Throwback Thursday

Because of something that happened just this past week, I thought I would do a Throwback Thursday post on one of my earlier books, “Master Under Good Regulation.” This book was a Pride and Prejudice story told from the perspective of Darcy’s English Springer Spaniel, Reggie.

A few years after I had written and then published the book, we got our very own Reggie, also an English Springer Spaniel. That was 13 years ago, and on January 3 we had to make the tough decision to put her down.

After deciding to do the Throwback Thursday post, I got to thinking I may have already done it, and… lo, and behold, I had, in 2019! That blog post included just about everything I wanted to say here, so I will cover a few other fun memories of our dog, post the Prologue to the book, as well as the link to my previous post (which has a different excerpt).

Here is the link to my previous post

While it is always difficult to lose a pet, it makes it even harder when you have to make the decision to have them put down. Reggie was ready, and I don’t have any regrets – just a lot of memories.

Here are some fun memories from our time with Reggie.

♥ Reggie was kicked out of doggy daycare. Yep, but not for the reason you think! The daycare had a long hallway with a half wall that looked into the indoor play area. There was a door at either end to prevent a dog from getting out one door and then out the other, which led to the office, and then outdoors. Being the Springer Spaniel she was, she could jump, and one day she easily jumped that half wall, getting into the hallway. Since that presented a safety issue, we couldn’t bring her back. A side note: Reggie was probably thrilled, because she did not enjoy playing with other dogs, and only wanted to be with the people.

♥ She also didn’t play fetch. I tried throwing balls, sticks, and toys, and she would completely ignore it. One day, when I was out feeding apples to our horses, she kept jumping up at me. I finally took an apple, threw it, and she raced after it! She brought it back, and we continued back and forth several times. I finally found something she wanted to play with! When the apple had enough bites in it, she would sit down and begin to eat it. Go figure! (We had an apple tree, so most of the apple fetching happened in the fall!)

♥ How many of you have ever had a neighbor call you up and ask you to come retrieve your dog because she was running up on their roof? How could this be you might wonder? Well, the back of our neighbor’s house was up against a berm, and the roof was an easy 4 foot jump up for Reggie. Fortunately, she only did it once.

♥ When we moved from Kansas to St. Louis, we still lived in a rural neighborhood with about 5 acres. After getting used to the neighborhood, we would let Reggie out front, and she would go off and wander about. The couple across the road from us often had their grandchildren over, and one day Reggie ran over there when they came to visit. My husband went to retrieve her, and their grandfather asked politely if we could keep her contained because the kids were afraid of dogs. My husband looked over and pointed. Three of the kids were down on the ground hugging and playing with Reggie. Reggie grew to absolutely love those kids, and whenever she heard them, she would jump the fence to join them.

♥ Speaking of jumping the fence to join the grandkids across the road – one day Reggie ran over when she heard them playing in their pool, which has a 5 foot block wall fence around it. Was that a problem for Reggie? Heavens, no! She easily jumped the block wall, and then joined the kids in the pool.

As you can see, we sometimes had our hands full with Reggie, but she was always so sweet and loving. We will miss her!

*~*~*

Here is the Prologue:

I have always enjoyed my life as the number one pet of my master, Fitzwilliam Darcy. I am not only his favourite sporting dog, but a faithful companion and fearless protector to him as well. Not that I have had much opportunity to display the latter, but of the two former, I am quite proficient.

This enviable position has allowed me to go places with him that others would only dream of going. Some of those places have not merely been geographical in nature. Some have been within the realms of his mind and heart. I am among the privileged few whom he has allowed into the deepest recesses of his thoughts and feelings.

I remember with great fondness my first meeting with my master as a puppy when he was but a young man of fifteen. His good father brought him to the modest home at which I was one of several litters of English Springer Spaniels born. I remember him looking over each one of us, picking us up, checking our eyes, teeth, and our frame. He had a look of gentleness and wisdom that I found appealing. I comprehended that he would indeed make a good master. He would take prodigious care of me, but he would be one that I could readily train.

