Shazzy

The only letters I dont open are birthday cards (of course) and his wage slip but thats only because I have internet banking and already know how much he got !!!! He opens mine if he's home first but wont open anything that is to do with clients. I always open the boys stuff and these are generally parking ticket reminders or speed camera fines

On the road into Southend on Sea there is about half acre of fenced land that is purely for dog walkers. It isnt huge but all the dogs seem to get on there. Ive only been a couple of time with my lot as it seems a bit full when we are all there but no children are allowed!!

Hi everyone I am around just really busy with FIL and trips to hospital for chemo and radio therapy. Still dont have Freddie the Cav but Ive seen him and he seems quite happy with BIL. He can come here if he wants or if things change with BIL. to whoever needs what. Miss you all and will try and pop in more soon.

He's home It took a bit of arguing and being a bit pushy, but FIL asked me to take him home and now he's home. We saw the oncology team today and they have said that the MRI showed that almost 90% of the tumour was removed and that radiotherapy and chemo will hopefully prolong his life to about a year and possibly more. FIL knows this now and is happier knowing what is in store and we are making a life plan for him over the next couple of days. His first wish is that Freddie comes home this weekend and we can go walkies together. FIL and Freddie dont walk that far anyway so this can easily be achieved. His second wish was to have a fag on the way home - which I dutifully supplied and he wanted to sit in the car and smoke it to the end. Then he wanted a chinese takeaway and a large whiskey. All of which he has had I have had the best evening ever - we have smoked drunk and eaten to our hearts content and Saturday Freddie will come home. FIL is worried that Freddie will have forgotten him but I have assured him that dogs never forget love and never forget the human that gives that love. Flynn will have to wait for a few days but I will bring FIL here to see him. I am sooooo happy to have him back in his home. OH is sleeping there tonight just to be on the safe side and Im taking to have his hair cut all to the same length - at the moment he looks like the Nutty Professor!!!! I may get one more whole year with the man who has made me laugh, cry, got drunk with - thrown me in a bush - upchucked with and generally been the bestest FIL and Dad I or my children could have asked for. Not bad for someone who isnt actually blod related to my OH or my children. I feel so selfish really because he has his own blood children and grandchildren but he has never ever shown difference to OH or us - I am ranting now and possibly a little pissed but I really dont care........

Why does my Fugee board date and timer thingy say its 8 oclock when Im sure its 9 oclock?????

Just to say a big thank you for all your kind thoughts and wishes. We are having a meeting with the oncologist team tomorrow to find out the results of the latest MRI scan. FIL is to my mind deteriorating already. His skin is paper thin and his eyes are beginning to sink. My BIL and SIL are also going to be told that this tumour is hereditary and that they will need testing. My OH is not FIL natural child and therefore he doesnt need testing. FIL's brother died from the same tumour 2 years ago within 6 weeks at exactly the same age as FIL. The only good thing we have is that FIL was operated on and most of the tumour removed whereas his brother wasnt - only a biopsy was taken and it was left as they felt that the tumour had gone too far. I will let you all know the outcome after out meeting. You lot are absolute stars and although I have only met a handful of you I do feel that I know all of you and this is always the first place I turn to.

To live on a small island in the Outer Hebrides with my dogs, cats and anything else that comes my way. No neighbours to worry about - the dogs can bark to their hearts content. To wake up each morning and hear the sea and look out and see nothing except land and sea and nothing else. Oh and to have stone floors in case Flynn wee's everywhere

Even though I have sadness and problems in my life at present and many of you have yours - I have just *arted and well - my tummy now feels 3st lighter. There is no one home ecxcept me and the dogs and well I feel cleansed

If there is anything I can do......

Years and years ago my Mum had a cat - Cleopatra - who would only eat stewed rabbit Mum used to buy it in bags from Iceland and stew it with an oxo cube. When we tried it - it tasted like Chicken!!!!!!

