Blowing in the Winds of Change

Sun_Addict

Bad news about the flat but fabulous news about a new canine friend. He is a very lucky dog indeed. So sad about the others, hope they all get rescued.

kazwookie

Wonderful a new dog, good luck hope it all works out

*Robin*

Bubblesmum wrote: »

Robin sending you gentle hugs, SA has said what I was thinking, and as we know when we are able to be sociable people have no idea the effort it takes out of us, and what goes on behind closed doors i.e being horizontal and brain fog. When life changes and we observe other peoples busy lives and they so busy, they don't think to stop and put themselves in our shoes.

Bubbles - a belated special thanks for your comment.. It's awful that so many of us are in the same boat, therefore very important to help spread awareness when we can..

Lucky, Sun.A and Kazwookie - Musketeer thanks you all for your welcome, with waggy tail and happy licks. It's obvious the kill station is receding in his memory as he settles in at The Nest. Hard to believe he's only been here a week, as he's already into a good routine - behaving very much better than Grand-Pup who has suddenly turned into a bolshy teenager (in addition to the bad behaviours mentioned above, he's keen to escape and romance the b!tch in season next door - if he were mine he'd be booked in for the chop alongside Musketeer! :mad: ..Still very cute and I do love him though).

More changes have blown in on the wind that I forgot to mention in m' last post:
Nasty Neighbour has gone! :j
His land has been bought by a family with whom we have much closer ties; two brothers who are good friends of DS1. As their Dad and Uncle own the land on the other side of the Nest, they really want to buy it. So much so that they've offered to find me another house and garden of similar size, my choice, in exchange..
In principle I have agreed, because it won't be all that long before I'm too disabled to live here anyway. Head over heart; there will be sadness, but it is a sensible suggestion really.

Meanwhile, we've had another offer on DH's flat, which I've accepted. Fingers crossed, eh?

Changes afoot re the family home too. Decisions to be made.

Musketeer has had his jabs so now has a valid passport. Needs the op before we leave, but it must wait until Grand-Pup has gone so he can recuperate in peace.
It was utterly exhausting taking both dogs into town; in the end I tied 'em together with a link-lead so that at least I only had potential hazards in a single direction to concentrate on (Pup is still at jumping-up stage, Musketeer follows his nose).

Am very grateful for a quiet day today, for Gardener's offer to help me get ready to leave, and Musketeer behaving so well.

Spends:
Musketeer's inoculations, blood tests, flea collar, passport and food for both pups - £140
Gardener's wages - £30

*Robin*

Just realised; I gave in, surrendered - and things changed. Must remember that at times when everything ahead seems dark and chaotic.

Dansmam

Hi Robin great to see you back. Yep, sometimes the only thing that works is giving in and going with the flow (hard though isn't it, if you're used to being the one that keeps everyone else going��).And then look what happens - a Musketeer comes along!!!
Big decision about the nest but you'll know what's right for you. Hope the flat sale goes smoothly now so you're back in funds and can make things happen.
DD back on the road again but on her own again. I shall not be worrying at all ��������

stepuptothepl8

Glad to see you posting Robin, and thrilled to hear about musketeer! xx

*Robin*

Hello MSEers; Spanish Mothers' Day greetings to all Mums, :hello:

Dansmam - thanks for posting. Happy Travels to your DD - am starting to look forward to following in her wheel-treads while exploring with Musketeer..

Stepuptothepl8 - thank you; think Musketeer and I are going to be very good for each other, although definitely need to tweak something in order to increase m' available energy - both Musketeer and Grand-Pup will pull me up hills, but even so giving them enough exercise is using more reserves than I have; cooking, cleaning, even personal hygiene isn't happening as frequently as is desirable.

