Day 1520 Hapoy Father’s Day – a quiet, lazy Sunday just me and the puppers

Another lovely day in the quiet life.

I finished Bridgerton last night and headed through to be about 9ish. It was still very light outside.

Woke at 5.36am and remembered it was Father’s Day so I did a Scottish Dog Behaviourist FB post for all the dog dads out there and most of all, our very own dog dad.

He’s on his way home from Berlin, flying about 5ish tonight. I can only imagine the mayhem in this house when he walks back through the door, the dogs will be SO excited to see him!!! I might try and video it for his page.

So we’ve had a lovely, lazy day today… peppered with the remaining tidying and cleaning that needs doing.

It’s 3.40pm at time of writing and it’s rained all day. It’s not heavy, it’s just relentless!

We got wet on the dog walk at 8am but never saw another soul.

When we first moved in to the village, this little patch of land had tiny tulips and daffodils and it was always really pretty and I stopped to admire it.

It’s totally different now they the owner of the house died, but I thought it looked so lovely this morning, full of wildflowers. (I can hear Craig shouting WEEDS but I don’t care. I loved it. 😆)

I know I’ve done this before but this gives you an idea of how many times they swap around. It always makes me smile.

When I came home I started work on tidying and cleaning the last of the things I hadn’t done Friday and Saturday.

The house feels so good, I’m so glad I took all that time to do it.

It still needs painted but I know how much cleaner it is now.

Of course today it’s wet and we have muddy paws back on the clean floors but that’s ok…. We do have to live here.

Thankfully Craig is only bringing back one small hand luggage rucksack so there won’t be a mountain of washing.

I’ve been meaning to work on a Mel Robbins “Make it Happen” training course for months now. I sat down at my desk in the bedroom and watched training #1.

I feel really stuck just now, I know I want to move forward but I don’t quite now how, or what with. This gave me a chance to rate all aspects of my life like a fuel tank… from empty and depleted to full of fuel and highly motivated.

I was very pleased to see that I wasn’t at empty in all aspects of life. If I’d done this pre 2018, before I went off sick, I’d have been empty for everything.

She likens it to a row of dominoes but you are the domino sitting out in the front, stagnant and too far away from the rest of the dominoes, to make any difference. The desire is there to move forward but you need a push.

Training #2 will show us how to get moving. I haven’t done that yet as they were released a week apart, so I will hold onto that one for a bit.

I think it’s good to reflect on how you feel about life. It’s worth doing just for that. You have to print out a workbook and fill it in. It took me just over an hour but I enjoyed it.

I’ve realised that I take on a lot of other people’s energies and I needed time to reset and refocus.

I have been in absolute silence for the weekend, apart from Bridgerton on the TV both nights. When Craig is here, he always has podcasts playing or the TV on, we just have different ways of relaxing.

I worry about things that I cannot change.

I worry about money.

I worry about things that are not mine to worry about.

It’s been nice to spend a weekend detached from that.

I’ve missed him being here…. Today has seemed like a long day without him being around.

I’ve also done a bit of work on manifesting financial freedom. I’ve said often that I walked away from a senior management job and am lucky enough to still live in the same house without having to sell up as a result. I am going to focus on the positives and realise that money comes from so many other places than just where we think it comes from. We’ve had a lot of expense of late and that takes its toll. It you continue to focus on lack then you will experience more lack. I am going to focus on abundance and be grateful for all that I have.

All these words sound great, I need to put them into practice.

I feel like I’ve been on a health and wellness weekend just with some dog walks thrown in!! 😂😂

Oh I did phone the emergency vet at 5.45am….. I’ve been worried that Khaleesi hasn’t been drinking water since he’s been away.

Every time I try and give her some she turns away. I figured she hadn’t really drunk anything in the whole time that I was solely I charge and I panicked. That’s what woke me.

The vet was lovely and said “we loved Khaleesi” as soon as she realised who I was.

She said to add some water in with her dinner, which I’d actually done last night. She said that dogs in cones, often protest in one way or another. The fact that’s she eating and going to the toilet normally, means all is ok.

We should keep an eye on it and make sure there’s no listlessness or runs.

