Good dog Bad dog?

I Love My Dog Monty! I only need look at him and he makes me smile, which I know probably makes me a bit of a saddo or one of those crazy dog loving old ladies in the making but hey what does a crazy menopausal old woman care.

 Monty, a Staffordshire bull terrier of dubious pedigree, was born on 14th February 2009, a valentine puppy and I am certain he was born to be loved. He has such a joy for life it is contagious and I can’t help but feel happy around him. Monty has been my salvation through some of the difficult times I have already written about. I took every chance I got to pound the streets training him when I needed to escape "normal life" and it always gave me the strength I needed to face things again. You hear of people self harming, starving themselves and turning to drink trying to gain some control over their runaway lives, well I turned to dog walking.

Staffs get allot of bad press these days and I expect you get bad tempered dogs just as you get bad tempered people, but I have never met one, yet! Some very lively staffs and some very naughty ones but never a bad one. I have however met some very bad owners and read about some even worse. Why would anyone encourage a dog to do wrong, using such a warm hearted creature like a loaded weapon?

One particular Man that springs to mind was convinced his dog was half lion, yes we all know that is insane, and boasted of his control over his dogs. Well yes he did have control over his dogs; they were very well trained, by beating seven barrels out of them he boasted. I was never witness to this cruelty and I can assure you it would not have gone unchecked if I had but such is the heart of these Staffies they still seemed to adore him?

Well back to Monty. He is very naughty, pinches the socks and won’t give them back until you chase him. I have caught him down the garden with a mouth full of feathers when he thinks I can’t see him "playing" with the chickens. He howls like a Banshee when I leave him outside the shop and now whinges almost as much when I take him in with me. He snores like a train and there is no way he will let me cut his nails. But this weekend he has been a star. Monty has had company for the weekend Kelly and Karl, their 4 year old daughter Scarlett and Doggy "Boo" came to stay, usually there is just hubby and I. A full house. Now anyone who owns a Staff knows that there is nothing they like better than a game of Tug -of -war, to be honest we usually try to discourage it, but visitors like to play so when Karl took up the challenge we knew he couldn’t win but let the contest commence. Monty with his usual enthusiasm was determined not to be bested and held on with all his might, in a very good natured way of course. But then Scarlett wanted to play, ok says her dad but he will pull you over, Oh no! I thought he will pull you over, oh no! Thought hubby this will end in tears he will pull her over. The tugger was retrieved and Monty was instructed "gently" I held my breath convinced that Scarlett was about to be yanked off her feet.......and then Monty did the most amazing thing, having taken up his end of the tugger he lay down, rolled over onto his side and let Scarlett Drag him around the living room floor over and over again. I couldn’t believe my eyes, some how he just knew she was a baby and what he had to do to let her join in. Well done Monty you are a star! Now I know why they call them Nanny Dogs. We have kept Staffies for 25 years and I have never seen anything quite like that. So Staff haters take note and remember most dogs are born with a good heart but rely on the owners to teach them good manners, Punish Them not the dogs please.

