Raq the Border Terrier
The story is that when the Bearded One was a pup he used to stay with his Auntie in the village and she had a Border Terrier, like me. He says he liked us ‘cos we’re bloody minded and can’t be persuaded to do anything. I’ve never been stripped out so I’m a natural scruff - like a burst cushion with eye brows.
I’m 10 now & he says I’ve calmed down, whatever that means. When I was younger I know on occasion I ate the hens, but I still chase turkeys, deer and one day I‘ll catch another.
I’m named after a spaniel hero of mine who was called Raq. He had a Rev G Bramwell Evens that he used to take out on walks too, he used to talk about all the birds and animals he used to see. Quite famous he was, in his time, not like me though. I’ve got my own fan club. People write me letters all the time and I’m welcome all over the North - people have seen me on the TV and liked my plain northern talk. 46% audience share I got, even though there’s trillions on channels now. Its because I call a spade a spade or even a shovel sometimes, people like that. I’m not what you would call political correct. The Bearded One says I’m a great performer because I take a pose as soon as camera comes out - but I do like working with professionals. Don’t want to waste time repeating things, after all you should be able to get it the first time.
The one thing I hate about this filming lark is having to go out whatever the weather. I don’t like walking in the rain going out on a cold mornings seems mad when I would much rather be in front of the Rayburn. Its my favourite place in the world with a bowl of feed in sniffing distance and best of all a bacon sandwich. I’m still hoping I’ll train the Bearded One out of it but He still will get up and out and drag me off whatever the weather. Although I walk for a living I am more of a shuffler and ambler at heart. I do like going out and about around the farm, wandering “off-string“ but on a dry day not when its wet.
He picked me up when I was a puppy. He was a strange one, I sat in front of Rayburn not taking any notice while all the others made a fuss of the visitors. I wasn’t interested in the people and he liked that - made for each other we are.
I lived outside as a farm dog in an outdoor kennel with the collies for quite a few years as The Boss even though I am much smaller. Now I live in and I’ve gone back to sleeping by the Rayburn. I’m the only dog gets a new lead every day, because I don’t have a lead I have a piece of bailer string. I’ve had 70 leads sent in by viewers but I‘m happy with what I’ve got - its not demeaning to be on a string, it says who I am - no pretensions and I’m not showing any signs of psychological damage thank you. After all, us Border “Reivers” are used to living without luxuries.
I do love eating, have a bit of a weight problem, The Bearded One hurt my feelings a bit last week said I was a “ terrible little scoffer” and he is constantly trying to keep me away from food. I don’t know why after all its only natural Border Terrier excess.
I have a nodding relation with the feral cats on the farm. I’m afraid to say they are the boss. And I do stand back from feed bowl if the cats come towards it - you never know - just playing it safe, they are a fierce bunch after all. We all get on pretty well now. We’ve got a house hen, saved from the fox, it sits on the Bearded One’s shoulder and we all eat out of same bowl.
I’ve lived in the Lake District all my life and after all my walks all over the country I still think it’s a canny place to come home to- plenty of space out there - most welcoming place in Britain - lots of Hotels and B&B‘s that welcome dogs. Pubs not crowded and if you walk more than 100 yards from a road you can have the view to yourself. Just have to be canny about having your lead on or your bailer string if there’s stock around. Anyway have a look at my diary http://www.lakedistrictfordogs.co.uk/diary_3) at www.lakedistrictfordogs.co.uk and come and see for yourself.