There’s a lovely sentence to end the blog with… 😂

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend.

Happy Father’s Day to my lovely Dad.

Looking forward to seeing Mum and Dad for a trip to Dumfries House next weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1519 another lovely day!

I watched the Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Germany 🇩🇪 game last night.

Unheard of… me, wanting to watch football, but I felt we were on the cusp of something great and I didn’t want to miss out.

As Scotland fans we learn that is not always the case.

We were all ready for action!

Especially Bhruic who watches every football game on tv. 😂

Even Calaidh’s wondering what’s going on.

And now Freya’s joining in.

Sadly it was a pretty shocking game on Scotland’s behalf.

I’d even put on my old Scotland top but we lost, fairly spectacularly… though it could have been much worse than 5-1.

I am not a football fan. The sound of a game irritates me, I’d rather not be anywhere near it when it’s on TV. I switched off at the end of the first half and went to bed.

I slept pretty well but woke up at 5.16am and never really went back to sleep.

Stop waking me mum she says….

Actually it’s more like, thank god I got that cone off!!

I let Khaleesi out then took the 3 Borders for a walk.

The pub still has their Scotland flags out. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It was a lovely sunny morning. Cool but really beautiful. It was 6.30am and I saw no one… not even a car!

More flags.

I slept in the Scotland top and am still wearing it this morning. Think the last time I wore this was 2008 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Everything is so overgrown, it looks lovely.

It’s lovely to see the sun and everything is covered in the morning dew… or overnight rain!

Wouldn’t be a Julie walk without a gate.

Something smells seriously good here.

I planned to jog with the dogs but sadly wore the wrong bra…. Epic fail… I did try but it was not happening.

Thought this was pretty cool…. It seems to be a voluntary organisation.

Not every day you see that.

Very old gate, disappearing in the weeds.

For the life of me I can’t remember what this is called…. But it’s flowering in the garden, it’s really pretty.

Scotland’s Tough Mudder was today at Drumlanrig Castle. I was thinking about taking someone’s place this week but realised I really needed to be here for the dogs as Craig is away.

Funny how you really want to do something, until you can and then find a million reasons not to. I took photos of them all outside the pub before they left.

I wanted to enjoy the weekend slowly and I think if I’d done TM it would have taken up a lot of yesterday with prep, then today with the run and tomorrow with the recovery. Instead I’ve enjoyed blitzing the house and spending time with the dogs.

Gayle asked me to pop into the shop this morning which was lovely. Her customers are all so nice. I miss chatting to them.

I was home by 1.30 and have spent the rest of the afternoon, finishing off cleaning the rooms I didn’t do yesterday.

The house is now too clean for any of us to live in. The puppers and I are in the back garden while the floors dry 😂 just as well it’s sunny. I have cone dog at my feet.

Her wound is healing nicely and I hope she can lose the cone in the next day or so. She has way more energy now that she is not doped up with doggy tramadol. I can feel the strength in her pull as we head outside sometimes. If she gets excited, there’s a wee spring in her step. She’s doing so well.

Mr A is having a great time in Munich, currently sitting in a beer garden with seats for 8,000 people!!

Oh and how lovely, my neighbour Holly has made me a Saturday night takeaway of Vegetable curry and garlic naan. How kind of her?!?! So that’s me sorted.

I’m so peaceful just now, I love it.

When you suffer from anxiety periodically, you are so grateful for the moments of peace and calm. Obviously, living by myself if a huge help as I can control everything that happens this weekend and especially now that I’ve cleaned….

I’ve made a conscious effort to focus on the positive.

It really does help if you can change your mindset to focus on gratitude and being thankful, rather than negativity and lack.

Right enough blogging mumma, the floors must be dry, where’s our dinner?!?!

Best go.

Another lovely day!

Enjoy your Saturday night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1518 a fantastic sleep, a lie in, a dog walk and a busy day blitzing the house!

It’s 3pm and I have just sat down for some lunch.

I could sleep now. I’ve been full on all day but I’ve really enjoyed it.

I slept like a log. I’m sure poor Khaleesi tossed and turned as much as she usually has, but I was oblivious. No wonder after such a long day yesterday.

