HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY ? WELL WHATEVER HE IS, HE'S WORTH IT.
So there鈥檚 a big survey out today that says owning a dog is generally very good for you, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, general all round better health. I couldn鈥檛 agree more, having a doggy is like鈥
鈥 having a permanent mantra. The dog never changes, so it always brings you back to the same place when it鈥檚 around. I normally talk to Enzo when I鈥檓 in a good mood, so just looking at him or thinking about him makes me feel that way. He鈥檚 the best.
However !
Boy does he moult, he moults all the time. I brush him nearly every day and I swear if I carried on brushing him, hairs would just continue to fall out until he was bald. The most depressing thing is when I鈥檝e just finished brushing him and then he stands against the window silhouetted and I can see the next wave of stray hairs sticking out and taking their turn to fall on to another part of my fast becoming hairy floor.
This morning we had a discussion and I decided it was time for my friend Henry to have a go, Henry is my little vacuum. To my marginal surprise Enzo didn鈥檛 mind at all, in fact I think he quite liked it but alas still the stray hairs remain victorious.
Now, as I type, I am covered in real, authentic German Shepherd, lots of him. And as I do so, Enzo is a sleep, next to me, not a care in the world, dreaming of his next meal, or some furry frauline far off someplace else and as I look at him I suddenly feel better about what I have no idea, just better.
Hairs to him !
CLP x.
Comments
And a good day to you Mr Evans, and Enzo, of course.
How does it feel
To treat me like you do
When you鈥檝e laid your hands upon me
And told me who you are
Apparently, today is Blue Monday.
But, having got through our sticky patch last week, I think that today is the first day of Spring as far as the blog is concerned.
Detox Day 22. As a moderate drinker, I was unsure how a month off the sauce was going to go. Would I be chewing the cushions on a Saturday night thinking about oak aged chardonnay? Could I endure a bad day at the office with the knowledge that there wasn鈥檛 going to be the fffssstttt & glug, glug, glug of an ice cold beer at the end of it?
I have really enjoyed it. No, really. As one of the fully paid up members of the Blog Insomniacs Society, one of the first major benefits I have found is good quality sleep. Not only have I slept well during the week, at the weekends, a time when the odd glass of wine or two have been know to go down, I have slept like a baby. Ten, sometimes twelve hours a night!. I have gotten used to this bizarre sensation of feeling refreshed and ready to go on a Monday morning. Weird or what?.
I could get used to this.
I decided to compile my Desert Island Discs yesterday. You know, just in case the phone rings and I am called as a late stand in for someone. It is really hard to do and like many lists, depends on the mood that you are in when you do it. Anyway, here goes;
Anarchy In The UK 鈥 Sex Pistols
Thank You 鈥 Led Zeppelin
Adagio For Strings 鈥 Samuel Barber
Find The River 鈥 REM
Breakdown 鈥 Guns n Roses
Jesus To A Child 鈥 George Michael
God Only Knows 鈥 The Beach Boys
Fake Plastic Trees 鈥 Radiohead
Book 鈥 Complete Works Of Bill Bryson
Luxury 鈥 A Radio (worldwide multi-band thingy, of course)
Could all be different tomorrow........
Oh good. It鈥檚 now chucking it down with rain. Again.
Happy week all.
Peace
MfR
PS 鈥樷橢ver get the feeling you鈥檝e been had?鈥欌
Morning all (again)
Enzo sounds like a real treasure, make the most of him!
Where's this big chill we've been promised, I know it's chilly but it's a beautiful day, birdies are singing and the sun is out, a day to not be at work methinks :o(
TTFN all bloggers and schloggers
Tiggyxx
I think I agree about the dog thing, but i am a cat person. cats are very relaxing, very cuddly and very very demanding. My cats have trained me well, when they want food, a cuddle, water, infact everything. I have one cat called Mack (mackpoos) he wakes me up every moring, he is better than putting the alarm on snooze he knows when I have to get up and when I am sleeping in, very clever considering he does not wear a watch, and may not be aware of the days of the week.
but I think it is having a pet that is good for you, what ever your pet.
Jackie
Know what you mean about a dog. We lost our mutt (Delbert, long story as to how he got that name) this time last year at the ripe old age of 20. He was replaced almost immediately (well you have to do something with those Sunday dinner scraps) with a black and white bundle of mischief we called Buster - he has added a new verb to our family as you can now get Bustered !! He is great fun but there is still a big hole in our hearts for Deli, still you can not be down for long when the big eyes are looking at you so dotingly
Good Monday Chris!
Good Monday All!
Pets are good. That is all there is to it. I am totally AMAZED that he let Henry anywhere near him. I have three cats (none of who I need to brush thank goodness although they shed all the time!!!) none of whom will give the hoover the time of day, least of all let it near them!
With the general wellbeing of having a pet around, there was a survey done years ago about the beneficial properties of having pets in hospitals and various other institutions. The main pet discussed was the cat, being of particular use for those with arthritis in their hands, or other ailments involving the arm. The constant and regular stroking of a cat was particularly recommended as it can increase blood flow to the arm and hand, helping it to heal more quickly, or at least help it feel less painful. As you say on your blog, the lowering of cholesterol, and blood pressure were two other benefits of having a cat as the stroking causes a feeling of satisfaction in the stroker.
As I remember, the cat was considered the most popular because (of course depending on it鈥檚 training and individual personality!) they are quieter, less intrusive, less likely to bite (or peck鈥) and, being generally independent, more likely to make lots of different friends!
It was also 鈥榩roved鈥 that the memories and general alertness levels of the inhabitants (in the homes studied) were improved, which was put down to two main reasons. One being that they tried to remember the animal鈥檚 name, and the second, that it meant they had another鈥檚 welfare to consider, and so were less likely to be immersed in their own illness.
Anyway, (at risk of sounding self-pitying) for those of you who have read any of my comments regarding my cat, Barney. I think it is highly likely that the end is near for him. He has never been a moment鈥檚 trouble, just gorgeous, loving, quiet and funny. I'm going to miss him so much bless him.
...so in conclusion...
Chris - Enjoy Enzo. He'll be with you through thick and thin, and don't ever take him for granted!
pedigree whiskers
love
hazel
x
ps kibbles
Chris,
How do you do it, and at the risk of sounding sycophantic, how do you capture the feelings I have towards my cats so perfectly.
My cats, and pets in general, don't care what sort of day you've had, all they care is that you've come back to them, to feed them, to stroke them, to spend time with them and to take some care of them, to share some love with them, and in return they will do the same for you.
If people treated other people the way the vast majority of people treat their pets, then the world would be a much nicer place. Yes there are some lowlifes out there who dont have the intelligence to care for an animal.
In general, good pet owner - good person.
DD out
PS Mrs DD off to work at the BMJ for the first time today - sent her off to work with a kiss, a cuddle and an "I love you".
Thank Goodness!
Doggies are wonderful! Wish I could have one... WE always had them when I was a kid and the love and devotion they give is second to none.
Here's to our hairy, sometimes smelly, but always devoted doggies!!!
S xx.
PS - I wanna be first!!!!
Hi Chris (and everyone)
Calling in to say "hi" - don't like to miss a day!
I have never had a dog and I really don't think I will ever get one. I have to be honest, I'm a little scared of them and of course any dogs I meet know this! However, I can completely understand that they are man's best friend. My husband owned a dog about 35 years ago and he STILL talks about him!!
Love to all today - Monday is never easy!
C xx
P.S. I DO like cats!!
I think we need to genetically engineer dogs that don't shed hair.
Or what about make their hair magnetic - then all dog owners could have a little metal pole in their flat/house, and train the dog to rub against it, all the magnetic hairs would stick to the pole.
Or make the dogs bald. With global warming going the pace it is, they wouldn't be cold for long. Might look a bit funny though, and not be as nice to stroke or snuggle up with or whatever. It would probably eradicate any flea problems too.
