PET'S CORNER

[Stanley]

Not a good day for Jack yesterday. He picked something up on his walk and ate it. Not something he usually does. The consequence was that he was sick three times including all his tea. You pay a price for having a dog sometimes! He'll be empty after our walk this morning and hopefully will be OK.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Good wishes to Jack from Sam and Honey! Honey seems to be on the mend now, thank goodness. She is such a good natured dog, she has been easy to deal with, I really didn't realise quite how much emotion I have invested in her.

[Stanley]

He's made a complete recovery thanks Sue. Glad Honey is better and yes, we form very strong bonds with good dogs over the years. I have better communications with Jack than any human I know, he is always aware of me and I of him. Most of it's body language, we read each other like a book....I often think that if people could see us when we are on our own they would be amazed, perfect understanding after over ten years of 24X7 cohabitation!

[Julie in Norfolk]

I'm pleased to say that Honey is going out for her first walk today. Nothing spectacular, just a few hundred yards or so and back on the lead. Maybe some crisps at the half-way mark.

[PanBiker]

Good news Julie.

[Wendyf]

Glad to hear she is getting better. Will you share your pint as well as your crisps??

[Stanley]

Good news about Honey.....
I've been having a small local problem with Jack. He has been coughing a bit and has brought his tea up a couple of times. The cause of the vomiting was quite obvious, ingested hair. I couldn't work out where he was getting it from but yesterday the light dawned on me. I have been remiss about vacuuming for a couple of weeks and when he has his ball exercise the wet surface is picking up hairs which he takes in when he is chewing the ball. I have slapped my wrist, vacuumed properly and cut the ball back a bit. I think that will solve the problem!

[plaques]

Are you sure your Jack hasn't been swallowing bits of the rubber / sponge ball. Very difficult for the dog to clear from its system.

[Stanley]

P. Yes, he has no problem with them, just passes them through his system. Definitely hair, the evidence in the vomit is unmistakeable.

[Stanley]

Jack has all his chairs at home! He knows the benefit of a bit of sun and if there is any about he will get into it. I caught him yesterday taking in the rays....

[Julie in Norfolk]

Sad to tell that Sam-u-el the Span-u-el passed today aged nearly 14. The vet struggled out in quite deep snow and did what was needed. We had our final short walk on Sunday last, however his decline was rapid from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. We made sure Honey was there and I am sure she knows. Bye mate.

[Wendyf]

Sad to hear that Julie, we shall miss hearing about him.

[PanBiker]

So sorry to hear that Julie.

[Tizer]

That's a shame Julie, but at least he didn't drag on and suffer for ages like we humans tend to do. He knew it was time to go and got on with it.

[Cathy]

Sad to hear that Julie.

[Stanley]

Commiserations Julie, it's a bereavement so be kind to yourself.... Big hug.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. We had some great times and some really peaceful times together, the advantage of living and walking in rural areas cannot be overestimated. I am content that we made the right decision for him yesterday, he was still trying to be a good dog to the end.

We let Honey stay in the room with us and I let her go over and see him / sniff him afterward and when he was wrapped in a blanket. I am sure she understands. She has always been a clingy dog and is sitting on the chair behind me now. We are looking forward to the thaw and a good walk, Honey skips and jumps up and down in front of the back door waiting for a wee, but balks at going out in it, barely getting her nose to the snow before running off back into the house.

[Stanley]

Jack has no problems going out, if it was raining fire and brimstone he would want to be off!
I often think that dogs give that rarest of blessings, unconditional love. Unfortunately we have to pay a price for it eventually. That has never put me off living with a dog..... Glutton for punishment?

[Wendyf]

The dogs have been out and about with us checking on hens, who are snowed in and can't make it to the barn, trying to de- ice water buckets, feeding ponies etc. Bruce was dashing in and out of the barn but he was desperate to get back in the warm. Bertie would stay out till he was covered with snow. No chance of a walk this morning as conditions too nasty and huge drifts everywhere. The cats are restless and don't want to use the litter tray provided. They have been in the barn with us and in the workshop where there is plenty sawdust around but nothing seems to satisfy their needs!
I usually enjoy the snow but I'm too anxious about the freezing conditions to enjoy this!

[Stanley]

Not surprising Wendy because you have responsibilities to your animals. Take heart, the end is in sight, the Atlantic is starting to take a hand and will come to our rescue inside a week......

[Tizer]

Just watched a Scottie dog walking on top of the snow. Its paws are not penetrating the frozen crust but it's slipping. Then a lady with a couple of larger dogs - she's sinking at each footstep but the dogs are staying on the surface. There's a small child across the street, obviously this is its first experience of snow. It's walking about on the crust like the dogs but then can't resist jumping up and down so that it sinks in to the top of its wellies! Lots of youngsters about with sledges.

This reminds me of the story about my mum when she first arrived here from South Africa in 1945. She'd never seen snow and was very excited the first time it snowed. Grandma had a panic when Mum had gone outside and didn't return. She sent some of the family to go out and search for her. They found her with kids sledging down one of the steep cobbled streets!

Here's a well-protected dog...

[Stanley]

I can understand coats on vulnerable dogs like whippets that are a hot weather dog but I think it's a mistake to over-protect a well built dog with a good natural fur coat. Jack never shows any signs of distress from rain or cold, he is a tough little bugger! Best way to assess their resistance is to feel their ears ten minutes after they have come back indoors. They should be warm.

[Wendyf]

I didn't know if I could do this or not but it seems to have worked! Click on the picture to play the video.
Dennis and Sparky allowed out into a very small area today after over 3 days incarceration!



Can anyone see this or just those with a Facebook account?

[Tripps]

Thanks for the clip - I can see it, and it raised my spirits on this cold afternoon. I do have a Facebook account, but watched it whilst logged out of this site - so it wouldn't know who I am would it?

How naive can you get ?

[Wendyf]

Thanks for the clip - I can see it, and it raised my spirits on this cold afternoon. I do have a Facebook account, but watched it whilst logged out of this site - so it wouldn't know who I am would it?

How naive can you get ?

Pleased you could see it David, it raised my spirits too!