We have a little morning cuddle without the cone.

She loves having a good head rub without it.

Awww schnozz….

I got up about 8am, fed them and took her out into the garden.

Sent this one to Craig in Munich.

It’s been really wet overnight but it’s dry for now and surprisingly mild considering how cold it’s been.

I popped her back in her cone and back into her room (our room) so that I could take the Borders for a walk.

The Iris’s are in full bloom.

They were so good today. I say that and always realise that it was me that handled them well. I love that I’m back to walking 3 of them at once, it makes my life so much easier.

Bhru stopped to admire the old gate 😂

We met these guys so had a chat to the cows for a wee minute.

There were a few woo woo woo woo woos given by Madame Bhru.

Then we were on our way while she eyeballs them 😂😂

Back to Khaleesi with big smiles.

With her little chicken leg.

So then the hard work started.

I have blitzed a few rooms today.

I am quite lazy when it comes to housework these days. There are a million things I would rather do. As I’ve said many times, living with 4 dogs doth not a clean house maketh. I’ve got to the point that I don’t like spending time in the house as all I see are the jobs piling up around me.

This weekend I’ve decided to work my ass off and bring it back to some semblance of order.

I started in the living room. I washed the blankets on the couches, cleaned the pvc round the windows with upvc cleaner, cleaned the windows, polished all the surfaces, moved all the furniture to hoover and finally mopped the floors.

That took me about 2 hours.

I then moved into the hallway and did the same thing.

To my disgust I found a dead wee frog…. hidden behind the shoe crates that we have.

I screamed so loudly as I saw it stuck to the hoover nozzle. (Jeez I’ve just remembered there is a dead bird in the garden too…. Have to deal with that as well!)

I mean how disgusting is that and how long has it been there? … poor wee frog. I can’t imagine the fright I’d have got if it were alive?!?! Doesn’t bear thinking about!

On the plus side I found Craig’s spare glasses which have been missing for ages. They weren’t far from Mr Frog. That’s obviously an area to be checked when anything goes missing in future… the Bermuda Triangle of our house…

While the floor dried in the hallway, I moved into the bathrooms and the back hall and Khaleesi’s bedroom.

I’ve done 4 loads of washing.

I really need to head out for a small food shop as there’s nothing much in the house but I am mustering up the energy…. 😂

I have LOVED my day.

Mr Avery may not be able to move back in I’m afraid. This level of spotlessness needs to remain for the foreseeable .😂

I’ve moved outside for a bit, while the sun is shining. Freya and Khaleesi are at my feet.

There’s still a cold breeze picked up now.

Meanwhile in Munich, the Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 fans are getting ready for the opening game against Germany 🇩🇪 tonight.

Face paints on 🇩🇪😂 bless…

How amazing would it be if Scotland managed to win this tonight?!?

I’ve just been to Tesco for a mini food shop… used £15 of vouchers I’ve been carrying around for ages.

So many people in Scotland tops and tartan. It made me smile.

I love my country 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Stay safe everyone 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Day 1517 up at 3.30am this morning and still going strong!!

Khaleesi and I did not have the best night… she was very restless, bless her (there I go again!).

I went to bed around 8.30 and never heard Craig or the 3 Borders go to bed, but at some point, it was just getting dark, Khal stood up and shook herself and I sat bolt upright in bed, still in a progesterone induced sleep. I got such a fright. She was standing over me!

I dozed off and heard Craig get up to the loo at the back of 2…. And Khaleesi then woke me me about 3am.

The alarm went off at 3.30am. 🤯😳

It’s 6.12pm and I am still awake. 😂

We left the house at 4am… here’s the boy.

All ready to join the Tartan Army in Munich for Euro 2024.

I drove Craig and Jim over to Edinburgh Airport for 5am. We all yawned the whole way over.

My trusty co-pilot caught some photos of the sunrise as we drove…. I have him well trained.

The photos don’t do it justice. It’s been a while since I’ve seen sunrise as it’s so early.

Love how the light reflects on the bonnet of the car.

Didn’t he do well with this one!

Shame the window is dirty as this would have been a great shot.

