When Canine Eyes are Smiling: Dogs of the Emerald Isle
September 19, 2011 • Travel •
Ireland: the Emerald Isle. A land of rolling hills, rugged cliffs, charming picture-perfect villages, fascinating historic sites, warm and friendly people, and...dogs.
A lifelong dog lover, I am unable to travel anywhere—near or far—without interacting with local residents of the canine persuasion. And Ireland was no different. In between soaking up the verdant beauty of the countryside, touring the odd castle or abbey, and negotiating miles of winding rural roads—on the "wrong" side—I made time to make friends with and photograph a dog or two.
In a country known for woolen goods and the sheep that make them possible, I had expected to see my fair share of border collies. And I did. At Kissane Sheep Farm near Killarney, for example, I met several of these intelligent, hard-working herding dogs, along with four adorable, roly-poly, six-week-old pups. I witnessed firsthand the amazing bond between human and canine as the farmers demonstrated the teamwork required to herd a flock of sheep—a bond so strong that each dog works its best with only one human. It was obvious that these dogs are more than just four-legged farm employees...they are truly members of the family.
But these quintessential working dogs were just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. My travels were also blessed by encounters with a plethora of purebreds and mixed breeds of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages.
Some, like English cocker spaniel Honey, golden retriever Jake, and a one-eyed little terrier mix whose name I never knew, took the hour-long ferry ride from Doolin to the Aran Island of Inisheer for holidays with their people. Others, like a lovely collie/GSD mix and her “pugalier” companion frolicked on the beach at Derrynane. And still others, including an elderly beagle mix, strolled the pedestrianized shopping district of Galway.
Basically, I met dogs everywhere I went. But the seaside village of Kinsale proved to be the canine mother lode. Known for its excellent dining establishments, this County Cork vacation spot also provided a wealth of dog-watching opportunities: Rex, a JRT, reclined regally on the front wall of his home observing passersby; Scampi, the resident canine of the Old Presbytery Guesthouse, greeted guests at the door; a solitary golden retriever relaxed in the middle of the street, unconcerned about the cars forced into humane detours; and a pair of lurchers—a breed familiar to me only from the works of James Herriott—relaxed in the sunshine at an outdoor eating area.
Even my final hours of Irish hospitality included canine companionship. Jackster, a 21(!)-year-old JRT, greeted me at the door of the Castle Lodge B&B in Malahide, and visiting Shih-tzu Clancy made it his mission to shower me with pre-departure kisses despite the inconvenience—and indignity—of a post-neutering “cone of shame.”
These and other ambassadors of the canine kind not only added something special to my Irish excursion but also helped me miss my own two “fur kids” just a little bit less.\
Pamela Townsend is a writer, editor, and photographer whose work has appeared in books, magazines, newspapers, and promotional publications. An avid traveler—both with and without her husband and dogs—Pam also is committed to animal welfare issues and currently serves as vice president of the all-volunteer-run SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County, MD (pgspca.org). She has published two books—A is for Angel: A Dog Lover’s Guide to the Alphabet and Black is Beautiful: A Celebration of Dark Dogs—both of which are available on her blog (DigitalDoggyPhotography.blogspot.com). Sales benefit selected animal welfare organizations.
Scroll through all images above by clicking on each thumbnail. All images Pamela Townsend.
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