The Dogs

Pictured - the Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy.

From the museum we head to the dog pound so Madeleine can see the various breeds. And to look into a "rehoming" too, of course. The pound dates to 1860, when The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs established by one Mrs. Mary Tealby of Holloway, North London (later named Battersea Dogs & Cats Home; Battersea, where we are today, became the permanent location in 1871). In 1885, Her Majesty Queen Victoria became Patron of the Home, and it has remained under Royal Patronage ever since. Queen Elizabeth II is the Patron today and Prince Michael of Kent the President. Over the years, the kennel has been profiled by Charles Dickens to the BBC and today has a income >£12 million financed entirely by voluntary donations. It is where London's strays and lost dogs and cats are homed and several beefy catchers with their nets on site. This is a caring institution - in many ways, it shows London at its best. The animals well looked after and the volunteers and staff committed to finding homes for their friends. There is never an indication of ill-treatment, the pens spotlessly clean, and the building architecturally interesting with central ramps leading up the yards to an impressive sky-window casting sunlight downward. The dogs are eager to please and how sad not to be able to help each one. I would love to take pictures of the many personalities but photagraphy prohibited as the poor animals already agitated by us visitors.

Rome update: since Sunday, 28 swimming world records broken covering 21 events (a number of races improved from heats to finals). Swimming's governing body FINA has completely failed the sport regarding the swim suit.

Madeleine to a dog: "Don't you worry. I am going to come back for you. I am going to bring you home."