Meet Gracie and Lola.
Gracie, the one with a direct happy gaze, is a sprocker, a colloquial name for a cross-breed between a Springer and a Cocker spaniel. Lola, the one looking away wistfully, is a pure Springer. You can see the slight difference in their shape and size, as Gracie has a smoother coat and sturdier body of a Cocker, while Lola has the adorable little fringe so typical of Springer spaniels.
I met Lola and Gracie at a birthday picnic in Highgate a week ago, and they were the life and souls(s) of the party. Happily bounding about, setting off on little adventures across the green and into the bushes, only to come back to snuggle up with the picnic guests, they were fabulous additions to the party crowd.
Bibi, their owner tells me that Lola and Gracie are as energetic and happy at all times. Lola is always first out of the door, always ready for a walk and loves chasing squirrels in Richmond where they both live. Gracie, on the other hand, loves swimming, and more importantly, helping herself to other people's picnic food. I must say that it was very much in evidence during our picnic, where both little minxes craftily made away with bits of food left unattended, sneaking away into the bushes with a piece of bread or having a bit of the barbecued sausage on the side. Not that all the food came from illicit sources, of course. The two charmers worked the crowd like a pair of PR professionals, immediately spotting the guests that were more likely to come up with the goods. Usually more of a authoritarian when it comes to the doggie discipline, I was bowled over but their good looks and lovely personalities so I finally succumbed and fed both bits of a veggie burger.
Lola has a bit of an aristocratic background. When Bibi was looking for dog, a friend's mother, a certain Lady of the Manor said to her daughter "Darling, I went out for a packet of tea and came back with a springer". Since then Lola settled happily in Richmond, and has her best friend Gracie to keep her company making a truly adorable duo.
Gracie and Lola were such a joy to be around. Their infectious enthusiasm and happy go lucky attitudes, (both inherent in the spaniel breed) were real highlights of the lovely afternoon.
To meet other London spaniels please see Max, Poppy and Connor who all work for the Met Police and the lovely Monkey, a King Charles Cavalier.
