Pug came to stay with Caroline and Crompton for a few days in the tiny, cosy, stone cottage at the foot of Werneth Low.
“I can’t take Pug for a proper walk”, thought Caroline, “or his spindly legs might snap.” So, she took Crompton up on Werneth Low for a bracing walk and a bounce.
Then Caroline drove with Pug to a posh, Cheshire café. He was loved by all the ladies there receiving lots of attention. Pug dogs were bred as companions to the Emperors of China, so he knew how to behave in public, which is a very useful skill.
When they returned to the cottage, Pug and Crompton curled up for a snooze. Crompton was dreaming of the very big dogs he loved so much.
Pug dreamt of his favourite meal. Filet steak served with warm artisan bread with oil, balsamic vinegar and butter; he came from Didsbury.
The next morning Caroline decided to take both dogs for a proper, long walk, but she was still worried that Pug’s spindly legs might snap.
Both dogs had a lovely time – running, sniffing, bouncing, weeing, sniffing, running, bouncing, resting, sniffing bouncing, meeting other dogs, playing with other dogs, sniffing, bouncing and weeing. Not necessarily in that order.
All three were worn out when they returned to the cottage, so they went to bed. The trouble was, Crompton and Pug were a type of dog bred over many years to have a cute, squashed face, but this meant they had trouble breathing and they snored terribly.
Walks make dogs happy. Remember children – all your life – there is nothing quite so much fun as being with a happy dog.
© 2026 Sheila Oliver (story) David Kelsall (illustrations). All rights reserved.
