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Nancy Hendrickson's avatar

Loved this so much ❤️ More, please!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I have lots of stories of the dogs and also the ghost dogs and foxes and animals or birds that have appeared before or at the time of someone passing on. X

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Tina Møller's avatar

Such lovely and heartwarming stories! <3

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Tina, in so many of the old portraits there were animals included, pet hogs, cats, horses. I saw an Indian one with a tiger!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I meant dogs lol. Can’t remember too many hogs!

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Tina Møller's avatar

I would love to do a portrait with a hog! <3

There is a lot of symbolism in the portrayal of animals with a person, as well as of cause the love and devotion to a pet animal.

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Faith Finch's avatar

Love the stories of your childhood, I have Irish roots, although have never visited Ireland.

Your Paddy Gibb and Kerry Gibb are awesomely beautiful, I love dogs with hair having had an Afghan Hound called Jedidiah who preferred to be scruffy not a poser, a bit lite a Shetland pony in a copious fur coat.

Your life with Robin sounds idyllic, such love knows much more than just earthly bonds...

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Paddy and Kerry were spruced up that day…usually they were scruffy and full of burrs from the burdock we had to extract from the fur!***

Love Afghan Hounds…they are so regal looking too!

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Faith Finch's avatar

I adore scruffy dogs Dwina, they look like the world is a fun place. My dogs would think I was taking the mickey if I put them in outfits and ribbons and bows. I also think dogs have a spiritual soul, it shows in their eyes, emotive and real. I remember entering my Afghan into a class which he thought was a hoot, he came first, but, he was the only one in the class, bless him. Do you still have dogs Dwina?

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I have always had dogs but when my last wolfhound passed, I was going to Ireland to visit my mother who was living her last days, so I decided to wait a while, and now on the lookout for another couple. I like to have two of them. We have so much wildlife

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

It takes time to train the dogs just to observe the wildlife. Paddy carried a baby rabbit around but didn’t hurt it. Robin asked him to drop it and he did. Robin tickled its belly and it scooted off safely. X

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Faith Finch's avatar

Will you go for wolfhounds again, they certainly have presence, but look like they are big kids with a great sense of fun and a twinkle in the eye?

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Hard to get a wolfhound to heel especially if they spot a squirrel! Although they walked quietly beside Robin. Xxx I adore the wolfies… they are extremely good with words and understand the word walk said in monotone in the middle of a sentence. They definitely pick up on thoughts and emotions. They love fruit and eat their way around the garden in Autumn. Xx

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Faith Finch's avatar

Oh my goodness Dwina, I think I want one! My two current dogs would be very upset, they are 13 and 15 so a wolfie would certainly make them sit up and think! I love that dogs are so intuitive it makes them extra-special. You and Robin were obviously a true blessing to your boys, and they would have repaid that love so much xxx

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Faith Finch's avatar

Your home is spectacular, a true haven of peace a real bolthole from the world. I love your chapel, I have seen pictures of it, it looks really spiritual with echoes of Robin's voice. Of the three brothers your Robin was definitely my favourite, his voice seemed so ethereal, like it came from his soul, an incredible achievement, like a true earth angel... Your son's voice has a lot of the same intonation and is beautiful. What a talented family you are. I love reading your stories and poetry, where do you get your inspiration from?

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Just life and memories. Ireland is full of story-telling and poetry and I feel we live in a storybook from the moment we are born.

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Faith Finch's avatar

Your life with Robin's and your experiences would certainly make a rich book a beautiful true love story that shows love goes beyond earthly bonds. I agree what you say about life, mine too has been full of peaks and troughs, sometimes the lows seeming so deep and long, but the way I look on it I survived the terrible stuff when I was 5, how much stronger I am as a 67 year old. I wonder what your tarot would say about me, it would be intriguing to discover. Does it only uncover futures or does it speak about hidden pasts? xx

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Kenzie's Finished Diamond Art's avatar

your sister sounds like my mom when my mom was little lol! my mom used to dress her chihuahua Bandit in baby clothes, put him in a baby stroller and drive him around everywhere! and then she would shove Twizzlers down the poor dog's throat and tell him to "take his medicine"! the things that poor dog went through at the hands of my mother lol

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

The little terriers loved being pushed in the doll’s pram. Thoroughly pampered by my sister.

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Kenzie's Finished Diamond Art's avatar

well at least they didn't have Twizzlers shoved down their throats lol! it's okay though Bandit took revenge on my mom's stuffed animals lol there were arms and legs and stuffing everywhere! 😂😂😂

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Niccola Willis's avatar

Lovely! Dogs are 'man's' best friends. They give us such unconditional love and comfort.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I know…you told me the story of your dog Emma. They are always welcoming no matter what and glad to see you!

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Kit McWalter's avatar

Thanks for this, loved it. I was a kid in Ireland too. My grandad had a working collie dog on the farm, which used to nip me under the table when we visited him for tea. 'Grandad, he's biting me!' I'd complain, while my gramps supped tea out of a saucer and told me to 'whist up'.

