Ayden The Tamaskan

At the beginning of April, a new character was welcomed into our family. Not without some second thoughts, we decided to get a dog. And not just any dog, but a Tamaskan. He was bought from a breeder in Bulgaria, and arrived with us at 12 weeks old. His official name is the grand sounding Saxon Midzor but he's happy to be known as Ayden.

It's taken a bit of adjustment, taking him for regular walks is alright except for when it's dark and rainy and you just want to be in bed already. But he's gorgeous, well-tempered, playful, intelligent and easy to train. And he doesn't eat Mr Gibbs the Bearded Dragon which is also a huge bonus obviously! (Mr Gibbs, as if it needed stating, is ambivalent on this new addition. As long as it doesn't affect the wax-worm supply, anything goes!)

And with a dog comes that great excuse to start exploring, walks through country parks, forests and on the beach are just the beginning. I've already seen a grass snake and tadpoles on our adventures which takes me back to be a child walking our dogs in Snodland's "pit". It's refreshing. Not to be outdone, my Mum has only gone and got herself a Tamaskan!  He's called Finn and, although a few weeks younger than Ayden, is firm friends with his cousin!

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist