Tuesday 16 June 2009

The Call of the Boot Sale

Hello fellow Bloggers,

We have been busy this week - although we hate being left at home  - accompanying D can be tiring sometimes.  On Sunday we went to several Boot Sales - it was an early start 5:30 AM!  For my pals over the pond - a Boot Sale is like a Garage/Yard sale - but everyone drives to a large field open up their trunks/Boots and sells things.  Lots of clothes and kids toys - but lots of collectibles and every so often an antique.  D is addicted to Boot Sales - in fact she cannot pass one without going in.   If she hasn't gone to one at least in a week - she starts to get the shakes.  

This is a view from our car overlooking a Boot Sale:

The cars are all lined up - row upon row upon row.... the selling is in the distance - they are popular so we end up parking a little ways away.  Well, we spent almost 2 hours at one Boot sale - we were very tired - well I was tired - Paddy seems to run on batteries....  


The good thing about Boot Sales is that we get BAD food for being GOOD Dogs - we both got the end of the ice creams - this is a photo of Paddy finishing his off - I ate mine too fast for that flashy thing to take my picture...



Now we can't show you everything D bought - because that would take days - but we did think we should show you this lovely board game....



We aren't sure how to play it - but it comes with little bone cards and 4 little plastic Scottie Terriers - maybe the Rocky Creek Scotties can teach us....




D is always finding weird and wonderful things - sadly C is not as enthused and has caught D trying to sneak things into the house - he did scream once when he saw she tried to 'hide' two steamer trunks in the garage.  

On a separate note - D and C were not sure how Paddy reacts to loud noises - so when it was predicted that we would have thunder storms - they prepared themselves for the worst.  I run and hide and take refuge in my 'safe' place.  This is how Paddy dealt with the nasty thunder storm...



We hope he reacts the same way to fireworks ... 

I have some footage for Whack-a-Squirrel - but my typist is having some 'technical' difficulties - so bare with us.  Suffice it to say, our garden is a squirrel free zone!

D is going to be very busy in the next couple of weeks - so although we will read your blogs - we may not comment on them right away - hope you understand - we will be back soon!

Lots of licks
Sally

P.S. Paddy is doing well - he has a scar - but no long term effects - D cannot say the same - she still gets jumpy when a dog comes running over.  We think she needs more Merlot medication!





Sunday 7 June 2009

Whack-A-Squirrel and we have a man down!

Hello Bloggeess - it has been a busy week for our little family unit.   D has been busy with work - and we have been accompanying her on many trips - none of them very exciting so not worthy of photos.  But I wanted to let you know that I have volunteered to be the UK Rep for Operation Whack-a-Squirrel.  The head of this campaign is Tank - if you would like to join please let us know.  El Presidente, Tank, has highlighted the menace that exists amongst us - grey squirrels!  (Disclaimer:  D wishes no life form any harm, and although she allows me to chase the beasts - she would be mortified if I caught one and would bring it to a Vet to have it resuscitated ) Sadly as she is a vegetarian - there was never much hope for support from her - in fact she is a traitor amongst us as she has been known to feed them - I USUALLY SEND THEM PACKING - so she has less chance of that these days.  In fact here is a photo of one of them on the feeder ...



I am now at the tree - and please note there is no grey beast around...



I spend many of my waking hours patrolling perimeters - I also manage reconnaissance missions in the nearby woods and mobilise fellow dogs in the chasing and scaring of the resident menace.  Sorry to any softies out there - but I do not like these things - and when I have my 'down' time - I practice on a dummy Squirrel - it helps keep my skills sharp....



One day - I will meet Mr Squirrel and there will be a rumble in the jungle - well .... woods - or a well maintained herbaceous border.  But that doesn't sound as dramatic - so jungle it is!  I have been to several Blogs - and this appears to be a global problem.  Will update soon with video footage of bravery during the call of nature...I mean Duty....

Now, Paddy as he is sight impaired - has been nominated for recruitment - but unfortunately he has been injured in a wanton and malicious attack - not squirrel related.  He accompanied D on one of her weekly Greenwich trips.  She was running an errand and went to the covered Greenwich market.  As soon as she entered - a loose, shaggy black dog came over and just attacked him!  The dog was not on a lead and the owner materialised minutes later!  Well, D was livid and used many HBO words (a phrase I have stolen from my American friends) The owner took no responsibility for his dog's actions - sadly they were unable to find the manager of the market and after a little rest to gather her nerves - D drove Paddy to the Vet's.  He got bitten round the neck and had a very nasty gash.  Thankfully they didn't get the face - so he still as  handsome as ever - he has a shaved patch though.  The hole in his neck is healing and he is on antibiotics - so he will make a full recovery.  D 'medicated' herself with a very nice glass of Merlot when she got home.

Afterwards we found out that the manager of the market was a friend of the individual who owned the dog and he was spectating and never did a thing.  The dog remained off lead and we were told they are there quite often - D strongly advises any London based dogs to avoid the Market at Greenwich - she would hate someone else to get hurt.  She is still shook up - but Paddy is enjoying all the attention.  She bought him this massive crocodile to help cheer everybody up....





If you ask me... he is playing it up a bit for all the goodies...

He has a check up soon and when he gets the all clear - he will be back in action.  D , however, may need a few more days - she loves us both very much and tries to give us a safe and happy life and it upsets her greatly that other people are not as responsible or caring.  

On a positive and happy note - the Annual Fox Terrier Fun Day is scheduled for the 19th of July - if you would like to attend - please go the the Fox Terrier Rescue website for further info.  We will be there - and we would love to see you there too!  

Lots of licks
Sally 

PS A Big Thank you to the TN Bull Terrors and their DawgMum - they helped my computer challenged D put new things in the side bar.  A very special big lick to you.