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The online diary
started life as a blog of my strange 'other life' with the dog. I
wanted to record some of the experiences that I had as a first-time dog
owner. To access the archive, click on the appropriate month.
The most recent articles are listed
separately.
You are most
welcome to send comments about any of the articles. Record your
comments via the Contact Me page.
FIREWORKS
Fri 6 Nov 2009
I don’t give
much thought to Bonfire Night, usually. We live in a very quiet part of the
village where there are no children and there are fields back and front.
The only excitement comes twice a day when the parents drop off or pick up
their children on the ‘school run’. Occasionally, I lose my rag with
inconsiderate parents who think it perfectly acceptable to park across my
drive before walking off to collect their offspring! It usually happens
when someone has arrived late, or it is raining heavily when their precious
cargo cannot possibly walk a few extra yards to the car in case they
dissolve!! In such cases, emotion is stronger than reason.
But it was
fireworks of a different sort that disturbed us yesterday. I came home from
a Governors’ meeting around six o’ clock. It was pitch black and very quiet
– nothing unusual, in fact.
Beattie was waiting for me and slipped outside as I opened the door.
Obviously, she was desperate!
In her usual
manner, Beattie ‘knocked on the door’ a few minutes later. Actually, she
has learnt that rattling the cat flap usually brings the required response!
On this evening, I was busy making a cup of tea and did not answer the knock
immediately. Then, without warning, there was a tremendous explosion very
close by, followed by a desperate drumming on the cat flap by a frightened
dog! When I opened the door, poor Beattie was in a bit of a state, her
heart was pounding and she was literally shaking all over!
Then I guessed
what must have happened. The neighbours must be entertaining the grandchild
– the first time that had happened on November 5th! I was
mortified that I had been so thoughtless and had subjected Beattie to that
unwarranted shock.
It took her a
while to recover but she had a lot of cuddles from
A during the rest of the
evening.
I only hope
that dogs do not have an elephant’s memory! Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Sorry to hear
about Beattie's unfortunate experience with the firework. Our cats
are lucky it doesn't happen on November 5th here. July 14th is
usually pretty noisy but not until very late when they're all curled
up indoors. I won't make that mistake again, Sandy!
derek
Comment from
Gary
Poor Beattie - we
have the same problem with Timmy, he's slowly getting better, when
we first got him from the rescue centre he was so bad we had to
actually sedate him when the pub next door had their firework
display. He's a lot better now but still gets upset like Beattie ...
Beattie has never seemed
bothered by sudden noises. But I will be more careful in
future. derek
I SMELL A RAT!
Fri 13 Nov 2009
‘The terrier
is a dog that has been bred to work beneath the ground to drive out small
and large vermin, rodents and other animals that can be a nuisance to
country living. Originally called the Rothbury Terrier, the Bedlington
hails from the Border Counties between England and Scotland.’ Bedlington
Terrier Muriel Lee pp. 10-11
Other writers
mention that Bedlingtons were popular with northeast miners who used them as
ratters in the coalmines.
One of the
first breeders to show prize-winning Bedlingtons, a Mr Pickett, wrote,
‘I look upon
the Bedlington as a farmer’s friend and country gentleman’s companion. No
breed of Terrier can compare with him for stamina, fire, courage and
resolution. He will knock about all day with his master, busy as a bee at
foxes, rabbits or otters; and at night, when any other sort of dog would be
stiff, sore and utterly jaded, he will turn up bright as a new shilling and
ready for any game going. He takes to the water readily, has a capital
nose, is most intelligent and lively and is a rough and ready friend about
the woods and fields – he has no equal.’ Quoted in Bedlington Terrier
Muriel Lee p. 13
That’s quite
an accolade. But does the rhetoric match reality?
SH told me quite a while ago
that P had spotted a rat when
her husband was clearing out their shed and she killed it instantly. I had
often wondered what would happen when
Beattie finally caught her
first rat.
Well, it
happened when we were away in the Dales at half term. I was out and about
with Beattie quite early on a foggy, morning. We had just set off along a
field path when Beattie was distracted by something away to her left. She
was snuffling at a patch of tussocky grass when, without warning a rat ran
out of the undergrowth and Beattie pounced! She quickly had hold of the
rat, but seemed quite uncertain what to do next. Her mother would have
despatched the rodent to the next world very smartly, but her daughter was
not made of such stern stuff and, momentarily letting the rat drop from her
jaws, it escaped! Beattie chased the swiftly departing rat, but she was too
late – the moment had passed. Her supposed instinct for the kill had
deserted her and she was left snapping at empty air!
Poor Beattie!
She is not destined to live up to her reputation as a fearsome rat catcher!
Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
I can't imagine
Beattie as a 'killer' so I'm quite pleased she lost her rat!
No, I don't think she had the
stomach for it! derek
TESTING TIMES
Tue 24 Nov 2009
Last Friday, I
took Beattie to the vet for her
follow-up liver function and BAST tests (Bile Acid Stimulation Test). This
was after a discussion with the vet who advised that Beattie be monitored
for liver function as she had an abnormal reading when the test was done in
September.
The last time
she had the BAST test, she returned home with a bad case of diarrhoea! I
was told that this was because of the fatty substance she was given to
stimulate the production of bile. She also tiddled on the lounge carpet –
something she never does. Beattie definitely had an upset stomach that day!
I was
determined to watch her like a hawk and take her outside regularly for the
first twelve hours. She came home at lunchtime and this time suffered no
ill effects at all, which was a relief!
Yesterday, the
vet telephoned to say that the results were back from the lab and that
although she still had a slightly high reading on her liver test, he thought
it might be the norm for Beattie. We agreed that I would continue to
monitor her, but, as I told him, to all intents and purposes, she is a very
healthy little dog!
I don’t mind
having tests done if they are really necessary, but this one cost £94 and I
did not want Beattie tested to destruction, especially if there was nothing
wrong with her.
Could it be
all part of a fiendish plot by the vet to part me from my hard-earned
cash???
Surely not?
Back
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Comment from
Little Old Me
Better safe
than sorry. Vets fees are very high though.
That's what I thought. derek
Comment from AT
Welcome to
the world of dog ownership!!! But it's all worth
it, though! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
I think
you're right, Derek. If Beattie is healthy there's no point in
looking for trouble.
Vet's fees certainly aren't cheap. We thought it cost less when we
first came to France but they have gradually increased. Now, with
seven cats we are giving them homoeopathic treatment instead of the
annual vaccinations which we can no longer afford.
That's some bill you must have, Sandy! derek
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