We've had a few hiccups in the last week, as the dogs and I have been learning how to get along. Musketeer is used to living in the campo, but also to having freedom to wander about as he chooses. That's both illegal and very unwise here; at this time of year local shooters put down poison for loose dogs and foxes to stop them taking partridge chicks - that's illegal too but knowing it won't save a pet's life.
Musketeer can easily leap the fences which keep Grand-Pup close to the house, so at first I put him on the strongest extending lead, tied to the door. It lasted ten seconds; in the time it took to fetch m' cuppa, Grand-Pup had chewed almost all the way through the lead! :mad:
After a hasty sewing bodge we nipped down to the village where I bought 20mts of light, fine steel chain (Grand-Pup can't chomp that! Granny 1 : Grand-Pup 0 ).
On the way back we went for a walk in the river-bed. Warm ankle deep rippling water, birds, bees, flowers all around. Beguiling scents for the dogs to enjoy.. It was glorious for a couple of kliks until we met a pack of owner-less dogs who did not look friendly. :cool:
Put Grand-Pup on his lead [am not yet letting Musketeer run free] and dragged 'em both back the way we came. Walking through a deeper channel I looked away from the pups to watch m' step, then four seconds later turned round to see Grand-Pup carrying a very dead, dried-up toad. :eek:
Being on the lead at that moment saved Grand-Pup's life; I wouldn't have been able to catch him in time if he'd been loose.
Half an hour afterwards Grand-Pup was smashed out of his silky little head! Gave him charcoal tablets and milk as soon as we got back to the Nest, and he didn't slaver or show any of the "Vet NOW!" danger signs, but boy was he stoned: Hurtling round and round the lawn like a loon, bouncing off the furniture, barking at everything and nothing, devouring carrots as if he'd never eaten before.. Completely manic for a couple of hours. Then he climbed on top of Musketeer who was watching from what has already become 'his' chair, wrapped his legs around Musketeer's neck, and fell asleep with a big toothy grin on his face.
Can happily report that next morning Grand-Pup was fine, back to his usual cheeky self. Phew. Teenage adventures! :cool:

The next day it was Musketeer's turn. Playing with Pup outside on his new chain when suddenly it went quiet. Pup started crying..
CD's old harness was lying empty on the patio floor. :eek:
Spotted Musketeer sniffing the ground on the drive. Called him, he looked up at me, wagged his tail then turned and trotted off through the open gate. Grabbed the harness and set off in pursuit, leaving Grand-Pup inside the enclosure. Pup began howling in desperate frustration and abandonment!
I'd just reached the bottom of the steps when Musketeer reappeared at a gallop, responding to Pup's distress. Oh, he got lots of cuddles [from me] and licks [from Grand-Pup] for coming back.. Then found himself squeezed into Little Girl's smaller harness, which he hasn't managed to wriggle out of [yet].

Interestingly, three dog-knowledgeable friends all made the same comment about Musketeer:
"Oh, you've got another snow-dog!"
Must admit there are resemblances in his general size and shape, but also differences. I think he's probably a Mastin x Podenco. Definitely a hunter though - he almost caught one of the partridges who live in the garden while I wasn't paying close enough attention.
He has made great progress in a week; Musketeer's understandable food-aggression has completely vanished, he's learned his name, "Come," "Sit," and "Stay." Am hopeful that the chain won't be needed for very long; soon Musketeer will understand that his job is to keep me in sight at all times.
One thing he did completely without prompting: On Grand-Pup's favourite walk there is a short section - only about five metres - where the path is very steep, with loose shale underfoot and no bushes to hang onto.. Musketeer braced himself beside me so that I could hold onto his harness, waiting until I'd taken each step before moving down a pace himself so that I could take the next one safely. To say I was impressed is a wild understatement.

Today am grateful our escapades have had happy outcomes, for friends who keep in touch even though I can't often spend time with them, and for a glimmer of light at the end of the financial tunnel.

Spends:
Chain - £10
Groceries - £12

Sun_Addict

What antics the pups have got up to. At least they're both unscathed. Musketeer sounds like he's going to be a loyal friend you you, I'm so pleased you got him

Dansmam

Wow Musketeer - the ultimate assistance dog!
Nothing worse than a dog that doesn't wait for you to get your footing (lurcher lad's ears should be burning...) and nothing better than a steadying hound at your side. Seems you both struck lucky when you found each other 😀
Chilly up north today and DD says northern Spain is similar. She's on a bit of an explore while volunteering and glad of jumpers. Hope it's a bit warmer where you are.
Flat sale sounds promising - will cross fingers and hope for a smooth sale for you.
And that grandpup avoids getting drugged up again 😱😱😱

please-let-me-be-lucky

Loved hearing about the latest doggie escapades! Something to smile about now, but bet they didn't feel funny at the time!

Happy Spanish Mothers Day Xx