He’s probably in a basket with a bunch
of other puppies.
A week ago today, feeling a mix of nervous anticipation and excitement, I drove to collect the newest addition to the family. No, not a baby, but something I confess I find much cuter: a little bundle of puppy joy!
She’s a 14-week-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a beautiful nature: playful but also calm and gentle. These little spaniels have a long and regal history, dating back to the King Charles spaniels — now bred separately — in the sixteenth century. And in eighteenth-century portraits of wealthy aristocrats, you can often spot a spaniel sitting delicately at a lady’s feet or on her lap, as my dog loves to do.
Queen Victoria even had a Cavalier King Charles. Her spaniel Dash was a tricolour (black, chestnut and white), while mine is a Blenheim (chestnut and white), named after the stately home of Blenheim where they were first bred.
Princess Victoria and her spaniel, Dash, painted by George Hayter in 1833. Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.
There are some moments when, as Suzanne Collins wrote in The Hunger Games, you would be quite happy to stop time and live in that moment forever. Sunbathing on the lawn in glorious autumnal sunshine with a sleepy puppy curled up on my chest, her head framed by the bright blue sky, was one of those moments for me this week.
Today has also been filled with puppy cuddles. And if you have any suggestions for puppy names, I’d love to hear them. We are thinking of Aimée, or possibly something else which ends in an ‘e’ sound (Sylvie? Esme?)…
Leave your name suggestions in the comments section below. 🙂
Cultural Life 
Puppy has a sad look on his face…
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I think that is just the way she looks. Cavaliers tend to have quite mournful expressions. She is a very happy, much-loved puppy. 🙂
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Desiree?
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That’s pretty. 🙂 I think two-syllable names are perhaps easier to call though.
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Have to agree. I have had Bonnie (Scottie), Katy (hound), Libby (hound), Candy (Collie), Frosty (mutt), Woogie (spaniel mix), Freckles (cocker spaniel), Frisky (spaniel mix), Dusty (pit bull), Bob (mutt), Louie (rat terrier), Gudrun (German shorthair pointer, & presently Luc (German Shepherd mix from a French friend who had to give him up). Needless to say- I am old, & these beloved best friends of a long life, rescues & “tuck-ups” all. (“Tuck up” with me along the way in parks & roadsides.) They are all cherished in memory & ongoing with Luc at 15 yrs. old & hanging on.
My cats have had more grandiose names, but don’t often come when called, except at dinner time.
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Such great names! 🙂 I like Gudrun — my sister has German pointers. I can imagine that name would suit pointers well.
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I had a Cavalier as a child (tricolour) called Benji (not appropriate being a male name but still has the ‘ee’ sound! Although his pedigree name was Neville!!
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That’s a great name! 🙂 But you’re right: not an option for a female puppy.
She is my first Cavalier and has already stolen my heart. ❤
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They are a great breed of dog – just have to look after their eyes and ears carefully!
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She is so cute! What fun.
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She is indeed. 🙂
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What a sweet pup! Perhaps ‘Nelly’?
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That’s a cute name! 🙂
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Oh my goodness, that is one darling face on a puppy! I actually quite like Sylvie, it’s graceful but still playful at the same time. I admit that I wasn’t much a dog person before but with my office being a dog-friendly one and various coworkers bringing in their dog, I’ve grown to appreciate them much more. They’re just so loving that it’s hard to resist. 🙂
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She is a darling, isn’t she? I like Sylvie too, but we’re also thinking about Sienna. What do you think?
I’d love to have a dog-friendly office. It must be fun to work in one! 🙂 But I don’t think my boss would agree.
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What a love! I like Sylvie or Evie–old school lady like in the best possible way.
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I like Sylvie too. Also thinking about Sienna, but I’m not sure if it’s too long or difficult to call. What do you think? I really do need to settle on a name!
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What an adorable sweetheart! She looks like a Sally (or Sallie) to me.
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We have a close family friend called Sally, so we can’t call her that. But it is a sweet name. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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Puppy love….there’s nothing better no matter how old the puppy becomes.
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She’s gorgeous!!! I like Sylvie.
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Thank you. 🙂 I like Sylvie too, but I’ve been calling her Aimée and I think the name has stuck. So hard to choose a name!
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Congrats on your new family member! She is so pretty and adorable. Don’t you just love those “stop time” moments? Ahh. The best!
I love the name Esme!
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Thank you! 🙂 She’s being so good and growing so fast! She’s four months old this week. I’m enjoying every moment with her.
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What a gorgeous little puppy! Hope you’ve settled on a name, our puppy is 14 weeks this week, it’s been a journey so far but we wouldn’t be without her now! 🙂 enjoy fun puppy times!
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Thank you. Yes, we decided on Aimée for her name. It was hard to choose though!
I hope you have a wonderful time with your puppy. 🙂 They’re hard work sometimes but worth it!
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Ah that’s a lovely little name. Well we are now onto the walking stage, 3 walks in and she’s not doing too bad! ☺
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