Talking of fleas, did anyone see the program on religion last night (Dawn French narrates) where Stuart Maconie tells the story of a little child that drew a nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and an insect. when asked by the teacher about the picture, the child replied the story said that God told Joseph to "take Mary and flee to Egypt".
Boy did I laugh out loud!
Anyway, once all the genetic engineering has been thoroughly tested on dogs, maybe I could get some for me?
Moose
PS Huge sigh of relief...
PPS Big hugs to Barney!
Hi there,
I have two dogs and they are so old now. I can't take them out for walks as when I get back one of them actually can't stand up again for hours and she creaks so badly.
I love them to bits and look at them with a kind of sadness now and they look at me the same way sometimes. Especially when I open the back door to let them out when it's cold. I'm making the most of every day with them.
Here's to a good week and roll on the Summer x
Afternoon CLP & All
I know what you mean, my auntie owns a Springer Spaniel called Scotty, he a trained gun dog but is so timid and shy that he doesn;t like the loud bangs and I think that makes him the best!
He is so loving and when I have him for a weekend we enjoy every second of it, long walks without a lead or worrying about him running off, he goes bonkers when its time to go out in the field and runs aound sniffing and flollowing scents and rabbits, not that he ever catches them or would harm them but just thinking about him immediately improves my mood! Smile!!! Warm fuzzy glow!
I'm looking forward to my Auntie going away in the summer so Scotty and I can enjoy some quality time together!
Hope you all had a good weekend, roast pork with apples & Roasted potatoes with Bay leaves in them really worked beautifully!
have a good day all
HI Chris
I joined the doggy owning brigade on sunday.
a black and white bundle of fluff called badger, got him from the local dogs trust centre.
however, he didn't make me feel all warm fluffy and happy at one o'clock this morning ......when he was yapping to be let out of his pen..;-)
still he gave me such a big hug when i let him out it was all worth it.
take care one and all
I am so so so so so so so happy. I have found out today I have received a B on my lastest and last Uni module so I have got my degree - thats me Cathmel BSc Cancer Care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be honest I had an awful week last week. Out of the blue my grieving for Dad became uncontrollably painful and I had to take a day off from work because I couldn't stop crying I thought my heart would break.
Anyway I had planned to be positive this week and it's the best start I could hope for and also my firend has tickets for the BB eviction on Friday night and has invited me. I haven't been too vocal about my love of the programme but I went to an eviction last series and I was also on Big Mouth with Russell Brand. So so far so good this week!!
As to dogs I totally agree getting Jasper has changed my life. Even though I still get nasty fat dog comments when I take him out I have stopped explain to people that I adopted him big from Battersea and I have helped him loose 20kg now! I adore him
Happy Monday people
C (BSc)
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wonder: do dogs equally enjoy dreaming about meals and actually having those meals?
Would this be a side-effect of the Pavlov's dog effect? Does your dog eat well just after waking up from a big meal dream?
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007when...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee .
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S.Treasury.
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
Coca-Cola was originally green.
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
Hi Chris - couldnt agree more about dogs being good for you. You are so lucky to have one even if he is a bit hairy. Unfortunately I work all day so cant have one. I know lots of people who work all day and do have dogs but I think that is so unfair on the poor lonely dog. I have got 2 cats tho which is a consolation at least - Djinji (pronounced Jinji) whose a tortoiseshell and is currently being bullied by neighbours bruiser called Bill so is scared to go out and makes me worry about her ever increasing full bladder. The other is called Carly Jones-he's black and half his top lip is missing which makes his tongue stick out permanantly which makes him look a bit durghh! They are both lovely but give me a dog any day. Speak tomorrow.
Love, Sandra x
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
Good Afternoon Chris
One of the things missing from my life is a dog. Unfortunately we are not allowed to have dogs or cats in the block of flats where I live. However I do get my fix from my Sister's dog, who I adore and may I be so bold as to say he feels the same about me :-) well he certainly gives me that impression! He is always there to greet me and loves it when we go for our walks.
We had a lovely walk yesterday and on the way back in the car he just sat in the passenger footwell looking up at me, he looked up at me with so much love in his eyes it brought a tear to mine!
Like Enzo he also moults but my sister has him groomed to try to keep his coat short, he is a Laso Apso, so he is long haired but keeping him short and brushing him regularly does help a bit!
Not sure a german shepherd would look right with a short back and sides :-))
You did make me laugh when you said you got your friend Henry the vacuum to help, I imagined a right calamity would have taken place but suffice to say good old Enzo took it in his stride!
See you at 5.
Mary xx
great
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
Hi Chris
I know just what you mean re dog hairs. Ive got a black lab and a king charles. WHAT A MESS!!! but i love them to bits.
Keep up the great show
Cheers
Craig P
Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of th huan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
I think the same can be said for all pets, they keep us sane, they keep their heads while all around are losing theirs. I have cats and whenever I am stressed or unhappy I just think of my happy place which is me lying in bed with my cats all around me. It works every time. One of my cats (Mr Big) is diabetic and last Thursday I had to take him to the vets. I thought it was the usual diabetic related problems he was having but unfortunately they have found a tumour, so my most handsome man is not very well at all. It makes me extremely sad and tearful to think that soon he will be gone, but I only have to look at him and I smile because he is so loving and handsome and I remember when he was a kitten and the things he used to do and it still makes me laugh. There is a lot to be said for having pets, that鈥檚 for sure.
I used to have dogs in my 20's but I wasn't a good owner as all I was interested in was drinking and chasing women. Walking the dogs would have been better as although I was good at drinking I was rubbish at catching the girls.
So then I had a gap and now, at the age of 44 and with 3 kids we thought it might be a good idea to get a dog from the Dog Welfare Trust in Kenilworth.
Our oldest lad, my stepson, had been piling on the pounds and we thought that having a dog would encourage him to exercise. I was strict and said that it wasn't my responsibility. After all it was the others who wanted one, not me.
Little did I know that I would fall head over heels for a black labrador named FONZI. Aged 2-3 and with soulful eyes and a very loving and gentle disposition no-one in the family gets a look in. He is MY dog and I walk him religiously 3 times a day. a) it gets me out the house at bathtime and b) I love the solitude and c) I can listen to my MP3 without having to shout when someone asks me a question.
At night he curls up at my feet. How my life has changed. Gone are the nightclubs and beer, replaced by moderation, relaxation, grey hair and slippers. I fancy a pipe but it wouldn't agree with my asthma.
All because of FONZI, the greatest dog in the world.
PS:- Not keen on picking up the poop but at least the Council have plenty of bins.
Afternoon everybody :o)
I totally agree with you about doggy companions Chris - When Charley was alive I used to have so much fun playing with him and was so happy when he would come up on the sofa and sit on my knee - he was a dalmation lap dog!
I don't think it's the fact that just owning sa dog makes you healthier, surely you walk him everyday which will help the health thing.
Chatting to animals is ideal as they never answer back, unless you happen to be talking about biscuits, dinner, walkies or in Charley's case a milky drink. At which point they prick their ears up and run to the kitchen!
While it was heartbreaking to lose the C at such a young age with cancer, we're now in the market for a new spotty friend and I can't wait until they arrive.
:o) Jo
I love dogs I do....
Can't have them tho. Asthma. Sneezy and Itchy Type Asthma.
Buns ok. cats not so good, but Dogs worst of all.
AND THEY ARE SO CUTE. Very unfair.
Apparently Labradoodles Are very good for Asthma people. (I refuse to call myself a sufferer), it's not exactly suffering is it? But we are out of the house all day, so it wouldnt be fair.
My mum lost her Dogwithnobrain this time last year, and has decided against getting a new doggy friend, but has decided instead to offer Doggy Day Care. That way she has the joy and the benefits of being around pooches, but not quite the same level of pain when they decide to depart.
DWNB
CONGRATULATIONS Cathmel (Bsc) xxxxxx
Mary
Congratulations Cathmel!
