©GeraldineBanksJanuary2025
Tedi without knowing , had played the part of matchmaker when he invited all his Village Dog Friends to the House. Mrs Granger had forgiven him and had told him that as long as he let her know in advance that he had invited guests and as long as his guests stayed outside in the Quadrangle that she would make them a “special treat” of delicious leftovers. Only Tedi was allowed in the kitchen. Tedi had nodded in acceptance.
A particular dog called “Willis” , who was a Wiermaraner had seen Tizzy, Tedi’s sister on his first visit and in truth Tizzy had noticed him. They were both very keen to see each other again and hoped the opportunity to meet up would happen soon. It had definitely been love at first sight.
Meanwhile Cross and James had builders and designers in and some of the outbuildings were converted to kennels for rescue dogs , there was an immediate need for these as local rescue centres were full to the brim. So soon James was busy with settling in the new dogs and there were also a need for volunteers and more staff to look after the new arrivals.
It was something close to Tedi’s heart as he remembered his time at Dog’s Trust and he wanted the facilities to be just like he had experienced. They would be more of a foster and rest and recreation service. Tedi knew the park and the Countryside would help any dog that had had a bad experience or just needed to let off steam. He knew they would have space for the bigger dogs and to be truthful he loved the idea of having more doggy friends.
So every day once his other duties were completed and he had done whatever Cross needed him to do, his free time was spent following James around and helping his rescue friends settle in. Tedi knew some of them were very upset and needed to be given time and space, but some became firm friends immediately; and once James saw that happening, he would let Tedi show them the ropes and they could head out into the park for some adventures.
Once such dog was Barney. Barney was tall and gangly, with a furry black and brown coat and what could only be described as funny ears and very gentle eyes, he was a lurcher and doberman cross. He was full of energy and a great companion for Tedi. Barney had no fear and would run off in all directions with Tedi chasing him.
One day Tedi and Barney bounded around the lake and then continued along a path that Tedi didn’t know . After reaching the end of the lake and climbing up a grassy knoll. From the top they could see a tree lined avenue in the distance , across the field on the far side, there was a kissing gate which they went through and then they made a sharp turn to the left .The avenue extended as far as the eye could see. Tedi was pretty sure it would lead to the village eventually but both dogs wanted to walk along it , as it was new to them.
They trotted beside each other, enjoying the afternoon sunshine, until eventually they came across a large White House, with a small pond surrounding it. The two dogs gazed in wonder as a huge water fountain spurted flumes of water from the centre of the pond at the front of the White House . Little did Tedi know, but this was one of his tenants, an American Family who rented the House from the Estate. The fountain stopped and the two dogs stared in wonder.
” Why had the water stopped?” They both wondered.
Tedi gazed at the centre of the pond.
“ It’s going to go any minute, it really is going to go any minute now…. I know!” Tedi said excitedly and was circling around in a frenzy, each circle he made he’d look to see if the fountain had gone off and where the water was going to land”.
“ Tedi you are going to make yourself dizzy! Look out!” Barney said.
The next moment a stream of water came shooting out of the fountain in the direction of both dogs. It was very beautiful to see and Tedi looked straight up and stared. Barney, moved swiftly out of the way, so the water didn’t land on him. Tedi however waited until the last minute and was soaked , he didn’t move out of the way and the water cascaded on top of him. Then he jumped in the pond and splashed around.
Tedi loved the fountain and was delighted with himself , he thought the droplets of water were beautiful and despite now being soaked to the skin he was happy. So happy he decided to roll on the earth around the lake and Barney looked at him, the once white dog was now very muddy and totally unrecognisable.
Suddenly a very angry man came running out of the big White House shouting and holding what looked like a big stick in his hands, he pointed it at the two dogs. There was a large bang and a bullet went whizzing over Tedi’s head.
Barney signalled to Tedi, that they better get away fast. The two dogs ran as fast as they could away from the Fountain and the man continued shooting at them. The two dogs reckoned the shots were over their heads but it was still crazy. They disappeared up the tree lined avenue. Fortunately the avenue lead to the village and once in the village they felt safe and they made there way to Freddie’s house.
Tedi and Barney told Freddie what had happened.
” Oh that’s the man with the gun, he doesn’t like anyone playing in the fountain. Good Grief Tedi you are a right state, you’re covered in mud. “
“Oh has he chased you too?” Barney asked Freddie
” Oh yes, he’s chased all of us, he’s never hit anyone , I don’t think his aim is very good. We tend to stay clear, it’s only a fountain. ” Freddie said nonchalantly.
