This last posting of my UK trip was written on Thursday May 3 from Heathrow airport ahead of my flight back to South Africa.
I wait in a seemingly never-ending queue at a security check. The lady ahead of me is accompanied by two dogs – two rather large dogs that I am hoping don’t have to go through X-ray. But then again, I would hate to have to frisk these woolly wolfhounds.
This led me to thinking about the fantastic life of being a royal dog.
The queen has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with Susan, who was a present for her 18th birthday in 1944. A good proportion of these have been direct descendants from Susan. Her majesty currently has three corgis – Monty, Willow and Holly.
Whenever a royal visits happen, it seems that corgi-lovers can’t wait to brush their beloved pooch and put him or her up front of the crowd for a special scratch from her majesty. Not sure how the corgis back at the palace like having mum coming home with the smell of strange dogs about her gloves?
No doubt they are petted and pampered often, though, as a regular royal household person is appointed especially for them.
The queen introduced a new breed of dog known as the “dorgi” when one her corgis was mated with a dachshund named Pipkin (which belonged to Princess Margaret). There have been a number of dorgis – Tinker, Pickles, Chipper, Piper, Harris, Brandy, Berry, Cider, Candy and, currently, Vulcan.
As to the security line and the impending X-ray, a rather efficient Bobby steps up and politely escorts the lady and the large dogs aside, where they are shown through a side door marked security. Is there a special dog/person fast lane?
I finally move one person forward and end up behind a lady wearing a fur coat – gosh, how the mind wanders when waiting in an airport queue.
- Read more on Kevin’s London adventures: Bake not Fry, Keeping your feet dry, Kevin Collins presents at the great, grey, glorious Courtauld, and Jubilee vs long jump