The ASH Files

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Episode 4: "Spencer - the handsome one"

Ever been "Spencered" ?...

Hi all,

I'm Spencer the dog in our Logo. I'm a Dalmatian Great Dane cross if you didn't know that already. If you come to visit us I will welcome you with open paws . you see I get very excited when people come (just ask some of our volunteers . tee hee!). I have an on going bet with Gypsy the goose that people just can't resist petting me - AND I usually win. Why? I hear you ask ..because I'm so Darn handsome of course ! But be careful after petting me because when you turn around I'll pat you on the back with my great big paws. Some people don't appreciate a free mudpack on their backs. But I'm a generous kind of dog. So mind you don't get "Spencered".

I love it here because I can see who comes and goes and I can sing till my hearts content, and what a voice I have too. I could have been in one of those boy bands you know. I have even mastered the art of howling lying down which people find very funny. Well at least my voice is consistent, not like that Janseen (Janssen) fellow bless him. Mind you, he is getting on a bit (ahem).

Every morning like clock work I get fed first. Just a glance at Helena (the boss) in the window usually does it. If she doesn't react quick enough, I walk over to the window and firmly knocks with the front paw, then she knows exactly what time it is. I have a friend who calls up sometimes, her name is Kim and they tell me she's a Neopolitan Mastiff - Ha! ... a show off more like. She's a dog who thinks she's on the cat walk. Strutting her stuff all over she does, driving the male residents here mad with her antics. Anyway she's a great laugh. We wrestle around a bit to keep in shape and it's great fun. I do hope she grows into her jacket for the winter (tee hee), otherwise I might have to buy her an Iron at Christmas for all those creases.

Gypsy the goose who I mentioned earlier hangs around with me too. When she lays eggs she lets me mind them. I like to show people in the kitchen the egg in my mouth just to let them know I'm a daddy now. (Which should entitle me to some special privileges like TREATS people). There is another Dog around here called Dutch. She's an old girl but let me tell you something, she still manages to slip past me and steal the odd egg! She must have extremely soft paws and night vision goggles to sneak past me at night - mind you I'm a fairly heavy sleeper at times.

Recently Helena decided my collar was a bit tight. So she loosened it a bit which was nice. That evening however, I had an idea that I might just be able to get out of this collar thing and go for a jog in the morning. I decided to sleep on it. The next day was the most beautiful Saturday, and I reckoned that it's coming close to the time Bob and Moneypenny come to help (more about them in another ash file the boss says!!). So anyway, I decided to release myself, which I did ! I started with a few stretching exercises then I had a look at some of the new doggies that arrived to make sure everything was ok (One of my many duties as the Union Shop Stewart here at ASH don't you know). On with the jog then.. down the lane and carefully onto the main road I went. I know the area really well. Honest to dawg, you would swear I have done this before! I'm heading for Rathdangan village slightly behind schedule. So I upped the pace a little and just before I reached the village, who drives around the corner in their van but Bob and Moneypenny! Excellent I thought, hope there's a spare seat for me in the front. I think they were happy to see me but also a bit surprised. Moneypenny called me over and naturally I spencered her, and then climbed on board. We headed home only to find some people looking for me. Whoops I thought, I better leave a note on my kennel the next time ! But honestly it all went according to plan .. my plan.

I'll talk to you soon Guys

Spencer. (The Handsome)