Menosukhi Mondays; A Pet Boomerang Post; 4

Just one more Jade memory repost... for all the pets posts (Jade Dog, Jasper Cat and Jet Guinea-pig) click The J's label in the 'Host of' page... The opening sentence refers to the fact that there had been a few posts earlier regarding fence matters. This tale does, eventually, involve fences.

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To be fair, it doesn't begin as a fence story.  Rather, it begins with the Council Dog Controller (CDC) telephoning to say there had been a complaint.  Not "complaintS".  A Complaint.  This was the first warning regarding nuisance barking.  Needless to say, I was a bit confuddled.  You see, at the time I was studying again and was only working 15 hours per week.  In other words, I was mostly at home.

The only time I would hear Jade bark was when a dog passed the front gate. I discouraged it of course, but it was never prolonged anyway.  Any other bark was generally in association with interactions such as "did you forget about brekky?"   or "Today I'd like an extra walk".  Anything else, she'd do paw-signing and dogglepathy.

So what was going on?  The CDC was a patient and diplomatic fellow and said not to worry.  But if it came again, he'd have to do an assessment.  Fine by me.

It came again.  This time, the CDC called to say he had come to the door to let me know he was around (wouldn't you know it was one of the three morning's I was on shift?).  It was not a problem.  He simply sat outside in his van for 90 minutes (- he gets paid for that-) awaiting any nuisance noise from no. 36.  He was, he said, delighted to report that apart from 'acceptable' barking at one dog passing, Jade uttered not a whimper.

Quite so, said I.  Where to from here?

He would advise the complainant that if this was the barking being referred to, then they would need to reassess their level of tolerance.

Later he called and said there was an insistence that there had been prolonged barking. At the back fence.

Ah.  My immediate thought was of our old mate Buddy the Bully.  I was assured this was not the situation.  By this time, I was getting a bit frayed around the nerves.  Of course, CDC couldn't tell me who was complaining, but it could be only one of three possibilities.    Anyway, unfortunately, the situation was such that CDC was now forced to pass the complaint to the local constabulary.  Who knew they needed to confirm such minor things to authorise council for "action"?

What action?  Removal of offending animal!!!

Lord, did I pray that night.  Next morning the boys in blue were on the doorstep.  Huge, strapping young men, bristling with leather and paraphernalia, including the gun.  Aussie cops carry weapons.  It's not good for the shaky nerves, let me tell you.  Jade was up for causing a civil disturbance, and they could slap her in irons. (Strewth! Am shaking again just retelling the tale! Be still my hammering heart…)

Lord came through.  They had with them a bunch of paperwork, but when they began to question me, it was about my whereabouts on a certain day three weeks previous.  Why, that was one of my work shifts at the bank, officer.

Really?  They eyed each other the way all cops do (I know 'coz I love cop shows...😎), then the senior turned with a glint in one of those sky-blue eyes and asked if I had noticed anything missing from my property.  

Say what?  Hadn't you come about the dog?

Well, yes, but when the CDC had contacted them they found at the time of the "alleged offence" (tsk listen to them!), there had also been a report of a home invasion in the street behind.  Investigation revealed that three houses had been tampered with and at the third one, the owner had been present, and the perpetrator had taken off across the back fence.  They had observed him skipping other fences, instead of going out onto the road, before calling the police.

"En garde!"

The officer stopped and looked at me to let this sink in.  I looked at Jade who, bless her long red paws was lying taking this all in, then back at blue eyes.

"You think Jade was trying to raise the alarm that there was an intruder?"

"We do!"

They were still looking for a youth in typical baggy streetwear, probably a red overshirt and black or dark blue baseball cap.  The cops were confident they knew the suspect as a repeat offender but had yet to apprehend him.  He was a known small-time drug dealer but more a user and inclined to go 'fishing' for goodies that were not his. They also knew that he wasn't overly endowed with thinking power, so was likely to make an attempt on the same properties in due course.

