riley

Thank you Ian, that's beautiful. And thank you all for your supposrt and words of wisdom. It's a week tomorrow and I still call him to come and share lunch/eat some meat from the fridge whilst I'm making sandwiches.He should be 'home' on Monday and I've bought a Rosemary plant and huge pot for him. I thought about burying his ashes in the garden around his favourite bush but then he couldnt come with me if we ever moved so a pot it is. We've decided to take the children abroad for a holiday (something we never did when we had Riles as we wouldn't leave him) then when Lucy starts mursery in Sept we'll be welcoming a new sighthound into our lives. It was a privilage to have Riley, we were the lucky ones and his legacy will be that there's always room for a pointy by our fire. Love you ol' man.

Thank you all for your kind words, it means much. Owl, your words have particular significance, when my very dear step dad died there was a particular song always on the radio, haven't heard it played in years yet when I left the vets on Sat that was the song that was being played on the radio. Allan and Riles had a real affinity, so much so that Mentioned it to H when I got home and said "it was almost as if Allan came for him" x

Hi guys, As some of you will have read Riles had to be pts on Saturday. It wasn't an easy passing and the vet need 4x doses before it took effect. It will sound crazy, I know but because he fought it and because it was so hard, I'm haunted by the feling he's lost in the dark and doesn't know where he is or why I'm not with him.

Riley

I've not been here in so long I'm sure there are many many of you who have no clue who we are or rather were. But for those that remember us, my darling Riley left today after an incredibly short battle. He was my Angel and my soul mate and although other hounds will come and I will love them just as dearly it will still always be *him*. God Speed Old Mate - I'll see you again x

Mama once said as I tried on a new pair of trousers "Yes, they're very flattering, what size are they?" "They're a 14" "Hmmmm, well, they're obviously cut *very* generously"

Some of you will know, my mama died recently,29th September to be exact after an incredibly short battle with an incredibly viscious cancer. Typically of my mother she was incredibly punctual and after been given 2 months to live on diagnosis (29th July) she took it to the letter. Time keeping was a sign of good upbringing (please forgive the gallows humour if it offends but it's one of the things that gets me through). Mama lived with us, had done for 5years but even before that I saw her pretty much every day, she hated to be alone and even when happily married to my step dad (I hate to call him that, he was *the* dad I knew. She died here at home, as she wanted but for the first few weeks it was like putting your hand in a bucket of ice, it feels strange and cold but it doesnt start to hurt properly for a little while. And now it really does. I don't have good days and bad days, I have bad hours and good hours. It's so horrid and here I am wittering at you guys but I guess you've helped with most ther stuff so you can have a go at this one too if you will ;) I keep wanting to phone her and tell her something funny that's happened or ask her advice over something that's getting me down and I forget momentarily that I can't and it all comes back. People have diesd befre and I@ve alays just got on with it as it were but this has really wiped me. And I'm a little lost. Thanks in advance

Thank you for the replies, Mum has chosen this for her 'do' Here lies a poor woman who was always tired; She lived ina house where help was not hired. Her last words on earth were: "Dear friends, I am going Where washing ain't done, nor sweeping, no sewing: But everything there is exact to my wishes; For where they don't eat there's no washing of dishes... Don't mourn for me now; don't mourn for me never - I'm going to do nothing for evere and ever.

I do too, that's the thing, I just don't believe in a conventional religion, there are too many *gods* for any one to be right (imho) We believe in life, in the goodness in people and in a natural order (now who look s like a billy no mates?)