He hit this one bang on!

The roads are so empty, I love this time of day. Not after a bad nights sleep, mind you…

Blinded!

I couldn’t tell you the last time I drove through Edinburgh drop off. It cost mere £5 for the 10 minute privilege. Airports must make a fortune for drop offs.

I made them pose for airport photos when I dropped them off 😂

Edinburgh Airport was heaving… there were kilts and football tops everywhere. It was amazing to see just how many there were.

They are flying to Copenhagen then on to Berlin and at time of writing, they are still on the train to Munich. A long day. Craig said the Copenhagen flight was full of Scotland fans.

The drive back home was hard as I was on my own and super tired. When I got home I lay down with Khaleesi. I took her cone off and she cuddled in with her paws on my legs.

I could have slept for Scotland. I had the fear that I wouldn’t be able to stay awake for the rest of the day.

When I got back up at 7am, my black Tartan hoodie was COVERED in Khaleesi hairs…. Oops!

She loves having time without the cone. we sat outside in the fresh air. It’s cold again today.

So I have to say that I have managed the day just fine.

I gave up fasting at 11am as I needed some fuel.

It’s been a really busy day and I’m so chuffed with the work I got done. It felt like a really satisfying week this week.

My lovely in-laws pupper-sat today (I know that’s not even English!!)

They sat with K, walked the Borders and I had cuddles with Cookie the Chihuahua when I got home.

So very lovely of them to do that today and took a weight off my mind knowing they were here.

A happy smile.

So I’m home, waiting for the milkman to appear for money in half an hour then the jammies are going on.

The heating is on, it’s pouring outside, I’m tempted to light candles. All 4 dogs are asleep with me in the living room.

I do love my husband but I am looking forward to a weekend of nothing. Just dogs walks and housework and a whole lot of silence. I never thought I’d like silence so much.

My friend Anne just sent this. The perfect end to my blog and my plan for the weekend ahead. ♥️

Stay safe everyone 💤💤💤

Day 1516 an amazing run before work and a fast day!

Lynsey and I went for a run before work today.

We met at 5.45. I’d had a rough night. Sleeping with Queen Khaleesi and her cone wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. She woke me at 12.30 and again at 4.15 and I lay awake after that.

She’s not making a sound, she just looks really sad.

I felt exhausted and kept thinking I’d just cancel. The alarm went off at 5.30am and I got my running gear out, let Khaleesi out with Calaidh’s collar and no cone for a wee sniff around, then met Lynsey.

We ran and we ran and we ran….. we only stopped to let traffic pass on the Beith bypass.

I ran just short of 6k without stopping to catch a breath.

I achieved my personal record!

At one point on the return leg, Lynsey said “I don’t want to jinx anything…. But… “ and I told her not to say another word, I was well aware of what was happening every step of the way.

I was buzzing!!

I honestly cannot describe how good that felt. Lynsey shared it to the group and I’m like a kid greedy for praise. Saturday’s run had been sooo hard, I really questioned why I was in the group in the first place. You know me by now, it’s all or nothing. 😂

Claire said at the weekend that concentrating on a conversation regulates your breathing so when there are only two of us you’re forced to talk as you run. When I’m in the bigger group, I often go silent and withdraw into myself.

I went straight into a cool shower and it was lovely. By the time I’d fed the dogs and got the cone girl out again, I had to go to work with wet hair!

Work was so busy today. It just flew by and I don’t really remember much of it. My lunch was interrupted 5 minutes in and I never got back to it! It was just one of those days.

I’m trying to clear food out the cupboards just now so my tub of sticky rice with soy sauce, wasn’t that appealing anyway!

So back him and got the cone off her and have watched her like a hawk ever since.

She’s been sooooo good. She’s only gone to kick the wound once since I’ve been home and that’s about an hour and a half. She’s on the lead beside me.

I managed to make dinner with one eye on her the whole time.

It was really spicy and even Craig had some.

I’ve not ordered the Planthood meals as they are so expensive, despite being lovely. I’ll need to use them as a treat in future.

I’m having lovely cuddles with Khaleesi.

Then the Scottish Dog Behaviourist walks in and she only has eyes for him!