So, as far as the complaint was concerned, they were happy to let it drop.  Phew.  Did I mention that during this whole time Jade sat at the feet of the junior of the duo and he kept tickling her ears?  Honestly, she was a model citizen!

You are probably guessing by now that the story has not finished.  It was a mere two days later - seriously! - that Jade set up the most raucous barking I'd ever heard - by the side fence.  I rushed out to the patio and noticed that the Right neighbour's kitchen window was open - unusual.  Jade was standing at the little side gate that separated her from the meter box.  I looked around the corner, and there he was - fiddling with my bedroom window.  OI!!!!

He took off like a bullet.  I dashed back through the house and spotted him vaulting over the 4' wall at the front and round into the Left neighbour's garden.  I was on the phone nearly as quickly.

The cop duo was there within 10 minutes, lights flashing, no siren… clever boys.  By this time Jade had settled but was still on alert.  I pointed the direction, and they made their way up the street on foot, one going around the back of the houses.  A little while later (no idea how long really it was all so surreal, we were in a real live cop show!) there was a great crashing and banging and shouting and all that stuff.  Then the lad was frog-marched down the street, handcuffed and looking rather too cocky.

In the afternoon, the cops were back at no. 36 with a chew prize for Jade!!!!  The junior even got conned into throwing the bat toy.  Blue eyes also told me he had made a point of calling the complainant regarding the barking, to let them know that she was just doing her job. 

Wait - there's more!  My neighbour had indeed been burgled by the nasty little toad, and it was all the diamonds and gold from her dresser that had gone.  Of course, it was now recovered, and she was so relieved, she bought Jade a doggie hamper…  Jade, being the model citizen, shared some of the biccie and liver treats with Jasper.  Even though he had turned not a whisker at the whole thing!

That's my gal.

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Menosukhi Mondays; A Pet Boomerang Post; 3

The final instalment of the near-drowning saga...

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Jade was getting wetter and wetter, inside and out, but that ball was her total focus and she was prepared to put up with all sorts of nonsense as long as it was getting thrown.

Knowing my 10-year-old as I did, I can also say with a degree of truth that had she not at all been enjoying herself, even the ball wouldn't have enticed her back into the Big Wet; she would never admit it, but I could tell by her 'happy ears' that the discomforts of equipment-free snorkelling were minor compared to having the full attention of both mum and grandmum!

© Yamini Ali MacLean

At first, she didn't get that my hand beneath her tummy was for assistance in balance in the water and she would just slide over it, ending up face submerged.

Of course, maybe she was inventing her own version of the water slide…?

© Yamini Ali MacLean

Over on the small jetty, birds were gathering to watch the spectacle.  Pelicans and gulls were cackling away as if saying, "Hey Prudence, will ya look at that doggy?  I think it's trying to sink that ball…" 

"No Petunia, it's trying to herd the fish our way!"

© Yamini Ali MacLean

Anyway, after some half an hour of all this, I got more determined myself and waded just a few inches deeper, where no chance of traction to paws from the sand was possible.  I admit at that point there was a look of absolute panic in Jade's eyes, but with lots of oohing and ahhing and "Good Girl" coming from both sides, she finally got all four paws water-borne! 

Oh, what a moment.  It lasted all of 30 seconds as she managed a perfect round turn and paddled back to the shallows, but I treasure that as one of life's great memories.  I could no longer be accused of attempting death-of-dog-by-drowning!  

You can see how excited granny was!!!

I am ever grateful to my father for thinking to pick up my camera photograph the event. I leave you now with some final vision of this wonderful NON-water dog.

© Yamini Ali MacLean - Jade Dog MacWoof works out the doggy paddle!!!

Menosukhi Mondays; A Pet Boomerang Post; 2

Continuing the saga of trying to mix a savannah dog with an enormous puddle...

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Teaching an old dog new tricks part two! (What? Missed part one?  It was last Monday...)