Bloody fabulous x

Some of you will know my momma is dying and we are home caring. J is nearly 5 and incredibly intuitive. We've discussed (on his level) what is happening to g'ma. H and I are not religious, in the conventional sense. We Beelieve in spirit and in life. And in the good in people. We believe that you can't create energy and therefore nor can you kill it - it goes somewhere. Since J (4yrs, my eldest) started school he has had the *heaven* thing. Something H nor I have ever disputed. Hey, I tell my son a fat man in a red suit brings his presents why should I dispute his belief in a happy place in the clouds. The world is magical at his age. H and I don't discuss the afterlife thing with him, it's all on his terms. But..... A few days ago H was going through some old photos and Jack said "why are you looking at that man?" to which H replied, "well, that's my dad, your Grandad Barry" J replied "yeah I know who it is he comes to see me, I just wondered why you were looking at his picture." to his friend at school: "when people you love die, they come and see you on a night and kiss you, well actually they come during the day too" to H the other night: "what happens when you die? where do you go? H replied, *well, when you're ill, your body wears out and it's no good anymore so you leave it behind." J - * your body goes to the heaven because that's the bit you don't need but your spirit stays here with the people it loves" and to me tonight: "Mummy, there's no such thing as heaven. It's called the foreverlands"

We're being assaulted with the tiny feckers this year - I'm a huge fan of the whacking 'em with whatever is to hand method *but* such was my frustration I googled and apparently ther's a bit of an infestation this year. We've used the vinegar trap which is basically a dish, some vinegar (malt or balsamic - the smell attracts) and then fairy liquid or some such as it alters the surface tension and they drown more easily - happy hunting

Finally got 2mins back to myself to sit with a small (large) glass of wine at the computer and check in to Refuge Heaven, and my has it been a looooong time. So many changes no doubt but still faces I remember. I hope you are all well. Going to take some time to familiarise myself with everything again but looking forward to being back. Round here? Well, Jack started big school, Looby doo is over her Tracheomalacia (well better anyway) Riles is still going strong and an absolute treasure he will be ten this year. Incredibley protective of his family for a g-hound and is getting more so with age (maybe he's just cantankerous). Glad to be back

Hola all (thank you Terry T the Twin for my Spanish lesson ) My my my! My daughter in law is looking all grown up and very beautiful with it Her future hubbie looked as dishevelled as always and Lubydoo reminds me every day how I should never have laughed when you told of G's antics 'cos that's come right back and bitten me on the arse. When the builders were here they nicknamed her the 'smiling assassin' and hell hath no fury like a Lucy

Ingi!! Happy Birthday to you!! Glad I popped on today now x (read any good books lately ;) )

The< I've not been here in years it's lovely to see you all bump ;)

oooh 'ello - cor it's changed round 'ere a bit *gulp* very posh ......

Thank you all for your kind support and love over the past 9 months (yup she's 9 months old now!) Special special thanks to Reiki Ange for keeping me calm and centred. We saw her paediatrician yesterday and we're now clear for 3 months. She has moderate Tracheomalacia but so long as we monitor her, know the signs that she's struggling and treat her accordingly we should be okay and she'll hopefully grow out of it by the time she's 2. There are some issues with food but that's just a case of trial and error. If you're interested, this is it http://www.eatef.org/node/29

Thank you everyone, I made spaghetti in a tomato and veggie sauce and leek and potato soup made with vegan stock all very tasty and amazingly simple. Wine wise we found that Brown Brothers do a great range.

Thank you thank you thank you - I am actually looking forward to it! Just one more thing though......vegan wine?

Hey guys, I have friends over this week from the US and they're all vegan, (mum, dad, J 4yrs and J nearly 1) so please help me - I'd like to surprise them with nice food they can eat and have bought a meat free pan and a meat free tin to cook them something - but what? And what about snacks? Any good vegan snacky goodness? Sainsburys do a free from range which I'll have a look at but hints, tips and recipes would be very welcome. Thanks in advance x

Been on the end of that stick myself. It is disgusting, actually it's more than disgusting it's corrupt. As hateful as you feel right now their greed will never bring them happiness.

My baby girl Off for a catch up, I may be some time.... Oh Laura I am so sorry.

My darling daughter

Hello and thank you We know nothing further, the barium showed Reflux but no other abnormality so we've to wait and see the Consultant again in a couple of weeks as the Bronchoscopy showed a narrowing of the windpipe. For the first time today I feel a degree of hopefulness that it's going to be Congenital and she'll grow out of it. Please keep those good thoughts coming our way, I firmly believe it helps