Furry dog mother

Every dog should have one. The Boxers don't know they have one, but it makes it much easier for us to go away, knowing that the boarding kennels have someone to turn to, if for some reason, the dogs need to leave kennels, or if we are delayed on our return.

My Dad acts as their 'next of kin'. Our will stipulates an allowance for the dogs' upkeep and rehoming, but there is something reassuring about asking a good friend to be their furry dog mother. We hope she is never needed.

What arrangements have you made for your pets while you are away this summer? Do you find it difficult to leave your furry 'babies' at home?

Don’t touch the grumpy dog!

We were delighted to meet the Mastiffs, crazy Daisy and bonkers Lulu while on holiday in South Africa. Mastiffs are similar to Boxers. Boxers were originally bred from the German Mastiff breed. These perfectly placid dogs belonged to the Resort and were equally at home in the dining room, in reception or sitting on my foot at tea. Honestly, I loved it. I missed the Boxers terribly and enjoyed a bit of doggy company. A third dog, an old black Labrador, was less engaging, a bit grumpy with a bad reputation. We understand that she has a cyst or a tumour in her mouth, so that’s understandable. She stayed in a sunny spot on the lawn, watching the comings and goings, from underneath a sign warning ‘Don’t touch the grumpy dog’!

Daisy and Lulu, however, were very keen on the short walks up the mountains, especially going to waterfalls and pools; standing in the water, gulping in the fresh, cool stuff. When she had had enough, Daisy’s bark signalled that we were to move on. They could follow the scent of the baboons, bounding up and down the hillside, barking excitedly, barging past us on the narrow path. Watch out, dog coming through! It wasn’t difficult to see the evidence of baboons. They are pretty indiscriminate about where they leave their deposits.

One evening, after dinner, we were enjoying a quiet time in the lounge, strictly ‘no children or dogs’. Lulu, in true Boxer style, sloped into the room and gently sat on my foot. Another time, the ‘grumpy dog’ was lying next to me in the quiet lounge, but I didn’t touch her.

Back home in Surrey, the Boxers were enjoying the hospitality of the boarding kennels and the company of the dog walker. They were absolutely fine when we collected them on Sunday. What a relief to have found an excellent dog care solution so that we can enjoy our holidays again.

The only downside is that the burglary rate has increased in the Village again. Two more properties were broken into while we were away. It does make us rather nervous. At least, having the dogs around provides an early warning system for intruders.

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A spider update, a cry, and a little rant

First, on the matter of the spider. Hilarious!? No. I have just found out that the spider in my pants was Steatoda grossa, a nasty human-biting spider. I have checked the drawer for signs of an invasion and found none. Phew!

More fun at the Great Barrier Reef

Fun at the Great Barrier Reef

Having said that, I have encountered a poisonous spider before. We were on holiday in Palm Cove, Northern Queensland, Australia. A stunningly, beautiful place. Just a short vomit-inducing boat ride from the Great Barrier Reef (but that's another story). Palm Cove is blessed with white sandy beaches, outstanding restaurants, top class hotels, and an over-abundance of creepy-crawlies. We have been a few times but on the last occasion, I broke the rules, and left my shorts out on the verandah over night. In the morning, I put my shorts on, noticed nothing unusual. By the end of the day, I was ill - sunstroke, jet lag, hangover? By the next morning it was pretty obvious - spider bite! My leg was swollen, the necrotic flesh around the bite site was purple, hard, painful, and I felt so ill. Apparently, it's not always the poisonous toxins which 'get' you. Spider fangs are dirty, bacteria-ridden beasts, and as they pierce your skin, they leave the infection behind. The toxins made me sick, the bacteria caused cellulitis, a serious medical emergency. The doctor was quite gleeful - a white-tailed spider he said, but don't look it up on the internet because it will frighten you! The antibiotics worked after a couple of days, and within a few weeks, my skin had healed. I was warned, however, that the effects could last for years. Earlier this year, when on holiday in Maui, the lymphatic drainage in my leg, so damaged by the spider bite infection, could not cope with the rigours of activity in a hot climate, and my leg swelled up again. It was gross, and required antibiotics, ice packs and massage! Who's laughing now?

Moving on to the little cry. I warned my husband not to watch Marley and Me on Sunday night. In case you haven't seen the film, Marley dies. I knew it, he knew it. We still watched it and cried. We weren't crying for Marley. We were crying for the two lovely 'boys' asleep in front of the fire, who won't be with us forever.