I’m off into the pub to meet the Crochet Hookers tonight and then I have to come straight home and go to bed.

I’m running Craig and our friend Jim, to Edinburgh tomorrow morning and we have to be at Edinburgh Airport for 5am. I then have to work a full day while my lovely in laws come down and pup sit, and then I have the whole house to myself until Sunday. if you ever have your house to yourself when it’s full of dogs?!?!

They are off to Germany 🇩🇪 for the Germany 🇩🇪 Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Euro 2024 opening match. This was organised ages ago, before Khaleesi had her injury. Everything has just come at once.

So I think that’s all from today. Oh just remembered the doctor called me this afternoon to check up on me after my appointment 3 weeks ago when I couldn’t stop crying.

I’d totally forgotten she was going to call… and if I’m honest, I’d totally forgotten that I’d even called her back then. How times change.

She was pleased to hear that my head is much better than it was back then. I’m still going through some “stuff” at the moment but I’m handling it like anyone else would. There are good days and bad days. That’s the way of life.

Today is a good one.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1515 Khaleesi back to the vets for a check up!

Good news again at the vets this morning.

Took poor Craig 2 hours to get to Stirling for around a 5 minute appointment.

Her bandage is off and her leg is healing well.

The foot will most likely stay at that angle now.

And now for the hard part. The cone of shame for the next 4-5 days at least, to stop her from licking the wound.

Her face says it all… bless her. I’m saying that a lot these days!

Here she is just out of the vet. The cone doesn’t work well either big ears 😂

She has to wear that for up to 5 days and we can take it off…. If she starts to lick the wound then back on it goes, I’m afraid.

She should start putting the foot down in the next 4-5 days as well, bearing in mind she’s been carrying it for the last 2.5 weeks. It will take some time to realise she can use it. I think she used it for balance there just now.

She also just got stuck in the tree. 🤦🏻‍♀️😬

I think she’s trying to shake it off.

Look away now all you squeamish… though it’s not bad and hard to see in the sunlight.

The wound is healing really well.

I’m trying to get it from all angles.

She’s actually handling it surprisingly well. She just had a good licking session on the inside of the cone. I hope that helped her.

We had a slight mishap at dinner as she obviously couldn’t eat out her bowl so clever mumma thought she’d feed her inside the cone.

Nope… the food went everywhere inside the cone and I needed to take it off her and wash it all. Problem is when the cone’s off, we have nothing to hold onto, as her collar is looped through the cone.

Like everything it seems hard work at first but we’ll all settle into the new routine, just like we did with the bandage.

It’s gonna be a long night puppa.

In other news I’ve had a better outlook today. Nothing has really changed apart from my response. I’m no longer resentful, angry or sad, I’m grateful for the small things.

What is this trying to teach me?

What can I learn from this?

How can I respond differently in the future.

I’ve felt like a different person today.

Not that nasty, moany git I was yesterday.

It was like the world was ending.

It’s not.

That’s my fight or flight kicking in again, the minute something doesn’t go my way.

I did all of this long before I read this.

I’m proud of myself for that.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1514 a thoughtful one…

Where to start today….. safe to say I haven’t been the perfect model of calm, of staying in the present moment or abundant with gratitude today.

I have been the opposite of all of that but I’m not going to give those words power by writing them down.

Things affect you in life that you cannot change. Being angry and irritable and feeling sad does not change any of it. It just allows your ego to wallow in the huff…. The not fair… the why me…

I’ve been in that place on and off all day.

It’s been busy at work and the phone didn’t stop ringing this afternoon. That always helps… but it doesn’t change the ego ranting away in the back of your mind over dramatising every situation that I’m not happy with.

You are allowed to feel sad, but you should sit with it and listen to what it’s telling you. What can you do to change it. If you can make a change, you should do it and if you can’t you just have to allow the sadness time to pass.

Try to focus on the positive and instantly you feel lighter.

I put off writing this tonight as was so negative that I had nothing to say. Writing it out always helps me see it differently.

Anger usually reflects something that we see in others, that we would never do ourselves or doesn’t adhere to the way we live our lives. It can reflect something we don’t like about ourselves and is just misplaced. It’s not a nice emotion.

