multiple personalty or dogdom?

I'm afraid Murphy has been a very bad boy, and it's my fault. Took them running on the railway line on Friday and, for the first time ever, didn't stop and yell on Murphy when he went off - was knackered and couldn't face stopping (first run for months). So by the time I realised something wasn't right and went back to look for him he'd managed to get into someone's garden where there was a deer (a roe deer, not sure if full grown or not) which couldn't (because of the fences) get away.

To cut a long story short, when I got there he'd been shut in the shed and the SSPCA called to this poor animal that was extremely seriously hurt. They had to put it down. Murphy was hosed down there and then thrown in the bath when we got home. Not really funny at all - even I got my just deserts as I forgot in all the palaver to do my stretches and have been hobbling round all weekend loke an old woman. Ran again (sans dogs) this morning and am crippped all over again despite doing my stretches this time!

After taking professional advice I am away to purchase a basket muzzle for him - they say his behaviour won't change round other animals but I've lost confidence in him. Poor Murphy! You'd think at his age he's start taking it easy, woudn't you? He'll be 7 next month!

on the plus side...

I had her trimmed last week and what a difference it makes! She looks much younger somehow - I guess because her ears are shorter, but the real advantage is that she doesn't come home clarted with mud (well she does but not so badly) and with whole bushes attached to her backside.. isn't she luuuuvly....
(but be warned, angel is is not as angel does!!)

New Year's Resolutions

I don't usually make New Year resolutions but am being forced to by the behaviour of Mrs Trouble and her sidekick. Not only did she help herself to the packet of popcorn (which contained several individual packets, like a multipack of crisps) and eat them all, she has also moved onto wooden spoons - well those that have been used to stir things and left for placing in the dishwasher. see the evidence...

as the snow abates..

the snow and ice is finally going, a couple of days of higher temperatures without freezing at night has allowed a lot to go and we've taken off our Yaktrax. Now it's freezing again at night but it's gone enough. It was funny watching even the dogs skiting about the place - Maddie's wheelies became quite restricted and pretty short!

She's fast asleep at the moment, lying on her back with her paws in the air looking angelic. We're betting on how long it will take for her to work out when we go up to bed and sneak up there first - when one of us goes to bed first she's developed a habit of sneaking up and snoozing next to them. The second person has to remove her when they go to bed, and she doesn't like it!!

Happy New Year!

And so onto another year.. I hate to be cliched, but 2010 was indeed by in a flash, how did that happen? I can't believe we're here in January yet again! This time not so long ago I was sitting exactly in this spot, on this computer, frantically typing assignments! Since when I've done my placement, been to Dorset dog walking, done my dissertation, graduated, been sailing in Greece, become addicted to my iPhone and managed Christmas slightly better than last time. wow, all in a flash...

Meanwhile the zoo continues. Jimmy is still with us, looks like he'll be here til February. He's really growing and I'm more worried about him being shut in that hutch all the time. I'm going to try and ait through and watch TV so he can get out and wander (hopefully NOT near the cables. Emily says she has blocked all those corners off but it'll take more than that to deter a determined rabbit!)

Maddie and Murphy finally excelled themselves yesterday. After a busy morning baking and an entertaining afternoon with Veronica and 3 year old Zoe (who is no longer nervous round the dogs and spent most of the afternoon trying to make Maddie play with some toy or other, all her toys are now in her crate where Zoe left them), I shot off down the road for something for tea. Upon my return it slowly dawned on me that there was a scene of devastation at the dining table. The table cloth was half off and, perched on the edge was the - empty - tray of shortbread. One piece was left as it was resting on the candle centrepiece, but other than that all that was left was crumbs and sugar on the floor. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I have to say I finally snapped and yelled (and swore) at the dogs (just the once).

How had they done it? I'd left one chair pulled out and that was enough for Mrs Trouble...

sigh. Happy New Year.