Dog Tales: How Crumble became a Country Life frontispiece, found a husband and had five puppies
A brilliant lonely (dog) hearts ad for Crumble was shared by us at Country Life – and ended up sparking a canine romance that has brought five gorgeous puppies into the world.

At Country Life, we absolutely love dogs. And we know you do too. So we've decided to start sharing stories of our canine pals – and yours – so we can enjoy each others' up and downs. Drop us a line at country_life_digital@timeinc.com if you'd like your dog(s) to be featured.
- - - - - -
It all began back in February, when the team at the Country Life website received this lovely message from reader Hester Dalton via our Facebook page.
That's right, little Crumble, looking for love, was transformed into a Country Life Frontispiece – aka a 'Girl in Pearls'.
Tickled pink by this lovely idea, we happily shared the message on our social media pages.
For a long time after that, we thought no more about it.
Then, in July, we received this message:
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Well, what else could we say?
The answer came back quickly...
Hester was speaking the truth!
We shared those pics with the world in July, and assumed that we'd hear no more.
Thankfully, we were wrong!
Enjoy? Oh yes!
Hester also gave us a group pic identifying all five... and letting us know which one they couldn't bear to see leave:
Huge congratulations to Hester and Kate, and of course to Crumble and Ted!
We'll finish up with a picture of the proud parents...
If you've got a special dog and would like to share his or her story with us, please email the team via country_life_digital@timeinc.com.
Country Life readers dogs’ picture gallery
Credit: Guide Dogs
The seven stages of life for a guide dog, from puppy to retiree
The work that goes into training a life-changing canine is immense.
Crossbreed dogs: 15 of the best non-pedigree chums, from schnoodle to whoodle
The crossbreed is no longer considered an accident and dog owners are going crazy for these new versions. Emma Hughes
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
Country Life 27 August 2025
Country Life 27 August 2025 looks at planting the perfect border, Queen Charlotte's Ball and the animals that walk alone.
-
The Japanese superfood described as 'a blueberry on steroids' taking Scotland by storm
With oodles of vitamin C and potassium, honeyberries are being hailed as the new Scottish superfood, but can they find a place in our kitchens?
-
Pugs in pearls: Nine times dogs stole the show on publishing’s most famous page
Every Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: The problem(s) with cyclists
Week in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
-
The smooth collie: A working breed with beauty and brains
Once the go-to Scottish herding dog, the smooth collie is as elegant as it is dependable — a working breed with beauty and brains.
-
A new gilded age: Sir David Attenborough christens a rare golden eaglet
The first golden eagle to fledge from the nest of a translocated bird has been rewarded with a name selected by Sir David Attenborough.
-
How Sir Walter Scott made the Dandie Dinmont terrier a legend
This week marked Sir Walter Scott’s birthday — and so it seemed the right moment to celebrate the terrier that owes its fame, and its name, to his pen.
-
'Two months to the Moon, three for rest and refreshment and two more for the return': The English stork success story
Long unseen on British shores, white stork chicks are hatching once again in the UK and a colony is now flourishing in West Sussex thanks to a pioneering restoration project.
-
How the acrobatic buzzard survived persecution to become one of Britain's best avian hunters
It may appear lethargic, but no one could argue with the hunting prowess of the common buzzard when it transforms into a surging missile intent on an unsuspecting victim.
-
From Lincoln to London, the crosses of Eleanor are a legacy of love
A grief-stricken Edward I built a legacy to love across the middle of England in memory of his adored Queen Consort, marked by 12 Eleanor Crosses. The historian Alice Loxton walks in the footsteps of the epic funerary procession.