Life does not always go the way that we expect it to go. There are road works and road closures along the way. These all have to be navigated.

This is all very cryptic for me…. It’s meant to be but it’s really helping me.

We must continue to be grateful for all that we have…. Not to be upset about the things that we don’t have.

I’ve allowed myself to become bitter and twisted today and it’s all my own doing. My reaction to things that haven’t gone my way.

A toddler having a tantrum inside my head.

Well I’m shutting her up.

I’m really tired.

I have no energy.

That could be because I’m not eating well but it’s a vicious circle.

I made chopped tomatoes on toast. Just as I was about to eat it I spotted some mould on the bread…

I laughed as it summed up my day.

But it made me smile.

I’m going to get into bed, beside beautiful Khaleesi and read my book while Craig’s out at work.

K is off to the vet in the morning to get her bandage removed and let the wound start to heal. She could be in the cone of shame tomorrow night bless her.

Here she is right now… trying to catch a fly while she’s tied to the seat.

Yum she says….. 😂 joking… she wasn’t fast enough!

Her hair is slowing growing on her back leg too.

She’s a wee soul. I’ve slept with her since Thursday and she’s no bother through the night. We just don’t want to leave her on her own for that length of time. This was my view when the alarm went off.

Tomorrow is another day.

If things are weighing you down., you know that this will pass and you will get through it.

Just keep calm and know the peace will return.

I can feel it already.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1513 splatter painting the town red, alcohol free style 😂 🎨👩🏻‍🎨🖌️

Wow…. I had a really lovely time out yesterday. I really enjoyed myself and I didn’t feel like the non drinking weirdo.

The girls were so inclusive and made me feel just as much a part of the day out as they were.

I know that might sound daft but I do still feel like a round peg in a square hole where drinking is concerned.

I am very proud of my choices but I still feel a bit socially awkward without the alcohol…. And yet I can talk to anyone. I’ve no idea why I think I need a drink to relax.

I suggested I’d drive us to the train station, which makes complete sense as a non drinker. We got the 15.21 train into Glasgow.

As I said yesterday, I completely relaxed once I was in the car… I couldn’t overthink my choice of clothes, I couldn’t change anything now I just had to go with the flow.

I’ve don’t think I’ve been in a bar in Glasgow for around 6 years. I might be wrong with that bit certainly not for a “drinking” night out.

Glasgow has changed so much. It’s very different from when I used to go out. I felt awkward in the first bar Kong, when we arrived, as I didn’t know quite where to put myself. I read that back and realise I’ve as much right to be there as anyone else but I felt like a mouse. Not sure where to go or what to do. Will change that for future outings!!

We’d booked the rooftop terrace, only to be told by the girl at the desk that we absolutely hadn’t booked the terrace and we had a table inside and downstairs from the terrace. Her manner was very abrupt and stand-offish…. It made us feel like our face didn’t fit…. she may well have had a really bad day and just taken it out on us, but a spade was a spade and it was what it was. There was nothing she could do about it.

After one of the girls, determined to change her mind, finally succeeded… we traipsed off upstairs to “stand at the bar for a drink for 15 minutes, then come down to our table”. That was all we would be allowed.

We headed upstairs thinking that was better than nothing…… the terrace was beautiful. The heavy rain shower had just passed and the outdoor area was empty. We rushed outside and grabbed a table, then a second table and then a third table….. but we were finally settled. And you know what… never had to move for the whole time of our booking. Outside in the sun, with patio heating. Just perfect. It’s a shame that couldn’t have been an offered option at the start.

The staff on the terrace were lovely. They couldn’t do enough for us.

I got a chocolate orange espresso “martini” which was lovely.

We got plenty of photos!

Then we headed around to Pizza Punks for dinner…. We may have got a little lost along the way due to “someone’s” google maps trying to drive there on the one way streets but it allowed us a photo of a random guy in a kilt.

I and had the most amazing pizza… I picked “create your own” with artichoke, mushroom, sundried tomato and candied chilli’s.

Now that I shared the photo, I remember it also had mac n’cheese on it too. 😬

It was really good at only £13.95 a pizza.

