24thg june

On Saturday at the Blackpool championship show I purchased three new dog beds for my precious pooches thinking that they would solve a multitude of problems, being raised camp beds which are used all the time in Australia and apparently here in the UK. I liked the idea that they had canvas covers and were completely machine washable, that they would help to prevent bursas (pressure lumps) and that I could see where my Deerhounds legs were so I would not trip over them all the time. The salesman was very charming and included in the bargain three spare sets of covers. I did not think to ask at the time why I would need spare covers since they were washable. Today is Tuesday a mere three days on and I now need the spare covers. All the dogs that have tried them seemed to like them, there is just one problem they cannot take the weight and have split at the seams. Monty had an outrageous look on his face as the bed gave way under his weight, as did Odelle and Wichita. There are now three oversized frames with torn covers piled up in a corner whilst I decide what to do with them.

Dark was placed 2nd in Junior Dog and Ran 3rd in Graduate Dog. It took four hours to get there (probably would have been half an hour less had the satellite navigation not guided me through the single track mountain roads in Bala, Wales!) and four to drive home (this time ignoring the mad woman on the Sat Nav telling me to turn left off the beaten track!)

On Sunday we went over to friends with children of a similar age to Tantra for a barbeque. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, although a little windy (not the 70 mile an hour winds that had been forecasted the day before) and the children played happily outside until nearly 10pm when it started to get dark. We had a lovely time, but I did feel sorry for the mother of my friend who was devastated because she had lost her dearly beloved Chihuahua only two days previously at the age of 18 who had unexpectedly had a heart attack and died in her arms outside the school whilst she was waiting for her grandchildren to come out, it makes you realise how attached one can get to their pets.

I have had some lovely new pictures of Shakedy on the beach from Carley – I will try to download them so they can be put up onto the website for all to see. Eliran had a minor operation yesterday and is now recovering. Get well soon.

This year the pollen count is unusually high and I am spending most days, either walking around with swollen eyes or doped up on antihistamine. Just to make matters worse the grass on our farm is being cut for hay over the next few days, so I am staying inside as much as I possibly can.

Time to get Tantra from School.