Peckerwood Manor

Throughout history, many royals have found solace and companionship in the company of their furry friends. For instance, Henry III of France cherished his bichons and spaniels so much that he carried them in a little basket around his neck. Similarly, Queen Victoria created a pet cemetery with epitaphs to honor her beloved pets. German-born Elizabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orleans, once wrote from the Palace of Versailles, "Dogs are the best people I have come across in France," highlighting the unique bond humans can share with their four-legged companions. Louis XlV loved dogs and had a beloved toy poodle who lived better than most people. I am a direct descendant of the little boy in the dress and leading streets, which means Versailles should be mine bitches! Alexander the Great is known for being an almost unstoppable conquerer. Legend has it that his beloved dog Peritas was a gift from a Greek King. Legend also states that Peritas had taken down a lion and an elephant. P...

A.I. Generated Cute Cat, but something went a touch wonky.  In the bustling heart of cosmopolitan London, Somerset House has opened its doors to an exhibition so adorable it might just make your heart explode with sugar-coated glee. From January 25 to April 14, 2024, "Cute" takes you on a whimsical rollercoaster through the saccharine, syrupy world of cuteness that has, for reasons beyond mere mortals' understanding, taken contemporary culture by storm. The masterminds behind the "Cute" exhibition have embarked on a noble quest to dissect cuteness's fluffy, fuzzy essence. With contributions from artists like Mark Leckey , who probably thought, "Why not?" and Sean-Kierre Lyons , who likely mused, "Cuteness, eh? Sounds fun!" the show is a veritable smorgasbord of contemporary art, music, fashion, toys, video games, and social media phenomena. Cuteness is often synonymous with images of wide-eyed kittens and puppies, babies with cheeks you w...

A Favourite Greyhound of Prince Albert, 1841     Old Shepherds Chief Mourner 1837         Dignity and Impudence 1839   Sleeping Bloodhound 1835                                                                                       King Charles Spaniels (‘The Cavalier’s Pets’) 1835 Doubtful Crumbs (1858-1859)                                                   Distinguished Member of the Humane Society 1831 Self-Portrait 1852                                                      ...

It is Sunday, and I am fresh out of snark and I stumbled upon a story about a poor Sphynx cat that was rescued after a violent riot and prison break in Juárez, Mexico. How the cat survived with hardened criminals is beyond amazing. But the cartel assassins and gang members weren't all that kind. The poor thing has prison gang tats! You read that right. The damn fools tattooed the cat with one reading Hecho en Mexico-Made in Mexico like he was part of the notorious murderous Mexicles Cartel! Gang member tattoo close-up.  What in the world had that cat seen, and who the hell owned him? How did he survive? Why was he so healthy? Look at poor kitty...sigh...I decided to balance that outlandish story with something nice. Something peaceful and serene. How about art? How about a French artist making art for the masses to enjoy? Petite Nature series by the artist Steeven Salvat can be found in the streets of Paris in unexpected places, fascinating people who are lucky enough to see one. T...

The dachshund is a dog breed of hound and terrier ancestry developed in Germany and was initially bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. It is believed that the smooth dachshund gave rise to both the long-haired and the wire-haired varieties. The breed was required to go to the ground and flush out prey, and those cute little legs were bred to be effective when they did their job. It is hard to imagine those little pups as hunters, but they are, as their owners know they also use this instinct to steal socks and other items they can carry.  Nico from Velvet Underground The dachshund is described as clever, lively, and courageous to the point of rashness. Dachshunds consistently rank among the 10 most popular dog breeds, and their playfulness, adaptability, and moderate energy levels make them excellent family dogs. They are good with children as long as they know how to handle them and often get along well with other dogs as long as the other...

This is to remind everyone that we are doing every other week for Pup Sundays and the same for Caturdays. So if Caturday Saturday is up, it means the Pups will be the following week. This gives people a chance to plan something to share with everyone.  Today, I wanted to share some examples of different styles of art that showcase our canine friends and truly a lady's best friend in so many ways. Animals can heal the heart and provide unconditional love; we can give the same back without restraints. It is easy to see why they inspire such devotion and inspiration. 1532/33 Portrait Of a Lady with a Lapdog, Bronzino 1665 Portrait of a Lady with a Lapdog, Rembrandt c.1769  Marie Emilie Coignet de Courson ,  Jean Honoré Fragonard 1768/69  Portrait of Madame Freret Déricour, Joseph Siffred Duplessis 1782 Lady Hamilton as Nature, George Romney (she is a scandalous woman with an interesting but tragic life-Emma Hamilton it is worth reading about for history buffs or feminis...