I also had a lovely mocktail.

It was really tasty.

It was raining by the time we came out of Pizza Punks and we tried to get a taxi, but ended up walking to Splatter Art Glasgow where we were to design our own splatter art!

My blank canvas…. I love the walls though!

And the finished article.

I actually did put some thought into it, and was still finished in about the first 10 minutes. 😆

So…. Turquoise for the sea and white for the beautiful Scottish beaches, pale green and purple for the land and heather, the yellow/orange for the sunshine and then the red….. blood was all I could come up with 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 there went my beautiful Scottish analogy. 😂

I really will be putting it up in the house when it’s dry.

Here’s Elly at work….. she was such an artist. Her painting was stunning.

Isn’t it beautiful!

That’s not even finished… I have video of everyone else’s but no photos.

We carried them home in these giant pizza boxes and spent the whole night shouting, it’s not pizza to everyone!

The classic Glaswegian moment where a girl screams out a car window, “gonnie gies a slice” 🍕has us all laughing!!

We stopped off at Sloans on the way to the train station… it says it’s Glasgow’s oldest restaurant and bar.

Are ye dancin?

Are ye askin?

The alleyway in is all painted now. It maybe has been for years 😂 I had an alcohol free gin and slimline tonic here.

I really had a lovely time with the best company and the best alcohol free selection to date!

We ran everything through an app called Splitwise. It means you don’t need to keep a track of who is paying for what, as you run it through the app, and all settle up the next day. It’s great for events like this where there are a lot of you.

So back to earth today. No events, no nights out, and I find myself pottering but literally doing nothing much in between.

I change Khaleesi’s bed…. And everyone wanted a shot of it. Calaidh first…

Then Bhru.

Khaleesi got bored and wondered what all the fuss was about.

She was quite happy in Gran’s chair.

Until she realised that all the bedding was lying outside to go through to the washing machine…. That was comfy…

Until she finally settled back down.

I’m sitting outside now. It’s hot then it’s cold (cue for a song!) it’s windy then it’s still and I’m going to read my book and do precious little else I think.

And that’s exactly what I did… except I moved inside next to the wood burning stove! It’s freeeeezing!

Hope you all have a great week!

Stay safe everyone 🌈🌈🌈

Day 1512 a run, dog walk, nap and getting ready for a day out!

I woke at 5.36am. I don’t feel rested at all. As I write this, super early, at 10.33am, I’m heading back to bed for a few hours! Now that sounds like a plan.

I got Khaleesi up and out for a wee smooch around the garden before my run.

I fed her and gave her the antibiotics a bit earlier this morning as I’m out over her 7am feed.

I ran with Claire, Gillian and Lynsey this morning at 6.45am and jeez, this was tough one!

That said we ran further than we have done and I didn’t even remember to record it!

The girls did 6K and I was just shy of that. I reckon maybe about 5.5 or a bit less.

My head was definitely not in the right space this morning. I didn’t realise that until I got running.

The pace was faster too. My head tells me I’m exhausted, this is too hard, I can’t keep up, they’re way better than me.

It never stops as I run.

So guess what the result is?!? I have a nightmare of a run. I’m telling myself it’s awful all the way so it is awful all the way. I need to find a way of breaking that mental barrier.

It’s a beautiful morning, but cold, until we heat up.

My breathing is so laboured. I feel like I don’t get any air in but I’m blowing it all out like an Olympic champion 😂.

Claire tells me to take deep breaths in through my nose and a short sharp out through my mouth. It helps while I can manage it, then I’m huffing and puffing again.

All that aside… I ran further AND faster than I have and that’s what I need to be proud of.

I came in and fed the 3 Borders and took them straight out.

Somewhere, deep down, I find the strength to run a good bit of the way with them! Where does that come from?

When I got back, Craig was up and we sat outside for a coffee and let Khaleesi spend some time outdoors…. As soon as the sun went away, it was freezing!

Then the heavens opened! Back indoors, heating on…. This is crazy weather for June!

So I’ve had a shower to heat me up and I’m back in bed with Khaleesi and I’m going to read and sleep for a few hours.

