There's a lot to be said for the cosiness of a log fire (below, being enjoyed by Monty and Bok).
Monty and Bok not only adored sleeping in front of the fire, but they also adored each other. Bok (the black one) was given to us by a neighbour because he spent all his time with Monty; she thought it was better to let them live together.
This was a typical stance, with Monty using Bok as a pillow. They would often also share a bed rather than use their own.
Both are now gone and we miss them. With a good fire in the Wood-burner, and the boys snuggling-up together, it made Winter evenings into a real pleasure. Billy has now taken their places in front of the fire, but here in Brighton we have no fire for him to enjoy.
I don't know if Dogs prefer to sleep in front of a fire, or beside a radiator, but I know which I prefer. Billy's bed is beside a radiator, but he sleeps on Lady M's sofa.
Nothing like a good wood fire, the dogs had the right idea!
ReplyDeleteI agree with them, there's nothing to compare with a snooze by a log fire.
DeleteMy dog is not accustomed to a fire as we only have radiators and he doesn't go near them.
ReplyDeleteSome dogs can't get near enough, others stay well clear. It takes all sorts.
DeleteWe both work horrible and differing shifts (NHS and hospitality) so we compromise by having both central heating and a gas fire. Arriving home from another tough shift I turn on the fire which is throwing out heat by the time I'm sitting with a brew and the cat curled up on the rug in front of the fire. Then I know I'm home and can relax for a short time!
ReplyDeleteThere's something very calming about having either a Cat or Dog curled up in front of you by the fire. Every home should have one.
DeleteDogs like open fires so they can be drama queens and jump up in alarm when the burning wood makes a cracking noise or sparks fly out.
ReplyDeleteWhat dogs don't like is blowing heating.
Billy is quite wary when I open the door to put more logs in. The other two (above) didn't even open an eye.
DeleteThat is something I shall miss in our new house. No open fire or log burner. A radiator is not quite so cosy.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest used to have a blazing fire video on his TV. Not quite the real thing, but it looked good behind the Christmas tree.
DeleteI remember them. My daughter has a dog and a cat that sleep together like this.
ReplyDeleteMonty and Bok were best friends; they were inseparable.
DeleteYou are a bit like that Paul O'Grady fellow - the one who used to be Lily Savage - you both love your dogs.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Dogs to many humans. Maybe I was a dog in another life; or am about to be!
DeleteI see you as a Sussex Spaniel.
DeleteThank you Mr Pudding.
DeleteI love curling up in front of a crackling fire myself. We haven't lit one yet this season. I'm looking forward to the time when we are home long enough to enjoy one. My cat would arrange herself like the sphinx in front of ours, and doze.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so relaxing about fire, dogs/cats, human, and comfy chair.
DeleteThere was a time when a Hebridean winter smelt of burning peats. Now it's just like the rest of the UK.
ReplyDeleteThey used to dig Peat near to my Parents' Shropshire home. There was a stack of 'peat bricks' in a garden shed, but I never tried burning them.
DeleteWe only have a gas fireplace now. Miss the 'real thing' from our Wisconsin days. There's nothing like winding down the evening yourself, at the same time as the embers wind down themselves. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe fire was always the focus point of a room; now it's the TV.
DeleteThere is something primeval m'thinks about a fire in the hearth, whether it be an open fire or log burner. We are fortunate to have a small wood burner in our front room and even luckier to have taken delivery of one with a much higher energy output, just requires restoring and installing in readiness for next winter.
ReplyDeleteOur 'Godin' (above), belts out plenty of heat, but also takes quite a lot of wood. I find the most important thing is to light it with a really good blaze; I use White Spirit. If you light paper, etc, it takes ages to heat up.
DeleteI love a fireplace and would really miss not having one. The cats used to sleep on the armchairs by the fireplace or on the floor by the Aga. One of our past Christmas cards had them doing just that.
ReplyDeleteWe've lived with wood-fired heating for decades, and have just returned to gas central heating. I rather miss getting out there with my chainsaw.
DeleteDogs really have trained humans well. It must have been some kind of master plan they came up with to get us to invent fire all those eons ago - they always wanted to be snuggly in winter but those wretched paws couldn't get the stick rubbing going.
ReplyDeleteBilly sleeps on my wife's sofa. She complains every time he jumps up, yet puts his blanket down every night so he can sleep there!
DeleteThere is nothing better on a cold night than warmth from a blazing fire. Turn all the lights down low and the ambiance is lovely too. A fireplace for your Brighton home would be a nice addition. Billy would approve.
ReplyDeleteWe have one in our other house, and when we move over there I'll open-up another one. Whether we'll use them or not; I don't know.
DeleteMy labrador loves to sleep on the hearth.
ReplyDeleteLabs know what's what, and never deprive themselves.
DeleteIf I ever get the chance to buy or build again, I'll be sure to include a fireplace. I miss the wood heater we had years ago, where we could put a filled kettle on top near the back and just pull it to the front for a quick boil when we wanted cups of tea or coffee. What I have now is an airconditioner in the living room, it warms the air and that's all I can say about it. I have a radiator in the bedroom and turn it on in winter about an hour before I go to bed, to warm the room, the cat loves to sleep in front of it, but I can't leave it on all night.
ReplyDelete