The long and the short of it.

A very short story featuring Bob and his friend Maxwell

It was looking like snow. This was a special event in Ireland.

Bob was sitting staring out the kitchen window. He suspected it might snow but more importantly the oven was humming along with the cook who was rolling out biscuits.

“Hmm, biscuits,” Bob thought and set off to tell Max who lived a short distance away.

Cold, wet weather never bothered him because his thick coat kept everything from touching his skin. The extra bonus was fleas usually died before they fought their way through his coat.

Bob arrived at Max’s door. “Where is Ellie?” Max was peering over Bob’s shoulder.

“Didn’t bring her she is on cookie guard duty.”

Max didn’t linger. His short legs worked hard to keep up with his taller stocky friend.

“What happens if we get lost in this snow,” Max asked Bob as he pushed his way through the deepening snow.

“Trust me,” said Bob, “we won’t.”

However when they passed a tree they had marked some minutes earlier they sought shelter and had a meeting. “We are lost, aren’t we?” Max nudged Bob as he spoke.

“Maybe we should have a nap?” Bob suggested.

Max objected to this and they continued on for a while until they arrived back at the tree once more. “We are lost.” Bob said.

“What can we do?”

Bob sighed. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this? How is your singing voice?”

“Superb” Max boasted.

So together they began to sing, their favourite, – who let the dogs out.

Within minutes they heard a familiar bark and Ellie trotted up to them.

She looked at both dogs covered in layers of snow and simply said, “hurry up the biscuits are cool, well not as cool as you guys” and she led them home.

Much later, Bob and Max sat beside the fire munching on lavender dog biscuits.

“Do you know Bob it was worth the trip. But perhaps we shouldn’t go out in it again. What do you think Ellie?”

“Please don’t, your singing almost knocked the tiles off the roof.” She mumbled as she rolled over for a snooze.

They simply joined her in their favourite competition; snoring.

(Future trouble lay in the fact that Bob was dreaming of digging a tunnel to Max’s house.)

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Ssshh, Don’t tell Fred!

I help out in a local kennels as some of you know. Last time the owner was going was on holidays a problem developed with one of the pups, he had a mild skin condition. “Don’t worry, ” we were told, ” he has finished his medicine and he will be fine.”

He was correct the pup was fine, because – Peggy and me held a conference which entailed the dietary needs of a young dog who was getting over the trauma of losing some of its hair. The result was a special diet and a bath in oatmeal water. It worked, the pup’s coat was the softest we had ever felt. He moved on to his forever home and from what we hear he is never leaving.

Last week just before Fred took off on a few days break, one of the labrador’s was very ill. His weight plummeted. He visited the vet, was diagnosed and antibiotics prescribed.

When the antibiotics were finished, he still  had no appetite,

” Don’t worry,” Fred began. Peggy and I – looked at each other, and tuned out.

The plane hadn’t taxied out of Dublin airport when the debate started.  This time we tried coaxing him to eat by trying tasty foods first.

That is by working our way through all the things we did to coax our kids to eat. The result was a visit to our local health shop, butchers, organic vegetable grower and fishmongers.

A little scrambled egg, no go. Special vegan dish featuring broccoli and carrots – no.

Yoghurt and Manuka Honey, separately then mixed together still didn’t get a result. (Why Manuka? Well we couldn’t find any local honeycombs for sale.)

Organic beef stew – (no onions of course) No.

We were desperate but Peggys last suggestion was a tad different – Jelly but no icecream?

Needless to say, the lab eventually gave in to our coaxing (demands?) and began to tuck into his hot roast chicken dinner, even if it looked a little like an all you can eat buffet for one.

Still It worked. So we admit we are both relieved that this four legged friend is now eating a little more each day.

burst

 

I know we sound a little bit nutty, (Crazy) but if it works ??

Another Year

We, are celebrating another full year of blogging. Thank you to everyone who has connected with myself and my chunky, cuddly dogs.

I was away for a few days and Bob (and Ellie) were being taken care of by my son. He took pity on Bob who does not have a very exciting life and brought him to work with him for a day. The pictures below show a very relaxed chilled out dog, letting the exertions of everyone at the gym wash over him. He was only interested in hugs, or so they thought.

However, during the afternoon, Bob decided it was time for him to take a little creative walk.

He set off, unknown to those working out.

Another athlete walking into the gym couldn’t understand why his remark created such a fuss. “I have just seen a very nice looking husky sitting patiently outside the cupcake factory door.”

Yep, you guessed it, Bob decided his new best friends were going to be the makers of some very nice cupcakes. And everyone thinks Ellie is the smart one!

 

Maria’s Stuff: Trouble of a wireless kind.

Hi just a heads up to everyone, I have not forgotten to check out your blog posts.

My problem is the internet is working in fits and starts which means plenty of walks to cool down in between – which is not Bob’s favorite past time however here are a few pics of him avoiding walking quickly.

Fog filled morning

go slow

\Falling behind

heading to the woods he is behind again

Don’t tell her I am here

Maria’s Stuff: Life in the gym at 50.

My decision to take classes in a local gym stemmed from the following facts.

For the period of eighteen months to two years before June 2013, my life revolved around my parents. My mum’s strokes meant she needed our support and that was that. However, following her death in June 2013 I began to take a look at my own health.

I’ve always been conscious of my health but never more so than after witnessing the devastation that a stroke, diabetes and heart problems can bring to someone’s door.  Add experience with dealing with epilepsy and asthma into the mix and I had good reason to sit and think about my future.

Health is your wealth. Truth.

I decided to step up my fitness regime by doing, Pilates and Kettlebells. All went well and when my husband said he was going to Niall’s gym for some strength and mobility classes I was encouraged to go along.

I have been there once a week for the past five weeks. It has been an eye opener for me.

1              I’m not as unfit as I thought,

2              A combination of working for years at a typewriter or computer has reduced my shoulder mobility and

3              Competitiveness does not diminish with age. (As I quickly discovered when a mini competition began between me and another lady of a good twenty – twenty-five years younger than me.) It was worth the heavy perspiration rate when I noticed the surprised and strained look on her face.

The disadvantages of going into this particular gym are:

1. Niall  – Having the trainer tell you “Mum you really don’t need to push yourself into a state requiring an ambulance, do you?” is a bit disheartening.

2. Letting the whole room know you actually gave birth to their personal fitness trainer is not always a good thing.

3. Bribing your trainer (son) with chocolate cake/cheescake and pancakes does not always work in your favor.

But the advantages are still there,

1. I’ve toned up those dreaded bingo wings.

2. I can manage to keep up with the kids I coach athletics to.

3.  I can eat the said, cheesecake, chocolate cake with less guilt than ever felt before.

 

The only trouble is what happens if and when I stop exercising? Best not to worry just enjoy the cake.

Bob’s Diary: My Favorite Dinner.

Bob’s favorite recipe:

Ingredients:

Tripe is one I prefer best but if there is none available, any bit of chicken will do, some veg: example – one carrot, parsnip or a few chunks of turnip, brown rice,  a tablespoon of sunflower oil, natural seaweed vitamin supplement,

Method,

Boil chicken in a little water add carrots and rice simmer until cooked. Mix in a teaspoon of supplement and a tablespoon of sunflower oil.