Where I live is a small town, population approx 10,000.
Walking around I am slowly coming to the conclusion that this is where 'disabled' dogs are coming to live.
In addition to Holly there are four tripod dogs that we come across on our walks, three missing a back leg and one missing a front leg.
Tripod dogs and dogs in carts are not normally everyday sights so for five to live in a town that is approx 1500acres is possibly some sort of record.
Friday 28 March 2014
Monday 24 March 2014
There is life in the old dog yet!
Over the weekend we went down to the Rother Valley Country Park for a walk. We parked close by next to the Trans Pennine Trail and then walked down the Trail until we were just in Derbyshire before heading back up and into the Park.
We walked around the far side of the lake and decided that as the sun was shining we would call into the cafe for a cup of tea.
After a very civilised break sitting in the sun watching the wildlife and drinking tea, we set off again to the top end of the lake where we crossed over the railway and re-joined the TPT. The bridges over the railway had very steep steps so I ended up carrying Holly up and down the steps for both bridges! The next day it took me a while to work out why the muscles in my thighs and upper arms were aching, it was carrying 25Kg of dog+cart that did it.
When we got back to the car the GPS said it had been a little over 5 miles. Holly looked as if she could have done it all again. Only it was raining quite heavily by that point and I didn't fancy carrying her over the bridges again so we went home to bake bread and cherry cake.
We walked around the far side of the lake and decided that as the sun was shining we would call into the cafe for a cup of tea.
After a very civilised break sitting in the sun watching the wildlife and drinking tea, we set off again to the top end of the lake where we crossed over the railway and re-joined the TPT. The bridges over the railway had very steep steps so I ended up carrying Holly up and down the steps for both bridges! The next day it took me a while to work out why the muscles in my thighs and upper arms were aching, it was carrying 25Kg of dog+cart that did it.
When we got back to the car the GPS said it had been a little over 5 miles. Holly looked as if she could have done it all again. Only it was raining quite heavily by that point and I didn't fancy carrying her over the bridges again so we went home to bake bread and cherry cake.
Friday 21 March 2014
Cat Hairs
The signs of the cdm progressing continue to appear. Over the past few weeks I have noticed that Holly sometimes has problems sneezing and coughing.
You know when you have a really bad cold and have coughed and sneezed so much that your muscles hurt? So you try to stop the hurt by sneezing or coughing in a genteele way that only uses the bare minimum of muscles and ligaments. The resulting feeble wheezy ineffective expulsion of air is how Holly's coughing and sneezing is now frequently sounding like.
The problem is it is spring, so all the animals are moulting. Which means that as Linus sleeps curled up next to Holly she ends up breathing in cat hairs and we all know how much they tickle and irritate! Or we have a wander round the garden and she sticks her big wet nose into all the nooks and crannys to have a good sniff of the spring air, and once more she needs to sneeze.
There are still some 'proper' coughs and sneezes but the feeble wheezy ones are starting to take over.
As sad as the progression is she is still a happy dog. She still recognises all the little things that mean I am geting ready to take her for a walk and starts pestering and wittering about when we are going as soon as she spots them. And she still sulks and generally lets it be known that she is unhappy if she doesn't think we have been out long enough, regardless of the weather.
So while I think the time to say goodbye is getting closer I don't think we are quite there yet.
You know when you have a really bad cold and have coughed and sneezed so much that your muscles hurt? So you try to stop the hurt by sneezing or coughing in a genteele way that only uses the bare minimum of muscles and ligaments. The resulting feeble wheezy ineffective expulsion of air is how Holly's coughing and sneezing is now frequently sounding like.
The problem is it is spring, so all the animals are moulting. Which means that as Linus sleeps curled up next to Holly she ends up breathing in cat hairs and we all know how much they tickle and irritate! Or we have a wander round the garden and she sticks her big wet nose into all the nooks and crannys to have a good sniff of the spring air, and once more she needs to sneeze.
There are still some 'proper' coughs and sneezes but the feeble wheezy ones are starting to take over.
As sad as the progression is she is still a happy dog. She still recognises all the little things that mean I am geting ready to take her for a walk and starts pestering and wittering about when we are going as soon as she spots them. And she still sulks and generally lets it be known that she is unhappy if she doesn't think we have been out long enough, regardless of the weather.
So while I think the time to say goodbye is getting closer I don't think we are quite there yet.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
Photo Favourites III
This one could almost be called Snow and Sand
A rare photo of Holly on the beach where she is dry!
I have no idea why she had not gone racing in to the sea as normal.
Holly destroying a pristine snow covered field
Linus exploring the back garden in the snow
A footprint size comparison Holly (R) & Linus (L)
From snow to ice, Linus keeping cool one Hot Summer
Holly's usual place in a bird hide
Holly's Labrador genes shine through as she makes sure that every last crumb is eaten from a bag of dog food before it is used for other things
Friday 14 March 2014
Meet Hatty
I am going to be an Aunt for the first time later this year, so the knitting needles have been busy making bootees and a Hatty.
Hatty has been introduced to a few people and has been universally loved by all.
Hatty has been introduced to a few people and has been universally loved by all.
Hatty
If you are wondering about the name, it's the one given in the pattern. I am sure my new nephew/nice will eventually give the elephant a new name
The first attempt at bootees
A Trendy Bootee
it's pair was still being finished when I was asked for a photo
Thursday 13 March 2014
Happy Birthday to Holly
Happy 12th Birthday Holly-dog.
I must admit that it's not a birthday that I thought we would be celebrating. But I am amazed and happy that you are still here and not letting the cdm stop you from enjoying yourself.
I also didn't think it was possible for you to eat your breakfast any faster than you do, but apparently when there are bits of chicken mixed in as a birthday treat you can make everything vanish in record time!
The other thing I am amazed at is that there is any glaze left on your food dish after the licking clean it got this morning. I understand the need to check that there is nothing left over, but I think perhaps you were being a little over-enthusiastic with your checking today.
I must admit that it's not a birthday that I thought we would be celebrating. But I am amazed and happy that you are still here and not letting the cdm stop you from enjoying yourself.
I also didn't think it was possible for you to eat your breakfast any faster than you do, but apparently when there are bits of chicken mixed in as a birthday treat you can make everything vanish in record time!
The other thing I am amazed at is that there is any glaze left on your food dish after the licking clean it got this morning. I understand the need to check that there is nothing left over, but I think perhaps you were being a little over-enthusiastic with your checking today.
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