Dangerouse Dogs

I Love My Dog Monty! I only need look at him and he makes me smile, which i know probably makes me a bit of a saddo or one of those crazy dog loving old ladies in the making but hey what does a crazy menopausal old woman care.
 Monty, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier of dubiouse pedigree, was born on 14th February 2009, a valentine puppy and I am certain he was born to be loved. He has such a joy for life it is contagiouse and i cant help but feel happy around him. Monty has been my salvation through some of the difficult times i have already writen about. I took every chance i got to pound the streets training him when I needed to escape "normal life" and it always gave me the strength i needed to face things again. You hear of people self harming, starving themselves and turning to drink trying to gain some control over their runaway lives, well i turned to dog walking.
Staffys get alot of bad press these days and i expect you get bad tempered dogs just as you get bad temperd people, but i have never met one, yet! Some very lively staffys and some very naughty ones but never a bad one. I have however met some very bad owners and read about some even worse. Why would anyone encourage a dog to do wrong, using such a warm hearted creature like a loaded weapon?
One particular Man that springs to mind was convinced his dog was half lion, yes We all know that is insane, and boasted of his control over his dogs. Well yes he did have control over his dogs, they where very well trained, by beating seven barrels out of them he boasted. I was never witness to this cruelty and i can assure you it would not have gone unchecked if i had but such is the heart of these Staffies they still seemed to adore him?
Well back to Monty. He is very naughty, pinches the socks and wont give them back untill you chase him. I have caught him down the garden with a mouth full of feathers when he thinks i cant see him "playing" with the chickens. He Howls like a Banshee when I leave him outside the shop, and now winges almost as much when I take him in with me. He snores like a train and there is no way he will let me cut his nails. But this weekend he has been a star. Monty has had company for the weekend Kelly and Karl ,their 4 year old daughter Scarlett and Doggy "Boo"came to stay, usually there is just hubby and I. A full house. Now anyone who owns a Staff knows that there is nothing they like better than a game of Tug -of -war,to be honest we usually try to discourage it,  but visitors like to play so when Karl took up the challenge we knew he couldnt win but let the contest comence.Monty with his usual enthusiasm was determined not to be bested and held on with all his might, in a very good natured way of course. But then Scarlett wanted to play, ok says her dad but he will pull you over, Oh no! ithought he will pull you over, oh no! thought hubby this will end in tears he will pull her over. The tugger was retrieved and Monty was instructed "gently" I held my breath convinced that scarlett was about to be yanked off her feet.......and then Monty did the most amazing thing, having taken up his end of the tugger he lay down, rolled over onto his side and let Scarlett Drag him around the living room floor over and over again. I couldnt believe my eyes, some how he just knew she was a baby and what he had to do to let her join in. Well done Monty you are a star! Now I know why they call them Nanny Dogs. We have kept Staffies for 25 years and i have never seen anything quite like that. So Staff haters take note and remember most dogs are born with a good heart but rely on the owners to teach them good manners, Punnish Them not the dogs please.

Children 2

First photo's of the new baby!

Due in early July!

OOOOOOOOOh!

I Just don't get it!

How do you make yourself feel Christmas? I have failed miserably this year! I am so disappointed, I feel like I have been swindled out of the good cheer that seems to be a must have feeling that every one around me seems to have, or do they? I have watched jealously as people reveled in all the Tatt and tinsel that goes with the season of good will these days and wonder. Why dont I feel it?
It is at times like this that I really question the benefits of having a personal moral code for it is this that gets in between me and Christmas. To me Christmas is remembering the birth of Jesus, it's his Birthday party after all, and the trouble is I don't think I really believe. Oh yes there certainly was a Jesus, The son of god hmmmmmmm........ not so sure. Well that's OK, I can be happy to celebrate the Birthday of some strange bloke born in Bethlehem hundreds of years ago.
So that's belief out the window.
Now the presents, you see I always thought they where supposed to be symbolic of the gifts delivered by Three Wise Men who traipsed across the desert following a star? I get the feeling these days they are more symbolic of the Deadly sin "Avarice". The need for Gifts given and received seems to far outweigh any thought of the baby Jesus or the Very long journey those kings must have made and the faith they must have had to follow a bright star, I often see bright lights in the sky but have never felt the urge to follow them on the off chance there may be some special sign being sent to me.So what made them do it?
So that's faith swiftly following beliefs swift departure.
Now Turkey,chocolates, pudding, booze, more chocolate, the list of treats we must now indulge in if we are to have Christmas is endless. How did this Gluttony find its way in? ahhhh another deadly sin! This is where maybe I start to weaken a little as I have a soft spot for all of the above.
I am starting to see the issue clearer now. We have been lured into all these extra temptations in the name of a maybe slightly confused, but very kind bloke, born in a far off land, a very long time ago.
( I would say thank God, but that would indicate that I believe which I don't think I do, so I shan't!)
Well that would be OK, i could really go for that if the Personal code didn't keep getting in my way. It makes me sad that so many people are being swept along to the party and don't really know who the birthday boy is. It just feels a bit hypocritical doesn't it? Would Jesus have wanted this? I just can't seem to reconcile this in my head, Christmas makes me feel sad and sometimes lonely. I don't like Christmas, there I have said it.
Today is new years day and i need to get this off my chest. I feel grateful that I have food on my table but guilt that we waste so much.Grateful that I have been tucked up in doors when so many are cold or homeless or both. Grateful that I have family, but miss those who I do not see as often as I would like and those i will never spend Christmas with again.I feel ashamed that I am whingeing when I have so much and so many have so little and it always feels worse at Christmas. And lastly I envy, there we go I am sure that must be another sin, all those who either believe or enjoy Christmas.
I have just read this back, what a miserable woman I sound, how did I get confused? Does anyone else feel like this?
The one thing I would like for myself in 2011 is..........? Is there a way to let myself join the party with a clear conscience? I am going to search for it before next Christmas or maybe i shall just have to celebrate something else on 25/12/2011.
PS. I am open to suggestions X

