We're trying to keep him rested as much as possible which is difficult when the comfort loving rascal loves to jump up on the sofa or chairs regardless of how many limbs are not in good working order.
I don't know what the future holds but I'm hoping, selfishly, that they miraculously find an easy fix to leave him sprightly and pain-free for years to come.
There always has been an obvious hole in my outdoor wear. A waterproof jacket. It may seem obvious considering how much time I spend outdoors but I've never really found one I want to wear. Luckily, the temperate climate in Norfolk means that we don't get all that much rain. I have plenty of wool style coats for looking smart in town, a warm puffa jacket for keeping me toasty and another pretty much suitable for the Arctic. None of them cope for long in anything more than light shower.
I present to you, hey presto, my new waterproof jacket from Mountain Warehouse. I'm wearing a size 10 which is plenty roomy enough for a thick warm jumper underneath for cooler days. The hood is really comfortable and a good fit; not too loose and not too tight (these things are important, right?)
Wait for it, I haven't got to the best bit. This jacket is a collaboration with the Dogs Trust and so 10% of each sale goes towards this worthy cause. My heart is absolutely stolen with regards rescue centres; both Comet (RIP) and Lincoln are both rescue dogs and I am a firm believer in supporting centres that rehome animals. There are so many sad, lonely forgotten little hearts just waiting for a loving family that need support. Our decision to choose Lincoln was met with with a significant amount of criticism to be honest, but three years on and everyone who knows me knows just how much I adore our little lad.
The inside of the neck has gorgeous soft fleece to it in the Dog's Trust yellow as well as branding to the inside lower half. It's a great design. The jacket retails at £69.99 with no delivery charge. It's fab quality waterproof jacket which will keep me dry on rainy days. Normally, Lincoln tries to avoid walking in the drizzle and downright refuses to leave the house in heavy rain. We've had a chat and compromised over walkies in wet weather; heavy downpours are off the menu and a gentle precipitate is fine. We shook on it.
I love that so many dogs are going to benefit from this.
Sophie
Thanks to Mountain Warehouse for sending me this jacket to review. All content and opinions my own
There is something both comforting and relaxing about dog walking. Lincoln enjoys heading out for a trot along, not at the crack of dawn mind though, mid morning would be his preference. He can't decide whether he wants to jump straight into his harness or to 'woooo' and run away in an excited game.
It's great the way that he has such an enthusiasm for mooching along and sniffing around the same old routes. I love the fresh air and gentle exercise, spending a while with my husband and our favourite little guy.
For those of you less familiar with Lincoln or staffies in general I'll tell you this; staffies are awesome company. If you're thinking of getting a dog I would suggest this: research! There are thousands and thousands of dogs in rescue centres in need of loving homes and f you think you're cut out for a puppy then you're most likely cut out for a rescue dog. Puppies are no picnic.
The great thing about rescuing a grown up dog is that they stay just as cute as the day you set eyes on them. The camera doesn't seem to love Lincoln anywhere near as much as my eyes do, none of the photographs capture his cute, soft and affable nature, instead he looks rather serious and aloof but honestly this is not the case.
Staffies are a hugely misunderstood breed and for this the fault rests with both the media and the bad owners who train their dogs to behave badly. It's not a breed problem.
The kennel club recommends the Staffordshire bull terrier as one of the precious few breeds entirely suitable for families. RECOMMENDS.
As I'm writing this, Lincoln is dozing on the sofa, where he's been for the last 45 minutes and where he would stay for the next two hours if left to his own devices. He's friendly to everyone he meets and loves affection.
Staffies are absolutely amazing dogs and I honestly would plead with you to give them every consideration if choosing to take on a dog.
Sophie
It's finally happened, I've found a puffa jacket that doesn't make me look like the Michelin man! I came by this jacket by fortuitous accident really; my brother, a conscientious shopper indeed, bought a coat online for his girlfriend to wear out while it's cold. How thoughtful. It's from Adidas and it's either goose or duck down (I forget which, but it's the better type).
Anyway, after it arrived it turns out it wasn't for her so he offered it to me instead of returning it. As it was my size I tried it on and from the second I got the zip pulled up to my chin it was always coming home with me. Due to the thin nature of the jacket I was distinctly dubious about how warm it would actually keep me but BLIMEY it's a good coat! The down filler is working brilliantly, it's kept me super toasty evening when it's around zero degrees outside (frost out and ice on the road). The length is perfect so no cold derriere either, plus the padded hood is a perfect alternative to a hat. The fluffy trim is removable but it's staying for sure.
The reason I would never have bought this coat myself is that firstly it's snowy white and therefore it's only a short matter of time before it gets wrecked and secondly it cost more than the £35 I gave my bro for it.
I'm not sure just how well it will cope in rain but it's my go-to choice for the cold. It details how to wash it (and tumble dry – with 6 tennis balls no less!).
Since I squirrelled it away home for my own wearing pleasure a couple of weeks ago I've barely worn anything else to go out walking the dog in. I'm so chuffed with it! Naturally I do look like the fifth member of East 17 in their Stay video, but that just makes me seasonally appropriate, non?
Baby if you've got to go away,
Don't think I could take the pain,
Won't you stay another day?
