The prospect of seeing Percy...

Anyone who knows me well or has the displeasure of following me on any form of social media, will be well aware that Percy is the main man in my life. Percy being my 60kg Bernese Mountain Dog. If Percy had a Tinder bio it would read “Big, dribbly and perfect to cuddle with”. I would totally swipe right. Now this post has been instigated by the realisaion that in less than a week’s time I am going home. Now the primary reason for this mid-term visit is actually my mum’s birthday, but it was really the prospect of seeing Percy that sealed the deal on my visit. I was already half persuaded, but Percy is all the incentive I need.

Now how do I describe Percy for those who have yet to meet him. Every dog owner of course believes their own dog is far and away the best dog in the world, but Percy does have the distinct advantage of there quite literally being that much more to love. Percy by sheer size deserves the love of 20 Jack Russells. To give you an image to work with, Percy is a bit like Nana from Peter Pan. Incredibly docile, will love you to death and would never harm a fly. Except of course if he stood on one. The full weight of Percy has been known to leave a bruise on the foot of many friends and acquaintances - but by the same token he also leaves big paddy paw-prints all over their hearts.

I was once told that Bernese were one of the cleverest dog breeds out there. I must confess I have seen little evidence of this. In fairness it will take a whole lot longer for the instructions he hears to be processed and reach his limbs (we’ve got “sit” down to about 25 seconds). I will now use his size as an excuse for everything, but he has no concept of it so someone’s got to highlight it. Percy when faced with a French Bulldog quakes in fear, and is still very much of the belief that he is a lap dog. When we first got him I used to play with him on the floor and he used to pin me down and we would wrestle a bit. This exercise has recently become a little more hazardous, as Percy is know the size of a human. I have to remind him now and again that I am not a dog and therefore don’t really want my arm clamped in his big, hot, dribbly mouth. But I don’t really want to be a party pooper.

What Percy has is a great deal of character. He is never satisfied till everyone in the room is in love with him, and those who refuse to look at him or refuse to give over their affections he will stare them down. I have never met a dog who maintains such eye contact, and so fondly. Even now with me at home, if I am sat watching the TV or trying to work, this big, hot, wet mouth is suddenly placed on my lap, and two big hazel eyes are staring lovingly up into mine. How on earth could anyone resist that?

And though he may be dopey, and at times incredibly naughty (if he feels like he’s not getting the attention he deserves, be prepared to be faced with slobbered shoes and socks), but all of this comes under the umbrella of him being an incredibly affectionate dog. He loves a proper cuddle, and no matter how hot it is, he’ll be pressed up against you. Even in winter when the fire’s on and he’s wearing his big, thick, Bernese coat, he’ll still sit right next to you, often on your lap, struggling to get ever closer. And that love shows itself in his greetings too. Whenever I come home, no matter if it’s been a week, a month, or more, he turns right back into that little puppy mum and I picked up from Bernese Welfare. He scrambles about on the floor, his bark gets higher and higher pitched, he can barely contain himself. He tries to slobber over every inch of me to let me know how much he’s missed me. When he eventually calms down he makes sure to sit or lie on my feet so there’s no chance of me going anywhere without him knowing. He is most definitely my soul mate, and has set the standard incredibly high, since if I ever receive a greeting one ounce less enthusiastic than this one, surely he’s not worth it?

Anyway, I am counting down the days till Percy…and my mum’s birthday of course!