The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

mcculloch29

Jeez. TG Knickerless doesn't live near me.
Mind you, if she did I know a few who could sort her out no problem. Dozy bi.. t .. c .. h..

I can't afford dry cleaning bills, so everything woolly that is dry clean only goes in my washing machine on a 30 degree wool wash, with Stardrops as the cleansing agent as 'for wool' detergents are a rip-off.

I dry everything woollen on my over-stairs ceiling mounted drying rack.

It's the drying that can cause damage, as well as a too-hot wash. Nothing has ever come out of the wash anything other than clean and still usable.
The only thing I wouldn't wash would be something like a dress uniform with braid on it, or a very heavily embellished item. I've solved that one by not owning either.

Softstuff

Silvasava, the only thing I ever sent to the cleaners have been giant curtains and a feather duvet. Other than that, cool machine wash, sometimes in a pillowcase. Including my somewhat embellished wedding dress. But I don't buy much that I worry about so ymmv.

silvasava

Thanks so much for all the advice - know exactly what you mean Fuddle. TBH i would wash it but....It's a dress I bought in a CS many years ago and it's the classic LBD. Fits me perfectly and I need it for a funeral on Friday so I've decided to get it cleaned to be on the safe side. I've never had it cleaned yet as I've used wet wipes for the odd spot in the past.
Hester - you couldn't make it up could you? I bet your move to your lovely boat can't come soon enough! My neighbour from hell moved a couple of years ago and all of us around breathed a collective sigh of relief!
New engine on my boat is nearly complete. Meeting the guy tomorrow to run though the operating procedure with him. Then Ive got a massive clean up to do (and a big bill )

fuddle

I'm pleased you came to that decision silvasava. If it fits you perfectly then you can't afford the shrinkage. Good decision. Being OS is about care and longevity as well saving money isn't it. I think this is one occasion where, and I detest the dry cleaning process and the costs involved, that correct care and attention is needed. Good call.

I haven't dry cleaned anything since the day I left. I once wrecked a wool/man made mix fibre coat by washing it cold, hanging over the banister. I weighed up the risks, called upon my knowledge and made the decision. Wrong! It's just not worth it sometimes.

I'm sorry it's for a funeral though.

Will you let me know the cost of the cleaning? In 1998 I could take in 3 items for £6.75. A dress alone would have been £4.25.

monnagran

Great Silvasava. I can't wait to see this gin palace of yours.
Just see it, you understand. Anything smaller than a Red Funnel ferry won't see me aboard.

Well, I am here on my own for the next three days. DS2 has taken Pickle up to her Gramps to fetch DIL and he dropped off DGS on the way. I have been left in sole charge of the house and the two dogs. 24 hours in and I am exhausted. Does anyone out there have any knowledge of Dalmations?

She just runs me ragged. Every other dog I have had has responded pretty quickly to the Good behaviour/reward training. Not this one. She seems to have worked out her own scheme that argues that the more bad behaviour you exhibit, the more times you can briefly show obedience = more treats.
I shut her out into the garden(walled, so safe) for 15 blissful minutes but had to get her in again before she popped up in Softstuff's garden.

Adorable though she is I am very glad that she doesn't belong to me.

I suddenly feel very old and I don't like it. Hopefully when I finally get my own home again I will get some joie de vivre back. I was waiting with some trepidation to see what tablet would do with the last sentence but it must have sensed that I was in no mood for arguments.

I don't know quite what is going to happen now. The death of DIL's mother certainly changes things. It's a wait and see situation I think.

Well, I hear stirrings from the kitchen where Dora is shut in. Better go and assess the damage.

x

silvasava

Monna - no gin palace here - can't stand the stuff!! Boats called Brandy Wine - very appropriate for me
Thanks Fuddle - my thoughts exactly - I will post the cost too.
Monna - never had a dog so can't give you any advice other than to treat the behaviour the same as you would if it was a small child??
I know the feeling when your body won't keep up with your mind - its very sobering. I do think that with the events you've gone through lately its no wonder your body is saying its had enough - just be gentle with yourself (well as gentle as you can be at the moment!) Think you're absolutely right about the wait and see too. Hugs xxx

mothernerd

Not a lot of help but perhaps some comfort in knowing it's not you, it's the dog. I knew someone who had two dalmations. The local rescue people had come to them with the second as they had experience with them. Basically dalmations are daft as brushes and don't seem to learn from experience. Their dog would launch itself into the hall, skid on the laminate flooring and bang it's head in the door. Again and again but never learned to slow down.

My ex's family had a labrador when he was a child. It loved chasing cars - head on.

Are there any things you can think of to give the dog lots of exercise with little effort on your part, then maybe it will sleep for a while.

Floss

Monna, maybe consider a dog walking service for Dora - a couple of hours of full-on exercise may lead to a more settled (worn out!) dog & a bit of peace for you...

pollyanna_26

Dear Monna It saddens me to see you feeling old . To me you will be forever young as said in the song . Age is not a number and you're the proof of that . If Dora falls asleep at some point think about the moving of goalposts that has taken place over the last few years , much of it out of the blue or at short notice . You've had to pick yourself up and fake it 'til you make it over and over again .
tdoosNow you face sudden shock , maybe future plans disrupted and trying to hold the chaos of the fort together again and I understand how you must feel .
Dora is being a tiggerish puppy who still needs to learn the rules and will also have picked up on the atmosphere of shock and grief and may be wondering where the rest of her people have suddenly gone .
As Floss has mentioned a puppy walker may be a good idea . Maybe that's a discussion with the family budget permitting . The good puppy walkers love a challenge and will lay ground rules of training as they go . One of my daughters has a huge Chocolate Lab but it's been some years since I could safely control him outdoors .
For a moment I had an image when you were wondering what to do of Doc Martin hurling a stick over a cliff for the dog that haunted his daily life to retrieve , At the end of the day Dora is being Dora . You are trying to take on everything on shoulders that are weighed down already .
Only for you I will try to call up the Big Guy and see if he remembers this long lapsed Catholic . For now I send a gentle hug and peace .
much love
polly x

[Deleted User]

MONNA dalmations take a long time to grow through puppyhood and they're NOT brain of Britain of the dog world. Rather than a dog walker training would be more use. Puppy classes once a week and reinforcement of what's taught during the week would yield quicker solutions if there is a) a class near enough to get to, b) time to go (usually early evenings and c) enough spare cash in the kitty to finance the lessons. If not, perhaps there would be someone you know who would lend you a 'crate' and although Dora would object to being shut in at the beginning if you make it a place she has her treats and her naps in the day she should fairly readily accept being shut in when she gets to be too much for you in the day. This would give YOU time out when you felt you needed it. I don't suppose either your son or daughter in law works in a job that would enable the pup to go with them sometimes do they as that would be another way of giving you a much needed respite!