Teddy loves going wherever I go. He’s lucky that he lives in Hampstead: it’s an extremely dog-friendly part of town. I’ve already written (in Teddy’s Tales: Puppy Class) about our local bookseller, Waterstones, where Teddy is hailed by name immediately he enters. It’s not the only shop that this Miniature Schnauzer likes to visit. When I pick up a newspaper, Teddy bustles into the tiny Village Newsagent for a chat and a pat. For some reason, he makes a beeline for NatWest, even when I’m not banking. Who knows what that’s about?
But Teddy is not the only canine that’s welcome round here. At the magnificent Hampstead Butcher dogs are most definitely not allowed, but a water bowl is set outside by way of small apology. In fact it’s not unusual to find water bowls outside Hampstead cafes and restaurants, and at gastro-pub The Wells Hampstead they take it a step further. There’s a doggy part of the menu serving locally-based Lily’s Kitchen organic dog food so everyone’s happy.
Because dogs are accepted just about everywhere, Teddy always comes too. Now I almost feel part of a double act. When Teddy’s not with me, the greengrocer wants to know why, and when I visit hairdressers Gary Ingham, Teddy is expected, too. He gets everywhere: art shop, tennis club, and then, of course, there are the clothes shops. This mucky pup is always well-received by the ladies who sell fashion (and no, I’m not convinced that it’s strictly commission-related). But he’s never better treated than at the terribly stylish clothes store, Press of Primrose Hill. (So welcome is Teddy that he features on their blog this week). Here, Teddy finds his friend Brody the Cavalier King Charles, and likes to make himself useful patrolling the front of shop, welcoming customers at the wrought iron gate (exactly what he’s doing in the photograph above) and packing away the odd treat. It’s a dog’s life, indeed.