Moose
Hi Chris,
I would quite like a dog of my own but have a Jack Russell next door that I can borrow anytime. The bonus is absolutely no expense or dog-hair and no commiment!
I do however have a ginger Maine Coon cat, Toodie, and he is very very big and very very hairy. I was sweeping the wood floors and using a wet cloth on the carpets and upholstery EVERY day because of the abundance of his shed hair until I was told to give him just one teaspoon of cod liver oil on his food every day. What a shout that was! For the past year or so I have seen hardly any fluff which is just as well because unbeknownst to him he was very nearly sharing a home with a Jack Russell!
I also keep the heating off which is supposed to help with moulting for obvious reasons but that's just because I prefer a cool environment and a cosy jumper. Much better for the airwaves. xx
Where's that sunshine today? It's not looking for me that's for sure. It's a good job I carry my own with me.
Hope you're sunny on the inside too.
Happy Monday,
x x x x x Debs x x x x x
PS An interesting title for your blog today.......we sing that song to Toodie a lot......and Daddy Wouldn't But Me A Bow-Wow. He hates it!
Dogs are fab! Tomorrow is my dog Chilli's 3rd birthday. She's a feisty little mutt who barks at the postie, loves frozen peas and running on beaches and makes me laugh and swear in almost equal measure. Best 拢100 I ever spent!
As for the moulting, trade your Henry in for a compact Dyson animal - every time I do the carpet I get enough hair to make another dog! How does that work?! It's not as if Chilli is looking any balder....
ChrissieS #8...
Are you me?!!!!...
You sure sound like me!!!!
Afternoon bloggers, schloggers and Chris,
I believe, I believe, dogs can indeed help you with health and wellbeing. As owning a dog comes with responsibilities one of which is exercise ;-) I have a Black lab (Charlie)and a Jack Russell (Murphy) and they get so excited at the thought of going for a W.A.L.K (we have to spell it out for fear of the house being trashed by wagging tails). People without dogs in their life have to be far more committed to getting exercise as my dogs do not seem to care what the weather is like outside they still want to go out!
I am sure Enzo will really enjoy the attention of Henry. For my dogs we have a glove that we put on to grooms them as they are short haired. They do love it though, I am not sure if it is the sensation or the attention. As for moulting my lab is horrendous he leaves jet black hairs every time he lays down on any surface. It is a constant battle trying to keep them in check.
Later all,
Keith
xx
P.S. How do you know you're really ugly?
Dogs close their eyes when they're humping your leg.
Hiya,
I've got a dog called Hooch who is 11 and is a springer/labrador/red setter cross (his mother got around a bit!!) Love him to bits though I do get sick of throwing stones for him constantly.
I'm more of a cat person - we have 7 indoor cats - Muffin, Mallow, Cadabra, Sweep, Jet, Humbug and Billie Whiskers. Sweep, Jet and Humbug were hand reared from the day they were born along with 2 other siblings who have been rehomed.
In addition we have a feral group of about 25 cats which I have been having neutered over a period of time in conjunction with the Cats Protection League. My husband recons I'm like the Pied Piper at feeding time with a long line of cats following me across the farm yard. They are all very friendly and one of them looks like the Cat in the Hat from Dr Seuss!!
And then there are the dairy cows and cattle......!!
Love and purrs
Claire
xxx
Hey Chris et al
Well My dog is called Frodo, he is a border collie, and sheds hair at a ridiculous rate, so much so I have to sweep vacuum everyday of my life! But totally worth it when your ill on the sofa and he sticks completely by your side!!!
My weekend was full to the brim and I am still recovering from the abuse i put my body through.
I do feel very humble though, I am listening to jeremy vine and he is talking about children with downsyndrome. The parents go through so much emotionally and physically.
Being a parent is hard at the best of times, just trying to get it right! But wow, I feel so so so lucky right now! The lack of money, own home ect ect seems completely arbitary!!!
love em26
PS Well done cathmel!!
Afternoon Chrissie Boy,
Just came back from the Ricky Gervais gig in Hammersmith last night - he's still on form.
Would you be a dear and try to stick more photos on the blog - we've seen them before so we know ITS IN YOU POWER!!
I'd like to see Enzo and the moulting - not sure if it would endear me to dogs again or put them off me altogehter!!
Have yourself a very nice Monday - enjoy the rain that I left you in London this morning - its beautifully sunny in Belfast here as I overlook the Lagan river - ha! Na na na na na . . .
Afternoon Chrissie Boy,
Just came back from the Ricky Gervais gig in Hammersmith last night - he's still on form.
Would you be a dear and try to stick more photos on the blog - we've seen them before so we know ITS IN YOUR POWER!!
I'd like to see Enzo and the moulting - not sure if it would endear me to dogs again or put them off me altogehter!!
Have yourself a very nice Monday - enjoy the rain that I left you in London this morning - its beautifully sunny in Belfast here as I overlook the Lagan river - ha! Na na na na na . . .
I love big dogs (but I'm open to persuasion by other sizes that are available).....what a lovely friend you have there Chris.
When I was little we used to have a Great Dane, called Sheba. We borrowed a book from the library entitled 'How to train your Great Dane'.....you lot are already there, aren't you!!!??? Yep, you are right, Sheba ate it. The remants were returned to the library and, needless to say, the book didn't go on the 'recommended' list.
Gaby
xx
ps yep, big sigh
pps lots of love to you, Hazel and Barney xxx
Chris
I know what you are on about with dog hairs we have a wonderful GS and she loves to be vaccumed she will even roll over so both sides and belly can be done its great having a dog for company and Enzo wont argue back with you so you can tell him what you like!!!
p.s Cant wait for the show
Morning all again - or afternoon even.
Meant to say Keith, so pleased you got such great news!!!
Chris, totally agree about having a pet. They are the most therapeutic creatures. Nothing better than a tired, happy dog at your feet (or on your sofa or your bed, in our house!), or a sleeping, contented cat, half purring to itself as you stroke it. You're never alone or lonely, with a pet.
xxxx
Happy Monday Chris et al
I quite agree about dogs making you feel better. It didn't matter how bad a day I'd had, or how bad a mood I was in, my lovely old labrador would greet me in exactly the same way every time. Even if I'd only popped out for five minutes, when I returned it was as if I'd been gone for years, such was his obvious delight at seeing me. I know it was probably mostly cupboard love but I like to think that he really did love me too!!!!
I never used the vacuum cleaner on him but he did like me drying him off with my hairdryer - only on the low setting, before anyone screams "cruelty to animals" at me!!!
Here's to a good week.
jillygoat xx
cathmel....CONGRATULATIONS!!
Gaby
hi there we have a collie cross lab 'tom' for 15 years, as well as brushing we have had the vacumn on him on numerous occassions to no avail we've given up now on the hoovering. just get the loose bits off and a good brushing every other day but its down to the central heating because they get used too it outside and come in a cosy house confuses their coats, this may be the last winter we have too put up with it considering his age albeit i'm sure we'll replace him with the same kind but maybe ashort hair!!!!!!!!!!!!
LONG LIVE TOM!!!!!!!!!!!
BigUn, I've just thrown up. Yeuk.
Cathmel BSc Cancer Care. - Go You!!!! Wooo
Wooo
MFR - Can't do Desert Island Disk. My choices change from minute to minute. let alone day to day.
Hazelove.... Aw Barney.....
Jackie S .... Our last cat died in the summer, I still find myself throwing lumps of meat onto the floor for her....
DWNB
See I tried... but I couldn't stay away.
Hazel Love - so sorry about Barney and big hugs to you both {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Cathmel BSc - well done you !!!!
jillygoat xx
PS. (from a while ago) Hazel Love I know exactly how you are feeling, we lost Nutty cat a couple of years ago at age 17, then Charley just before Christmas... Let yourself have a good cry when you need to and it will (slowly) get easier. We can now talk about the C without getting upset although we still really miss him, not quite graduated to putting the family photo's back up yet though....