We left off where Jade was tippy-toeing around the roaring surf laplets of water at Newport Bay.  For really rather an adventurous dog, she was a total wimp when it came to getting wet.

But granny was determined that she should give it a go, so encouraged me to go in at the deeper end….?  How did that happen…!... Oh yes, the logic was that Jade's love and fear for my safety would over-ride her natural aversion to immersion.  Seemed like a good theory at the time.

"huh, cough, splutter,snort....blah!"

Jade wasn't having a bar of it though, despite my 'near-drowning'.  She was definitely worried.  This was obvious from the knitted and wrinkled brow, the sunken tail and the barking at granny to go do her lifesaving bit.  HAH, snigger, stick that in yer stack and smoke it, gran!  But this was only the third time Jade had come up against the blockade that was Mrs Mac. Out came the tennis ball.

Oh no, not the tennis ball!

Irresistible.   Every dog has her price.  Not every dog has a human granny as crafty and wise as Jade's.  First, the ball got dropped just in front - 3 inches into the maelstrom 2-inch wavelet.  Gradually it got thrown and then fully lobbed out in the general direction of myself. 

My part was to stay in the deep and keep calling.  It was comical to watch my red rover do her best to walk on water.  The toes would get pointed and lifted as high as canine joints would permit.  If the water touched her tummy, magical suspension caused her to rise taller. But finally, the ball was just too far in and that last attempt where all four legs were lifted over her head, Jade experienced her first under-water snorkelling gig.  When she rose, like one of those Olympic synchronised water dancers, she had the ball firmly clenched in her jaw!

Not quite, but nearly - front paws pulled her shoreward!

I put my hand under her tummy and guided the somewhat panicked creature into the point where she could touch the ground.  Granny didn't let up - away went the ball again.

There was the briefest look of "what the…?", but instinct took over and in she came.  This time she was right beside the floating YAM - who had ownership of the ball.  

Now what?!

Menosukhi Mondays; A Pet Boomerang Post; 1

Looking for something else, I found this... and lots of joy filled my heart again as I remembered this day with both my parents and heart-dog Jade. It's a three-parter, so check back the next couple of Mondays!

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July 29th - this is the date that I nominated as Jade's birthday.  When I had finally succumbed and brought her home, the seller could not exactly state her age.  She was known to be within 9 weeks old - so I did some arithmagog and came up with this date.

Random really, but it suited her.  Leo for the Lion Dog. Her Rhodesian Ridgeback genes were not all that obvious in puppyhood, rather the English Staffordshire was clear.  But by the time she'd elongated and reached 6 months, the Rhodi was clear in her expression and behaviour.  It was also evident that the claimed paternity was not as pure Staffy as might be - I had a strong suspicion of German Shepherd in the mix.  ...Which, on reflection, might explain some of that police business**.

Being of mainly African stock, though, she was not overly fond of the wet stuff.  When it rained, even, it was comical to watch her trying to reach her backside out over the edge of the covered patio in order to 'do business', thus protecting her darling paws from the damp!  If I insisted on walking in the rain, every puddle was skirted on tiptoe, in case she should find herself up to her neck in it.  There was nothing she liked better than the towel down on return to the haven of the laundry.  So when "granny and granda" -  my parents - came to stay on the occasion of her 10th birthday and suggested we go to a specialised doggie beach, it would not surprise you to read that all was dandy until the moment she caught sight of the lapping ripples and the ENORMOUS puddle that was Newport Bay!

Having been bouncing around in bliss at a new place to explore and new dogs to meet, as she crested the little foreshore hillock, she quite literally stopped dead, her body locked rigid and her eyes agog.

Grandad thought this was all rather funny, but granny was quite sure she'd get the old dog to learn a new trick.  Something called swimming.

Even I looked at the older woman askance!  Neither of us had brought bathers with us, so shorts and t-shirts had to do.  As there were about 10 other dogs rollicking around in the water, Jade started to get a wee bit adventurous - but every time that water came near her toes, she was back up the hill to grandad faster than shoot.  He, being a denizen of the Scottish Highlands, had never learned to swim and was totally in sympathy.