As most of you know my FIL has been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour. We have also been told that it is extremely aggressive and they have given him a max of 6/8 months. You all also know about the problems of Freddie the Cav, and his expected arrival here. So far he is still with BIL and is being looked after ( not as I would want but BIL is so upset over his Dad that Freddie is at the moment his escape route from his partner and they go walkies together etc.,) FIL has all along said that he doesnt want to know the prognosis, but we as a family are finding it hard to make a decision on his behalf - these are the things we cant decide on: 1. FIL has aggressive brain cancer and is expected to survive at the most 9 months - the last 3/4 months being almost vegative. 2. He has been offered Radiotherapy and Chemo - which may prolong his life by a few months. 3. Do we tell Dad what the prognosis is and let him decide. 4. Do we say no to Chemo and therapy and let him come home and have a few months fairly free of illness and enjoy what life he has left. He has said that he wants to visit his grandfathers grave on the Somme and bid at Sotherbys (he loves his antiques) and go home and generally get pissed and have a ciggie. No 4 would be difficult for him to achieve as he would spend the next 6/8 weeks going back and forth to the hospital everyday for treatment and become weak and ill. I personally know what I would want - time with my family and animals with no treatment - but those are my feelings. Freddie will eventually come here when BIL is ready and maybe spend some time with Dad whilst he is able to look after him - which I know he wants. I have, unfortunately parts of the family who dont see a dogs love as being a comfort and dont see things the way I or FIL do but that is another matter. So this is my update so far. to whoever needs them I havent had time to scroll through all that is going on - but like many Fugee's when the crap hits the fan this is the place to come.

Update: Sor far Freddie is staying with BIL whilst his girlfriend is at home. He does seem to be chilling out but we have have received FIL results today and they are not good. He has been given max 6 months - max, possibly with the last few months completly dependant and needing 24 hour care - or he may have a seizure and go quickly. The cancer has spread so it is just a matter of time. We are gathering together this week to decide on care for FIL and of course Freddie. I am hoping that he will come here this weekend and then FIL can at least see him. The sad side is that the only dog he mentions is my Flynn. Flynn has difficulties with humans, especially men, but he absolutely loves his Grandad (FIL) - to the point of crying when he sees him. He has no problems when Grandad comes to the house and when I brought FIL's washing home from the hospital, Flynn howled after sniffing the bag Apart from OH - FIL is the only other male that Flynn has accepted fully. My heart is breaking for FIL and OH and also for Flynn. He has come such a long way in the 2 years I have had him and FIL has played such a huge part in it. THis man deserves so much more to his life. He has a natural way with animals and it is all going to be lost. Please keep him in your thoughts.

Wiggle - you are gorgeous In safe hands now

Thanks everyone you are all so special and I knew I could count on your thoughts. It has been extremely hectic here as you can imagine. FIL has been taken to Queens Hosp which has specialist neuro surgery but after seeing him yesterday and thinking how much better he seems has taken a turn for the worst today I have told BIL that I am happy to take Freddie - I think deep down I knew I would at least try. We are going to pick him up tomorrow and see what happens, situation allowing with FIL. At least I have my children here to keep an eye on the dogs and I have a crate if he needs quiet time. He is used to having a crate so at least that is a blessing. Jules (Tempest) thank you so much - I may take you up on that offer - although I think now is the time to split the walks. Izzy isnt getting any younger and she does like to plod and sniff all the flowers so maybe the youngsters can go for their frenzied run and then Ill take Izzy and Freddie together. You never know - I may even lose some weight!!! Again - thank you everyone -

That is an energetic cross Have you tried Springer rescue or collie rescue.

Goodnight Digby Page - run free

Just a note regarding non vaccine and insurance companies. I no longer insure my animals. I have a credit card for emergencies. I worked out that in all the time that I have had Izzy in my life and the premiums paid in the first few years with no claim - I was sending money down the drain., I was more sure of this with Hun. We insured her but when the time came to claim, they found that her previous owners had been to the same vet as me ( possibly not heard of in most rescue situations) and refused to pay out against on going illness - allergies. I then decided that it would be cheaper to have a credit card and pay the monthly premium amount into this card - you can have a credit balance - and use it as necessary I know that I am probably lucky regarding my dogs health as the last time I visited the vets was about 12 months ago - for more Hun ear drops but the balance on the card has been paid off. I pay in the equivalent of my premiums and top it up as necessary and this seems to work.