“Only a fountain ” Tedi thought “It’s brilliant and I want to go back there and play in it, particularly in the summer.”
Barney and Tedi headed back home, Barney met James and some of the volunteers who were just starting to do the rounds with dinner. It was Barney’s favourite time and he was very hungry. Tedi headed off to the big House to get cleaned up and to have a word with Cross. He wanted to find out more about the White House and the Fountain and if possible stop the man shooting at any dog that wanted to swim in the fountain.
“What was the man’s problem?” Tedi thought “Swimming in the Fountain would be fun in the summer”
How to let Cross know though, Tedi decided he would bring Cross to visit the White House the next morning on their morning walk. Maybe if Cross talked to the man he could persuade him to let the dogs use his fountain, either way he had to stop him from shooting at everyone, because it was very dangerous. Someone could get hurt.
The next day, on his walk with Cross , he brought him the opposite way around the Park, as it was a shorter route to get to the White House.
Cross arrived at the White House and walked up past the fountain up to the front door.
” Ah interesting, let’s see if Mr and Mrs Needham are in . I can introduce them to you.” Cross knocked on the door.
The man who answered the door was the man who had fired his gun at Tedi and Barney. Tedi recognised the man immediately, but because he was with Cross he just stood by Cross’s side waiting to see what happened next.
” Good Morning Mr Needham, how are you?”
” Good Morning Mr Cross, lovely to see you , oh I’m very well, and who is this little fellow with you, you know I think I recognise him.”
” Yes, this is Tedi , the Head of House, you’ve probably seen pictures of him in the Newspapers, believe it or not he actually owns the Estate.”
” Oh my, he owns it , he’s our Landlord then?” Mr Needham looked a bit concerned.
“Well yes, but everything is fine isn’t it , you haven’t any problems?”
” Well no , but I think that is one of the dogs I shot at yesterday for going in my pond, the dog hair clogs up the mechanism , it costs a fortune to clean it out. I just wish they wouldn’t . I wouldn’t hurt them, I just try and scare them I’m really sorry. I hope he is OK.”
Tedi knew the game was up. He looked up at Cross.
“Tedi is this true?”
Tedi lifted his paw and scraped at Mr Needham’s trouser leg.
” Oh that’s alright, he’s telling you it’s alright” Just then the fountain erupted in the background, it made Cross look around, it was a very beautiful sight.”
“My what a sight.” Cross looked over at the fountain, Tedi looked longingly at it.
” Well I suppose if he owns it , I can’t really stop him using it.” Said Mr Needham.
Cross thought quickly. ” Well we could come to a maintenance arrangement , knowing Tedi, he’ll want to use it with his friends, we can make sure it’s kept clean and keeps working even if the dogs occasionally play in it. It be a great place for a pool party in the summer Tedi ? Wouldn’t it?” Cross looked down at Tedi
Tedi’s eyes lit up and he pawed at Mr Needham’s knee again.
Mr Needham , knelt down and patted Tedi, “Guess you know what you want Mr Tedi, or what do I call you Lordship maybe? Well as long as we can keep the fountain working , then if you and your friends want to use it that is fine with me.”
” We just know him as Tedi , his title is just too long to say and we haven’t time for all that fawning and Lordshipping, have we Tedi?” Mr Needham smiled as Tedi raised his paw in agreement to Cross .
Why don’t you and your family come up to the House one evening and have dinner with us, we can talk about our plans, and we can explain what we’d like to do and you can let us know what you think.” Cross continued.
” Sounds dandy, that’d be nice. Let us know when , and we’ll be more than happy, we’ll be glad to help. My son is really into his exotic animals , and I think he’d like to help with the Big Exhibition show you do. We were really disappointed when we moved here and found out the Big Exhibition show for Exotic Animals was being cancelled. My wife , well she loves all animals too . She didn’t like me scaring off the dogs, but I do like the fountain.”
” Great, well let’s set a date when we know we’re all free, sounds like we’ll have a lot to talk about.”
So it all worked out well in the end and Tedi and his friends were able to play in the fountain when they wanted ,especially when it was warm. Indeed the fountain was where Tizzy and Willis had there first date and very often they could be found lying there together in the sunshine on warm summer days.
thenotsomightyom 