Head to toe

 

Head to toe

Infants and puppies alike are fascinated by feet. That is not really surprising, as they’re on nodding terms with feet much more than the great expanses of person above them.

Sit with a group of very young children and very soon one of them will remark on your shoes, often touching or stroking them. Feet are important and interesting.

Gilbert is no exception to this rule. In addition, he likes appropriating items of clothing belonging to his humans.

This morning, Barry’s flat cap mysteriously appeared in Gilbert’s bed. I didn’t see Gilbert carrying it so I don’t know how it got there. It was being used as a pillow. Dogs do like pillows.

A short while later, Gilbert carefully picked up one of my trainers and carried it to a sunny spot by the patio door, where he proceeded to pay close attention to it. I can’t really describe it as chewing, although chewing noises were discernible – it was more like sucking. I retrieved it (who’s the Labrador retriever here?) and put it out of reach.

I next saw Gilbert proudly transporting my other trainer to his bed to join the flat cap. He lay down contentedly and gently started chewing it. I think his method is to lick first, then ‘mouth’ it before engaging his teeth.

Note the flat cap under the trainer, completely unadjusted by canine mouth.

He looked so happy and innocent that I had to take a few photographs before removing these items of apparel before any harm came to them. 

He has history with shoes. Here’s a photograph of him sleeping with a pair of Barry’s trainers.

He’s now asleep on my feet, while Jellicoe yowls and prowls around on my lap. Jellicoe would like me to stop what I’m doing and pay attention to him. A cursory stroke is not sufficient – he wants a sustained massage . . . 

. . . but now it's time for elevenses!