he was pleased to have Dad back home.

    x (for Wilf!)

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  5. We're going to share your joy and gratitude at the gift of so much unexpected time with Wilf, rather than lament the signs of decline. Time enough for lamentations. So happy birthday to the font and gentle hugs for Wilf.

    Jed & Abby

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  6. Happy Birthday to "the font"! I'm sure you picked up something chic in Paris to make up for the oil-free chip fryer. ;o)

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  7. May he have a long and most beautiful summer and summers ahead. Happy Birthday to the missus :)

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  8. Good luck to you both and lovely Wilf. He's very blessed to have you there to ease his trials.

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  9. A very happy birthday to 'the font' and hugs to Mr Wilf - I hope this will be a good week for him. Thank you again for posting every single day - I read your posts before I even open the newspaper every morning!

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  10. Nine months, what a gift.

    Hope your pigeons are brighter than the galahs here. They eat so much, they can't fly off the road quickly and get squished by traffic.

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

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  11. Joyeux anniversaire to the "Font", Wilfee offered her a lovely present in fact.
    Have all, a wonderful week.
    AmitiƩs to you and lots of bisous to my beloved Wilfee.

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  12. I think that Wilf's birthday gift to 'The Font' is one the laughter and the joy of days that were not expected--The best of presents from our 4 legged companions in any season of their life!!

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  13. Happy Birthday to "The Font" and happy that the three of you are spending it together. Wilf is a gift for all of us. :)

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  14. Yes! Happy Birthday to the font -- with raised glasses to celebrate love, laughter, and, of course, your dear family fellow, M. Wilf!

    Joan and the Barkalots

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  15. i'm a grownup. i know i should be ready. but i'm not. i want to see his laughing little face forever. but this world just doesn't work that way. maybe the next will...
    who needs to water tires anyway, when birthday coconut ice cream awaits!
    love and hugs to all three,
    ps... and can't help but notice the pattern, he always seems worse when you've gone away.
    maybe now that all his people are back he'll feel like the other day when he flirted with the girls!
    tammy j

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  16. My best wishes for a very happy birthday to the font!

    I have learned so much from you, Angus. It is a good lesson to look at what you still have rather than what you have lost.

    Please give Wilf a hug for me.

    Susan

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  17. A very Happy Birthday to 'the font'! So very glad Wilf is there to celebrate with you :)

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  18. Hoping this special birthday is perfect in every way! Having been through this twice with our dearest beloved canine family members, I know they stay with their loved ones as long as they can. They seem to understand the pain their beloved will endure at their passing. Not many humans can match the wondrous nobility of the canine soul and the lucky humans who have shared a life with one or more, know the true meaning of humility. Wishing all a peaceful gentle day.DBH

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  19. Sorry we have been away for the computer keyboard for a bit. Happy Birthday to the Font! We are happy that you, The Font and Wilf are able to celebrate this special moment together.

    We always keep you and Wilf in our prayers as we've joined your journey. We have you both as our inspirations in making the most out of life. We thank you and you are always in our thoughts.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

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  20. Happy Birthday to 'The Font'! I hope it was a good one.

    Sausages, ice cream and bisous sound like reasons to live to me! :) It's hard to see those signs of aging, though. Believe me, I know! There's just something so sweet about senior dogs, though. You have to cherish every minute of that finite time you have together.

    Just curious, do you think your next dog will start enjoying some of Wilf's delights early on in life?

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  21. Happy birthday to "the font"!!!! May it be a year filled with happiness and blessings. Oh Wilf!! Please eat!! You must keep up your strength if you are going to go for croissants every morning! Keep going Wilf, darling boy....

    With love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  22. My most heartfelt birthday wishes to the Font. Sounds like a sweet day.
    Love to you all.

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  23. Happy birthday 'the font'! So pleased that Wilf was there to enjoy it all too.

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  24. Another very happy birthday wish to "the font", from me and my Stella. Haveing a geriatric dog, that has illnesses, is a road you haven't been on before I'm guessing. But what a splendid job both you and the font are doing traveling that road with Wilf. Hugs to the old Gent from me.

    Stella and her Mom

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  25. Happiest of birthdays, dear "Font". We hope you have a wonderful day and an even better year! It is a pleasure to know you and to see how much you care for Wilf. It makes us very happy to know that there are such people in the world. Blessings for the comming year. Kari, Gran ( my mum) and the animals

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  26. Happy birthday to the font. You are right that presence is the best present! We are also sending three woofs (or cheers) to Wilf too today for making his family so happy by doing everyday doggie things.

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  27. I've decided you must do motivational speaking. I can't imagine what else you travel all over the world to talk to all these different companies about. I'm probably way off though.

    Happy belated Birthday to the font.

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