Um... happy days. I still love dogs, though! 😭 🐶

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Jill M C's avatar

Dwina! I felt like I was in Ireland while I read this article! This is the closest I'll ever get to Ireland in my lifetime! You have such an amazing gift for story telling! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!

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Nancy Natoli's avatar

I really enjoyed this, it was lovely to read , our dogs are definitely family, Shiloh Natoli sends his love

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

You more than anyone can remember the dogs in Ireland! And Uncle Tommy with Major Prescott!! Xx

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Nancy Natoli's avatar

I do remember those amazing days in Ireland, I am so lucky, we had great fun in Ireland and I remember uncle Tommy , and major Prescott, it was a great time

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Aw Nancy Bless little Shiloh Natoli from me

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Romaric Jannel's avatar

You made me think of my childhood dog. I loved her so much. Thank you for this text...

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Romaric, we never forget that childhood love. The pets were always happy to see us no matter what. So many children who live in flats or rentals that do not allow pets miss out. But stuffed toys can be a big help or a favourite piece of blanket gives comfort. In Ireland they even had smooth worry stones that could be carried in a pocket. Xx

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Romaric Jannel's avatar

I think it is a good thing not to forget such love, a foundation of who we become.

As I was writing these words, my daughter, getting ready to go to sleep, asked for her blanket. Life is interesting!

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Silenos Satyros's avatar

My father spoke of his childhood dog, Scout, on his deathbed. I wonder if sometimes the lore about dogs as messengers from the otherworld is just true. Really good story Dwina!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Thank you so much. I am sure you are right. Your father was thinking of Scout and possibly seeing him, Silenos. It would have given him a good feeling. X

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Patti McFarland's avatar

How I love wonderful dog stories! Dogs have always been a huge part of my life, and I have volunteered in dog rescue for many years. My son informed me that at one time we had 11 foster dogs here! Such funny antics from the dogs you grew up with! Coming from a small town, I can’t remember an escapade without dogs in the middle of things. Irish Wolfhounds are such noble, gentle dogs, and such sweethearts. I have a love of Basset Hounds, and presently have 3, Winston, Spencer, and Clementine that share my life. As you said, the dogs from my childhood also seemed to live long lives . Makes one wonder why their lifespan is shorter now. Thank you for the joyful read!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I love Basset Hounds too. My friend has them. I have some really interesting tapes of Robin remembering what dogs he had with which songs they wrote…right from childhood. My wolfhounds planted my plum trees by spitting out the pips as they walked along…they loved fruit. Three of our wolfhounds were rescue. Good for you rescuing and looking after the dogs you had.***

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Patti McFarland's avatar

I am laughing as I think of your Wolfhounds being responsible for your plum trees! It is fascinating that Robin can remember his dogs with his songs. I hope, when you are ready, that you will write a book about your life with Robin. So many people would love to read it!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

He wanted to write autobiography and I interviewed him so I am transcribing tapes now,...years later.... easier to listen and to remember now. ***

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Jill M C's avatar

I'm relieved that listening to Robin's recollections on tape is easier for you now.I wouldn't want the memories to hurt you.I'll be buying Robin's autobiography when it hits the shelves of bookstores in the US!

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Patti McFarland's avatar

I can understand that. I will be looking forward to your book!

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Philip Harris's avatar

Wonderful.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

We never forget them! Chasing wolfhounds and trying to catch them was a real feat. They were surprised when they saw cows paddling in the sea! So was I!

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Philip Harris's avatar

Goodness! Not a past time, a retreat to water faced by your legendary beasts?

Forgive me. Last night I remembered your tale of long ago tragedy. About 20 years ago a child died in the river near here; slightly older I guess but her friends could not save her. We knew the family of one of the friends. There was mind-numbing shock and sorrow, not requited fully to this day I think.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Robin told me the story of a young boy who saved Winston Churchill from drowning in a river and his father rewarded the boy by paying for his education. The boy was Alexander Fleming who went on to discover Penicillin. Later during the war, that penicillin saved Winston’s life once again. Xx

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

We never forget the loss of a friend or someone in the family, especially through tragedy, no matter how young we are at the time. The story always sticks.

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Teresa Gibala's avatar

loved it! Dogs are some of the best people. They are man bestest friend. Loved hearing all the tales of your childhood. especially loved the part about Paddy and Kerrie Gibb. Sounds like a lot of fun was had by all.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

The wolfhounds would not play fetch though, only the terriers. The wolfhounds used to eat my plums and spit out the pips as they walked along I couldn’t believe it when I counted almost twelve new plum bushes in a row.!

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

Never a dull moment with their antics. Very playful and they all loved playing ball or fetching sticks.

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

I remember the word Whisht or Howl yer whisht... meaning to stop moaning about something. You just brought it all back to me LOL. Sorry you got nipped, but I know that feeling...plus the tea in the saucer!!! The collie probably wanted some crumbs from the table too.

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Jill M C's avatar

Beautiful Irish Wolfhounds!❤️❤️

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Dwina Murphy-Gibb's avatar

They were gentle giants that only barked to warn someone was coming, never barked to demand anything. Xx

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