Doggy Bloggy 12

I wonder if having this doggy bloody has led to my latest project...... Scotland's Best Dog. It's a BBC Scotland tv series which I am narrating. I've never done this before so it's been very interesting. The series is about family dogs competing against each other in different tests. Like agility, obedience and bonding. The dogs aren't trained other than by their owners and it really is a fun show. So I sit in a recoding studio with the film in front of me and I explain what is happening in each round. I've really enjoyed it. I must say Harry wouldn't have done very well as he tends to just look at me when I tell him to do something. Talking of Harry he is almost there with his recuperation. It's been a long one.....9 months. He still goes to hydrotherapy and his muscles are slowly coming back to full strength. He still isn't allowed off the lead for anymore than 15 minutes a day but we can see a change in him at last. Jane has a daily fight with cyclist in Regents park. There are signs everywhere saying no cyclists but they still go flying round the paths. And....those fucking electric scooters.....don't get me started. I remember Grant told me never to get into and twitter fight with cyclists but I have to say I hate them. They go through red lights....they go up one way streets the wrong way ..... they drive on the pavement. Ok rant over.

So.....yes it's getting close to the panto and it's looking as if it's going to happen. I hope. We had a press launch last week and it was great to see the whole cast. We had a great day and the photos turned out really well. I have a new wig this year. It's called a solid wig. So Maggie my faithful dresser wont have to dress it every night. She'll be happy. The script is all ready to go and when we get on the floor (rehearsal) we make all the final tweaks, which will hopefully bring the extravaganza you have come to expect. Although it will be a sad time as well as we all miss our wonderful Andy. He'll be up there watching though. I have my flat organised and our Christmas trip to Prestonfield House hotel all booked. I cant wait to get back on the Kings stage. Happy days.

Scotland's best dogs starts on the 18th of November. So have a wee look.

PS Thanks to Gavin 'Doc' for his lovely piece in the Express.

Bye.

Doggy bloggy 11

Soooooo..... Where do I start. My poor Harry had a bad weekend, and so did I. Saturday, we were in the big garden and two cats attacked Harry. I tried to kick them away and they scratched my leg. Harry wasn't too shaken but wasn't happy. He hates cats, so I suppose he has been asking for it. Sunday, in the same garden he went into the bushes and stood on a shard of glass. Came limping out and licked his paw for an hour. Again not too bad. Now Monday, that was the biggy. We were sitting in a coffee shop and this white husky was sitting with it's dog walker. The girl said my dog attacks other dogs sometimes but he seems very calm today. Harry sat very close to me and wouldn't move. He wouldn't eat his chew and seemed very anxious. We chatted and her dog didn't move. Neither did Harry. She got up to leave and just as she went to go he attacked Harry. Again I lashed out with me foot to get him off but he attacked again. Harry was squealing. I put myself between him and the dog and she managed to pull it away. I told her to get out in no uncertain terms. Harry was traumatised and I was shaking as well. Anyway on the way home I felt my leg was sore. When I got home the dog had bitten my leg and it was bleeding quite badly. Harry calmed down and I went back up to the coffee shop to find out where the dog lived. On the way up I tripped over a raised flag stone and fell flat on my face. Some people ran out of a restaurant and picked me up. I felt so stupid. The girl said oh look at your leg. I said oh that wasn't just now, I was bitten by a dog today. She said your not having a good day are you.....understatement I think. Anyway we both got over it and we are now trying to find the owner of the Dog. Daygo was its name.

So other than that Jane has been very busy with the Bond premier and I'm going up to Edinburgh next week to do the launch of the panto. So that is great news. Then the week after I go off on my first ship in 2 years.....will I remember the act. I bloody hope so. Really looking forward to it.

So that's the news for the moment.

Bye

Doggy bloggy 10

The sun has been shining ....ish. The summer is here and Doggy Harry is still on the lead. Who said having a dog is easy. Poor Harry is now limping slightly. But enough to worry us. We took him to the Ralf (the big vets hospital where they did his operation) and they said there might be some muscle wastage (that spelling doesn't look right) and he has to be kept on the lead for another two months.....Oh Jesus this is just crazy. So we took him to a place where they put him in water and video him walking on a treadmill. So that threw up an interesting situation. It seems he is limping because his back leg is slightly lame. So it looks like the accident affected his back leg and no one originally noticed because his front let was broken. So now he has to go for 8 sessions for water therapy. They seem very confident that he can be 'fixed' with the therapy. I really hope so.

Now for my career.....what career you say. Still not a lot happening although I firmly believe that panto at the Kings will happen this year. We have the script. I have been measured for new wigs and costumes and everyone (the boys) are very excited about the prospect of walking on that wonderful stage again. All being with very sad feelings. I have a few ships in the book but I'm not holding my breath about them.

I took the bull by the horns and booked my play,( which I've finished during the lockdown), into the studio space in the the Festival Theatre, for a weeks run. It's called Maggie and Me. It's about the last night of the Kings panto just before it closes for refurbishment and it takes place in the dressing room with my dresser Maggie. In real life Maggie has been my dresser for 15 years and we have a very funny and interesting relationship. So it's basically what it's like ( a few bits of artistic licence have been used) behind the scenes. I talk about my life and career as well as perform some panto scenes. Not sure if that explains it very well .....I must give it more thought. Anyway that will be October 2022. I have also booked the Kings for the end of March 2022 for my big big variety show. .....Ok I know the last one was to be the last one, but that was before we had the worst 2 years in history and I believe we are in need of some great entertainment. It will be the biggest show yet. I'll really go for it. I promise you.

Right I'm off to make the dinner.

Bye