Fluffy Tista Pomma

Charles Sainsbury-Plaice

Grew up on a small holding with sheep, calves, lambs, pigs, geese, lots of chickens, dogs, cats and Curly our pet cow – also rabbits, tortoises, guinea pigs, terrapins, gerbils and a strange rooster called Peefka that hated wellington boots and good eyesight.

Many of these animals were given by farmers they didnt want – perhaps he had a bad experience. Think Peefka was name of a German Shepherd, special dogs. Little bit like Hannibal’s elephants.

All our ‘Fluffy’ cats are named after ‘Fluffy’ a Sealyham terrier, a sausage dog with white curls and big black nose. Very naughty. His pedigree name was Fluffy Tista Pomma maybe Pommard – he had a certificate with his family tree.

Sealyhams are working dogs and fearless of badgers, otters and rats and are now rare breed. Some lovely photos on this link.

He was a dog version of Charlie Chaplin as he would stroll off to a nearby lake after squeezing under our gate and find people having picnics at nearby lake who would feed him or he jumped into passing cars if they opened the door – but because of his dog tag or maybe something he did, they always brought him home.

Have old photograph of him with a table cloth around his head sitting on a chair while my father cut his hair, probably because he bites when he is scared. This is because my father did once clip his tongue and Fluf did bite his finger as reflex reaction.

Found this very long and long ago video of Sealyhams on you tube. Our own was a Carthorse Sealyham. Think my father had Westys growing up and called one special one – Jumbo. Also remember my dad’s mum having a large talking bird