Lockdown Stories

LOCKDOWN STORIES Lockdown with my dear friend Woody

What would we do during lockdown without our pets who offer us so much comfort and love during times of uncertainty and stress? When I arrived at my host family’s house on the 2.9.2018 and

Woody and me heard Woody barking behind the door, my first thought was to return to Germany immediately! Woody is a Bichon Frise and despite his small size, I quickly learnt that he was the alarm system of our house. No one could come near the gate without Woody noticing the intruder! However, after a few months of suspicion, Woody and I started to get used to each other and even became friends. It was hard to say goodbye to him when I left to study at Eastbourne College. This lockdown diary is based on experiences I had with Woody, my host dog. After I started College, I regularly visited my host family until the first lockdown. In March, I lived with them again as remote learning began.

“Please open the door for me!”

March 2020: Remote learning started, but Woody still took his job as our “burglary detector” very seriously. He normally sat on my host mother’s chair and watched the window. As soon as someone walked past, he would bark. I kept my audio on mute during online classes, but most teachers and my classmates started to notice Woody in the background. April 2020: During our weekly house meeting, we had to complete different challenges. One of them was the “pets and hats” challenge where we had to appear on a zoom call with a hat and a pet. Woody slept most of the day in the corner and did not appear to want to take part in any challenge! With the support of my host family, I managed to hold him for ten seconds in my arm for the call.

Mai 2020: During the weekends, I spent time revising for my A levels in my room. However, Woody had different plans. As soon as I thought I could study in my room in peace, he was outside my door and made it clear that he wanted to come in. My room at my host family’s house has a small balcony and Woody loves going on there to bark at the neighbours. He did not leave the balcony and after some time I locked the door as I could not bear the noise anymore. Woody was not happy! June 2020: Lockdown continued and each day, there were new challenges for humans – and dogs. There are two words which Woody clearly understands : ‘vet’ and ‘bath’. As soon as my host mother mentioned that Woody needed a bath, he woke up from his sleep and jumped to his feet. He wanted to run down the staircase, but my host mother quickly got hold of him and brought him into the bathroom. Afterwards, Woody took his revenge as he jumped completely wet on my host mother’s chair.

July 2020: My studies were again interrupted: One day, Woody was running through the house, looking for my host mother who went shopping. I became dog psychologist for half an hour until she returned.

“I am hungry!”

August 2020:

Because of the fantastic weather, we had ice cream, something which Woody loves (and is not allowed to have). I made the mistake of eating strawberry ice cream (Woody’s favourite – he has a very interesting taste). He stood in front of me the whole time and tried to beg for some.

September 2020: I finally returned to school. Woody barked and growled when I left. He knew as soon as he saw my suitcase that I was moving out again. December 2020:

The number of Covid cases made me decide to stay at my host family’s house for Christmas. Woody sniffed at my presents on Christmas morning. The whole afternoon he was snoring in the living room (probably dreaming of pigs in blankets!)

LOCKDOWN STORIES

January 2021:

I finally returned to school again. I could not wait to start again, and I looked forward to being in a classroom. 4th January 2021: After the Prime Minister’s announcement that schools would have to stay closed, I called my host family. I was so lucky that I could stay with them and I planned to return to their house at the end of the week. Another lockdown with Woody the host dog! 5th January 2021: This afternoon I received a message from my host family: Woody became suddenly seriously ill and was taken to the vet and afterwards to the hospital where he had to stay during the night.

6th January 2021:

This morning my host family told me that Woody managed the night and might get better. I left school at 10.30am for a toe operation. Before I went to see my doctor, my host family called me: Woody passed away. 7th January 2021: I returned to my host family’s house without a dog greeting me. The whole house felt silent and empty. I had known Woody for almost 3 years, and he was always part of my ‘England experience’ and much more than that. I will miss him.

In loving memory of Woody Elliott, 2011-2021