PPS. When Barney's time comes I'll send word to make sure that Charley doesn't chase him or bite his tail uninvited.
Claire,
Now you've gone and got me feeling all hungry...why did you have to name the first cat THAT!!!!
Moose
PPPS. That ^ was me btw :o) Jo
Difference Between Women And Men
1.NAMES
If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
2.EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in a $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the women get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.
3.MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need, but it's on sale.
4.BATHROOMS
A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Marriott. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
5.ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that... is the beginning of a new argument.
6.CATS
Women love cats. Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.
7.FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
8.SUCCESS
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can
spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
9.MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
10.DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
11.NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
12.OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
13.THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.
AND FINALLY....
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
Good Afternoon Mr. Evans, Good Afternoon All,
Dogs are without doubt one of the best things in the whole wide world. I love all 6 of mine.
My little Maisy is my constant companion and as a toy poodle she doesn鈥檛 moult so now worries with hair !!! I find her snoring unbearable but she makes up for it in so many other ways...
One of the best things we ever did was registering our dogs as P.A.T dogs. This means they can be used for Pets As Therapy. Its a fantastic service where they are completely vetted and go through a series of behaviour tests etc before being registered. Once registered they can then visit hospitals, old peoples homes etc where people who might not otherwise have access to a pet can spend some time with animals, hence pets as therapy. Its wonderful to see how much joy they can bring.
The time of year is probably not helping Enzo's coat much at the moment. He no doubt will be changing from one coat to another. GSD`s do have a tendency to be famed for their moulting.
It might well be worth giving him some fish a couple of times a week as this will help with the oils in the skin. It has been known to reduce moulting.
Good Luck !!!
It looks like one of our old girls, Tizer, will not be with us much longer. Terribly sad as she has been a wonderful dog for 14 years. She is going down hill quite quickly at the moment, still happy enough in her self but unfortunately don`t think we have much time left with her....
She is a wonderful dog and is very very loved.
Hope all is well in everyone鈥檚 world today.
Congrats Cathmel :)
Fantastic news Keith 鈥 I`m really pleased for you.
Until Next Time
Tracey-Ann x x x
Hazel - {{{hugs}}} to you and Barney xx
Moose - I laughed out loud too!
While we are on the subject of hair - can I ask a question regarding human hair? I have terrible trouble with static in my hair, does anyone have any tips on how to prevent this? I have to be careful what I use because I have a very sensitive scalp (tut tut to those of you who wondered where this was going! :-))
Mary xx
cathmel - I think it's the time of year...
...anyway, BIG CONGRATULATIONS XXX very well done babe! (or should that be Doctor babe?)
and Grizabella, you are so right, and I'm thinking of you and Mr Big! My Barney has chronic kidney failure, and he's only six, so your sentiments are spot on for me too xx
pommes d'or
love
hazel
x
ps snow on one side, sun on the other. The robin doesn't know where to put himself!
Hi Chris,
Henry just ain,t gonna cut it in dealing with your dog hairs. You will need a mega powerfull hoover to keep the hairs at bay.
I used to find that the more you brush the more they tend to moult, though it is seasonal if I recollect.
They have a delicate constitusion, so be carefull what you feed him, they love boiled up tripe, though the smell can be a bit overpowering.
Fish is good for them but the tinned dog food just used to go right through my dog, the best balance I found was a dry mix, with a tin of sardines mixed in, just in oil though .
Pottsie.
Hi Y'all
Chris, well y'all could save the hairs up and have an overcaot made.
Turn all yer heating off and open all yer windows. That will fool Enzo into thinkin it was winter and stop him molting. After you get your overcoat made of course.
Hope that helps.
Hey, shame about that cute little fella Chalky.
Have a nice day y'all
hello lovely chris and all,
Aren't our pets wonderful Chris you're right! I do have to agree with you Hazel Love and Dissing Dave I love Cats. And I love my Cat. I think I mentioned that until April last year we had two cats, sisters, but we had to take Molly-cat to be put down as she had a tumour in her stomach. I wore myself out crying - and i STILL have a sniffle when I think of her;- she used to climb on your lap and put her front paws over your shoulder with her back paws on your legs like a big stretchy cuddle, and when she was really feeling cuddly she'd climb on your shoulders and wind herself round and keep fidgetting almost like she was trying to get INSIDE your skin.
Poor Sophie-cat was left behind, but has taken up the challenge of being in charge of us all on her own very well. Every morning she comes down the stairs with me and waits patiently (NOT) for her breakfast - which she is not allowed till 7am. So when she has eaten, she climbs back upstairs and goes into my son's room to wake him up for school. Once he's up and sorted she goes and disturbs my other half, waking him up for work.
She knows that mummy will see her right, so that in the evening when i come in, even if she is snuggled on my other half or my son's lap she jumps down, looks up at me miaou's and marches into the kitchen to wait for her tea. That done, she warms up the sofa ready for us to return to after dinner, and sits on our feet to keep them warm. If we don't go to bed in time she sits on the stairs and miaou's at us until we go up, when she knows she is allowed to relax.
I love her so much, she relaxes me and reminds me that there are truly good things in the world and that she is one of them. Even thinking about her makes me smile.
Having said that I think like Barney, her time for looking after us is nearly over, and given that she is 15 years old, she may be soon be following Molly to boss her around some more. Don't know what I'll do when she does.
Right have bored you all stupid having not blogged for days and days and days. in any case hope all is well - must go back and check how the bloggers meeting thing went.
love to all, will be back at some point in the next three weeks.... if have time!
Em Sk xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
tough
During my visit to Argos today, I couldn't help but notice that they had a new catalogue available with a delightful and varied selection of 'summer' garden furniture.
Does this mean that the hose-pipe ban has been re-instated?
Cathmel,
C is for congratulations B is for brilliant ;-))
Well done!
Keith
xx
Hi all,
I would love a dog but unfortunately my son is seriously allergic, we laugh that when he leaves home (he's only 10) we weill get one, but of course we won't. Enzo sounds lovely, lucky you and lucky him.
Great news cathmel, well done!
Em xx
Well done Cathmel!
MfR
Hairs to you too Chris n team..!
hope you've had a wonderful weekend, and am
all geared up for this weeks Radio 2 shows..? Drivetime is sure fun once more..
don't let the cold wind get you down..
bad times...
cheer up!
about 100 days til summer is with us once more..
Goodtimes ! xx
I know the feeling with the Dog hair, my border collie is dreadful for it - it's like tumbleweed whenever I open a door it rolls accross the kitchen floor!! - The cat is equally bad furtunately she tends to keep it mostly in her bed which is like having an extra cat there's that much fur lining the bed.
And as for washing the beds - what a nightmare - can't take them to the launderette - there's big notices saying no dog beds. If I put them in my washer it takes six months before the clothes stop coming out hairy and then every twelve it breaks down cos of the accumulated fluff!! I am fortunate - my sister has a seperate washer for the animal beds so I just take mine round to hers for washing!!
Absolutely love the show Chris - missed you lots when you were away
love Claire
1st time blogger
xxxxx
I've posted two entries today - both at around 1pm - yet neither have appeared yet and it's now 3pm - grrrrrrrrrr.
I bet, by the time this one arrives, they will both have miraculously appeared!!
It's freezing cold here in Kent and we're in for sleet tomorrow - oh great .......
I'm off to Paris on Friday and their forecast that day is snow showers, so I can't escape it can I?
G'day
jillygoat x
Hi Moose
are you a bird or a bloke?
Clearing up the hairs just never ends. That said it's a price that must be paid for having a hound, especially the most noblest, the German shepherd dog. Another thing is if any fashion conscious women come around your house, chances are they won't appreciate getting covered in doggy hairs, but that will just tell you they weren't right for you. At bedtime my dog likes to sleep curled up in the middle of my double bed ensuring his place in the pecking order - he has got quite Victorian values when it comes to me canoodling with anyone else, so he can put the mockers on any romance. Though all in all he's utterly lovable and the life and soul of the house.
