Bill is our wonderful Milkman. He delivers three days a week. His arrival is announced by a sharp bark and eight legs going at full tilt down the passage to the bedroom window. I don't know what he must think. He has been delivering to us for six years, and three times a week he witnesses the ritual Boxer welcome. It's a friendly welcome. He always waves, and lights a cigarette before setting off again.
It's the same with the Postman, except that the little big dog sits under the letter flap, ready to take the letters from the postman. He is used to it now, there are no teeth involved. A stand-in postman might be surprised though. A builder working at our home once described the little big dog as 'licking with his teeth'. Hilarious, but a very good description.
The slightly wonky cat from across the road gets much the same treatment. He seems unaware of the rumpus he is causing, as he trundles around the driveway looking for a place to do his ablutions. He's wonky because his pelvis was broken in a car accident, and several thousands of pounds and a dozen or so pins later, he walks, just a bit crooked.
In spite of the lengthening days and the approaching Equinox, the little big dog's seasonal alopecia has returned. It was diagnosed last year and by June the hair had re-grown. We hope for a similar outcome this year.
We have been recording rainfall in Shackleford this year. I can confirm Thames Water's figures. We have had about half of the expected rainfall, although March is shaping up to be on target. The average rainfall for March in Guildford is about 35mm. So far, we've had 21mm. We could do it. In the meantime, I've bought more watering cans and we will look into getting a pump to pump water from the water butts onto the veggie patch. You can read my water rant here.
The recent wet weather, although good for the garden, has had some unwanted downsides. Star-shaped paw prints on the white duvet cover. I agree, the best place to be on a wet afternoon is curled up on the bed, but for humans NOT dogs!