WINNIE’S WHEELBARROW, a feature named in honour of Winifred Burgis. This will contain all the ‘odds and sods’ without a home elsewhere in LOWDOWN.

A LATE-NIGHT THOUGHT:  Can anyone help me with the answer to this? Why are pure-bred  horses called thoroughbred, yet pure-bred dogs are pedigree?

Along with his other recent endeavours, Webmaster Derek Harris introduced me to a selection of music he had compiled based on dogs. The major part of this is Theme Time Radio Hour presented by the great Bob Dylan. It is a revelation just how often dogs, especially hounds, appear in songs. Included are two versions of Hound Dog - neither by Elvis Presley - with the wonderful lyrics:

You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time,
You never caught a rabbit, so you ain’t no friend of mine.

One very funny blues song has Howard Tate singing:

How come my Bulldog don’t bark, Baby, when Big Jim come around?
When everyone knows I got the meanest Bulldog in town.

Dylan’s links in his distinctive, nasal drawl are as entertaining as the songs, which cover various musical styles, rag time, jazz, blues, etc. My favourite bit is when at one point and in true poetic form Dylan uses the the term canine malfeasance to describe a dog’s ill treatment. Also, he even tells a joke about two dogs talking to each other, one says, You need to go see a psychiatrist; the other replies, I’d love to, but I’m not allowed on the couch! He includes several quotes about dogs including, If you think you that you are a person of some influence, try ordering someone else’s dog around. How true. He also reads the Lord Byron’s tribute to his Newfoundland which I included in the last issue of LOWDOWN - great minds, or what!

At Jill and Brian’s Barbeque, Terry entertained us with a true story about his friend’s father. This gentleman was somewhat elderly, small and seemingly a little frail. This said, on one occasion he was entrusted with taking his son’s Basset Hound for a walk using an extending lead.

At some stage into the walk they climbed a steep incline. This tired the old gentleman considerably and he held on to a nearby tree for support whilst he regained his breath.

The hound must have thought this was some game and ran around the man and tree until his lead was fully extended, completely tethering the poor chap to the tree in the process. He was completely tied-up, unable to move or free himself and had to remain like this until someone chanced to pass by. I bet the hound found this very funny!

Pam enjoying some of Chris’ sophisticated banter at the Jill and Brian’s barbeque.


Veronica Ross kindly sent in these charming shots Surfer (Verwood White Wave) meeting and greeting a new garden sculpture of a Greyhound.


Above left: Sue and some very close friends in Jill and Brian’s garden. Above right: Snoops.

Below: Fun, games and relaxing at Fun Day.

LOWDOWN NOT LOW-BROW - A NON-HOUND THOUGHT:
“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us,
as the confident knowledge that they will help us.”
Epicurus, Greek Philosopher, (341 - 270BC).

Winnie’s Wheelbarrow ☞