We have four cats, I say we, but they all know that Mrs DD is the soft touch, and they will generally go to her first for attention, even though it's Dad that feeds them and keeps them hydrated. To summarise we have Domino mainly black and white, our old girl, 13 years old, dodgy legs but loves to sleep in her basket next to the radiator, enjoys her food and tells you exactly what she wants with her eyes whether that be a stroke, a cuddle or more food.
Then we have Bitsy a brindle tortoiseshell, a year younger than Dommy, used to be the bruiser and fighter of our brood, she now accepts that she is knocking on a bit and just wants to cuddle. She can however, still turn on a sixpence and when in skitsy bitsy mode watch out everyone.
Then we have Snugsy, seven years old, a silver tabby, so named because when my wife first picked her up as a kitten at the rescue home she snuggled straight into my wifes neck. She seems to be totally in tune with my wife's moods and emotions, if my wife is a little down Snugs will not leave her side (or more accurately stomach), when wife is alright you won't see Snugs until ten to ten when she comes in for a cuddle with her mum before bed.
Last but definitely not least, we have Casper, 3 years old, our little boy, similar markings to Domino, but has white socks on his back legs. Keeps our girls in line, thinks they are his harem. Totally mad spends half his life chasing nothing in particular, very mischieveous. He is the reason that Bitsy is now a cuddle cat and not our bruiser. Will scare the living daylights out of his sisters by pouncing on them, but has been seen to protect them at the sign of a fight. Has got a lazy right eye lid which only manifests itself when he is tired. Cute as a button though.
All of our cats have come from CPL or rescue homes, and brighten up our lives all the time.
DD out
PS Love watching my cats sleeping and dreaming about chasing birds and mice.
I suppose if we did collect his hair and asked, maybe Georgio Armani, to make a coat from it we could sell it in Italy for huge amounts of money as a
Fur-Hairy Enzo
Car joke. OK, perhaps not.
MfR
Christophe Lammie Pie, just a thought...actually a couple of thoughts...
Please 'scuse me if I am incorrect in my assumption, but I believe Enzo didn't live with you on a permanent basis before, did he?
IF NOT...Where he previously lived may have been slightly cooler, or he may have been outside more, so now he's warmer and indoors, this could be helping him to moult more...if this is the reason, hopefully he'll get used to the change before long, and his shedding won't be so bad!
The other thought, some animals lose their fur through stress - it's so you can't catch them when they run away - you're just left with hands full of fur! For instance, if a cat is stressed but is stationary, they still shed, therefore, as Enzo is now your permanent companion, and he loves you to bits, the changes in his life may still be causing him some worry, so the shedding may slow down as he becomes more adjusted to his new constant lifestyle.
The wind coming in the window (MASSIVE draft) is giving me ear ache. It would appear to have changed direction as I didn't have this trouble last Thursday. However, the rain (for that read sleet)(other types of water pollution are available) is still pouring under the door. Much more of this and I'll be sitting, having crashed through a rotten floor, under a hut in the middle of a field...
fuerte ventura
love
hazel
x
ps This post was brought to you by 'www.NotEnoughCommas.Com'(ma)
Think I was BP's
Was just trying to say that Hazel Love - I know how you feel, although time does make things easier (I feel much less weepy and upset after only 6 weeks since Charley went)
Then I think I may have said that when Barney's time comes I'll send word so that Charley doesn't chase him or bite his tail uninvited (he did that to our Nutty Cat when he was a puppy!)
:o) Jo
Hi ya Lovely Fella
There's a product you can get called Moult (I think it's by Vetzyme) and it is supposed to help reduce the 'fall out'
Problem is, the more you brush, the more you'll stimulate his folicles and so it goes on.... Also, central heating confuses dogs cos they're used to living outside (well maybe not used to it as most now live INside, but they're designed to live outside) so when it's warm their bodies tell them it's Summer and time for a new coat.
See, I told you I was a doggy expert!
Anyway, you're right, having a dog is fab and I love my lady Mabel to bits as well as my other two Poppy and Tucker. They're all mastiffs and very lovable, even with the slobber (my version of dog hairs).
Looking forward to the show tonight cos you always cheer up my journey home.
Have fun Christophe et al. Love to all the shloggers, Jo Wood xxxx
Well swimming on Friday was GGRRRREEEAAATTT (as Tony the Tiger would say)
Charlie was in mega splashing mode, so my idea of keeping my hair perfectly dry for a well earned night out on Friday was shot to pieces.
Was all worth it though to see my boy re-creating the rubbadubbers in our local pool!! (its a cbeebies thing - If you've got under 5's you'll know!)
On the subject of dogs, our cheeky 7yr old Westie (Oscar) has just had crusceate ligament surgery on his back leg, due to an unfortunte tripping incident by Mr SammyM, needless to I'm top of his 'please stroke me' list and Mr SammyM has been banished to the bottom of the pack. Even Charlie is allowed to fuss him, which is usually unheard of!!!
Love the idea of the Pets for Therapy, although sometimes I think Osc could do with Therapy for Pets - poor little mite!
Anyway - on the home run now, 1hr and 55mins left of SW (Stinky Work)
Adios amigos xx
Just a quickie to say thank you to Hazel Love. Mr. Big and I send lots of hugs and kisses and purrs and meows to you and Barney.
xx
Molting...maulting..... my spelling is on form again today...... is a nightmare.
him in doors told me that we should get an airedale terrier cos they dont molt. We did. They do.... ok so not like some dogs, but the hair tumble weed that regularly frequents the corners of my kitchen floor didnt just appear! Jess regularly gets her hair cut tho and when its short she doesnt lose any really.
She gives good cuddles, is great with the man cub and doesnt even mind that she isnt quite at the top of my list of priorities now that i am a mummy.
She even gets forgiven for emptying the bin and stealing the nappies....moral of the story - oh ive done that one before!
xx
PS Hazel, Tracey-Ann & Em SK - [hugs]
PPS DD - hope the missus had a good first day!
PPPS Moose - nice PS's!
PPPPS Cathmel - way to go girlfriend!!
PPPPPS Keith - Rejection is bad enough at the best of times, but from my dog too!!
I did post this earlier but for some reason it did not make it through the mafia!
Can anyone tell me why?
Cathmel,
C is for congratulations B is for brilliant ;-))
Well done!
Keith
Xx
sorry to interrupt, but one of the guys has just come in, and said 'Can't believe all this different weather we're having...there'll be a plague of lotus next!'
This is totally and 100% true. I think he thinks East Angular is abroad too.
love
hazel
x
ps MfR - that's not a car joke, THAT'S a car joke...
I keep being zapped!! Don't know why - I am being REALLY nice!
Lots of wee things I wanted to say:
Cathmel BSc - congratulations! All your hard work has paid off!
Grizabella, Hazel Love and Tracey-Ann - thinking of you and your precious pets.
Parker #23 - you are a mine of information. Loved the mixed up word thingy!
Soozy Woo #32 - believe me, I thought long and hard about telling the truth! We are a nation of dog lovers after all!
Em SK #47 - not boring at all. Really lovely.
Re: reading last Thurs/Fri blog - be sure to set aside some time!!
C xx
I came home the week before last to find my husband kneeling on the floor hoovering our black lab Ruby.
I thought he was more barking than the dog, but she did seem to like it.
Maybe vacuum manufacturers you have a new product?!
Don't you love it when dogs dream, and their wee legs do pathetic imitations of them running?
I agree. Dogs are great stress relievers. And perhaps the ahirs are to keep reminding you that whatver happens in your life. theirs doesn't change!
I wrote about an anti ageing device today - also a good stress reliever!!!! Have a look!
Sally
CLP, Enzo and all four-footed friend lovers
Quite agree that dogs are great stress-relievers, albeit sometimes stress-bringers the way they moult so much. Still, I look on it that it's a great way to make me do the housework. I wouldn't brush the stairs or sweep the kitchen floor so much is there weren't hairs there.
