Walking with Syd

A walk with Syd is not yet the unadulterated pleasure I hope it will become.

The outward journey is a battle of wills. I want to progress; Syd would prefer to go home or with the person he just met. 

On the return journey, Syd is so excited to be going home he has, on two occasions, run off and lost us, causing much stress, and resulting in him having to go back on the lead the moment we turn for home.

It will improve I know, but today the storm has hit and we won't be going anywhere. Which will make Syd very happy. If I knew he'd enjoy it I'd don suitable attire and brave the elements but I can't cope with his resistance at the same time.

But he is very gorgeous and growing so fast. 

I've also remembered/rediscovered that both my walking boots and wellies have holes in them. As do my 'best' boots I found out today. 

I've ordered some sunflower yellow ankle boots. I've never had ankle wellies before but they are highly recommended and have arch support so I'm hoping they'll replace both my wellies and my walking boots.

Do you remember when we used to go to shoe shops to buy shoes? And if you were trying on sandals you had to wear a pop sock provided by the shop so your foot wouldn't pass anything on to the next person to try on the shoes? I dread to think how many feet those pop socks had been on.

Sorry I've not been visiting much. Life has been hectic. It's my own fault, taking on too much, and trying to do everything at once. But, at least, I think I have just about finished my talk on the ten commandments for church a week tomorrow. I've been tossing it around in my head, feeling dissatisfied, and worrying, but I think I'm happier with it now. You know what it's like: you spend so long writing and re-writing a piece you can't tell if it actually says anything of value.

Size matters

I ordered a set of stepping stones, made from recycled tyres, for the garden. I thought. Actually I'd only ordered one.

I ordered some food storage boxes to replace our cheese box that had broken. They're too small for the block of cheese.

I thought I'd ordered 10 metres of garden edging; what arrived was 10 small pieces of garden edging.

I've ordered a microwave to fit a small space . . .

It fits!

Helping in the garden

Syd is less of a help and more of a one-dog destruction machine. If anything survives it will be amazing.

* * * * *

Earlier this week someone said, "I thought you were the same age as me."

She was 84.

I know I've been feeling my age of late but 84?

* * * * *

My head is too crowded at the moment so here's some 'mindfulness'.

Incidentally, when it was alleged that Ukraine had destroyed lots of Russian bots my visitor numbers trebled. I'm not sure what that means.

Limpy

So on Tuesday I took Syd to Pobbles for a walk with Daughter and Louie. I realise now it was much too far for his little legs but I don't think that was what caused him to limp. That started suddenly quite early in the walk.

Daughter and I took it in turns to carry him back up the hill.

On one of the bits where he was walking rather than being carried another walker came down the hill. She stopped to make a fuss of Syd and what's the first thing he does? 

Lift up his poorly paw to show her!

This was after he'd been running around quite happily on the beach. He is going to be a diva I can see.

So no walks yesterday and a short one today. 

* * * * *

I'm sure I was going to write something else but my brain has gone so I'll go and make fish pie for dinner instead.

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.

Why is my bottom trembling?

 Me and phones, we don't get on.

I use mine mostly to take photos. Also for whatsapp but I have that on my computer too so I often have no idea where my phone is. (I just remembered: I left my jumper in the garage when I was gardening, and now I'm sitting indoors I'm getting colder. Will have to fetch it. BRB.)

So Husband went for his appointment this morning and I went home promising to make sure the volume on my phone was turned up. 

About 50 minutes later I opened my phone to take a photo of Syd and, coincidentally, saw that Husband was phoning me to collect him. And had been for some time.

It seems my phone was on vibrate rather than noise (I did that for the theatre on Friday). But it was in my back pocket so I should have felt it. Either my bottom is too big for any tremor to get through, or I simply thought it was just another sign of old age.

Anyway Syd and I did a good job clearing the raspberry bed of weeds. I say good job but maybe preliminary job would be more accurate. And, come to that, Syd wasn't a lot of help either.

* * * * *

In church on Sunday a man read a poem he'd written. Now, please tell me what comes into your head when you hear this line:

Seeking solace in the carpenter's arms.

I can't be the only person who imagines a man drowning his sorrows in the pub.

* * * * *

Last night's course introduction was good. I've read the book on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality but gave up a bit towards the end so didn't make any progress on myself. Last night focused on slowing down and being silent, and seeing what it is that gets in the way.

