The small dog, the storm and the toothpaste

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Sue Vincent

I went to bed wearing the toothpaste* again
And not orally, you understand,
Cause the mozzies and midges and small bitey things
Have decided to invade the land.

With the first warmer weather they stirred in the nest
Where they’ve waited all winter in sleep,
The earth was a-buzz with the sound of their wings
Joined by others that slither and creep.

For the spring had returned, bringing colour and life
So the world woke to birdsong at dawn.
There were miniature marvels around every bloom
And a whole universe in the lawn.

But then, being England, it started to rain
And with thundery clouds in the sky,
The whole ruddy lot of them headed indoors
Looking for somewhere warmer to fly.

The dog took exception to thundering skies
As she bravely faced lightning and rain
To stand in the garden and bark at the clouds
But each day they have come back again.

She looks up at the sky that’s invading her turf
And will stand her ground valiantly,
And against all the thunderbolts thrown by the gods
(If I like it or not) defends me.

But, her open door policy isn’t much good
When I’m trying to keep the bugs out,
She will not come in (except with muddy paws)
No, not whether I beg, bribe or shout.

And so I have mozzies and midges and bugs
And the odd errant earthworm as well,
And I’m tearing my hair out evicting the slugs…
And I’m wishing they’d all go to hell!

*Excellent for itchy insect bites

Unknown's avatar

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
This entry was posted in Humour, Photography, Poetry and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

77 Responses to The small dog, the storm and the toothpaste

  1. Marilyn Armstrong's avatar Marilyn Armstrong says:
    May 30, 2018 at 06:08

    My sentiments exactly!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. TanGental's avatar TanGental says:
    May 30, 2018 at 07:04

    Spot on as usual. Love it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Ritu's avatar Ritu says:
    May 30, 2018 at 07:26

    Oh I hear you Ani!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Dyanna's avatar ravenhawks magazine says:
    May 30, 2018 at 07:43

    Definitely in agreement with you!

    Like

    Reply
  5. pensitivity101's avatar pensitivity101 says:
    May 30, 2018 at 07:58

    Know where you’re coming from Sue. Is Ani laughing or sneezing in the last photo? 🙂

    Like

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  7. Jaye Marie & Anita Dawes's avatar jenanita01 says:
    May 30, 2018 at 08:01

    It must be like living in a field…

    Like

    Reply

  10. Pingback: The small dog, the storm and the toothpaste – The Militant Negro™

  11. Mary Smith's avatar Mary Smith says:
    May 30, 2018 at 12:44

    We’ve not had the rain yet (unbelievable in Scotland!) but the midges and other biting things are appearing making my evening walk a bit of a trial.

    Like

    Reply
  12. roughwighting's avatar roughwighting says:
    May 30, 2018 at 12:56

    I’m laughing and shivering (in horror at the midges and such) at the same time. :–) You have one brave dog. Most dogs I know, including my Henry, are terrified of thunderstorms and cower under bed sheets or in bathtubs. What a faithful courageous dog. Perhaps Ani could bark away the bugs? Hmmmmm.

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  13. bobcabkings's avatar bobcabkings says:
    May 30, 2018 at 13:22

    Oh, rain – I think I’ve lost track, is this the second week or the third? Its not fit weather for ducks, let alone small dogs. Excellent, though, for weeds in the garden. I’m sure your faithful and fearless guardian’s muddy paws will be forgiven.

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  15. jenniesisler's avatar jenniesisler says:
    May 30, 2018 at 14:37

    Ani is so gorgeous! Love the photo of her barking at the clouds. Such a sweet defender of her turf.

    Like

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  16. besonian's avatar besonian says:
    May 30, 2018 at 15:33

    You do that sort of verse so adeptly, Sue – smooth and accomplished. Excellent stuff. And the usual lovely photographs.

    Like

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  17. robbiesinspiration's avatar robbiesinspiration says:
    May 30, 2018 at 18:50

    I have never been bitten by a mosquito in the UK, Sue. I was chomped alive on honeymoon in Italy though and it was horrible as I am quite allergic.

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    • Sue Vincent's avatar Sue Vincent says:
      May 30, 2018 at 18:58

      I’m allergic to the darned things too, Robbie, and though I was never bitten, to my knowledge, in the UK till about ten years ago, these days it is regular. In france, on the other hand…especially when I lived in Vichy… the mozzies were a nightmare.

      Like

      Reply
  18. Lyn Horner's avatar Lyn Horner says:
    May 30, 2018 at 19:35

    I hate creepy crawlies! I hope you don’t have West Nile Virus in your neck of the woods. If you do, get some good bug spray.

    Like

    Reply
  19. willowdot21's avatar willowdot21 says:
    May 30, 2018 at 20:36

    Got to love Ani

    Like

    Reply
  20. macjam47's avatar macjam47 says:
    May 31, 2018 at 00:38

    Oh, Sue, I hear you! We’ve had so much rain this spring and the bugs here just wait at the door waiting for a chance to come in. Thanks for the toothpaste tip! Love and hugs, dear friend. ❤️🤗❤️

    Like

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  21. Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
    May 31, 2018 at 01:59

    Well, I guess we know who is alpha around your house, lol! The thought of Ani barking at thunder makes me smile. Wren hides in the closet when it thunders, but will bark at fighter jets and helicopters that fly too low en route to their base. Go figure.

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  22. dgkaye's avatar dgkaye says:
    May 31, 2018 at 02:51

    The old toothpaste trick, lol, I remember that. Such a delightful post Sue ❤

    Like

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  23. Widdershins's avatar Widdershins says:
    May 31, 2018 at 03:20

    Toothpaste, eh? Will give it a try. I’m allergic too and they’ve finally hatched out here. Horrible blood-sucking vampires!

    Like

    Reply
  24. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more's avatar OIKOS™-Redaktion says:
    May 31, 2018 at 09:36

    “her open door policy” Lol Any also has policies. Love the story. Michael

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  25. noelleg44's avatar noelleg44 says:
    May 31, 2018 at 15:15

    We’re having the same problems here – tons of rain with insects in clouds! Poor Ani! You need to spray her with insect repellent, but then you have to bathe her to get rid of that! You need an outdoor shower just for her!

    Like

    Reply
  26. Shreya Punjabi's avatar Shreya Punjabi says:
    May 31, 2018 at 20:31

    this was so nice, midges and mozzies and bitey things, i loved those parts.

    Like

    Reply
  27. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    June 1, 2018 at 02:58

    Oh, Ani. You are so right. I’m in your corner.

    Like

    Reply
  28. Adele Marie's avatar Adele Marie says:
    June 1, 2018 at 10:02

    Yes, we have them here as well, in the land of the midgie. I’m okay they don’t want my blood, but Becca is a tasty morsel for them. xxx

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