As some of you know I have taken on my MIL's beagle Polly She has settled really well and Flynn adores her. To cut a long story short MIL had decided to give up her dogs as she has found a new man and has moved in with him. I took Polly and my FIL (her ex husband) took Freddie who is a Cavvie. He is 10 years old - has a dicky ticker and a severe eye infection which requires drops 4 times a day. Freddie settled so well with FIL and enjoyed the 1-2-1 attention and seemed to perk up a bit and settled really well. With great sadness I have to tell you that FIL has been really poorly over the past two weeks and after numerous visits to the GP and the hospital (where I was told over and over that there was nothing physically wrong with him )has been diagnosed with a massive brain tumour. He is such a wonderful person and at the moment my heart is breaking for him - he has been a better Dad to me than my own. I asked MIL to take Freddie back with her but she has refused as she has made her new life Words cannot describe my anger with her - I have never hated anyone in my life but I feel that I am coming very close to it. My BIL is looking after him at present whilst he is on leave but has to return to work on Friday and as he is a paramedic works very long and strange hours and will obviosuly want to be near his Dad. I didnt take Freddie to start with because I felt that our house may be too busy for him - too loud sometimes with 4 dogs running around, 4 cats a house rabbit and chinchilla (thats just indoors) and 5 adults coming and going all the time, but Freddie hasnt settled with BIL and is constantly barking and now with BIL returning to work and Dad being ill - he is worried about Freddie too. Now - should I take Freddie - he knows us and of course his previous companion Polly is here and I know my dogs are good with other dogs but could it all be too much for him. He is rather old now - not very steady on his feet and obviously cant walk as far as mine do - or should I try and find him a new home. FIL prognosis is not all that good and there is only a small chance of recovery, but he may and then Freddie can go back to him - which will brighten his life completely - this little dog and FIL were meant for each other So should I take Freddie and hope he can cope with life here and FIL recovers or should I try and find him a new home??? I really dont know what to do for the best

Tortoise and the Hare I think..... Flynn (GSD X Collie) can easily outstrip Hun (overweight goldie) on any run - but the championship is won by who gets to the car first Flynn is easily side tracked by the odd flying leaf, whereas Hun knows that to get home to her dinner lays in getting in the car. No Contest

I think this is dominance issue too. If it was me - I would put the cav's blanket or whatever in the labs basket and vice versa, from this you will soon see whether it is dominance or pure ignorance. We had this problem with Flynn - although not with another dog - it was with my middle son. He would wee on HIS bed. I took Flynn's blanket and put it on sons bed - Flynn stopped weeing straight away - but then I had to slowly move the blanket from sons bed to the floor to the landing etc., until he stopped. If it turns out that it is igonorance, puppy training again

Could you try mixing arrowroot in with some chicken and rice - this sometimes helps with diahorrea

I have a Ford Maverick and I dont have a small gear stick I have lots of buttons and pushy things - I even found my fog lights - but apart from the radio turny up e thing I havent a clue I do have a button that is supposed to maintain my speed or something but I dont think it works - I still have to keep my foot on the pedal thing and look where Im going

Just skimed through the above but would like to say that none of my dogs are vacc's neither are the cats. They have all had their original boosters but none since. My eldest cat is now 18 has all her own teeth and is as fit as a fiddle. Kitty - who died 3 years ago was 22 and again had never been vaccd and just went to sleep and never woke up My cats are all fed on either Whiskas, steamed fish and go-cat. They all have their teeth and the youngest is now 9. The dogs - after a lot of soul searching and branded dried foods are now fed on Wholemeal biscuit, tinned tesco's premium dog food, raw mince occasionally, spag bol, veggies and bonios. Since going back to the "old way" that my Mum followed their poo is firm and consistent, we dont have skin allergies, their temperament is sound and Flynn has at last put on weight. I have tried Burns, Science, James Wellbeloved and Nutro but they either leave it or their coats look dull. I am happy with my choice now - the dogs love it. All the animals have raw garlic in their food twice a week to combat fleas -= and this seems to work and once a week have human codliver oil tablets on their food. Saying all that above - the rabbit does have his Mixie injection once a year and he is now 6. Off to hide Ticks - if they get them are treated with nail varnish remover. Edited to say - that perhaps dogs live longer now because a: they are not let out to roam as they did before and b: the standard of meat that they are fed be it tinned etc., or raw is better and more nutritious.

Ive cooked - and eaten it all myself - even though I catered for 5 - well actually I did put some aside for daughter for her lunch tomorrow - but I have eaten a whole pack of meatballs slowly cooked in smoked garlic/passata and mushroom sauce It was lovely