The different litters of pups had been put into different pens when anyone came to see about selecting one. I soon discovered it was due to the difference in our breeding. I realized that somehow, we were not of the finest breeding as the ones in the first pen but were a little better than the ones in the third pen.

This young man’s father, as well as the gentleman who had, up until now, been our prominent caregiver (excepting, of course, our faithful mother who gave us of her nourishment until we were whelped), apparently knew what to look for in selecting the very best dog of our breed.

“All these puppies would make an excellent choice,” said the caregiver as he pointed to the puppies in the first pen. “Notice the markings, the sturdy build and well-proportioned body, the alert expression in their eyes, the shininess of the coat, and the evenness of their gait.”

“How do I know which one to choose, Father?”

“Son, look for the one that you feel in your heart will make a good companion and an excellent sporting dog. Look for strength and energy, but one who will relax when you hold him. In addition to not wanting a lazy dog, you do not want a dog that has a continual excess of energy.”

The young man did not seem satisfied with any of the dogs in the first pen and walked toward ours.

“Now the dogs in that pen there do not have the breeding that these dogs here do,” offered the man.

But the boy continued to walk toward us undeterred, and I determined to put much effort into this time of scrutiny and to display only my best qualities. I was not sure how to accomplish it, but I found the wagging of my tail came most naturally. I looked up at him with my most beguiling expression in my eyes and was pleased when he kept returning his gaze to meet mine.

I had earlier noticed that Ambrose, a dog from the first litter, had been quite prolific in his attentions to the young man with very sloppy licks, and I quickly perceived that the young Darcy was not responding with as much positive attention to this. I was of the impression that the young man could see that Ambrose was only trying to flatter him. Consequently, I kept my licks to a minimum; just enough to assure him that I liked him, but not enough to lather (or flatter) him with my drool.

“Son, narrow your selection down to a few dogs of the finest breeding and then choose the one that you feel in your heart,” and here, the young man’s father repeatedly tapped his finger against his son’s chest, “is the right one for you.”

The young man took in a deep breath and blew it out through puffed cheeks, seeming to struggle with making a choice.

His father laughed. “It is not as if you are choosing a wife, Fitzwilliam. Any of these dogs will suffice.”

In time, he narrowed his selection down to two of us – Archimedes and me. Now Archimedes was larger and was quite strong and energetic. He was also from the first pen. I knew that if the very finest breeding was what the master was intent upon, I would quickly be out of contention. He had the two of us brought out, and I could immediately discern that Archimedes was determined to exhibit his power and aggressiveness. I decided I would show a more loyal nature and stayed by the young man’s side, content to display my faithfulness and dependability, which I believed were my inherent strengths.

The caregiver then gave some advice. “Archimedes is of the very finest breeding; both his mother and father are top of the line, and that goes back several generations. You cannot go wrong with him. Reginald, now, is a fine dog; however, his parentage is not quite as prestigious.”

The young man scrutinized the two of us carefully. He looked to his father. “Is the breeding that important, Father?”

“Fitzwilliam, just as in life, breeding is of utmost importance. As a Darcy, you must always keep that in mind.”

I could see the young man was torn.

“Well, son, have you made up your mind yet?”

The young man finally answered, “Yes, Father. If it is acceptable to you, I have chosen this one.”

His father seemed surprised. As was I. He pointed to me.

“Are you certain, Fitzwilliam?”

“I believe I am, Sir.”

“And exactly what did you find in this dog that was superior to the other?”

The young man gave his father a most contemplative look. “I prefer his black colouring over the brown. He seems lively and playful, but not overly aggressive. He may not be of the most prominent breeding, Father, but I believe he will be most perfectly suited for me.”

“And are you quite certain, son, that he is the one you want?”

“Yes,” he answered and then added, “His eyes, Father… look at his eyes. I can see he is most intelligent. They are quite fine. Do you not agree?”

