Dog Days and Backache!

Hello Everyone,

Before I go any further I`ll tell you all about Jake`s visit to the vet on Thursday. The reason Jim took him was because he was in such pain he didn`t even want to stand up, let alone walk into the garden, we both had to coax him along and had to stay with him or he`d lay down again. The vet examined him carefully and when she found the painful spot, he growled at her showing his nice white set of teeth!  He had to be muzzled but the vet said she could tell he was in a lot of pain and she didn`t get as much as a whimper from him after that. She said either the toe was badly sprained or there was a possible fracture, giving Jim the choice of continuing with the Rimadyl or having an x-ray straight away. He asked whch she thought was best and she said it would be an idea to try the medication first as it might do the trick. Now we have come to the end of the pills and now we will see if he`s starts limping again without strong painkillers. He hasn`t been allowed any excercise whatsoever, not even a gentle stroll on the green across the road. Hopefully the tablets and rest will be all he needs but if not, it`s back to the vet on Monday afternoon and an x-ray on Tuesday morning. Also you`ll be pleased to know that the German Shepherd that was badly savaged by two mastiffs is alive and doing very well indeed,  far, far better than was expected. As for those dangerous dogs, I don`t know what happened but I`ve not seen anything in the local papers about it so they probably got away with it. I just hope they don`t escape from their garden again.

Talking of dogs, I have to tell you what happened at work last Monday. I was busy serving customers and out of the corner of my eye I saw a large brown dog walk through the open doors and continue to the back of the shop. It was so funny as she (it was a girl)  seemed to be looking for something to buy, unfortunately we don`t sell dog food so she was disappointed...lol!  She was so friendly it was easy to have a look at the name tag on her collar so we soon established that she had escaped from her garden just a couple of roads away though she had most likely made her way through the fields and into the centre. Very soon her young owner arrived to take her home though her impromptu visit certainly brightened up the day. Also at work I had a customer who is an orchid expert and he was very interested to hear of my enthusiasm for his passion. He said he`s going to bring in details of an orchid show in August, which I have to say I`d love to visit. I must say I do meet some very interesting and nice people at work.

Yesterday afternoon and today I`ve been planting out the bedding plants in tubs, baskets and wall mangers, to say nothing of the flower beds in the garden. While I was hanging out washing yesterday evening my back gave way and I thought I wouldn`t be able to straighten up again, it hurt so much. Anyway, I lay down on the grass for a while and just relaxed hoping it wouldn`t hurt when I got up again...wrong!  It was as usual my own fault for not being careful when lifting, I`ll never learn I know but what can I do? Today it`s still very sore but not anyway as bad as yesterday. I think it must be a nerve that catches every now and again because I`m quite strong and fit and I shouldn`t really suffer from back problems as much as I do.....I hate getting older...lol! As I said, the flowers are all in though I still need a few more, and when they all flower I`m hoping for the best display I`ve had for some time. I just hope we get enough sun to bring out the best in them.

We have a family crisis going on at the moment but I can`t explain just yet as not everyone who needs to know hasn`t been told. I will say that it`s very upsetting but as a parent what can you do for your children in matters of the heart? Anyway my friends, I must go and read some journals and catch up on your news.  Have a great weekend and Take care. Bye for now. :o)