And now for my rant. It's about TESCO, although to be fair, it applies to all supermarkets. TESCO issued a profit warning to its shareholders today. It seems the supermarket giant is feeling the pinch. I haven't shopped at Sainsbury's for some time after a run of poor service with its home delivery service. I don't like shopping at TESCO because it has too many self-service tills and not enough people working on the tills. My local store also makes us put a pound in to get a trolley; it's quite an irritation. I do like Waitrose, but parking is always so difficult, that frankly, I can't be bothered sometimes. So I nip into the farm shop. It usually has a good selection of local produce. I also order meat direct from the farm, so I know where it comes from. And here is the rant: supermarkets, make it more pleasant in your stores. You don't have to sell everything, it's not a game of world domination. Show me the local produce. Show me the community spirit.

In other news, the husband fell over the little big dog yesterday morning, which meant I had to make running repairs before he could go to work. Not a great start. Both dogs upset me today with the dog walker. They would not get in the van. But, they were fine as soon as they were away from me. Unbelievable. Now, sweet as anything, fast asleep - again. Fingers crossed for next week, the last chance to get it right before they go to kennels while we are away. Oh, and the little big dog did this today too (he has previous, you know).

Good luck to all the London Marathon runners. Fund-raising pasta evening at the Club tonight, should be good.

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On banking, mice and lovely shoes

I feel grubby today. The day started normally enough - kicked husband out of bed to run the Boxers, then off for a swim, then a dash into town to catch up with the bank manager. He asked to see me. I think he wants to sell me something. He's a nice enough chap, just not very convincing. Perhaps it's because banking is so regulated now. You must have a stocks and shares ISA. OK, then tell me what you've got. I can't. I'm not regulated. Stare at sad man. I give you permission to tell me about the ISAs. I will try to send you a brochure. Then another sad man will want to meet you and ask you lots of pointless questions, after which I will probably say No anyway, because the initial charge is too high. He stares at me. Am I using all the benefits I pay for? Yes. Clearly, he is regulated to sell me insurance. And isn't this the problem with high street banks? Just stick to doing what you do best. Keep my money nice and secure for me until I need it to buy a nice pair of shoes. Don't be my stock broker and don't sell me insurance. I use specialist advisers for both of these. End of conversation. There was more to say but it is so boring, the Boxers fell asleep while I was recounting my story to them. 

Purple Fitflops, March 2012, Lesley Beeton

The Boxers did however like my new shoes. So obviously an impulse buy, my credit card didn't have time to protest.


Now, back to the garden. What gorgeous weather we are having this week. Everything is germinating in the greenhouse, everything needs watering. I'm watering from the water butts, but if we don't get rain to fill them up again can I fill them from the tap??!! Water rant.


The mice are enjoying the spread too. They've had quite a few of the broad bean seedlings, dug up nearly all the sweet corn, and nibbled on the courgette seeds. At this point it is me 4 mice 0. The war goes on...


The dog walker training goes on too. The Boxers are happily walking with her once a week in preparation for when they are in the boarding kennels. If only we could get them to jump in her van. Next time, we are going to sit in the van with a cup of tea and hope that the boys will want to join us.


And just because I can, this is the view from my office today. 

Sunny Surrey, March 2012, Lesley Beeton

Look out for a guest post coming soon from Christmas Pie Crafts.


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To board or not to board?

Today, I went to see another boarding kennel. That makes five, and to be honest, I wasn't hopeful. You see, my 'boys' have never boarded. Granny and Grandpa have always been on hand to house- and dog-sit. But, since Mom passed away earlier this year, we feel that it just wouldn't be fair to Dad to ask him to do it on his own. Besides which, he's not really in to dog walking or exercising in general. He does do loves and cuddles very well, though.

So, off I went, ready to be disappointed yet again. I arrived as a very excited Molly was being collected by her just as excited owner. I sat in my car and watched them be re-united. I felt quite emotional. Molly is a three year old rescue dog. Her owner was very happy to talk to me about his experience of the kennels, and has been a return customer for ten years. Tick one - happy dogs, happy owners.

Then I met Kate, a lovely doggie people person (tick two) - you know what I mean. I was shown around all the kennels and play areas and I asked loads of questions. I watched the other dogs at play and they seemed just fine. Admittedly, it doesn't have the home comforts, but the kennels have underpaw heating and large grass runs (three ticks!).

I think it will be OK.

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