Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and pets...

soop if your message will not send (I had the same problem), highlight the text with your mouse and go to the edit button on the top menu(or right click on your mouse if you have that facility), choose copy. Then when Gransnet has recovered, open a new message, click on it then go back to the edit button and choose paste. I don't know what system you are using but my pc keeps it in the memory until I want to copy something else, or I log off.

Tegan so feel for you. We made a decision last year that our oldest dog was too old for another knee operation and we would control it with pain killers. When they are not working then we will have to say good bye. But he seems happy most of the time, and prefers a play to food. Only you, with your vet's advice, can decide what is best for the dog.

TriciaF We have two rooms carpeted. The rest of our home has wood flooring. I much prefer the latter. It looks smart, is easy to clean and, if when we have a windfall, we'll dispose of the remaining carpet. I wish that we had decided to go down the wood flooring route from day one.

Charleyg One of these happy days you will have had all the outstanding jobs fixed. Wow! When we lived in Cornwall, MacSporran was a self employed architect. He had no bother finding the right man for the right job. We moved to Scotland (where we were strangers) and although the house build went satisfactorily, when it came to carpentry MacS did almost all the jobs around our house. I was responsible for all the interior decorating, including ceilings. We either had to do the work ourselves or wait for yonks for the local craftsmen to have "a window". We were 14 years younger and very much fitter in those days.

cornergran If you get the chance to relax in the garden then go ahead. .

Tizliz Thank you for your advice. It's kind of you to try to help. I fear that I do not have the appropriate facility.

Oh Tegan I never thought Grace would come through 2 general anaesthetics when the tale of the tail happened last Christmas, but 9 months later she is a bit creaky but still here! We can't go away because I promised myself that she would not go back to kennels but DH has not been well enough to go away either so it has sort of worked out OK. I don't know if we will have her for many more months, but I was saying the same thing 18 months ago!
Only you know what you will do, but vets are usually quite upfront about what is or is not viable. Main criterion is her quality of life. X

PS Grace is 13!!

Daphne Grace paces herself throughout the day!!! I think that Tara does too but under a bush rather than on a bed. There are no cosy rugs in this house but she can rest on an armchair because they are covered.

I only hope that Tara will not want to go out for 12+ hours each day when the winter weather arrives.

I agree, vets are usually up front re our pets but in our heart of hearts we know when the time has come.

Bella, what a lovely photo of your granddaughter and the dogs, and I love the cute pic of your little dog in his kennel.
Tegan, I hope you find a satisfactory answer regarding your dog. When our Heidi was 14 she developed a large lump, it came up very quickly, on one of her nipples. The vet operated and removed it, she seemed perfectly fit and well and showed no ill effects. However, the vet wanted to send the lump away for testing, which would have raised the bill by a lot, so we said no. A year later she started to go downhill, so at age 15 we decided that she was too old to undergo any invasive treatment, that it wasn`t fair on her, so we had her put to sleep.

DaphneB Grace did remarkably well, considering her age. It was an upsetting time for you all. Has it really been nine months!
I'm wondering how Boggit is. She was a real fighter.

number Heidi spent a one extra year with you. I think that counts for a lot. I've heard many pet owners say the same thing: you know when the time is right. I agree.

She's only 9 and some people see her and think she's a puppy. But I can't cope with seeing the lump and not knowing what it is. I guess that, with whippets and greyhounds you see lumps that you wouldn't even notice in another breed. Her insurance for such things has ran out [£3,000 limit] and, although the cost isn't a major factor I do need the money for other, important things [ie my own health]. Anyway, she'll be having her 3 week holiday in Bamburgh soon and will be on the beach twice a day. These days I seem to do a lot of 'live for today and put this or that problem on the back burner for a while'.

Heidi was a greyhound.

Tegan The beach at Bamburgh sounds very inviting. Something to look forward to. Take one day at a time. (hugs)

I'm about to log off. Rory is reclining on Bobby's bench in the garden. It's rather grey here today. Muggy with it.

Until tomorrow

So sorry for your dilemma Tegan, we had similar issues with our last dog, it's a huge responsibility. Bamburgh beach is just beautiful, we had two holidays in that area when we had our little touring van. Just loved the space and light. Your dog is bound to be happy there. We took away some wonderful memories.

It's been a very noisy, dusty day. More of the same tomorrow then a few days break before stage two. I keep repeating, it will be worth it, it will, it will, it will !

Morning !!

Just a quick pop in to say hope you are all well. With the big party only 2 days away its all go here and today I am off to the salon to be made presentable. Then off for a pedicure too !!