He was also armed with my camera - for which I am now immensely grateful!  Here is a couple to whet your appetite - and the outcome of it all will be here next week.

**I removed the link as I want to share that story as a boomerang post - I think you'll love it!

"Mum, this collie's pushing me in the wet stuff!"

"Gemme outta here!"

Menosukhi Mondays; soft spot fur furiends

As noted yesterday, there have been visitors to The Hutch. Dear Bertie and Gail arrived on Friday, on what was really quite a fine day. One of the better Scottish summer days that do happen. Occasionally.

Lunch was ready for their arrival and lots of catch-up chatter, then a shopping trip and a walk along the promenade saw us through to the evening.

Welcome!

Hello, pup, who are you then?

I am Jackson and I like you furry much!

Saturday brought the 'situation normal, all fizzed-up' overall grey, cool temps and wet stuff. Not so bad in the morning, so we took our chances - and our brollies - and headed out for a constitutional.

The walk to the Victorian pier along the promenade was okay, but the brollies had to rise when we got there and didn't really go down again. It made taking photographs a bit tricky. Bertie wasn't really that interested in posing on this occasion. Fair enough, I wouldn't be all that happy at sitting my tushy on damp stone either!

Back at The Hutch, time for a play.

... there may be more...

Menosukhi Monday

I was floundering a bit coming up with a post for today. Then it presented itself to me in the form of Fletcher's first pupdate. I think you will agree he is rather adorable! (It is cut&paste from Guide Dog's site, hence weird layout.)

This is a good post to have today as I send birthday wishes to another adorable... BERTIE BOFFIN!!!

Hello, I am Jill, Fletcher’s Puppy Walker. I am excited to update you on what Fletcher has been up to.

Fletcher moved in with us late last year. He will stay with us for around 12 months before he begins Guide Dogs Training School. During this time, it’s my job to teach him basic obedience, build his confidence and introduce him to lots of new sights and smells.

Fletcher is the 10th puppy I’ve raised for Guide Dogs but he is my first German shepherd cross, so I am having fun getting to know his different traits. He has such an inquisitive nature and loves to investigate everything around him. I love his colouring, he reminds me of an African Wild Dog!

Settling in

It took a couple of weeks for Fletcher to find his feet and start sleeping through the night. He has a very loving nature and wants to be near to me all the time, so over the last few months I’ve encouraged him to relax when he is by himself. Luckily, he loves chew toys and so he will settle quickly if I give him his bone to chew. I love the photo below of him curled up asleep.

When Fletcher arrived, he was mesmerised by the hoover and broom! He thought they were the best toys ever but soon lost interest in them. As Fletcher is a very bright and clever pup, he needs lots of stimulation to keep him entertained. I bought him some puzzle toys in which he needs to figure out how to get to the treat inside. These toys are brilliant for improving his patience but also keep him busy for a little while!

Learning fast

I have been taking Fletcher to puppy classes to teach him basic obedience. He did so well at his first class and I’m so impressed by how quickly he learns new commands. He can now ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ when asked. I am hoping he will be as obedient whilst we are out and about, as there will be lots more distractions testing his focus! Fletcher is also brilliant at recall, always coming back when called.

I’ve taught Fletcher to nudge my hand with his nose when I give him the ‘touch’ command. This will be a valuable skill to his future owner as it will help them to locate him easily.

The big wide world

It’s my job to introduce Fletcher to many new environments, we call this ‘socialisation’. These experiences will prepare him for his future as a guide dog, as he will be calm and focused when visiting new environments for the first time. Fletcher is a regular visitor to the dentist, the hospital and the gym. The hospital reception team adore him, and he always gets lots of cuddles when I take him for a visit!

Many dogs can develop a negative association with the vets as they usually only go there when poorly or to have scary experiences such as vaccinations. I take Fletcher to the vets regularly and sit calmly in the waiting room, even when we don’t have an appointment. This will prevent any negative association and help to reduce his stress levels when he goes there in the future.