Sophie
Christmas wishlists are everywhere at the moment and while I'm not so fussed about myself, Lincoln has been pondering what he's asking Santa for this year.
Last year we got Linky a doggy chocolate advent calendar so that we all had something to open each morning, it was really sweet actually and I hope we can get him another for this December.
What would Lincoln like to find in his stocking on Christmas morning?
He says he wants TREATS! There are plenty of tasty morsels that he takes a fancy to but it's specific dog treats that suit him best as they're safe to eat and especially tasty. While the chocolate bar for dogs is making him happy, the Wagg Tasty Bones have really got his attention. I'll be honest, I don't really understand why people would want to feed their dog faux-chocolate (real chocolate is poisonous for dogs, they should not ever eat it) when surely something meaty flavoured would be more desired? Who knows.
Something that I always overlook about Lincoln is that he's never understood how to play with toys. We got him from a rescue centre aged 3, 18 months ago and he' always been the same; never knowing how to play games. While he'd clearly been taught obedience basics, the concept of fetch and playing with toys is lost on him. This squeaky sweet shop sweetie bottle certainly made him stop and stare, bark at and sniff but he's not actually picked it up let alone chewed (which is just as well or I suspect he's get carried away pretty quick). This lobber space hopper toy equally got his attention but he hasn't picked it up yet
The main thing Linky wants is a new bed and while this quilted mattress is soft and comfy, it is a little bit small for his main bed, he likes to cosy up with it on his own armchair (it keeps him off the sofa sometimes).
Of course what a pet will value most at Christmastime, especially in the cold weather, is a roof over their head, a place in a warm and loving home. There are no more deserving candidates for getting their wish come true than dogs in rescue centres. If you're considering a pet as a present – please be responsible and wait until after Christmas and make a well researched choice, not just bringing home a cute puppy.
Thanks to Feedem Pet Supplies and Pet Supermarket for sending Lincoln some early Christmas presents, he was genuinely really excited about his goodies! I've had a good browse on the site and the prices are REALLY good, his usual food is cheaper than we've found it anywhere else – he eats Skinner's Field and Trial Maintenance and there is free delivery if you spend over £39 or £4.99 delivery if under which still works out well if you're buying a few bits as the prices are so keen. I'm really impressed.
What is your pet asking Santa for this year? And have you tried Feedem? (I would).
Sophie
What's that I hear you say? A bit cold for wandering around in a vest top at this time of year? Maybe. I might have worn a thick cardigan over the top for the majority of the dog walk (yes, I went in heels) but I wanted to show you the whole top and how I'd wear it indoors too.
This top is the Mercury tank top from Chyvonne Le Monnier is 100% combed cotton and a great comfortable fit. My main qualm with tops is that they're too short and ride up but there is no danger of that being a problem with this one hurrah!
I'm excited about the new designs coming soon too – Chyvonne has some pretty darned cool ideas up her sleeve for her luxury alternative fashion brand. All the pieces are eco-friendly and ethical too with no harmful chemicals used in the manufacturing, which is great to know.
I wore the vest top over another black vest (to keep me cosy) and with some skinny jeans, a long necklace and heeled hiker boots – all old. This would also look cool with a blazer, or a pair of leather skinnies, then with denim shorts in summer too.
You wouldn't believe what a cheeky little monster Lincoln was; he was obsessed with looking at some birds in the field behind (which is why his backside has been captured so beautifully in most of the pictures we ended up with) then when I tried to get his attention he jumped up and left a big muddy paw print on my clean-on jeans. No idea how I'll get these on after a wash, they're tight enough as they are! Just typical really.
Sophie
Lincoln has been nagging to make an appearance here for ages now, he loves being the centre of attention. These pictures were taken on a cool morning in August, I must have been chilly if I was wearing my jacket on that day. You can see that Lincoln is wearing his muzzle (which is a Baskerville muzzle – it's humane and comfortable. Dogs can eat, drink and pant while it's on). It was really sad that people thought it was because he was vicious when in fact the little lad only had to wear it to avoid any shoe grabbing incidents which despite going to training and working on better behaviour had not evaporated entirely.
In the last six weeks or so we've since stopped walking him muzzled and instead, carry a sports drink bottle of water and the muzzle, just in case. Very occasionally he does still pounce on a shoe of mine (it's always mine!) but a quick spray of water and he stops immediately – he really hates water.
We've stopped going along to dog training classes but have kept up his repertoire. He loves it.
The red check trousers make me feel really tall, which is no mean feat especially while wearing flats, I have to make sure they get worn more this Autumn along with my new boots and leather jacket. Rock on.
That's right, red trousers and a coral top, got to love a little clash!
Lincoln has been part of our lives for a a year and a half now, he's such a possum. As I write this he is gently snoring on the sofa by my feet where he will stay for the evening, sound asleep. The thing about staffies that I just don't think many people 'get' is that they are the softest dogs, they really are. Bring them up right, give them enough exercise, socialise them, plenty of really tough toys, a low protein diet and bob's your uncle. I honestly can't imagine how any dog could be better company than Lincoln, he's a sweetie.
An enthusiastic greeting when I get home, kisses (I try to avoid these), cuddles, easy walkies, far better obedience than I've experienced before and he rarely barks at all. One happy little lad who adores human company and makes our family complete.
Sophie & Lincoln x