I'm sorry to hear of worries about your lovely dog Tegan . I think all us dog/cat lovers have been there too. You must do what you think is best. When Sam had a bad back earlier in the year and we discussed treatment with the vet we came to the conclusion if the enforced rest did not do the trick we would not go down the operation route. He is only 3 and the idea of keeping him caged for months on end for a treatment that might not work made no sense.

Luckily he recovered and didn't know what his fate might have been.

Sending you a hug for support .

Morning all, it's gone from sauna type weather here, to what is most definitely 'dreicht' today. (Hope that's the correct spelling)
I'm on school pick-up duties this week which has been delightful so far. Savannah has enjoyed her first few days, no traumas, because it's just like nursery school, but with new friends.
We've spent the afternoons in the park, on the swings etc. and throwing large sticks into the river. I don't know which of us has been the most exhausted by five o'clock!
I was up early this morning, ready to move my car as we're having parking spaces marked out on the private road in front of the apartments. Well, that won't be happening until tomorrow maybe, if the rain moves away.
I've had two invitations from neighbours in the last week. One for coffee (not keen on her as she seems quite snobby) and also for drinks on the patio of a very nice lady!
I think I've really settled in now!
I'm trying to keep up with all your 'everyday happenings' and pet escapades. Tegan I'm sure you'll make the right decision x
Love to you all xx

Sounds wonderful Lona, both GD and your new life. Accept all offers and then get choosy, the snobby lady may turn out ok.
I hope your new life is all you want it to be, you surely deserve it.

As Lona says, it's dreich in Cheshire. The morning started with a lovely sunrise - all fluffy apricot clouds. So it was a false promise. Yesterday was so hot and much worse when sitting in a hospital waiting room with the doctor running late!

It is a perfect day here- the sun is shining and no sign of rain.

Lona I think it was quite decent of the "snobby" lady to invite you for a cup of coffee. See what she is like and then make a judgement. It is not as though you are moving in with her. It is nice to remain friendly with all of your neighbours.

I was making a great fuss of a neighbour's dog yesterday evening. He was acquired from a puppy farm before Christmas and has cost them so much money. He is now very healthy, friendly and well loved. Tara was sniffing me when she came home yesterday evening, I do not think that she has been near a dog. She is out as usual.

Charleygirl I agree it was very nice of her to invite me, but she was the one doing the judging! There's a lot of it in this area I'm afraid.
I'm always friendly with neighbours too. Years of working with the general public have made me a fairly skilled people person

Hello to our lovely Kitcheners.

It's grey-ish, moist-ish and dull-ish. We have managed our daily stroll and stopped to blether to a few local villagers.

cornergran Yes indeed...the day will arrive when you can say...it has been worth the mess/upheaval/noise and such. We've renovated two derelict properties (both barns) and lived in caravans on site. During the present house build, the caravan was positioned near to the road. It rocked whenever heavy vehicles passed by. Gales ripped tarpaulin off the unfinished roof. Peat clogged the water supply being piped in from way up the hill. It was freezing cold in the winter and we roasted in the warmer weather. Was it worth it? Definitely.

NanaandGrampy I like the sound of you pampering day. We females enjoy such treats. Us lot will want to see plenty of photos of you at your birthday bash. You know how nosy inquisitive we are.

Lona I'm really happy to hear that you are settled and feeling "at home" after some weeks of stress. I can imagine your apartment and would like to join you on your balcony.
It is a good thing that you are being introduced to new neighbours. You are free to pick and choose...accept the coffee invitation and see how it goes.

anno Why were you in the hospital waiting room?

Charleyg Rory makes a big fuss off sniffing my feet whenever I return fro ironing duties at my friend's home. She has three dogs. One dog, Benni, sits by my feet for the entire morning. Apparently, whenever my friend gets the ironing board out, Benni starts running around in circles. He waits by the cat flap, and because he's small, he darts through it when he sees me approaching. Whenever MacSporran arrives to pick me up at the end of the morning, Benni barks and attempts to keep him away.

soop Benni knows that he has found a friend and he wants to keep you! I find that quite endearing. I must not suggest that you pop him in your handbag because it sounds as though he would be delighted to go home with you although I know one young man who would not be at all impressed.

3 dogs to me is too much. walking them would be a nightmare and vet fees horrendous. I am well aware how much Tara costs me and to date she has only needed to have tartare removal from her teeth. The annual trip there is enough.

Charleyg Interestingly, Benni was a rescue dog. He was afraid of females. However, we have bonded. My friend has always had three dogs. She has had cats, ducks and chickens. The duck family was decimated by a mink. Several hens, over the years, have met a similar fate with a fox. Since we've known the family, we've attended four burials of elderly pets. We usually have a wee dram afterwards. It helps to cheer us just a wee bit.

About to log off. I send love to you all. Have a good evening.