Menosukhi Monday

Last Tuesday, the postman knocked. This was not expected. Especially not expected was the rather large box he handed me.

The label indicated it had come all the way from Canada and had been posted in late November! What excitement. The address I knew to be that of Lady and Man of Hailey and Zaphod but I could not imagine what would be inside this box. Only one way to find out, right?!

Oh my goodness!!! Naughtiness!!!!!

You see rightly. That is a mega-packet of chunky chocolate cookies - it even owns up to being "The Decadent" kind! I have a feeling they will be beyond yummerlishus. 

Then there are the maple syrup maple leaf lollipops. Pure syrup on a stick. I am guessing it would have to have been heated to make it solid. What I can confirm is that only one remains at this point... 😏

Behind those foodables you see a bag - it is a pure cotton bag with the famous maple leaf printed most colourfully upon it. Voluminous is the best description. It will be much used!

But wait. There's more!

Meet Squeaker the lamb.

She has a squeaker inside because she came from PetSmart, so I am guessing that Lee and Phod must have whispered in Lady and Man's ears when they were shopping there.

Well, I just hugged her and hugged her and made her squeak and ...well... that made me squeak too, so that seemed like it had to be her name.

I am so lucky to have such wonderfurs pals who I could never have met were it not for the 'net. They wrote that they sent these things as thanks for letting them stay last year - but it was my greatest pleasure and, besides, I was spoiled rotten when I made my trip over to the States and Canada. We look after each other, right?

Blogville rocks!!!

Menosukhi Monday

Hello, it’s Cassi here, Irvine’s Early Trainer to update you on what he’s been getting up to!

Since Irvine arrived at training school we’ve been having a blast together. Irvine is always in a good mood which transfers to me too! He makes me laugh with his cheeky personality and often sneaks his head into my treat pouch when he thinks I’m not looking. Irvine loves his purple octopus toy, I even had to wash it as he plays with it so much!

Building confidence

Irvine was a little body sensitive when I first introduced the harness. I spent time building his confidence by firstly introducing the body piece and doing lots of fun things whilst he wore it, such as playing. Once he was comfortable wearing the body piece, I introduced the handle. I am pleased to say that Irvine is now wearing the full harness and puts his head into it himself to put it on, you can see a photo of him proudly wearing it below.

Irvine’s adventures

I’ve been taking Irvine to busier environments with more distractions to test his skills. We’ve ventured to coffee shops and supermarkets and spent lots of time in Barkingside, which is an ironic name! It has a residential area to practice kerb work and a busy high street with various obstacles to manoeuvre.

Irvine is now a master of public transport, travelling on buses, tubes and trains without even batting an eyelid! His puppy walker, Abigail, gave him lots of exposure to different types of transport and it’s paid off with how calm and happy Irvine is when we go from one form of transport to the next. Check out the film below of Irvine and I training on the bus.

Developing skills

Irvine is a friendly boy and loves to know what other dogs are up to. To improve Irvine’s focus around other dogs, I praise him when he stays focused on me or on the path ahead. It’s been rewarding to see him improve in this area and I’m very proud of him.

The ultimate test

A highlight of training Irvine has been our first blindfolded walk. Usually, when we approach obstacles I subconsciously give Irvine hints through my body language. However, when blindfolded I put my complete trust in him. Irvine was fantastic and really looked after me, I was beaming with pride!

Irvine’s not only a brilliant working dog but is also an incredible companion. He would suit someone with a busy lifestyle, especially if they travel by tube as he’s a pro!

Thank you for following Irvine’s journey so far. Irvine will soon be off to begin his advanced training and I’m excited to see him develop his skills further. Look out for your next Pupdate in October!

