Streetwatch

Meet CJ. Not the CJ from Baywatch but an equally beautiful (and somewhat less cliched in her beauty), Border Collie and a Whippet cross.

I met CJ in South Molton Street today. I spotted her from a distance, as she was sitting in the middle of the pedestranised street, graceful and lithe, with a purposeful air of a dog waiting for its owner about her. Tom, her owner, was just few feet away, selling the Big Issue magazine.

The little stunner is nearly 2 years old, slim and elegant, both traits of a whippet, with that unmistakable alertness and intelligence of a Collie, that makes her very special indeed.

CJ is a rescue dog, and Tom got her in Edinburgh when she was a puppy and they have been inseparable ever since.

Tom had lived on the streets in the past, but recently he managed to get accommodation, and gets by selling the Big Issue, so luckily both him and CJ now have a home. Tom and CJ are regulars in South Molton Street, which is filled with lovely expensive boutiques, and in some way illustrate the rich tapestry of London life where fortune and misfortune live cheek by jowl.

CJ is a bright spark in Tom's life, his faithful companion and a comfort in difficult situations. She is also extremely well behaved, responsive, attentive and polite. She sat beautifully for the treats, and followed her owner with adoring eyes. Tom tells me that she is so intelligent that most of these behaviours are self-taught, which is definitely a dream of any unruly dog owner (yes, I am talking about you Kevin!).

I have recently written about Clyde, who also lives on the streets in London, and I sincerely hope he is feeling better now. The patient and loving companionship of an animal when one finds oneself in a difficult situation can never be underestimated so please spare a thought, and buy the Big Issue next time you see Tom in South Molton Street.

To meet other London Collies please click here, and to see Whippets and Greyhounds have a look here.

Friend for life

Meet Clyde. Clyde is a 16-year-old Collie cross. I met Clyde in Knightsbridge today. Knightsbridge is the home of Harrods, the world's most famous luxury department store and the streets are filled well-heeled shoppers as expensive cars whizz by every minute.

It was in the hustle and bustle of the busy pavement near Harrods, where Clyde and his owner were sitting on the street together; his owner a homeless man begging for money, Clyde snuggled up in his lap. I started talking to Clyde's owner, and as Clyde looked a bit under the weather, I asked about his health. It turns out Clyde is ill. He has a serious kidney condition, triggered by his age. He only just got treated for it at the RSPCA hospital, and with no home to go to, both him and his owner were out on the streets, fending for themselves.

Clyde was snuggly wrapped up in a blanket, clearly suffering, his eyes full of sadness, his owner trying to make him as comfortable as possible on a busy street. There is a lot of cynicism surrounding homeless men with dogs. Many say that they use the animals for profit, trying to get sympathy and elicit more money from the passers by, while disregarding the well-being of the animal. I would not be as quick to pass such judgment, as there are many people who abuse and profiteer from an unethical treatment of animals from the comfort of their own home, while in the life of people who have fallen on hard times, sleeping rough and trying to find shelter every night, their dog is often their only friend.

Moved by their plight, I extended an offer of money, and the owner declined. He started crying and this is when I fully appreciated how much the dog meant to him, and it was not about the money. They have been together for years, for better and for worse and with Clyde's health deteriorating, his owner could lose his closest friend. A friend who would never judge, always be there and offer this unconditional comfort and love that one so appreciates in having a dog.

Clyde was well enough to have a couple of treats, but did not want to be touched as it clearly caused him some discomfort. I must say that I left them with a heavy heart.

Dogs Trust, the formidable UK dog charity, runs a scheme for homeless people with dogs, helping them to find a place to stay, especially during Christmas and the winter months, which is not easy, as most hostels will not accept people with dogs. Please think of Clyde and his owner, and give generously.

The Britpop Dog

I met Jarvis in Islington's Farmer's Market on Sunday.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to go inside the market, as, with all the meat on display, I fear the temptation would be too much to resist.

Thus, I dog-sat Jarvis for a few minutes while his owner nipped out to get some eggs. Jarvis wasn't too happy and kept turning his friendly face, looking out for his owner, so I decided to sweeten the waiting time with some treats. He was very well behaved but wolfed down the treats and turned on a charm offensive, looking at me pleadingly with his beautiful hazel brown eyes. All that, however, was forgotten, when his owner returned, and Jarvis looked at her with such an expression of unbridled love that his whole face lit up instantly. Just look at his expression on this photo - this dog's heart belongs to mummy!

As I looked at him, I was trying to work out what breed could he possibly be, as he seemed to have the coat, markings and the nimble body of a Border Collie combined with the cheerful face of a Cocker Spaniel. His owner arrived just in time to explain that Jarvis was, in fact, a perfect mixture of the two, in more ways then one. He takes the love of chasing and intelligence from a Collie but enthusiasm and affection from his spaniel side, bypassing the less convenient characteristics of both, like the herding instinct of collies and the mad rapturousness of spaniels.

