I'm known around the world. David took some time today to have a look at the statistics for the traffic through my blog. He shared them with me and I found them very interesting.

As one might expect France supplied the most viewers. I was a bit surprised, however, to find the USA was the 2nd highest total. I would have guessed the UK, but it actually came third.

Interestingly Russia came fourth followed by Latvia.  After that there seem to be a few viewers all around the world; Lebanon, Thailand, Morocco, Syria, Iran, the list goes on. Additionally the other English speaking countries come in as well; Canada, Australia, New Zealand...

Its fascinating that the world has shrunk to the point where a dog's blog can be read around the world. I'd like to think its because I'm so handsome & cleaver, but I suspect that it just curiosity.

I wonder what search terms throw up my blog?

Haven't heard from my doggy friends lately though. Hint Hint. Quit scratching and start writing!

A well groomed Rupert

A friend with a sense of humour — at least I hope it was a joke — sent me some photos of dogs just like me who’ve had their fur shaped and dyed different colours. I’m sure David and Linda wouldn’t like to see me with an orange head, yellow body, blue legs and an orange tail. At least I hope they wouldn’t. Ferney and Bess would laugh at me, and I doubt even Robbie in Atlanta would be that adventurous in his dress. But to be on the safe side, I’d better keep these photos to myself. However, the thought of matching my fur to Linda’s outfit for a special occasion does have some appeal. I could even wear my diamante collar with it.

I’ve just had a grooming session. It was quite difficult to arrange as my usual groomers have moved on and Linda got the time of this appointment wrong. However, I am now my usual debonair self and it’s certainly better when it’s hot. I think they should keep my fur and make it into wool so someone could knit a Rupert coat. I’m sure that would be very popular.

It’s rabbit hunting season. I have to admit that I failed when it comes to truffles — I haven’t caught a single one. With rabbits I’ve decided I have to move very slowly so the rabbits don’t see me and then pounce quickly. It hasn’t worked yet, but I’m hopeful I’ll have some success soon.

Don't I look smart!

Dratted Weather!

Its more like winter than the start of summer. It seems as if its been raining for weeks, and its cold. I really don't like it, but I enjoy my walks anyway.

This morning was fun. First I smelt a rabbit way across a field. I took off like a rocket and got pretty close to him before he know I was there. Sneaky devils that they are this one managed to slip through a hedge just before I caught up with him. I think that if I didn't get so excited that I start yapping when I get close I'd have better luck. Do you think that would help.

I'd no sooner  got my breath back when I scared up a deer and gave chase. I know I can't catch them, but I can't resist. Besides its great fun. I was pretty tired afterwards and quite content to go home. I had a good drink and ate the breakfast David gave me. Then, a good nap. Its a hard life being a dog.

I had great news today! My friend Doreen was able to get out of bed in hospital. I'm told that she was up & about for about half an hour. I'm really pleased. I'll be taking her for walks before she knows it. Keep up the good work and your good spirits, Doreen!

They, the forecasters that is, say that on Saturday the weather is going to change and proper summer will begin. I certainly hope so. I mean, its been so bad that my friend Fernie and I had to cancel an afternoon walk this week. Bummer !

Net week Fernie! We'll have good charge around!

Keep it up Doreen!

It seems the boot is on the other paw at the moment. As many of you know, my ghostwriter Doreen is in hospital, so I’m going to have to write a blog entry myself, or at least dictate it to David.

Sadly, I’m unable to visit Doreen in hospital, which is not helping her recovery. Linda has lent her the calendar with my photos on so she can at least look at me occasionally. The problem here is that the doctors, nurses and visitors all keep coming into the room, look at my pictures and say “comme il est mignon” and forget to talk to Doreen. I actually thought “mignon” had something to do with steaks, so I’ll have to ask David about that.

I think Doreen needs a new hobby, so I’m going to suggest Linda and David keep all my fur from when I go to grooming and then Doreen can knit Linda a jacket, which should look very smart. I know Doreen and Linda have lots of friends who are good at embroidery, so we can put a big ‘L’ on Linda’s jacket so everyone will be able to tell us apart. There may even be enough fur left over for a pair of socks for David.

Note: 'mignon' means cute in French. Although I'm sure they mean well I don't see myself as cute. More on the handsome side I think.

PS: My friend Kiwi Minnie was asking about those cats who live with Doreen & Gavin. I can report that they are being fed & watered by local friends, Martin & Judith, who live nor far away in St Antonin. Cats don't show their emotions much, but I'm sure that like me they're very worried about Doreen. 

My Feisty Friend!

My friend Doreen has now been moved back to Montauban from Toulouse. I'm sorry to say that the news is not good. They've discovered  cancer and started chemotherapy  Nothing 100% definite as of yet on just how bad it is.

As I would expect my feisty friend Doreen has vowed to fight whatever this is. Knowing her she will probably win. She's a winner, we all know that! I just wish they'd let me in so I could hold her hand in my paw. Its frustrating to only be able to lend support via my blog. (My temporary Ghost Writer is OK, but he's not Doreen. At least he takes dictation well.)

I really feel sorry for Gavin, Doreen's husband. There's not a lot he can do other than lend support which he does. Thanks to my friend Jacques efforts Doreen has a private room at the hospital where they bring in a folding bed for Gavin to sleep on. I'm sure it lends strength to Doreen to have him there all the time.

Doreen's many friends have rallied around with messages and visits. She's getting lots of emails in support and can now answer them as she has internet access via a smart phone. (She can get messages via either her old email address OR via a new one which is: escriveranglais@gmail.com.) Her visitors are many. I only wish I could be one of them. I just had my monthly 'toilettage' yesterday and am looking my best. I'm sure it would cheers Doreen up to see my smiling face. (Yes, we dogs can smile you know.) I think I'll send her my picture.

As in my last message I'd encourage all of Doreen's many animal friends to pray for her. I'll certainly be doing so. All my love to you, Doreen!  

Scary News

My good friend and Ghost Writer Doreen is in the hospital. They have moved her from Montauban to Toulouse, not a good sign. She's very ill.

I can only hope that she gets better. We dogs can't kneel down to pray, but I can assure you that I will be praying for my friend. I wish I could visit her. I'm sure my being there with her would help. I'd give her lots of licks and lay my head on her lap and do anything to comfort her. Its a shame that they won't let me in hospitals, but that's the way it is.

Please can all of readers both human and canine and even feline pray for Doreen's recovery. 

Thank you all.

Rupert

A dog in demand

A dog in demand

I’m a dog in demand. My friends at LinkedIn have sent me details of jobs I might be interested in. One is for a European Sales Director. It sounds right up my street as it’s based in Toulouse and I’m certainly European — I can bark fluently in English and French. I’m not sure Linda and David are too keen, though, as they need me at home to look after them and they would have to drive me there and back every day. I took a closer look at the job description. Apparently I would “Support and be a key member in the development of a structured and sustainable plan to exploit synergies…” Must ask David if he knows what that means. Aren’t synergies a bit like truffles? I’m sure I could track a few down.

I have 64 Connections through LinkedIn, which is very nice and apparently they connect me to 663,723 other professionals. It’s good to be so popular. I’m doing my bit too. I’ve endorsed the skills of my friends Doreen and Miriam — I hope they’ll do the same for me.

LinkedIn has also invited me to join some groups. I’m tempted by the Wild Game Hunters Network, which is a network to facilitate fellowship and friendship between wild game hunters. Do synergies count?

I think I’d better go and polish up my CV. I might ask Robbie in Atlanta to be a referee.