Menosukhi; The Elder Side

Regular readers will have gathered that the YAMster leaves the Hutch on a regular basis to visit the father in Edinburgh. By that, it is meant an average of once every fourth week or so. His body betrays him with the onward progression of Parkinson's, but the character remains strong and engaging. I don't say that I am going to 'check up', but always have something which takes me there, be it an exhibition, a concert or some such. That dad benefits from home cooking, general help and company is incidental.

Father was never a conversationalist. It can sometimes be like drawing blood from a stone, to have anything more than a few syllables uttered. However, he has his moments and I seem to be getting better at pinpointing them, finding the crack in the window, as it were.

When I was over the first weekend of May, we shared quite a bit of common interest. Not least the World Championship Snooker, on which we are both keen. Television pretty much dominates his days (and nights) whilst sleep over-rides even that. Finding something we are both genuinely interested in and can talk about can be tricky. There can be no denying that he has had some difficulty adjusting to the elder daughter who has spent most of her adult life on the other side of the globe and who has a radically different worldview. For my part, I have kept the spirito-philosophical side as low-key as possible, but that's a double-edged sword, for that is such a large part of who I am, and it dawned on me quite recently that he actually needs to see that more openly.

This year, when he has uttered things in response to news items which could be construed as bigotry or prejudice, I made the decision to offer my view on whatever matter as a counterpoint. This has brought on some quite decent exchanges and even revealed some snippets of history which filled in gaps. Not least, last week, when there was a television debate asking the question, "is masculinity in crisis?"... There was a jolly good discussion in the Mac Clan hoose let me tell ya! What it has done is help me to widen appreciation of my own elder and his thought processes, as well as reveal to him that the elder daughter is rather longer and deeper within than her squat, broad exterior might suggest!

Another advance in our relationship on these stays has been my finding things to prepare for evening meals which suit my dietary requirements but that he can also enjoy; until this year it has been a case of two different dishes, quite often.

However, I introduced him to soy 'mince' last month and it was a hit! Testing the waters further at Ramnavami, I made yellow-pea dal and shakarkhand-poori and he actually took second helpings. This last visit I made a different type of dal, with moong beans, and it was again supped and seconds requested. Woohoo!

I do know that there is some resistance to the discipline of timings and hygiene which come with having me there, but there is also the reluctant appreciation of assistance (he's getting better at asking, sort of) and there is definitely Love.

To see one's elders for who they are, and not just as ma or pa, requires that one is reasonably 'grown up' and have detached to a degree. Then, seeing them, we need to see it in ourselves. Whether by nature or nurture, we will inevitably reflect something of them. As one becomes the elder oneself, this becomes ever more apparent. Somehow, from this most recent visit, I have a clearer picture of which parts of me are definitely out of the father and his influence upon my personality. Equally, even in her absence, it is ever more evident which parts of me are my mother and her influence. This delights and frustrates in equal measure, but is also owned as well as tempered with the individual that is YAM.

In this, the closing year of my sixth decade and as vanaprastha (preparation for the forest) approaches, I embrace the elder side of my being.

PS - if anyone is at all interested, this is a well put-together article broaching the ongoing subject of 'masculinity in crisis'. Not the be-all-end-all, but balanced and relevant, I feel.

Menosukhi Repawt

It has been a while since my PDSA pup, Poppy, sent a repawt card. It arrived last week.




For those who are more recently arrived at the MENObloggy...

The YAMster has a handful of charities she supports monthly, two of which are animal organisations.
The Guide Dogs UK where I currently sponsor Irvine; and the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals. 

Poppy has been getting my support money for a little over a year now. Both Irvine and Poppy are my second supported dogs. It is my way of sharing in pet ownership, as I cannot realistically have my own dog at the moment.

Menosukhi again - it's that kinda week

Maybe it's the fact that it's more winter than autumn now, or just that lots of things come together and cause a 'menowhirl'. Writing is cathartic, anyone who has properly tried it will know this. So there have been one or two menosukhi moments during the Wrimo efforts. Nothing flattening, but interesting, if one is objective.

