noticeable by my absence

[Adrianne]

so sorry I have not been particularly chatty on here recently - time just seems to run away, by the time I have gone out to work  - then worked from home backing up files and seeing to clients - sticking stuff on f'b for them - working on my own two, etc..the days just seem to vanish.
our youngest left home (again),  our eldest became a mum, its been a busy time.
my school reports always read "can do better" and "must try harder"  - b*ll*cks to that I do my best and am very trying!
Hating these long dark evenings - not  fan of walking dogs in the dark, I do walk Cupar but only around the streets on leash in the dark I don't like him going to bed wet, so it as to be a dry evening..Bootsie is such a lazy old lady she is more than happy to curl up in front of the fire all day and all evening, I've been driving her to the park this week, she was quite sore by the end of the day for a few days there - I think I overdid it with her, I forget she is old, its done the trick, she was racing Cupar across the field today.

[Jordan]

I know what you mean Adrianne, I've been burning the candle at both ends for ages now but still don't seem to be making progress!! Online shopping may be handy but its just as time consuming and very disappointing. Cheap gifts look just that ....Cheap! How come theres not a small step up in price instead of affordable to expensive. Frantically trying to get my Xmas cards made as well. Thought i'd try recycling images from last years cards to save time as stamping and colouring in is very time consuming but its much harder recycling as theres no way to match colours for the accessories so not too happy with results so far. Oh I hate Xmas!

Poor Bootsie, old age doesn't come on its own. Cupar has such busy days anyway he wont miss not having an evening walk. Domino doesn't have one at the minute either, he seems to be coping well with getting a walk 3 or 4 times a week and lots of play and training the rest of the time. I've noticed quite a change in him since his amputation, hes a lot more responsive to commands when theres a distraction and he seems to check in with me a lot more for instructions in situations. Hes also a lot more relaxed when were out so really pleased.

[Adrianne]

That makes me wonder if that leg hadn't been a cause of concern to him for a while - dogs don't learn well when they are in pain or frightened, now it is not causing him trouble he can be the dog he really is.

[Jordan]

Yes that's what I've been thinking too. I know when he was younger he never used to be the way he was when I got him and all the problems that have developed over the past couple of years, his fearfulness, colitis, seizure type activity/rem sleep issue and on and off lameness all which were worsening up until he broke his elbow have all improved to the point he doesn't take any seizure meds at all and he has very few episodes unlike before when he was every time he lay down. Said to the vet I thought pain had been causing them and he agreed although he felt it was only partially responsible. His colitis can still flair up but he is so much better in other ways as I said. He really does hide pain very well just hope this is him on the road to a very happy life now.

[kristina]

Hi to both of you,totally understand where your coming from on the time stuff for getting on here,hours and days just go by,I have to agree with you Jordan I too just hate Christmas,for one I can't afford it 2 it's all about what I do with my old mum and dad as they love Christmas but now can't cope with it!!!
Christmas should be in the Summer when everyone can just have a Barbie in the garden as in Australia but guess thats a no go here.
Fed up already with the dark nights the rain and everything else that comes with this time of year,don't mind the cold so much it's the rain I hate.
So happy for  Domino I know he will have just the perfect rest of his life.
Adrianne I miss you for your knowledge and advice but also understand that you too have a life and a very busy one at that.
I will still be on here now and then with my boring updates on Xena afraid she is the only exciting thing I have in my life but thats fine with me she is all I want right now,trying to download some more pics but seems computer is not playing!!!!
Keep warm and safe my dear friends and chat when and able.Kristina

[Adrianne]

i'm sure it is the sign of better times for Domino, stress, chronic and prolonged caused by physical, emotional or environmental factors including pain, can weaken the immune system and suppress the release of serotonin and dopamine, they are the hormones that make us feel happy and alive and calm - 'feel good' hormones.. he should be feeling a whole lot happier.
we will be having a quiet Christmas this year, new grandson to pop over and see, and hopefully the other two daughters will be with us for the day, parents will be 400 miles away so will have to settle for a call.

[Kimmikins]

Dogs are incredibly stoic, and some more than others! Scrumpy and Sara both had kennel cough a couple of Xmas's ago - Scrumpy coughed to all who would listen, whereas the vet could only get a concealed begrudging cough from Sara! It's great to hear that Domino is doing so well after his amputation, another example of how amazing he is at having coped with the pain before the op, and now being a well-adjusted trip-pawd.

Time seems to run away from me too - I'm back at the "college" helping with a course while I wait to be posted to continue my training. And it's exhausting! No studying of my own, but having to put up with this particular group of people and the extra work they create for us makes me want to nap by the time I get home. Plus I've had to go caffeine free since the summer, so I have not way to pep myself up.

The lovely wet winter has also arrived in style, so Sara occasionally misses some walks as it's just too heavy for her to enjoy being out in it. The mud isn't too much of an issue as she's quite tall and leggy so most of it brushes off with a towel. And if we do our favourite walk, it's normally on a day when we were planning on giving her a bath anyway! And with her new rain coat it's lovely not having to try and rub down a soggy doggy that smells of soggy doggy!

As for Xmas, I've started some shopping, but like last year my plan is to make a good chunk of the presents and bolster them out with little "tree" gifts. Last year it was candles, this year it's.....chocolate! And fudge, and caramels. I'm really enjoying finding recipes to practice So far I've made some gingerbread fudge, which didn't turn out exactly as planned but tasted amazing! Next recipe will be chocolates filled with sea salted caramel and gingerbread caramel. Yum!
Trying to juggle my bitterly divorcing parents will be a delight(!) but I'm determined not to let that get me down. In fact, I may even find one of the music channels that's gone Christmassy and put that on while I do the mountain of housework today!!