Images and words courtesy of Anne Reynolds.

Jamie has been with me since he was a small puppy.  He’s now 11 years old, and shares his home with a cat called Willow and Sukie, the stray black cat, who seems to be making a home with us.

Anne reminisces about her reasons for owning her Scottie dog 'Jamie'

When I was a little girl I made a Scottie dog, with a little red tongue sticking out, sewn by hand, and after the bombing of Coventry I went for a weeks holiday with my cousins.

The ruins were a dreadful sight.  We heard the Bombers coming over all the time, usually about 7 o'clock at night - it was dark as I recall most times.  I can still hear the engines - even now.  We were under the stairs as the air raid shelter was too far away. My mother used to wrap me in an eiderdown - it was a lovely port wine red colour.  We were only 9 miles away from Coventry. 

My mother made me take my little cloth Scottie to my aunt for a thank-you present for having me.  It broke my heart and, after too many years to mention, this is the reason I have Jamie.  He is Kennel Club registered, although I have never taken him to dog shows.  He is a pet, and "my little boy."  Jamie is now 11 years old.

Jamie in the garden 2006

Jamie, Willow, Sukie and I all believe that there are fairies at the bottom of our garden.   I know there is because my Dad told me so when I was a little girl.  I told the children in school and they came and asked my father, "Mr Griffin, can we see the fairies please in your garden?"  That posed a predicament for my Dad!! 

Editor's note - Seeing is believing!

Jamie at Christmas 2008

Jamie goes for a walk over St. David’s via Gelli Farm

Jamie in the snow on 3rd February 2009

“My car, I am an enterprising lad!”

Jamie footballing in the snow

Clive and ‘the boy’

Jamie just groomed

Who lives here?

Jamie and Willow

Brothers in arms - Jamie and Willow

Roly Poly

What has been on this lawn?

What is out there?

Oh Boy!  This is soft

Willow at Christmas, 2008

I have had Willow since he was a kitten, when he was found in a patch of long grass.  Willow is part Siamese, and was 10 years old at Christmas 2008.   As soon as I start to dish-up Sunday dinner, Willow now sits on the dining-room chair waiting for his!

‘Willow’ tummy washing

‘Willow’ One over the Eight?

Think I'll have a chew of this whilst no one is looking

Sukie, the stranger from nowhere

Pollyanna, who visits every night for a dish of peanuts

Ponies in the field overlooking Jamie’s garden

Editor's note - Anne also features in our 'Poems' section