Our black lab Bridie moults all year round: even though most of our house is v. chilly, she likes to cuddle up to the Aga - she's our "Aga Lout" and perhaps Enzo is the same. Ha Ha. One good tip is to add a bit of oil to their food, maybe some yummy and healthy olive oil.
Bridie is gorgeous, one of life's real enthusiasts. I love it!
Cathmel BSc - well done
Tracey-Ann - like the idea of the therapist dogs
xxxxxxxxxxx00000000
Evening all,
Ok I do not know why even though I have asked but I have been stopped posting twice now by the nasty BP ;-((
Still at least I tried ;-))
Who cares anyway as the show will cheer me up! ;-))
Keith
xx
Afternoon all,
I'm sulking, I was Bp'd earlier, I have no idea why, my little message was a few words regarding my cat (Charlie the magnificat) and to pass on how chuffed I am for Big un, an I get a note from the Bp teling me my post would not get through incase it caused offense.........I ask you!
Anyhow, now I have another thing to say/type/blog/post. My bestest mate, used to have a Chow and she kept all the hair she brushed from him for a year, then she span and coloured it (using all natural things, some not too pleasant) then I designed and knitted her a coat out of it, she still has the coat, but sadly doggie been gone for a few years now.
So Chris sweep it up and send it to me! who knows socks, hat, jumper.
(Iwas going to say 'sweep Enzos droppings', but then I dont think anybody has ever knitted anything useful from that)
Cheery bye..If this gets past 'em
Take care
Nicki
I do seem to like brackets today, don't know why, (maybe it's a new thing I'm trying)
I agree - I didn`t used to be a dog person, but, since my sister has had a Border Collie I`m converted. This dog keeps you fit, it`s inteligent, bright, smart and can sniff us out at the speed of light when we hide in the garden. It`s a great companion and a freind. All I need is a garden of my own then I can enjoy one.
Hey ho
dogs really are man's best friend. my dog rory, an english sheepdog although he is huge like a german shepherd. is just ace. just thought i'd agree with you in writing.
Oh dear Blogging late today.
It's been so exciting Marge and I won the motor boat in the darts compo.
We went directly down to the Devon coast for some serious shopping.
Harvey Nicks eat your heart out.
My dog is the only friend I have who loves frozen chips!!!!
Lotsa love,
TBell
xox
Hello Chris, Enzo and all the other listeners (and their canine
companions)
Great to hear about Enzo again. Of course, dogs are fabby. Remember, what does dog spell backwards?! You know what I am saying!
For those who emailed in about being allergic and not able to have a dog, why not think about a Labradoodle? They don't moult! They've been bred specifically for this reason. I know quite a few Labradoodles - they're gorgeous and make great family pets. And anything with Labrador in the mix has to be pretty fantastic, doesn't it? But then I'm biased.
Still enjoying the show and the blog.
Woof Woof
Woof Woofington xxxxx
Badger the 麻豆约拍 for Harry Hill to be a news presenter. He`d brighten up the daily news. They have weather/news girls that strip so why not?
Woof Woofington....,
Labradoodles.... I said about them too, but in my post which was Blog Police'd. I'd get one in an instant, but for the fact I'm out all day, and my boss refuses to let me buy one on Petty Cash for the "Office Dog".
They are just the most gorgeous dogs in the world. Richard Hammond has one. I seen a picture once.
Hey - I just got an email from the author Christopher Brookmyre.... I wrote to him to tell him what a great story he writes..... What a nice guy eh? Writing back and acknowledging me. Am chuffed to bits.
Still Farting..
DWNB
good day / evening etc to you all.
Hazel Love. i happen to live in east angular and as far as i know "abroad" isnt even close. we do have the Norfolk Broard - could they be related?
Moose at No9. im not sure that pole dancing dogs will ever catch on. (unless they are very pretty)
i have been privileged to have had 2 dogs in my life. Penny was a Border Collie cross and my Mum (best in the world) tels me that Penny taught me and my younger sister to walk .i still have her lead and collar - im 51! when my son was born i got a labrador puppy who ate the kitchen (honestly) and taught my boy to walk as well as becoming unbelievably important to me for so many reasons...i cried like a baby when he died after a so called routine op. not very manly but who cares.....
a big well done to doctor / professor / very clever Cathmel !! i take it we can still use your first name ? considering all that work was in cancer perhaps it should be "Angel Cathmel" methinks.sincerely meant.
hopefully see you all tomorrow.
ps Hazel Love . could you do some english translations of your wonderful french sayings for me ? i would love to know as they may come in handy in the future. i live in hope..
Hello Everybody
I've not replied to a post before, so I am a 'virgin' blogger!
Just felt that I had to contribute about the 'dog' stories. We have a little Jack Russell called Bruno who is now in his 14th year and we LOVE him to bits! Unfortunately, he is now deaf following a stroke last year, although in some ways there is an upside as he can't hear the fireworks and thunder which made him go MAD and as he has a heart condition, this was not a good thing (and we don't have to spell out all our conversations as he was so bright he knew what we were doing before we had even decided). Also he is going slightly senile - ie he is digging up the carpets all over the house (right down to the underlay in some places!) - we think he is looking for bones that he probably buried years ago in the garden and can't quite work out that he is in the house.... However, we treasure every day with him now - he had a little Epileptic fit the other day and that left him very confused - we spent all day cuddling him, trying to make him feel safe. Owning a pet is such a responsibility and can give you such great joy, but also such heart rending grief - don't know what we'll do when he goes...... Chris, enjoy Enzo - even when he is naughty - they are the BEST.
x
hi chris
im a canine beautician (dog groomer) you can buy a brush called the coat king.this gets most of the dead fur out, it wont stop enzo shedding but should make a difference! im lucky that i work with dogs all day,even though sometimes it can be stressfull.YES those furry friends can wrap u right around their paws!!! they allways do som
ething to make u smile. jxx
does anyone know the name and the band that is about wearing blue jeans and going to a party? please post this blog police
Evening Christoff, fellow bloggers and blogettes!
How are we all this evening? Missed the show so going to listen again when (if!!!!) our 23 month old ever goes to sleep! At the moment she is throwing a pig at her Noni (Granny) .... no animals or Grannies were harmed in the making of this post! We persuaded her a pig was better for throwing than the brick that she lobbed at Noni's forehead! Methinks she will be a fast bowler like her Daddy .... but methinks there are no ladies' cricket teams in the Highlands!
When are you going to post a photo of dear Enzo on the blog? He sounds like such a cutie! There's a glove that you can get for grooming your dog which is great for picking up the hairs .... but it's good for you and Enzo to spend time doing that!
Will be back later to catch up with everyone .... unless we end up taking Noni to hospital - Charis just lobbed another brick at her!
Group hug!
Susan, the Highlander
"The greater love is a mother's; then comes a dog's; then a sweetheart's." - Polish Proverb
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera
WOW! (my link to today's drivetime) so many blogs related to Chris's today - we were all paying attention on Friday!!!!! and over the weekend - but more on that later.
It is so true that the UK is a nation of animal lovers. I, myself, personally, love bunnies (other pets are available) and have two. They mean the world to me. And they, and their sister and brother that went before them, are family. I'd do anything for them. This may sound strange, but when I look into their eyes I often wonder why they were born rabbits and not humans (the same has happened when I've looked into the eyes of some dogs) because there just seems to be so much there - and they seem to see right into me. Then I've concluded that they are actually a higher intelligence life form. The buns also moult, usually just before winter. I also have asthma and certainly have an alergic reaction to some animals - but I'm prepared to put up with it. Recently bought a Dyson Animal (other vacs are available) and couldn't believe the amount of pet hair it lifted - the buns are house trained and run about in the house in the evening - they get out one at a time otherwise I'd have lots of little buns!!!! Anyway, to everyone's pets out there - PEACE & LOVE.
