Shivery Dog
Shivery Dog in the Garden by Carole Day. Sepia ink pen.
When my brother Michael died, and we moved to Esher Road, I guess I must have been lonely. Although I don’t remember being with Michael, my mother said we were inseparable, and he always looked after me.
Now I was alone, and Mummy was sad all the time. I became very self-absorbed, I played on my own in the garden and on the barrels upstairs in the back bedroom, it wasn’t decorated or furnished yet.
I used to make up stories, which I recited to myself all day long, and I had an imaginary friend called Shivery Dog who lived in the garden behind the rockery, under the apple tree. He was a small, frail puppy dog, frightened of the world outside the garden, I looked after him and told him stories.
Recently I was rummaging through my photograph albums, and in amongst them I found my Dad’s handwritten speech for my wedding to Edwin. In it he reminisces about my life growing up and describes my friendship with Shivery Dog. I had forgotten I kept this reminder of my Dad, I’m so glad I did. So, I continue the story in his words.
“I remember Carole when she was 3 years old – wandering down to the bottom of the garden – beyond the rockery – sitting on a fallen tree trunk and talking to an imaginary friend – Shivery Dog. She would usually be telling him off for something he had or hadn’t done, but sometimes she would tell him a story.
Her mother, Doreen, and I would often tiptoe to the rockery and look over and listen to the stories. We said we should have made a note of them. They would have made a lovely book. But Shivery Dog frequently got told off, I’m sure Edwin doesn’t come in for that kind of treatment.”
I don’t remember any of these stories, I wish I did, but I will always remember the little Shivery Dog and our time together in the garden. We were happy there for a while, then, unaccountably, Shivery Dog decided it was time for him to go. I think he was feeling braver and curious, and he wanted to see the world outside the garden. We said goodbye and he went on his journey, and I never saw him again.
Soon after that Mum and Dad removed the rockery, along with the crazy paving path and a circular sunken birdbath in the middle of the lawn. I was quite sad about this, as I enjoyed these garden nooks but now I had a baby sister and they wanted to make the garden safe for us children.
Then, Mum and Dad took me to choose a real puppy, and of course, I chose the smallest one in the litter, a Corgi/Sheepdog cross, and named him Bonzo, not very original! I loved him for many years and now I keep him safe in my memories along with Shivery Dog.