That's easy: my brain. It rushes around twenty to the dozen. Any hint of silence and my brain will fill it with anything from what's for dinner to how can there be imaginary numbers, and everything in-between. Even watching the video I kept thinking, I wish he'd stop moving his arms so much. 

Just the thought of spending time contemplating sends my brain off in spirals of panic.

But also the computer gets in the way of me and contemplation. I have no time to 'waste' on stopping and thinking but I do have time to play solitaire. There's nothing wrong with games in moderation but once I start I can't stop. I will play mindlessly.

From the Daily Office book accompanying the course:

The problem is twofold: first we neglect to pay attention to what is going on inside us. And second, we are too busy to stop, slow down, and be with God. (I would suggest - or our thoughts if God isn't in the picture.)

Daughter is coming on the course with me. I have warned her that she may discover that all her problems stem from me!

One of the things mentioned last night, that will be dealt with in greater detail, is the false self. The one we wear for other people. I am guilty of this, caring too much what others think of me and allowing my self-worth to be dependent on what I do or achieve.

Hm, got a long way to go.

My bad

I shouldn't have tried to cook a roast dinner, do the ironing, and keep an eye on Syd at the same time.

The parsnips were overcooked, the ironing didn't get finished, and Syd wee-ed in the hall.

* * * * *

I don't think Syd likes me watching him when he does a poo: he goes around the corner to do it. Which is strange as he insists on watching me.

This morning he came into the shower with me. Right into the shower. Drinking water as it went down the plughole. I moved a bit so he'd get even wetter and realise it wasn't a good idea but it didn't faze him. He was just one soggy doggy.

Exercise class this morning. I have to say that I work harder than most people on it. Then this evening I start my course. I have special leave from Zac's for the duration!

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. I am hoping that by the time I finish this course I will be normal and less of a bundle of insecurities.

* * * * *

Theo of Golden. Have you read it? It is lovely. When I began it I feared it was going to turn out to be one of those nicey-nicey feel-good stories. And it was but there was more to it. I cared about the people and the warmth just shone through. Warning: it does talk about God a bit!

And yesterday I picked up War of the Worlds from the library. I heard a clip from it on the radio and realised I'd never read it. I'm not a sci-fi fan - if that is what this is - but I loved the John Wyndham Triffid and other books. So we shall see.

Driving to exercise this morning I was thinking about my grandfather. He was a great reader. I used to choose murder books for him from the library. My choice was based on the goriness of the cover rather than quality of writing but he got through loads. I don't remember seeing my gran read; she was always too busy. By the time I was choosing books for him my grandfather was retired and quite deaf, so he'd sit in the corner, next to the radio, smoke a cigarette, and read.

My grandmother preferred to go down the pub and have a beer or two with her sister and friends.

Small brown puppy

What made me think that planting bulbs, with Syd in the garden, would be easy? If he wasn't digging up the bulbs he was trying to eat the fertiliser.

Small brown puppy + large garden = "Syd, where are yo...? Oh, there you are, standing next to me."

* * * * *

I had an an  optician's appointment on Saturday. I've been getting white flashes (as opposed to hot flushes). The scans were okay and the optician couldn't see any problems in my eyes but he asked me to come back for another appointment so I could have my eyes dilated so they could get a fuller view. He couldn't do it then as I'd driven there and the drops would have prevented me driving home. So I made an appointment for Wednesday morning when Husband could drive me.

This morning Husband had a phone call from the hospital saying they'd had a cancellation and would he be able to come in for a cataract assessment appointment on . . . Wednesday morning. Of course he will need me to drive.

Much harder to get a hospital appointment than an optician's so I've changed my to next Monday. 

Syd has mummy issues

I bought him a dog with a heartbeat. "It'll remind him of his mother," they said. "It'll help him settle," they said.

He tosses it around the place as if, yes, as if wanting revenge on his mummy for giving him away. 

(And I know from that picture it looks as if we keep him in a shed but that's our kitchen wall. I hadn't realised how scruffy it is.)

We were in the back garden working - Syd helping of course - when Syd heard the gate go. He rushed to the front garden and was thrilled to see his friend the postman. Honestly he was delighted to see him.