Chris - heard you mention a huggle tonight - you said a cross between a hug and a cuddle. We've had huggles for years - for us it involves at least 3 people and usually 4 - me the husband, neice and nephew and it a mix of a football huddle and a rugby scrum with a lot of love and fun thrown in. It usally ends up with the little un (that's me!) getting squished, at least 2 people getting tickled, and the group of 4 collapsing in a heap on the floor in laughter! So, hugs, cuddles and huggles to everyone.
Now on the subject of Freaky Friday - what was it with some of the blog posts - but everyone entitled to their opinion. I've only been doing this for a few months but have loved it. I like the fact that it's a virtaul community and that people can share their thoughts and feelings in a way that they might not be able to do with others. And ok maybe it has changed - I don't know still being new to it - but lets face it mosts things in life are dynamic and change - that's the beauty of it. And if people don't like it, then they have a choice. I like the fact that there are people out there who care enough to respond.
Anyway, this has been a long one from me. So much more I could say but I'll stop now.
Best wishes to all.
EG
C'mon Chris,
Do something REALLY nice for Enzo - and all the other dogs out there and get Sarah Fisher on as a dog (and pretty well every other animal too) expert. She does TTouch. What is it? Get her on and find out. Go on, you know you want to. (And check out the comments posted on the 18th if you aren't sure whether it's popular) Dogs love it. So do owners.
Can anyone help? Our beloved degu (other rodents are available) died, leaving our guinea pig all on his lonesome! Do we have to get another guinea pig or is there any other pet they are companionable with?
Cheers.
Susan, the Highlander
Susan S #96 - Sorry for your loss - rabbits and GPs get on well together. You would probably need to get a fairly young bun though that is not set in his/her ways - and introduce then slowly. You often see them together in pet shops.
Good luck.
EG
Where is everyone tonight? #100 is coming up - surely that must spark some interest!
EG
Charis is now chucking pegs at Gramps whilst laughing hysterically!
Matt from Rudgwick - my hubby has been making the most of it being Blue Monday and has been doing my head in! Well done on the detox!
Hazel - hugs.
Cathmel BSc - WELL DONE!
So ..... either there's a big queue of blogs waiting to be cleared or something big is on the telly. Have I missed something?
Night, Night.
EG
Weird thing... Posts that I posted early and didn't appear, have appeared now, in order???
EG.....My friend had a bunny and a guinea pig (other combinations available) and the amorous attentions by the Bunny to the Guinea Pig (ditto), led to Guinea Pig No More. (Other forms of euthanasia available).
Check back- I've added a Pets Page and put up the pictures of Blue Bun Scout, and Thumper the Cowboy!
DWNB
Top show...a chink of light in Miserable Monday.
I thought you were the consumate professional during the Six oclock news slip-up!
WOW!
Getting 100 is almost (I said almost!) as exciting as getting 1st!
Re the guinea pig / rabbit combo ... was tempted ... for a second ... then I read post 102 ... think I'll get Moc Dubh (Gaelic for Black Pig) snipped and get him a wee girly guinea pig!
Night time group hug ... with extra squeeze for the insomniacs!
Susan, the Highlander
Thanks Chris, for the most entertaining blog on Monday; loads of pet stories - many of which my family can relate to. Dog hair, exercise, alarm clock, warm feet, pleading looks and sad (crying) goodbyes.
Congratulations to cathmel on gaining your BSc! What an achievement; all the sweat and tears were worth it.
I agree cathmel ought to be referred to as Angel Cathmel.
My elder daughter (labrador and cocker spaniel owner) is doing an O U Degree that should reach fruition this year - very proud as when she was a 15-year-old, she suffered from "school phobia" and never finished her formal education.
My younger girl (owner of 2 chocolate Labs) qualified as a midwife. Their sons love all animals; in our family circle we have 5 dogs, a cat, 2 snakes, quinea pigs, various fish tanks, homing pigeons, chickens and a duck!
I gave up being house proud (very easily, I have to say) many years ago; houses are occupied, homes are for living in - with or without pets!
Good night everyone, including the BP.
Granny Bev
Why dogs are better than wives...
1. The later you are, the more excited they are to see you.
2. Dogs will forgive you for playing with other dogs.
3. If a dog is gorgeous, other dogs don't hate it.
4. Dogs don't notice if you call them by another dog's name.
5. A dog's disposition stays the same all month long.
6. Dogs like it if you leave a lot of things on the floor.
7. A dog's parents never visit.
8. Dogs do not hate their bodies.
9. Dogs agree that you have to raise your voice to get your point across.
10. Dogs like to do their snooping outside rather than in your wallet or desk.
11. Dogs seldom outlive you.
12. Dogs can't talk.
13. Dogs enjoy heavy petting in public.
14. You never have to wait for a dog; they're ready 24-hours a day.
15. Dogs find you amusing when you're drunk.
16. Dogs like to go hunting.
17. Another man will seldom steal your dog.
18. If you bring another dog home, your dog will happily play with both of you.
19. A dog will not wake you up at night to ask, "If I died, would you
get another dog?"
20. If you pretend to be blind, your dog can stay in your hotel room for free.
21. A dog doesn't argue with over the TV remote control.
22. A dog will let you put a studded collar on it without calling you
a pervert.
23. A dog won't hold out on you to get a new car.
24. If a dog smells another dog on you, they don't get mad, they just
think it's interesting.
25. On a car trip, your dog never insists on running the heater.
26. Dogs don't let magazine articles guide their lives.
27. A dog is always glad to see you.
28. Dogs like to ride in the back of a pickup truck.
29. Dogs are not allowed in Harrods or Harvey Nichols
30. If a dog leaves, it won't take half your stuff.
DD out
PS I love waking up in the morning not knowing where I'm gonna go or who I'm gonna meet. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge, and now here I am, on the grandest ship in the world, having champagne with you fine people.
toosday again then.
It's the boy's birthday today! This meant that he set his alarm to get up REALLY early so I was awake WAY sooner than I needed to be to get up, and then he happily slept his way through the next hour of bleeping snoozes, then when he did see fit to get up, we were in eachothers way for the bathroon...etc etc. He did like his card though!
EG - The only thing you missed last night was #100 bless you! There was b*gger all on telly...
mulbarton boy - I'd be delighted to translate my mots francais pour toi.
Gaby, Moose XXXX
Susan S, anna and everyone else, thank you for the hugs and kizx Barnes isn't very well at all today so we will be going to the vet tonight, just to see if they can help him...if not, then I don't know.
See you all later I spec. Have to do filing now hoorah!
papier dans les paquets (paper in the packets)
love
hazel
x
Claude,
Very good indeed ;-))
Chrissie S, Thanks for your comments regarding my reply to Sparkle and my good news.. As sad as it is, it is true and I can not stop thinking about Sparkle. I do hope she is Ok.
Sparkle, I hope what was written on this blog in response to your message was a help to you. Thinking of you xx.
Hazel love, very sad to read about Barney ;-( Happy birthday to your boy!
Later I hope,
Keith
xx
good morning all . how come the saying goes "a mans best friend is his dog" while another one (and a song) says "diamonds are a girls best friend". ? us boys get the best deal methinks..
cant hug a diamond can you.
Hazel Love - fingers and everything else crossed for the trip to the vet.
DWNB - saw your bunnie pics - sooooooo cute.
One of my buns has been a bit poorly - blocked tear ducts. Had them cleared under anesthetic last week - so back to the vet later this week to check that they are now clear.
EG
mulbarton boy - but dogs dont sparkle....and you cant wear them....easily.
Mornin' all
Hazel Love - I'll be thinking of you and Barney tonight and I desperately hope the vet will be able to help him. Sending you all much love xx
jillygoat xx
Morning everyone,
Just had to say Hi while waiting for the mighty Mr Evans!
DD # 107 - how I utterly loved Titanic! Went quite loopy over it actually! I persuaded my husband to come with me to see it and for the next three hours - or however long it was - I really WAS Rose and my beloved really WAS Jack! I could hardly move at the end of the film I was so distraught. I turned to the man himself and he said "I thought you said this was a blockbuster"!!!
