Creative writing submission from the Rest Less community – submit your entry here.
Sitting on a bench looking over the cricket field this morning, I felt the wind ruffling my hair and was surprised by just how warm and pleasant it was, even though there was no sign of the sun. I was watching my two little Dachshunds enjoying themselves, chasing the swifts and pootling about in the long grass, while my mind was pleasantly occupied.
In that moment it struck me that there was Willow, unquestionably at the top of the food chain, her kennel club papers showing her ancestors’ certificates, their little paws up as they shout; “Me, me, me!” She’s without a doubt beautiful, and almost everyone who meets her (if they can be heard over her incessant barking!) remarks on how healthy and shiny she looks.
She’s light on her feet, graceful, elegant, and almost balletic as she leaps and bounds around on silent paws. Like a sleek, shiny, black torpedo, she streaks across the grass, her silky, symmetrical ears flying and glinting in the sun, her coat polished to perfection like a jeweller’s jet. With a classic black and tan coat, she sports a dark red, heart shaped chest and bottom, with slightly wrinkled skin on her legs and feet, a soft red muzzle, and two perfectly shaped, baked bean eyebrows, which give her a sense of quizzical intelligence.
Her markings are classic, exactly as they should be, and they’re also delightfully symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. She’s long (in my book too long), but in breed standard terms perfectly proportioned to her deep chest and strong, muscular, hind legs which are straight and parallel – neither too close nor too wide apart.
Yes, she’s gobby, but she’s a sausage dog. And she’s also affectionate, good humoured, and in every way what is expected of a classic, smooth haired, miniature Dachshund. And, as I said, she’s utterly beautiful and you can’t help but admire her!
Then, just behind her, pootling about and ignoring the swifts, is my little Bear.
Firstly, there’s his coat! Described romantically on his kennel club papers as ‘silver dappled’, whatever he was as a baby, silver dappled is a long way from what can be seen today. He has a dark brown, velvet coat, which is vaguely mottled in places by darker splotches that make him look slightly moth-eaten.
His ancestry sports no Challenge Certificate Champions and his mother was called ‘Lady Bagel’; named for a posh, yeast-leavened bread roll! Presently, I accept he’s overweight, but we’re already on the road to slimming him down, and he’s lost just over two lbs in 10 weeks, earning him his first gold star. That said, it’s clear that weight or no weight, we’re looking at a very different kettle of fish to the elegant Willow.
Bless him, his front legs are too short and his back ones too far apart. His front limbs are slightly twisted and his feet turn over. His little face and nose are just that fraction too thin and long, making him look permanently worried. When he walks, he waddles like a penguin, and when he runs, it’s like looking at an Indian Runner duck.
His little body sways from side to side, his legs uncoordinated, as if desperately trying to catch up with each other. Even his ears, like triangles, stick out front and centre from the side of his head, so that when he bounces along, they turn inside out. However, all that said, to me, he’s utterly, utterly beautiful! Equally as beautiful as Willow, just…different!
His gentle, kind, submissive nature shines through his bright, intelligent, little, black eyes. His coat reminds me of the most expensive silk velvet to touch and, as he stands in my lap, front paws on my chest, tongue giving generous kisses, there’s something immensely satisfying and comforting about rubbing your hands up and down his slightly rotund little body, and feeling your blood pressure plummet.
Unlike his sister, he’s a constant talker, so that even when he’s not barking, he’s making a range of little chirrups, whinnies, purrs, and rumbles as he communicates his pleasure at having his tummy rubbed or just being with you.
Watching the two of them enjoying their time out in very different ways, their very different personalities are clearly complimentary. They constantly check up on each other, both keeping the other in sight at all times, and when one goes off on their own, the other quickly catches up or, in Bear’s case, calls Willow back, which she does instantly. She makes sure he’s OK and is much more receptive to him than me.
Smiling, my hip rested, my musings over, I stand up. Both little sausages instantly race over to join me as we walk back to the car together. Over the years, I’ve watched so many dogs do what dogs do in fields and open spaces and I’ve never once tired of watching, admiring, and enjoying them. I’ve been blessed that my dogs have come in all shapes and sizes, from giant Leonbergers to beautifully compact Shiba Inu, and now, tiny, silky Dachshunds! What more could you ask for?
Are you feeling creative? We are proud to have a hugely talented community on Rest Less, which is why we’re so excited to open up a section of the site dedicated to showcasing the wonderful and diverse writing of our members. If you have a piece of creative writing that you’d like to share with the Rest Less community – you can do so here.