Self catering holiday rental accommodation in the Alpujarras, Andalucia, southern Spain

Thursday January 20th 2011

The 'Oska' ceremony.

As many readers will know 2010 ended on rather a sad note, with the death of our much loved dachshund, Fergus. Many have been the tender messages we have received from those of you who knew him, for which we thank you. It was good to know that his special character touched more people than just ourselves. Of particular note was the Dogbloggerel poetry, penned by Linda and Kevin, regular guests here at Cortijo Opazo. Please read their witty couplets at the foot of the page.

The question now remains what of the future of the now popular Dogblog. An obvious direction for it to take would be under the inspiration of Ella, our dear, mixed up rescue dog. We offered her the ownership of this section of the website but she tells me that she has far too much to do, being the cute, affectionate one of the house, befriending all the guests and making sure, by always trying to solicite an invtation inside the holiday rentals, that all is well. And besides, there's those demons that she has to keep chasing away from the place. So Ella is a little too precoupied to take up the gauntlet and plume, so for now, the dogblog is without dog. But maybe not for long.

Cue introduction to the newest member of the Cortijo Opazo team. Born in Madrid on the 9th of Septmber 2010, Eick von Lehrscehn Forst has taken up the offer of an apprenticeship at Cortijo Opazo and we very much hope he will choose to stay with us. Instead of his full Spanish registered pedigree name, we have chosen to call him 'Oska' and Ella has the task of inducting him to the ways and smells of the locality. She has taken the role very seriously and tells us that she is holding Oska's ceremony. (That's got that joke out of the way, I promise it will never be made again)

Click here to see past blogs:

Blog from 2010

Oska

Oska learning how to hunt

Oska testing out the sun beds

Oska taking a keen interest in socks

Ella, teaching Oska what he needs to know

Teamwork

Oska helps by pulling on a piece of string marking out a new path.

That's probably about enough for the moment of pictures of Oska - I'm sure there'll be many more. We can't tire of of him, but there is a point I'm sure. So, to finish this first blog of 2011 below you can read the poetic tribute to dearest Fergus, a dog with big paw prints to fill.

Doggerel to the memory of Fergus!

The strong silent type, a dog of few barks

An observer of life, we give him full marks.

For his wit and his wisdom, the web gave him fame

As he blogged, as a dog, to amuse was his aim!

His take on the I-Paw, a dog’s Tour de Force

We laughed and we chuckled, he gave thought for paws!

It was brilliant, it was fun, what a brain for a dog

We marvelled, we wondered, at his effortless blog.

As master of all, his domain he’d patrol,

A lift of an eyebrow, a waddle, a stroll,

His guests were assured, they felt safe in his paws

A keenness of eye, he’d look out for all flaws.

Perfection achieved he’d settle down in the sun

And watch Ella race round always one for action.

As long as his food was delivered on time

A dog’s life he had - how I wish it was mine!

So as with sadness we heard the news

Of your sad departure, of your final snooze.

We look back on our short time with you

And say, as we must, without further ado,

One day we’ll return down Pitres way

Volcanic ash permitting and come what may,

To walk in your paw prints, the Dog’s Bottom we’ll do

And each step we take will be a tribute to you.

Our navigation, once poor, we’ll get right next time

And complete what we started with you in our minds.

Linda and Kevin Clarke

Fergus playing with Ella when she was a puppy