Children

We are expecting a baby!!! Not "we" as in Hubby and me but "we" as in, my son and his partner are expecting a baby. this is fantastic news, there hasn't been a baby in my family for quite some time. Well not one that I get to hold anyway. I was amazed at my response when they told me the news, I squealed, for those of you that don't know me I am not a squealy sort of person. In fact recently I have some times thought that maybe I have forgotten how to have fun. I watch the squealing women on the TV screaming over stuff, Film stars, game shows, getting drunk and dirty falling out of bars, Christmas........ and I wonder, What are they getting so excited about? Is anything that exciting anymore? and then I heard this wonderful news about the baby! I cant wait, I know I will have to wait, I know it's not my Baby but WOW what a feeling as they say in the song. And then I started to dream a little, then I started to remember the moment I saw my Granddaughter for the first time. That was the day I became a believer. No, not the god thing, the day I became a believer in love at first sight. You love your own children, you laboured and brought them into the world surrounded by anxiety's and doubts, Worries that you cant take care of them properly, wont know how to feed them, dress them, get them to sleep through the night, afraid that if you don't manage to snatch 6 consecutive hours of sleep at least once this week you really will start to behave like a Rabid Mother Gerbil and eat the tiny offspring, so it would be a damn swindle if you didn't get to love them. Grandchildren are different, they are like a perfect sugary gift that smell of something indescribably wonderful and baby Talc. You know all the right things to do, even if it is forbidden to let the new mum in on your secret, and when you get to hold the new baby a warm glow spreads through you as you see a little glimpse of the baby you where to anxious and tired to fully appreciate the first time around. Anyway after I recovered from my initial excitement I pondered my own baby's and pulled out some old photo's. Oh how sad they make me feel, what amazing little boys they where, I feel a sense of loss that I can't remember more of their growing up, I would love to savour the joy of watching them sleep without the fear that I may wake them. Share their glee at painting my Freezer with gloss paint while i wasn't watching, without the feeling of guilt that I had taken my eye off of them, they where so proud of their handy work. I would like the chance to do it all again and not rush them to grow. I cant wait, did i mention that already, sorry. I am sure I will mention it again soon.



The Photograph

Captured in a moments glee
My tiny son stares back at me.
His hand on hip so glad to pose
I don’t think he even knows
The future that I see.

That photograph is put away
To pause and look another day.
The essence of a mothers Joy
Captured in that little boy.
The hope that’s kept at bay

The Image when again is found,
reminds you time has turned around.
Those dreamy childhood moments passed,
A proud young man he is at last.
To wonder and astound.

How did those years slip by so swiftly,
Slip away, pass so quickly.
Is that a tear of pride I cry,
For a forgotten memory of my boy.
For the man I knew he’d be.

Shut that door!