The elder Mr. Darcy nodded. “Yes, son, they are.” He looked up at the caregiver and gave a slight shrug, “I believe we shall take Reginald.”

I know not whether it was either of those singular qualities that I made an effort to display earlier or something else, but for whatever reason, he singled me out. I could not restrain my joy and may have been overly excessive in my response when he selected me. My tail went quite out of control, and I could not help but give him a few good licks, which he promptly wiped away. I rationalized that I was still just a puppy and could afford to display more of an exuberant disposition when the occasion warranted it. In my opinion, his choosing me was one of those occasions.

I often wondered whether his father was disappointed that he had not chosen Archimedes, but he accepted me into his home as much as I believe his disposition allowed. I did not allow myself to dwell too much on whether the elder Darcy would have preferred the other more well-bred dog. But I would be assured, before the man’s death, that he held me in high regard.

As we approached the carriage, the elder Darcy put his hand upon the shoulder of my new master. “I want you to know, Fitzwilliam, that a man and his dog can grow quite close. A bond can grow so strong between you and that dog will grow to love you as much as you love him. Be kind, yet firm to him; you will find that this can be a most rewarding relationship”

“Yes, Father. I will.”

On the way to my new home, my new master held me in his lap whilst his father set down the conditions for owning his own pet.

“Fitzwilliam, it will be your sole responsibility to take care of this dog, train him, and feed him.” He paused, “Oh yes, and give him a good amount of exercise.”

“I shall, Father.” My new master readily agreed, as he squeezed me tighter and looked down at me, pleasure written across his face.

I was exceedingly grateful his father had bestowed my responsibility to his son and not to the servants, as I concluded I would be in much better care. I could tell that he had a strong regard for me already.

When the carriage stopped and he brought me out, I got my first glance at Pemberley, my new home. I could scarcely believe the grounds that stretched out before me. I squirmed to escape from his arms, wishing to begin my explorations immediately, but his grip on me held firm. I admit I was exceedingly anxious to at least put my mark on some bush, letting the world know I was here, and this was where I belonged!

His father came up to us and slipped something around my neck. I was not sure what it was then, but I quickly learned that with it on, I did not have free reign as I would have preferred. It was a slightly painful learning experience when I tried to step out further than the parameters of the length that this thing, called a leash, allowed me.

My first night at Pemberley, I must confess, I was quite lonely and frightened. I was put in a crate that was kept off the kitchen. My master spoke to me as he put me in my new quarters. “Now, Sir Reginald Ascott Hamilton Darcy, I must put you here for the night. It is only until you are well trained and prove yourself to be obedient.” He put both hands around my face and stared intently into my eyes. “If you learn quickly, Reggie, soon you shall be able to sleep with me in my room.” He patted my head and closed the door.

Reggie, I thought to myself. I liked that name. And because the young master called me that himself, I liked it that much more. Yes, it was settled in my mind. I think I will be quite content here.

Needless to say, I whined for most of that first night because I was left alone, unaccustomed as I was to the solitude. But each night became a little easier, and I soon accepted it; waking early each morning and looking forward to my master coming to see me as soon as he awoke. We soon became quite inseparable, and I learned quite early on that he would allow me to become the one thing that he found difficult allowing any other person to become — his close companion and confidant. And I came to learn what made this young man who he was, and what those forces were that shaped him.

*~*~*

One final thought: As I recollected fun things about our Reggie, I couldn’t help but smile at a similar incident I have in the book regarding Darcy’s Reggie and children. His Reggie warmed his way into the hearts of both young Georgiana and Anne deBourgh. In fact, it was a very similar situation where Lady Catherine warns Darcy to keep his dog away from her daughter because she is afraid of dogs, only to find Anne sneaks out of her room one night to let Reggie out of Darcy’s room to watch a dinner party going on downstairs. She ends up falling asleep next to him with her arm across him.

If you haven’t read “Master Under Good Regulation,” I hope you will give it a try! Click on the image below to go to the book on amazon.