Six years ago, my family went to Birmingham Dogs Home to look round and found ourselves a little puppy who was absolutely beautiful. We had wanted a bitch believing them to have a calmer temperament and friendly nature. Our previous dog, Sooty, had died of old age, incontinence and misery a few months beforehand and we thought it was time to get a new one.
This dog caught our eye. We had to get the blessing of the whole family in order to keep take her home so we invited Dad along to come and see her. He took one look at her and spent the rest of the meeting in a foul mood because "she'll be trouble."
Being the nice man I am, I went to visit this puppy in the time it took for the Dogs Home to visit my parents' house to check its suitability. I left each time with bites and scratches but didn't tell my Dad in case he didn't let us bring her home. Fortunately I got some pretty good shots of her:
I took her training, but she was always big and bolshy and was rather highly strung. I remember taking her to the park one day and walking along. The next minute I was on the floor in a puddle of mud with no idea what had happened. It felt like I had been run over by a train, but it was Polly, taking my legs out leaving me on the floor.
She had other traits which were less desirable. She had a fear of greyhounds which made her growl and bark at them. If you tied her outside a shop she would bite you upon your return to tell you off for your sins. She definitely thought that she was the boss and would do everything in her power to establish this.
Like all dogs, she had her quirky ways. She believed that she had to chase the pigeons away for you if you entered the garden. If you caught her unaware of your presence, the pigeons could patrol the gardens as much as they liked, but she felt compelled to help you out. Her ongoing battle with Henry, the next door neighbours' cat was an enjoyable dual with no winners. If you went on a walk with her, she would find it unbearable if the pack was split up and become panicked if one of you went in a different direction.
Not the best hunter in the world, she would never give up. Rabbits and squirrels were her favourite, though she occasionally tried hunting things such as disabled people and my friends when they visited.
A fiercely loyal dog who loved nothing more than being around family and friends. Even when she was too heavy and too full of elbows she wanted to sit on your lap and give you love.
A fiercely loyal dog who loved nothing more than being around family and friends. Even when she was too heavy and too full of elbows she wanted to sit on your lap and give you love.
We lost Polly this week. Penny and I had to look after her a few days ago. This is the last photo I took of her, at the field near where we live - her favourite place.
She wasn't what some would consider the most well-behaved dog or the easiest dog in the world to have. She was, to put it bluntly, a massive pain in the arse at times. However, she was our dog and a brilliant friend to have. I will miss her.
