Tag Archives: Patterdale terrier

We go to Town

I had my shopping list ready (and I also took a photo of it in case I lost it, which I usually do).

I had my companion too and off we went to town – aka Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

First stop was Harbro (agricultural feed merchant).  They have a lovely sign saying “dogs welcome”, which I expect they will be taking down shortly as Pepper insisted on trying to jump over their counter. She was hyper and not listening.

Then to “the Street”.  We went to LHD – I needed to buy some waterproof gloves and we left as quickly as possible as Pepper was pulling like a determined wee train.  We returned to the car, had words, and I put her Halti on – no pull dog head collar.  Pepper’s attitude changed and she realised I was going to win this battle.  Life became better. The halti changed everything.  Instant control.

Then we went into various shops – with me asking permission first.  I never assume.

The Bank (Royal Bank of Scotland) …..

I love my Bank (for obvious reasons). Where else would one of their staff sit on the floor with my dog, so I can get on?  Thank you Royal Bank of Scotland – never change.

Then into Superdrug, and again everyone was lovely.

The cashier said “I love it when dogs come into the shop”, and Pepper duly wagged her tail and was appreciative of attention (apologies – worst photo ever of Pepper).

Pepper was happy.  She also met other dogs – no fights.  This was good for Pepper. She needs to get out more.

I had a quick go round Tesco’s for supplies and then we drove home.  I have a headache.

 

Moved the Oldies

As some of you may be aware, the world news is terrifying me, so I thought I would try and read a sensible newspaper over breakfast to put things better into perspective.

My plans were duly thwarted.

I didn’t stand a chance really.  I don’t know why I bothered.

Pepper has been “funny” as in funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha, all day.  Her tummy rumbled and off she went to the garden.

I dragged her out for her walk (she wanted to stay near the house watching me do the dog walk with Ted) so I walked the track boundary and, while I was fixing fence wire, all the horses and ponies came up to talk and say they were hungry.  I looked at their field and decided they could all be moved to better grazing.

With open gates, they followed me up the hill to the main exit.  Then I put headcollars on Haakon and Iacs and told the rest to follow, which they all duly did with nobody going “off-piste”.

This is the nicest field now and it will hopefully do them all until the proper grass starts to come in.

I don’t think the old men (Haakon and Iacs) look that good – ie, a bit scrawny in the back end – so hopefully this was a wise move and, as the spring grass arrives, they will start putting more weight back on.

And so Pepper spent her afternoon shivering, making horrid noises and then a long sleep in front of my little shed fire, while I cried my way through “The Help” and made another sheep.  When Pepper woke up, she said she wanted her tea now, so we are back to the beginning again. *** sigh *** I am none the wiser with this little dog and her tummy.

Tricky

As W. C. Fields used to say “Never work with children or animals”. Well, he was right.

Today’s breakfast was tricky.

Monster was absolutely no help at all and I failed dismally on the Connections puzzle (Wordle 6).

But Pepper had an eating-day, so that was encouraging.

The sunshine was also most welcome by everyone.  Animals sprawled everywhere inside and out.

The sheep are coming along well. I just need someone to buy one, two, three….. have a whole flock.

And the real thing were hanging around too.

After their supper, I tried to get Monster to pose nicely with Pepper.

She tried her best.

It just wasn’t a very good best.

And Monster quickly left.

Oh well, Pepper is still cute (and still eating) – oof, that little face ❤️

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you all.

We got through Storm Dave (honestly, who names these storms) and have come out the other side fairly unscathed.  I think Shetland got off lightly compared to other areas of the UK.

I’ve had a lovely day doing absolutely nothing, just resting on my bed, heatpad on full with Pepper by my side or on my lap.  I am still feeling very fragile after yesterday’s hard work.

Later on in the afternoon, we went over to friends and were given a proper Devonshire cream tea (homemade scones, jam and clotted cream) – absolute bliss and I feel very full.

So that’s me. I hope you all had a lovely day. Next, I’m off to eat my weight in chocolate with absolutely no sharing.

 

I’ve Done Too Much

I think I’ve done too much today. My fault, of course. I never learn so now I am resting on my bed with a heat pad hoping tomorrow will be better.

In other news, Pepper’s bloods came back normal (one slightly elevated something, but nothing worthy of note), so that rules out any nasties going on and I am relieved.  I think we will stick to a dietary intolerance diagnosis.  Luckily Pepperlikes her Royal Canin diet and I am trying hard not to let her trawl any other outside food, like bird grain, duck poo, spilled sheep feed, anything she can find really.

I am having to be tough on Pepper, which I find extremely difficult.

I have never been tough with her, which may have been the problem – but that little face……. I always give in but have to think, no, this is hurting her little tummy despite what she says.

Skippy has been diagnosed now – apparently it is the throttle switch and cable so I need to find someone who speaks/reads German and order a new one.

I did my daily put-something-on-Ebay/Etsy listing – I can’t decide which is the better platform so am dividing the jewellery between both of them to see which one has the greater range.  Ebay is winning so far just in views and interest.

I made the chap on the left today too.

Maybe there’s a potential untapped market for Muscovy Duck photography.