Am I a 'Bulldog Widow'?
In the United States a common phase used to describe a spouse whose husband spends the majority of his free time totally engrossed in football [American Football, not Soccer], is a 'football widow'.
I can really relate to those families whose menfolk are so obsessed with these games. I am the spouse of a passionate Bulldog Collector. I am not sure what to call myself. Any suggestions?
NOTE FROM Eiffion Ashdown: Good day folks I hope you're well and safe. I thought it would be interesting to get a fresh perspective from my wife Debbie.
Q: What are your thoughts on the collection?
A. This Bulldog collection is a good hobby for my hubby. It takes his mind off a lot of things. There are different pieces from all over the world, not just ornaments, but pictures, plates, novelty items and pieces I have not even heard of. Now Eiffion's head is full of knowledge regarding his passion for which "THE GIRLS", as he calls me and our daughter, are immensely proud of what he has achieved.
Q. Do you have any favorites, or pieces you do detest?
A. My favorite piece is the Amari piece. It is my favorite because of the floral design. It is also has a cute face. It's not plain, it's just decorated enough to give it a lovely design. I do have a few others but this one really captures my eye.
Q. Has your view of my passion to collect changed at all since I started all this?
A. Yes, I'm much more supportive now that I see the bigger picture. I just wish we had more room for them! The collection has grown immensely over the last couple of years. It was started for our daughter. I know she will appreciate it all when she's older. I wish we had a spare room for the collection to be in, that way I would not lose more space in my front room. He has been hinting at me for "just one more cabinet". WE HAVE NO ROOM!!!!
Q. As a long suffering wife to a collector, do you have any advice to other collector's spouses?
A. Make sure you have plenty of room! It is best to use display cabinets with doors to protect the pieces, [Remember someone will need to dust them]. You will need a system! Just try and remember each piece you have and a description of it when you have hundreds! Try and buy perfect non-broken pieces as Eiffion has mentioned. It's these unspoiled pieces that are what high end collectors will be wanting, if and when they are sold. I would also say, do not get roped into cleaning the silver, it takes hours!
Q. Finally, what are your views on Bulldogs in general?
A, Bulldogs are cute, stubborn, very lazy, child-like, likes any food, etc. My heart is now drawn to this breed. They give you a sense of purpose and responsibility I've not found in other breeds we have had in the past. I feel like we learned a lot having Scruffy-Louise, which has made taking on Wiggles seem easier as we have had that past experience to draw upon when needed. After seeing a beautiful puppy this past week, I would love another, but we cannot as it's not fair for Wiggles who enjoys just her own company. I find Wiggles easy to manage at times and walks side by side off the lead. She's too heavy to lift on the bed, but that's okay. I'm proud of getting her to change her toilet habits without training. Poor Eiffion, she really is a ladies bulldog.
Debbie closes with this: "Thank you for reading my bloggy thing. It's not as weird jotting something down as I first thought. I want to ask those that see my Eiffion's dream and his passion, to show your support by engaging in his social media. Your sharing, liking and generally helping him to get his website established is wonderful. Eiffion pays for his site. He only wants others to see and to be inspired, which shows me his heart is big. I just don't like seeing him down when he feels he's doing all this on his own. To you people out there that do engage, help and encourage Eiffion's venture, I thank you on behalf of Eiffion, Wiggles and, of course, his GIRLS!!!
NOTE FROM Eiffion Ashdown:
Thank you very much Debs. I've only been asking for the past two months [for this interview]. I would like to end by saying I really wish to thank Debbie, sincerely for putting up with me, my illness and the collection that's slowly engulfing our apartment. I believe I wouldn't be half the man I am today without the support of this wonderful, generous person, that for some reason loves me even though I drive her mad!!!! To all, I hope you had a nice bank holiday [A bank holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom]. Until next time happy collecting.
Edited by Jan Mitchell