To close the door or leave it open, That is the question! My customers are obsessed with our stores front door.I hooked it open today despite the biting chill that crawled its Icy tendrils around the ankles before starting to devour our toes and nearly every customer that came in tried to yank the door shut, even though it had clearly been open when they entered. "Do you want this door closed" they asked in that tone of Voice that so clearly conveys their disapproval, before I explain that the door is open because it sticks in damp weather and when we close it, many of our clientele seem to find the closed door a bit of a puzzle and don't bother coming in. This explanation is met with much lip pursing and Hmmmming, of course it is blatantly clear that My staff and I are making this up, we obviously keep it open because we enjoy the feeling of a cold wind biting at our Bums and look forward to the day when our fingers drop off from Frost bite! Their helpful suggestions? You really should turn the heaters off if you are going to let all the warmth out,You should close it, have you not heard about the Ozone?
Finally by Mid morning when it was on the tip of my tongue to tell them to mind their own damn business I gave in to public pressure. Carefully a bumper was hung between the inside and out side door Knobs to prevent the door sticking and I boldly unhooked the door. A soft thud as it slowly swung shut and almost instantly a warm glow wafted across the store as the cosy heat from the over door blower shared itself instead of heating the high street. Almost immediately the front door slowly opened a crack and Gingerly a mitten clad hand grasped its edge as it opened further. A cold breeze whipped in as a chilled, woolly hatted head poked around the door. Are you open? this lady enquired as she gazed around at the staff and customers inside the shop.
Well just for a moment I thought I had been possessed by Victor Meldrew because all I could hear as I gazed at her in disbelief was "I don't believe it!" My colleague must have seen that a long stream of expletives could quite possibly explode from my lips at any moment and quickly chipped in. "Oh yes, just keeping the heat in". The customer looked puzzled, was this some kind of Indiana Jones style trap and would an avalanche of assorted potpourri and lamp shades be triggered as she set foot on the door mat? Would red lights flash and sirens wail if she broke the infra red beam as she approached the fashion dept. Is it really so bloody strange to find a door pushed too on a very cold, snowy, Monday morning when the lights are all on and piped, really bad, music is playing? NO!!!
Why do us Brit's seem to find it necessary to state the obvious.
"Your letting the heat out" Really? I thought it would know to stay in when it is so cold out.
"It would stay warmer in here if you shut the door" When did you get your PHD in home insulation?
It stayed pretty much the same all day and in the interests of equality I should say the Women where almost as bad as the men and I am sure the foreign visitors where saying pretty much the same thing, if only they where speaking English!!!!
Goodness me I feel better for a rant.It always seem to be the little things that get you going doesn't it? Still -10 forecast for tomorrow I look forward to my impending education regarding the future of the planet and our part in its demise v the age old problem of when best to keep it shut!

Katie Price

So Katie price is to Edit the today programme on Radio 4. Judging by the who-Ha around this decision I think it would be fair to say that popular opinion is that she is not up to the Job. My question today then is, Are the opinions and Views of the common man not Valid? Now I am not a big fan Of Jordan AKA Katie price and to be honest I don't think I have ever intentionally listened to the Today programme and my first thought was "God No!" But then I had a rethink.
I have a reputation among my family and friends, it would seem, of being a very scary Woman and on the other hand being a bit of a goody goody? I think what they are saying about me is that I am a woman with strong opinions who is not afraid to voice them, but maybe I am kidding myself? How would I describe my self? Fair I think and I try to consider why people behave the way they do and how I would behave in their situation, but with little patience for apathy. So back to Katie Price. My first instinct is why would anybody be interested in listening to anything she has to say, I don't think I have ever heard or read anything by her that wasn't Vapid and self serving, is there anybody currently in the public eye that is more me,me,me than her? Katy is undoubtedly clever she has built herself a business empire worth millions with no other talent barr having surgically enhanced ,Very large breasts and I would be surprised if there was anyone in the country that is unaware of her. So why would radio 4 choose such a talentless artificial woman as a guest editor? well maybe they have been cleverer than we think and my only hope is that Jordan is up to the challenge, for the sake of the hoards of teenage Young women that look at her and think that all they need to get on in the world is to be sexy I hope she is! Maybe behind all the self promotion there is a real woman with opinions of her own and if I understand this editing business correctly, by taking away her voice and Making her choose others to represent what she considers appointment we may get a peep at the real Katy Price. We are all so quick to judge and constantly dismiss others values that maybe we don't give enough of a voice to others, That strange woman on the bus who always wants to strike up a conversation, The bloke in the park that sits on the bench next to you, the teenager that seems all swear words and swagger..........I must try to listen they too may be living a very interesting life. Well I guess me and mine would say I had my goody head on today, maybe, they shouldn't be so quick to judge they don't know what I am really thinking.