Huw Le Lytle answers all your questions in his column of wit and wisdom, For the Asking!

Huw’s for the asking!

BY Huw Le Lytle

In today’s questions …

London, Landmarks, Looks, and Legacy

Q: Dear Huw, what is your greatest discovery when you’ve been on a walk around London? If you could visit any landmark in the world where would it be and why? What do you think the next big trend will be in the doggie world?
– Mimi, Warwickshire, UK

A: Dear Mimi, these are such interesting questions that they deserve a “For The Asking” all of their own! When it comes to walking around London there is so much to see and do. It is difficult to remember all my favourite things, there are so many. There was the time that I got so many cuddles at Granary Square. There was the time I discovered in Regent’s Park what an excellent pigeon wrangler I am. There was the time I met Santa Claus on South Bank. But I think my favourite was when I met an older lady who used to have Bedlingtons and missed her dogs very much. We had a lot of cuddles and she thanked me for my friendship. I think spreading some kindness and discovering new friends will always be the greatest discovery of all. Your question about which landmark I would visit is interesting and I think I would choose, without a shadow of a doubt, the Old Windmill in Wickham Park, Brisbane, Australia. It is the oldest building that is still standing in Queensland. And if I could visit the Old Windmill it would mean I was just a hop, skip, and a jump from Grand Human, Simba, Yum Yum, and Benny. And that would be simply marvellous. Thinking of which, maybe the next big trend in the doggie world will be that dogs will finally be allowed in the cabin to travel to Australia (first class of course!), and not down in the hold with the bags. But keeping it slightly more within the realms of probability, I hope the next big trend is that more and more places become dog-friendly. In actual fact, there are really only a few places that the law prohibits dogs from entering in the UK. There are lots and lots more than could and should allow dogs, including cafes and restaurants, it is just that they choose not to do so. A lot of companies are now going dog-friendly and people are taking their dogs to work. If people are more productive when they have their dogs with them, I bet they spend more money when they have their dogs with them too! I know Human does! And as for doggy fashion, that’s a difficult one, but I for one would like to see more velvet in doggy wardrobes – perhaps an elegant velvet jacket for the finer Bedlington, for enjoying ribbies and intellectual conversation after dinner.

Q: Dear Huw, how can I learn to do the Ear Thing?
– Jim, Southampton, UK

A: Dear Jim, this is truly an excellent question and one that is very close to my heart. You see, so many people think that the Ear Thing is purely physical, that it is simply the way ears bounce in the breeze. But you, kind sir, have noticed that there is far, far more to the Ear Thing … that even humans, with their less sophisticated ears, can do it. As you may know, Leo the Bedlington Terrier pioneered the Ear Thing. Leo had just one ear. His other ear was badly damaged before he was rescued and couldn’t be saved. But the loss of an ear was never going to keep Leo down. He grew out his curls and fashioned an “ear” out of pure Bedlington joie de vivre. And whenever Leo bounded about in his characteristically gazelle-like fashion, his one ear would reach up and wave triumphantly. It was an “Ear Thing”. I think Leo would be proud that he is remembered so fondly for the Ear Thing, that it is part of his legacy. Because Leo’s Ear Thing is so much more than whether you do or don’t have an ear, whether you have ears that stick up or flop down, or whether you have an ear that is all curls. It isn’t just about defying gravity, it’s about defiance full stop. And that is why Leo will always be remembered for the Ear Thing, and why it is that with every Ear Thing we remember one of the most special, most determined, most wonderful little terriers there ever was. As for learning to do the ear thing … my friend, I think you are already there.

If you would like your questions answered by Huw, please send them to woof@bethatdog.com or use the form below. He’s Huw for the asking!