Jarvis was named after Jarvis Cocker, the lead singer of the Britpop band Pulp, which is the perfect name for a mix of two iconic British breeds, and, of course, a nice play on the name of the Cocker spaniel. I must say that he may have none of Jarvis Cocker's trademark gloom about him, but clearly knows how to work the crowd. He is such a friendly dog and almost invites attention with his smiling face. Several people stopped to give him a pat on the head while we were chatting.

It was a pleasure to meet Jarvis. He made a sunny day even brighter with his wonderful personality.

To meet other London spaniels and find out more about the breed, see Poppy, Max and Connor, the Met Police sniffer dogs, and Monkey, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

To find out more about Border Collies, see Jess.

Putting your best paw forward!

Crufts' little brother, Scruffs, also known as the Islington Dog Show, took place this Sunday in Islington's Barnard Park.

I went to nose around and see what the Islington mutts were up to on this sunny Sunday afternoon.

Here is Molly, a Jack Russell Terrier and Border Collie cross who loves her ball so much that her owner used it as a reward in the agility course. In fact, she loves her ball more than her food, which is highly unusual for a dog. Molly is a beautiful girl, who came to London all the way from Ireland. She is alert and full of beans like a terrier, yet some of the Collie coyness and delicate charm shines through.



This is Chloe, an English Toy Terrier and an old friend from Thornhill Square. She's grown a little since I met her few months ago, but lost nothing of her charming enthusiasm. Here, she thoroughly ignores my camera, in favour of a stick. Still, makes a great photo!




Chloe's friend Charlie was saying 'hello' to Bentley the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Bentley is the one with the pretty amber- and white-coloured coat, and the unusual green-brown eyes. I must admit that, seconds after this amicable looking photo was taken, the lads indulged in a bit of barking at each other and had to be spoken to by their owners. Naughty!



This is Rebel, a Shar-Pei puppy. Rebel was a star of the show, winning the Tail Wagging competition. His unusual wrinkly looks are typical of a Shar-Pei, an ancient Chinese breed. Rebel is just recovering from a skin disease, to which Shar-Peis are prone. Judging by his happy face and constantly wagging tail, he is doing very well and let's hope he recovers fully soon.




This lovely little lady is Tigger, a young Lurcher bitch. Her unusual looks come from her parents - a Whippet and a Bedlington Terrier. Tigger, true to her whippet pedigree, caused some confusion when she decided to leave the competition ring in the middle of the agility challenge and have a run around the outside of the ring instead! She is a delightful little dog - happy, playful and charming. I was thrilled to meet Tigger, as I previously met her when she was still a puppy and it was a pleasure to see how she's grown up to be a little beauty. Tigger is friends with another lurcher from Islington called Conan.




Maddy, a 7-year-old King Charles Spaniel was very placid, watching the show from a distance, with a dignified calm true to the royal origins of the breed. Her beautifully groomed coat shone in the sun as she observed her less refined canine cousins running around and barking a lot!



It was a great day out for both the mutts and the owners!

The Urban Sheepdog

This is Jess. She is an 11-year-old Border Collie I met today in Thornhill Square in Islington.

Jess wasn't too keen on posing at first. As she circled around me with the typical gait of a Border Collie, I could not help but feel that I was being herded, which is not surprising as Collies are sheep dogs with a strong herding instinct. I decided that one way I could persuade her to strike a pose was to use the secret weapon - the treat. Jess decided that it was worth it, and sat down just for long enough for me to take a couple of photos.

Jess is a lovely, charmingly coy girl whose timidity and gentleness is incredibly endearing. She trotted around me, nudging for a treat but shied away from camera. I could not get her to pose looking straight at the camera for love or money (or treats), so you are here treated to Jess's beautiful profile.

Border Collies are an old British herding breed made famous by the Hollywood film Babe, which is about a sheep herding piglet whose adoptive mother was Fly, a Border Collie. They are extremely intelligent, energetic and have an instinctive desire to work. You will often see Collies in agility, herding and obedience trials. They need a lot of exercise and attention, otherwise they become bored and unhappy.

More about Border Collies: Border Collie Trust of Great Britain

Play Dominos

I met Domino in Green Park, where she was walking with her owner.

She is a cross of unknown parents, although watching her run makes you think of a Border Collie.

Domino is 14 years old. Mind you, from the way she was bouncing around, skilfully avoiding my camera, you would think she was a puppy.

She is a friendly and endearing girl who came from Battersea Dogs Home, which proves that you can get a friend for life when you adopt a dog.