Whizzie

Just had a read - yikes Yantan, you were brave. Glad you were not hurt & hope this charming builder chap gets what he deserves!

Happy Birthday Alex Merle

I was hoping that deep snow might prevent me going to work - sadly we have no snow at all so I've got no excuses!

(((Hugs))) for Sam & best wishes to anyone else having a hard time. Owl is absolutely right about that sort of person but it is hard sometimes not to let them get you down. The latest windy spell seems to have blown through here without incident - I hope as still pretty dark!

Rest in peace Owl's Mum. It does sound like a release but tough for you Owl to lose an Auntie and Mum is such a short space of time. Be kind to yourself. I am sure you have soldiered on through this for months if not years and imagine that you could well feel tired for some time now that you no longer have to fulfil a supporting role. I still have patches of feeling drained more than a year of losing Dad. You think you are doing better then something happens to knock you back again.

Sorry to hear about your Auntie, Owl but pleased to hear she slipped away peacefully and her suffering is over. I didn't know you planned to retire to Haverfordwest Merledogs. We will be neighbours as we are heading that way too when we eventually move to WagTails House in Hook. Our friends moved to Freystop in September and more friends have been in Hook for almost 7 years now. My favourite area

Hello again & best wishes to everyone. Owl - I am glad Auntie will get to a hospice. The standards of care at any hospice I've encountered are wonderful.

Oh dear Owl, that is not good. Pressure sores are so difficult to heal. My Dad got a couple which were very sore and never healed but we managed to stop them expanding and worsening at least.

Plenty of happy memories as well as sad thank you Still waging war with tax people and our legal claim remains unresolved. It would be nice to get these things behind us but otherwise okay & my Mum makes an effort to get herself out & do stuff which is great. Our village coffee morning has been a godsend for her - I thought it would be when they moved here.

Hello Fugees A year ago yesterday that we lost Dad to the evil mesothelioma. Along with the sad memories, I remembered the kindness and support shown to me by people here so I've just popped in to say hi and to wish you all well. I think I'm spotting a few of you in the Dogstar Auction on Facebook. Still think you are an inspiring lady Sam & just read above about your lovely gifts to people in need Liz x

So very sorry to hear about Nog, Snow. I'm sure everyone here has felt the pain you have now. I feel sure you made the kindest decision to let Nog go at that point. In my experience having other dogs doesn't lessen your grief but it does give you a reasons to keep going as you have to be strong for them, continue walks etc. I have wondered if this causes you to bottle it up a bit and grieve for longer but I really don't know if that's true.

Best wishes to all poorly people and especially for poor Nog x

Happy Birthday Alex

Thinking of you Alex Griff - a lot to cope with but well done for soldiering on with a smile. Sophie - sorry things went a bit wrong and for your daughter too Suzeanna All well here although we cannot mention the w (wallpaper!) word

3 of mine are Oldies too - Toffee will be 13 in March, Charlie Girl who came as an Oldies Club dog is 11, Hobie must be 7 now and baby Reuben is almost 3.5yrs! Scary indeed where the time goes.

Thinking of you Alex and hoping Garfy passes peacefully when you get your appointment

The wallpapering was a disaster I'm afraid. Hubbie spent ages preparing, cutting, measuring, marking up wall but when it came to the hanging part it all went wrong and he has declared categorically that it was his first and last attempt. Only one bit went part up but after too much faffing the edges lost their glue, there were a couple of creases.....so next weekend I will paint the wall the same as the other 3 & we'll cut our losses rather than employ someone. Not the best of days as you can probably imagine!

So peace is restored & we move on. Good as that post kind of left an atmosphere. We have blue skies and sunshine for now which is a refreshing change. I am a bit nervy tho as hubbie is attempting his first ever wallpapering mission - his idea!!!

Jazz - it is not unusual to take on a dog that might be younger or more healthy after the loss of a much loved old dog. It's not replacing the old dog in my eyes - the love and the memories stay forever in your heart. I like to think of it that helping another in need is a tribute to your much loved departed friend. The earlier post talks of meeting the old dogs who in this case seem to have been left in the care of a friend - it can't therefore refer to a deceased dog. I suppose we shouldn't be upset by it if it doesn't refer to us but as it is normal to have feelings of (usually unjustified) guilt connected with any death it is easy for the innocent among us to feel uncomfortable faced with such a statement. I've never abandoned a dog but have had two put to sleep in the past (in 2009 and 2010) owing to illness and old age and I have since adopted two more (in 2011). With so many dogs needing homes, adopting a dog when you have a space created in this way must surely be a good thing.

Just read back and am shocked by the story of your pup Griff. I'd be absolutely livid even though I don't insure mine any more but have my own dog fund instead. Happy decorating Alex. I am not here often I know but please be assured I have never left any of my dogs anywhere. Even though my conscience is 100% clear the remark has made me feel uncomfortable.

I admire your dedication Owl. Sorry the pod never worked out. I hope it wasn't a terribly expensive mistake. Enjoy your new doglet Jazz Best wishes to you all

You'd be about a mile away from WagTails House then Alex!

Healing thoughts for Nog, Mummy Owl & everyone else in need.

So sorry to hear you have lost your Dad Loobie. I lost mine in November. It is very hard. Thinking of you x

Happy 2014 everyone. Wishing you all health, happiness and fulfilment of dreams