We are soooo not on the same wavelength!
C xx
P.S. Hazel Love and wee Barney xxx
As I don't have pets, and I'm the one trying to creep out of the house without waking anyone in the morning, I had to make do with these two sights on my drive from the gym to work this morning to uplift my spirits (not that they were down, you understand, but uplifted they were anyway...):
1. A flock of about 10 or 11 geese flying in classic V formation low over the road in front of me.
2. A very small amount of snow at the side of the A602 - the first I have seen this winter.
Little things....pleasing for this little mind.
Moose
PS Hazel - Mange tout pour le petit dejeuner!!
DD #107
ChrissieS #114
Sometimes I wake up in the morning under a bridge not knowing where I've been or who I've met. On the one occasion I was offered champagne, it was given to me by someone who thought I was somebody else.
petit dejeuner dessous le pont
love
hazel
x
and for mulbartonboy, breakfast under the bridge...
Such a lot of catching up to do - busy at work means I've not logged on for a week!
Personally I'm a cat woman (although without the lycra suit or figure of Halle Berry or Michelle Pfeiffer unfortunately). Dogs make me wheeze but cats seem to be OK despite the amount of fur that sheds off my old mog. I swear you could almost build a new cat in a week from the amount he leaves around the house.
Can anyone tell me why the Motorway Maintenance lorry that I followed to work today (gurt big thing they usually move rocks about in) had - in foot high letters - "Do Not Push" on the back? Why would you????
Hazel,
Think you can out quote me do you, well take this while we await Christophel
The kingdom of FAR FAR Away, Donkey? That's where we're going! FAR! FAR!... away.
DD out
Hello Keith (fantastic to hear your good news)
I just wanted to say thank you, to you and everyone who commented on my post from last week. I had hit a low moment, which are very rare and as a daily (but shy and silent) reader of the blog knew that support and advice would be forthcoming.
I am sorry if my post triggered off the "wobble" that was Friday. All I can say is that the kindness shown by you all made me feel stronger and I know that the problem that we have, we can and will cope with. Thank you all again and long may this blog continue to grow and evolve.
Anna Log - perhaps it was actually a Motorway Maternity Lorry...
Sorry, can't resist coming back again.
Moose #115 - is there anything more breathtaking than watching geese make their way, to wherever they are going? The way they take turns to lead - just fascinating!!
DD #118 - you got me this time!
C xx
Darling Dissing
You make me positively shrek with laughter honey!
I would never seek to out-quote you, merely to out-paraphrase you...
P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney
hl still in
Sparkle, you are so welcome, anytime ;-) xx
I do not think it was you that caused the 鈥渨obble鈥 as you call it. I think it had been brewing for quite some time. I am so pleased you read our ramblings every day; please do not be stranger鈥..keep blogging! xx
Keith
xx
Hi Sparkle
Kind of you to apologise, but no need! We're all big enough, old enough and ugly enough...and it all just got a bit strange...
Anyway, I'm glad you found solace in anything we had to offer. We do usually try to help, and I very much hope it isn't long before you find your way out of the darkness.
love
hazel
x
Hazel
Take that ....... "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."
Oh, yes sir. Bit me right in the buttocks. They said it was a million dollar wound, but the army must keep that money 'cause I still haven't seen a nickel of that million dollars.
DD out
PS .... and party!
Have at ye varlet...get down!
Well I ain't sorry for you no more! You crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!
hl still in
ps...and boogie
Just to say that I really look forward to listening to your programme on the way home from work (between 5.30 - 6.00ish) in Potters Bar. You can be SO FUNNY - sometimes I chuckle all the way home to Muswell Hill - so thank you for that. And it may just be that Jerry, my husband, is listening to you as well all the way from QE2 hospital in Welwyn - so there may be two chucklers on the road at the same time - and all because of you! Take care.
Felicity
HL
Stoopid is what stoopid does
and we keep doing it!!
If you're gonna ask if you can ask me a question, give me time to respond. Unless you're asking rhetorically, in which case the answer is obvious - Yes.
'Well polish my balls and serve me a milkshake'
DD out
PS ..... wonderland
DD
Since I got here, I have done nothing but underhanded, despicable, not even terribly imaginative things.
hl still in
off with her head
HL, you had me at Hello!
DD out
So Finch, what will you do with your fancy NYU diploma?
How can you read this? There's no pictures!
DD out
PS The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
Well done Cathmel!!!!
Give Enzo a treat! Dogs are the best. Yeah, I like cats, but they can't walk with you on the beach and shake themselves and spray you with water (why do they do that?)
Seriously, Chris, you almost, but not quite had it there with the vacuum bit.
If Enzo isn't afraid of the vacuum cleaner, take the vacuum to the dog.
I'm serious. Really. Use the brush attachment on the vacuum and vacuum Enzo. Unless he's deathly terrified of the noise, Enzo should love having his coat vacuumed.
ps: oh yes, Chris we MOAN over here in America, we moan all the time. Truly.
I have a cat that has the same effect! She's called Bonny and though she moults all over my bed when she sleeps with me, I tolerate her 'cause she's such quiet,unobtrusive company...never complains, just grovels when needing fed...lovely!
Mairi (Nairn)
Hello all.
Its my 1st time, so be gentle with me please.
Having listened to Chris' show for snatches of time while droppiing off and collecting of an evening I am really looking forward to Friday when I can hopefully listen from start to finish while I'm in the kitchen preparing for visitors at the weekend. It such a great show!!!
Its my birthday (35). I am hoping to enjoy lots of lovely food and family company.
I am pleased to hear that you get so much out of your furry friend. They are great hot water bottles while sunggled up on the sofa.
Dogs, Cats, Bunny's, fish. All the same though, I cant really say I am fussed with any of them. Its an issue of committment I think. We do have a cat and I dont dislike having him around but he cant eat nicely, he leaves his food everywhere. I have a kitchen floor that I come home to everyday with rock hard cement like globs of food spread all over it, turning a dark shitty brown. He tends to ignore the platic table mat provided for protection. (any ideas how this can be prevented when my husband will not allow me to feed him outside?)
I did read somewhere that the ideal pet for an aquarian was an iguana, it only needs feeding once a month or something, and doesnt need any cuddles.
Looking forward to Friday.
NKL
xx
hi chris and enzo
I totally agree, having a dog is good for your health.
We have a white collie and I totally know were your coming from about the moult.
But without dixie there would be a gap my our household and our lives.
Shes great with my little one year old boy and the antics they get up to are hilarious.
Tip for the moult watch your central heating to high and it will encourage the hair to fall early and more constant over the winter.
I have recently completed a Masters in Nutrition & Physical Activity, and researched what motivates people with heart problems to exercise. The only people who exercised every day were those with dogs! (and these heart ex- patients have some incentive I'd say)
Hey, where are you,?missed YOU tonight. If you are not well,
GET BETTER SOON.
That's an order
MAD Maureen Canyerbury
You forgot the bit where you brush and brush til your arm is sore, he looks at you with loving eyes and then SHAKES!
Or the bit where he rubs himself around the walls just to make sure he's got the bits that are left.
Or the bit where he throws himself into a muddy puddle with glee and then escapes into the living room, while you watch from the floor in the 'I missed him' mode and he shakes all over the room.
Or the bit where you just plain love him to death because he still loves you when you roar at him for all of the above and he lays his head on your knee just to say I love you.
I couldn't agree more. I have 5 resuce dogs, all black. And I swear I could make jumpers out of what they moult!
Still wouldn't be without them, and I can just look at them and feel instandly better, even if i have just washed and brushed them and they come back in covered in mud!
Lisa x
PS sorry for being so late in commenting on this just got back from holiday in north yorkshire, yes dogs included.
I tottally agree with you here.
My dog is great.
We actually calm each other down. I can't imagine my life without him now.
-NLG