Then there is UK's Remembrance Day, which conveniently falls on the weekend. You all know me as a pacifist, but that does not at all mean that I don't appreciate and understand the need for our service men and women. I have a particular affinity for veterans of campaigns (my cousin is a serious PTSD victim of 'Desert Storm') and have had the great privilege to care for some WW2 retired servicemen and listened to their stories.

We can never truly know...

Then there is today itself. Today would have been the Maestro's 26th birthday. She was passionate for her music, as regular readers here will recall. She left her mark in that area of art and now, with Mac1's coordination, a group of her peers are gathering to raise funds for two of her favourite charities. I have been invited to be the 'official photographer'. Whether or not I will be a success at this remains to be seen. I'll let you know.

Tomorrow, Mac's 1 and 2 are going to be running the Supernova.

Again, long-term readers may recall my ending up in the midst of that all-un-awitterly last year!

I'll be cheering them on.

Menopdatery; Poppy

Recently there was a pupdate on my guide dog sponsorship, Irvine. Today, I bring to you an update on my PDSA sponsorship, Poppy.

This is the charity which helps vets to treat companion animals at an affordable cost to those who may otherwise not be able to afford health care for the pets. There are also now some dedicated PDSA hospitals. Anyway, here's Poppy's news!

NOW FOR AN IMPAWTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON BEHALF OF MARA AND CHARITY -

DO PLEASE CHECK THIS POST AND PUT IN YOUR VOTE!!!

Menosukhi Moments

I was playing aunty to Wee Jock, the new neighbour's Jack Russell, last week. Austin the giant labrador stayed at the family base somewhere South of the Hutch. New neighbour - who shall henceforth be called as KMac, (no relation), is head teacher at a local school. Well. Two schools actually, which is stressful. The flat upstairs is her work-week 'pad'. She felt she wanted the company of at least one of the dogs, but was worried about leaving them alone all day.

Hello aunty.

The wee fella is quite a nervous sorta pup, but settles down nicely after 87 ballistic rounds of the Hutch and a treat from the tin he has very quickly learned lives at the end of the kitchen counter. Attempts were made to photograph the enjoyment of the treat. Blurred hurriedness, over-exposure, under-exposure, angle... There was success, of sorts, in the end...

He really is a cutie-pie though. Majority of the time he just lay snoring beside me as I tapped away at the keyboard.

On that matter of novels and whether they are being written or not - I hit the 10000 word mark on Saturday and am now aiming for the 25000 badge. Am acing the word count thus far and although the 'flow of consciousness' writing is resulting in some things occurring in the tale which I was not expecting, am just letting happen. Bit like life really...

Am off over to Edinburgh tomorrow. That might curtail the count a bit, but being well ahead gives me a buffer. Main thing is, am having fun. Am remembering to take breaks, move, and eat.

Sunday Brunch for budding authors

Menokakkul...errrr.. maybe not... more a Menosukhi

Instead of a giggle today, how about a paper-hanky job? Blogger Angus pointed his readers towards this a few weeks back and it took me a while to listen to it myself... then, of course I had to start researching it; after all, he's an Aussie AND an honourary Scot!!!

First, have a listen; (go on, click that link... it's only 23 minutes of your day and I know you'll love it).

So in that you heard all the bits about the race and a bit about Dion himself... but in this vid clip, you get to hear more about the 'missing days' of Gobi...

...and if all that wasn't enough and you're keen for more, why not pop over to Dion's tubular channel "Finding Gobi" and watch all his personal clips.

Despite all the stuff I found and the apparent media storm, I somehow never heard of this pup and her peep until now... did any of you???

Menosukhi for Monday

It has been a while since the PDSA sent me an update; after Angel moved on, my sponsorship was transferred to Poppy. Here, at last, is some news!

Menosukhi for a Monday

Sorry if the YAMster has been a bit on the dark side of late. She's okay, just needing lots of pretty and fluffy stuff to keep a balance on things. This helps... the new sponsor pup, Irvine's first repawt.