Traumatised

I've never met such a reluctant walker as Syd.

George was wary the first couple of times but soon got over that but with Syd our walks go like this: walk, stop, carry, walk, stop, carry etc. It's not just when he meets people and wants to follow them; sometimes he just sits down and won't budge.

On our way home he's fine, can't wait to get there. Maybe I need to start at the end and walk home from there . . .

This afternoon I took him on what was going to be a shorter walk than this morning's. We hadn't got far slowly when a retriever rolled him and had him whimpering like the little puppy he is. That was it: Syd wasn't going anywhere but home after that.

Then we had to go past a dog yelping fiercely. I can see him refusing to go anywhere tomorrow. Traumatised. And that's just me.

* * * * *

My trigger finger is at its worst when I'm hanging washing on the line or tying shoelaces.

We watched The Sheep Detectives on Amazon last night. Great fun. 

When Syd met Louie

They got on really well. Well, as well as a puppy and an older dog will, meaning Louie tolerated the little pipsqueak and let him follow him around.

There is a high likelihood that we could misplace Syd in amongst the leaves.

And it's got to be done.

In the garden this afternoon I was sure it would be Syd who broke my hand fork. It was me. Trying to lift paving slabs.

From the video I notice: 

my hair needs cutting; 

I look fat - I blame the multiple layers I am wearing.

 

It's all gone tits up

It's breast cancer awareness month in Mumbles - and I guess everywhere else!

Even the postbox topper combines Halloween and breasts! I can't decide if that's a pink ghost or a condom.

* * * * *

Meanwhile Syd continues to love everyone making walks very slow. His favourite postman gave him a big dog treat while we were out yesterday so we had to stop until he'd finished eating it. Then he saw someone he'd met the previous day getting him very excited.

In between Syd duties I am preparing to 'preach' on the first Sunday in November. My topic is the ten commandments. It's amazing how many I've broken! Also continuing to work on the writers' anthology, and do trustee stuff.

After a rainy morning yesterday today is looking lovely and sunny again. Daughter is bringing Louie around to meet and walk with Syd. I shall report back.

We have a problem

Syd loves people.

Most people love him too - except joggers. Joggers ignore him, don't even glance at him. I mean, seriously? Syd doesn't understand this and, I have to say, neither do I. The biggest problem we have is persuading him to come with us instead of following the person/dog he just greeted.

And he's showing a stubborn streak.

"No, I'm not coming."

As you can see he had his first walk to the beach today.

More gardening this afternoon, discovering the path to the shed is two slabs wide not one as it appeared. I plan to get the garden spick and span ready for winter, and at the rate we're going I think we'll manage it. Me and Syd that is. When he's not stealing my fork or digging up my plants.

Now I think I may go to the library. I have overdue books and one waiting to be collected: The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances. Might have to pick up some more winter-flowering pansies at the same time.

* * * * *

Yesterday I had a meeting with Sean and a solicitor about Zac's trustee stuff. The solicitor said, and I quote, "Solicitors are like hookers; we charge by the hour."

Though Sean has used him for years and can't remember ever getting an invoice from him. He's a good one as well as a character. 

Anyway, I've spent some time today trying to decipher deeds and write a new one. We have to do this before we can do that and then we have to do the other before we can transition. Apparently.

Syd's first walk

Reluctant at first - and he definitely didn't like his collar - but by the time we got home he didn't want the walk to end.

I went to the pet superstore this morning and may have got a bit carried away. As well as a collar, lead, and harness, I bought other essentials like food, toys, treats, tricks. Not that he's going to be a spoiled boy!

But he still doesn't like his collar. He's going to have to wear it though if he's going to be an escapee. Yes, he's microchipped but tracing the owner involves a trip to the vet so a phone number on a collar is much easier.

Eyes right!

Husband has blocked the hole and another one he found so we're safe until the next one is discovered - or dug!

Repeat appointment at the optician's this afternoon. My eyes weren't as blurry as I expected after the drops although they were quite light sensitive. Anyway, all is good. My flashes were due to the jelly in the eye getting detached from the retina. Another symptom of - yes, you've guessed it - getting old.

It's only a problem if it comes away with such force that the retina gets torn. Mine wasn't so put up with it.

The only other thing she mentioned is that my eyes have a higher something of something, meaning my eyes are more sensitive to light. I said, "Yes, I do sneeze when the sun shines!"

* * * * *

The course I'm doing involves taking time each day to do the Daily Office, basically a quiet five minutes with a scripture and piece of writing for consideration. All this first week it's been about being busy and not finding time for stillness. I've found it difficult to even sit silently for two minutes as my mind darts off. And being busy is my thing. Which isn't bad in itself unless it then becomes the source of my self-esteem.

* * * * *

Yesterday I was tidying the edge of the paving by the greenhouse and realised there was about another third that had been covered by grass. 

The garden is getting lots of attention since we've had Syd! But . . . drum roll . . . tomorrow we can take Syd out for a walk!

After I've bought him a collar and harness. So exciting!

Another escapee

It seems we have another George.

Syd has found what I am sure is the only gap in our fence, hidden behind bushes, and is desperate to get out there.

Now remember, this is the dog who won't stay in a different room from me, who follows me like my shadow, who comes to the toilet and shower with me. But suddenly the world beckons?

And he's brazen about it.

Having carried him back into the garden I put him down and he's straight back to the gap. "Don't even think about it, Syd! I'm warning you! Syd! Syd! Come back!" And he's off.

He's not going out again until Husband has blocked it.

Soggy Syd after the shower.

Sunny days and rainy nights

I am so thankful for the sunny days we've been having. It's meant we've been able to spend lots of time in the garden wearing Syd out and encouraging him to do his wees there. Also I've been able to get lots gardening done.

I've finished clearing the raspberry bed. Dug up lots of bindweed roots but there'll always be more. Still it's looking better now.

Notice the rhubarb still going strong. And as for the tomatoes . . .

The freezer is already full of tomato sauce, and these later ones aren't so sweet-tasting.

I've also managed to plant up several tubs of daffs and tulips outside for Spring, and pansies for now. I've even planted hyacinth bulbs for Christmas! They're currently in the shoe rack under the stairs.

Grandchildren have been around today so Syd is pretty tired.

Two Dinner Syd

Before I went to the course the other evening I fed Syd his regulation one third of a mugful. During the evening my phone was off/turned down/on vibrate so, of course, I missed all the phone calls from Husband asking if Syd needed to be fed.

As a result Syd got a second dinner of half a mugful, which he scoffed down. He is going to be another George.

We have a book in the playroom called Six Dinner Syd where Syd goes from house to house being fed. That's actually about a cat and I really hope we never get to that situation with Syd!

* * * * *

I went to a Macmillan Cancer coffee afternoon in the church hall today. I offered to make a cake but as I'm bored of always making the same ones I decided to take time over it and do something different. It had to be rhubarb because we still have lots but this time it was rhubarb and custard meringue cake.

I either over- or under-whisked the meringue because it didn't keep its shape very well but, even so, I was pretty pleased with the result.

Until I cut it. It seemed a little bit soggy. I don't think it was under-cooked so it might just have been the mixture. 

However I doubt that Nigella ever got into this mess.