It's bad enough that Syd makes a huge fuss of Husband every time he comes downstairs but now the postman gets the fuss too! (I know it's because he's with me most of the time and it's good he shows the love to Husband!)

The postman brought my order of the smallest ever, puppy-teeth-friendly plastic Kong (a dog brain challenging toy). I stuffed it with special puppy peanut butter and gave it to Syd. He's been playing with it ever since.

George had a big Kong. We would put treats in it then hide it in the garden and he would have to find it. He was brilliant at it but then, when there food was involved, George was on the button. (Is that a real phrase?)

* * * * *

Last night we finally got to see Operation Mincemeat, the musical. GrandDaughter1 and her best friend dog-sat for us so we were able to enjoy the evening and not worry. 

It was excellent and I am in awe of their energy and timing. A cast of five playing multiple characters, with no regard for gender, but with wonderful singing and staging. Some laughs, some poignant moments. And based on a true story - that I will look up now - as soon as I've poured my tea.

In the dog house

Syd and me both.

Kept Husband awake from 2 am; I slept through it.

Has discovered how to climb stairs; another big no from Husband.

My fault because he's my dog.

When he's not keeping Husband awake at night nor climbing stairs, he is very sweet. And Husband does love him really. 

Last night he managed to overturn two bins, his bed, and move his water bowl to the other end of the kitchen. I've seen pheromone diffusers recommended to bring a sense of calm so shall order one of those. He is actually quite calm mostly. Loud noises don't worry him and he's happy to meet people.

Syd 'helped' Husband to put the winter cover on the pool - and now thinks it's his personal trampoline.

Meanwhile in the garden we have some late roses, and lots of dahlias and chillis.

The unexpected posy courtesy of Syd

P.S. Syd can climb stairs but is not brave enough to come down yet.

This is what I've been missing

I needed to make a birthday cake for Zac's tomorrow so Syd was in the kitchen with me as I made it. I said, "Pay attention, Syd. You could be the first cooking cockapoo."
I explained that I put in the flour then the sugar and then it went whizzy whiz. "Are you paying attention, Syd?"

"I can hear Dad in the garden; he might need my help." (A dog who knows how to use semi-colons, that's impressive.)

Then you put in the marg and the eggs and more whizzy whiz. Syd, stop looking at yourself in the front of the oven and concentrate."
"Is that my bit of twig? I think it is. I'd better play with it."
"Then the best bit, Syd: you get to lick the bowl. Well, I do but you don't. Syd? Syd, where've you gone?"

This is what my blog's been missing: conversations between me and my dog.

Apparently AI can't tell the difference between certain dogs and fried chicken. Hence Elder Son has nicknamed Syd 'The Colonel'. Honestly, Syd doesn't look at all like fried chicken, does he?

I seem to be spending a lot of time wandering around the garden saying, "Are you going to do a wee for mummy, Syd?"

If I wait long enough he usually does and then he gets lots of praise and a treat.

And so it begins

Night 1
Syd slept reasonably well and didn't start crying until 4. Husband nudged me at 7 to get up and sort him out. I can't hear him crying so Husband suffers the most.
Night 2
Syd cried all night.
I mostly didn't hear him and slept but was woken a few times by restless Husband. Everyone very tired. Speaker in church had a quiet voice, not helpful when you're trying to stay awake. Meanwhile Daughter and two grandchildren came round to keep Syd company.
Night 3
Either Syd was so tired after the night before and a busy day and slept, or Husband was so tired he didn't hear him, but it seemed to be a largely peaceful night, Syd starting at about 6.15.

Lots of advice about dealing with puppies and nights. The breeder told us to ignore him. Various websites say to sleep with him at first. Others say, "Give up and bring him to your bedroom." Absolutely no chance of that!

Anyway, yesterday afternoon I had to pick GrandDaughter1 up from work so I left Husband in charge. It was a lovely afternoon so Husband decided to do some work in the garden.

Husband turned his back for a moment and Syd fell in the pool.

Husband yanked him out and Syd immediately walked across and went headfirst into the pond.

This does not bode well for the future. I foresee many Sydventures as I think Boud called them.

Husband will be putting the winter cover on the pool asap, and I think we'll have to put a temporary barrier around the pond.

It would have been George's birthday yesterday.

I think he would approve of me getting a new dog finally.