Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.
Would it be okay if I share a dog story with you rather than focus on the doom and gloom this week? I spend a lot of time thinking about the gloomy stuff and it is of no help to anyone. And yet, I did read a story on a Finnish innovation, a mega-sand battery to store green energy for when it is needed. Hooray, but I digress. Today, I was walking to the park when I saw this huge Siberian husky loping my way at speed.
Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.
Consistent with our local health policy where you only have to isolate for 7 days if you catch Covid before being allowed to return to the family fold and your beloved kitchen to make chop chip biscuits, my youngest son burst out of his room last Wednesday with joy in his heart and a new job. Since then, my darling child has touched every surface you can possibly imagine, including my mobile (cell) phone. He likes to share (my cooking chocolate and Covid with his father). My True Love is now resting up in his bed chamber while I try to avoid any lingering germs and at the same time, prepare suitable refreshments for my TL’s confinement.
The dogs have learnt that not every meal tray is for them. They can’t believe it and this betrayal is only compounded by their banishment from the infirmary (their sleeping quarters which they share with their people). They now have to sleep with me in the lounge room but the couch can accommodate only one in repose.
“Your pillow is my new favourite pillow, mum.”
That is the same pillow and couch that the choc-chip monster has been lounging on for the last two days.
But enough of my musings, it is time for a song. Today my pick is St James Infirmary performed by Hugh Laurie. Enjoy.
No really, I’m fine. Maybe a bit of a sore throat. My TL is mending.
I am reprising my poem about my little dog, Ama, for the NaPoWriMo prompt about dogs you have known, seen, or heard about. It is the best poem I’ve ever written (if I do say so myself) so I can’t offer any better. The poem is written in the style of bush poetry (ie. it’s long) and there’s a nod to Banjo Patterson’s iconic poem, The Man From Snowy River. In that poem, “the Man” rides his mountain pony down a steep hill after a herd of brumbies (wild horses). There is some controversy as to whether that poem was a true story. Unlike Mr Patterson’s poem, I can vouch that Ode to Ama is completely true. Enjoy. Read more
There has been many a twist and turn, and a few curve balls thrown at us over the last few weeks.
My mother and step-father visited from up north, skirting the floods that have left thousands homeless on the east coast of Australia. It has been over two years since I had my hair cut. My mother plaited it for me. The plait was a bit wonky, so perfect for me.
The other day, my little dog chewed my eraser and ruler. She’s so adorable. It was her way of saying “Get my breakfast or pay the price.” My True Love (TL) joked that she had my measure. Unfortunately, he’s the one that has my measure.
My TL says that I am like a fierce little dog. When the little dog sees a person (in my case, a government spokesperson) walking past the house, a frisson of excitement issues from the little dog as it prepares to take on its larger foe and a volley of furious barking ensues. The little dog is so proud when its barking sends off the (completely oblivious) offender. It’s sport, it’s fun. Okay, I do admit to getting rather furious in defense of my position (ie. good public policy). However, sometimes a little impulse control wouldn’t go astray. So I’ve amended my last blog post so that it is more in keeping with a calmer, bigger dog.
Notice too, how I’ve issued this advice/apology on a Saturday when there are fewer passers-by (readers).
Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.
What a week it has been! Due to a series of unfortunate events, Makea dog found herself in a room alone with a lidless bin of dog kibble. As a result, she also found herself at the emergency vet for several days with an intestinal blockage and a gelatinous mass of dog kibble crushing her vital organs. Yep, she had bloat which is a serious medical emergency. After two days on IV fluids, she is home again and that mass is on the move. At least it was. I won’t be resting easy until she is back to her normal barky self. Touch wood, she has avoided complex and risky stomach surgery.
My little Finnish Spitz, Ama, was diagnosed with copper storage disease a couple of years ago. It has been a long and difficult journey to restore her to some semblance of health, with her blood test results again causing concern as little as four months ago. A new medication was our last hope and, hooray, so far, so good. Her latest test results have shown a dramatic improvement. We can see this in her sassy attitude. The ensuing ruckus is never-ending.
About a year into her treatment, I spoke to the vet about how Ama’s treatment was bankrupting us. The staff suggested I put her on YT (or something like that)! What the heck? Is that a thing? Does your dog go viral and then all of a sudden people want to buy merch? I suppose I could make some Ama “fan” T-shirts or I could make a fund-raising calendar of her cuteness. Is that how people monetise their pets? Anyway, needless to say, we are not doing that, even if she is ridiculously cute and loud. Yes, I am biased.
Today, I thought I might do an experiment and try posting a short video of the irrepressible one. I have no idea whether the file is too big for readers to view, so your feedback would be very much appreciated. The irrepressible one is of course my little dog, Ama. When she wants her dinner, she engages in some remarkable attention seeking behaviour. What do you think? Should we surrender to her will?
About this time last year, my niggling concerns about the health of my little dog, Ama, were vindicated. I knew my girl and I knew the Finnish Spitz breed, so I knew there was something wrong. I think we should trust our instincts. Read more
Warning: this post contains many exclamation marks.
It’s hard to be serious about blogging, ladies and gentlemen, when the sun is shining brightly. So yes, I am still procrastinating. This is not my promised “dear-to-my heart” post, but rather my “fear-to-my-heart” post. When my adrenaline levels peak, I have my werewolves in London moment. I start writing very bad rhyming poetry. It’s insane. Thankfully the urge soon passes. Anyway, here’s the first line –
On a bright and sunny day, Fynnie dog went out to play.Read more
Reflections of An Untidy Mind 