This afternoon/evening, going out lifestyle is taking its toll but a nice wee nap will do me the power of good!

I did not nap…. Between dogs barking, dogs moving etc etc… anyway, at least I rested.

I’ve gone through every bit of clothing in my wardrobe…. It’s not geared for nights out anymore… I borrowed from Gayle and I’ve ended up in my dungarees.

It’s so hard to know what to wear in this weather. Gayle leant me some lovely black long sleeved blouses, when the sun is shining that felt too wintry, my flowery trousers to similar to what another girl is wearing.

Ah the stress 😂😂😂

I am comfy. That’s the main thing. Oh and I did get some lipstick on my top. Course I did…

I need to clear up the rest of my clothes up tomorrow!

I relaxed the minute I got in the car to pick the girls up. They are all so lovely and Elly had a mocktail can for me for the train.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1511 a lazy morning, dog walk & 18th birthday party!

It’s 9pm and I am shattered!

Two nights in a row I have been out and about and not living my usual hermit lifestyle. That’s a whole lotta talk! AND…. I’m out tomorrow afternoon and evening too.

Check… me!

I will have to sit in a dark room all day Sunday to recuperate. 😂😂

So last night was lovely but really tough. I found the D-Day commemoration in Beith, really sad. Understandably so, obviously!

I hadn’t seen any of the tv coverage throughout the day and wasn’t expecting to feel just so emotional.

I went with Gayle and we arrived for 7pm. I had no idea what to expect or what to wear or blah blah blah blah blah….. yet we sat and listened to some lovely wartime songs, some upbeat and some very emotional.

Between each song one of the girls read out a wartime letter. They were all so good that that really acted out the letter as if they were the person writing it. I had to gulp back huge waves of emotion. It was really hard and I felt transported back to that time, imagining how scared everyone must have felt. The tears overflowed at one point as one man told his parents he was off to the front. Harrowing.

We then walked down to the cenotaph where they lit a beacon.

There was also a piper which always stirs my emotions.

Sadly the lovely lady who made these wartime dolls, Frances Oates, had passed away a few weeks ago and they did a lovely tribute to her. You may remember I posted these at Remembrance Day.

She was meant to light the beacon but her sister, brother in law and grandson did it instead. It was a very emotional moment.

Look at his face when it lit up. So moving.

So that was last night…. A very sad but poignant night.

Then I spent the night with this little lady… bless her. It was my turn to sleep over in her wee room.

I had the laziest of mornings. I lay in until after 8am.

I got lots of cuddles from all the dogs.

Caption this!!!

I got showered and headed into town to post a parcel I’d sold on Vinted and nipped into the little gift shop.

It’s beautiful as always….

Then back up for Border Collie walk x 3 at once!!

Look how yellow the fields are… full of buttercups.

They were such good girls today. I’m so glad I took them all out at once.

I came home and had lunch, read for a bit then got ready to go to our next door neighbour’s 18th birthday party.

We were there for 4pm.

This is her cake!!

I never took a single photo which is rubbish but saw lots of neighbours and had lots of good chat.

I’ll sleep tonight and we’re running at 6.45am! Who said this was going to be a quiet weekend?!?

Have a good one.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1510 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings

We have such an easy life and have no idea what it must have been like back then. Absolutely terrifying. So many gave our lives so we can live ours now.

The rest of the blog seems so trivial compared to that…..

It’s definitely back to April weather! It’s so cold and windy but with sunshine and such heavy showers. Everyone is talking about our lack of sunshine so far this year!

My friend Evelyn came in to see Khaleesi, before crochet, last night, she brought some treats and got big cuddles.

Khaleesi was so happy to see her!

Crochet was good, the pub was really busy last night… 4 Hookers, 5 playing Bridge and the usual suspects. There was a lovely buzz about the place.

This was the sky while we were in! The yellow Jeep helped brighten it up. 😂

We got a quote at the start of the year for a short fence above our dry stane dyke in the back garden.

Queen Khaleesi has been known to find her way into next doors’ garden on occasion!

With everything going on, bad timing but of course the guys are coming to do the work now. It always needed doing but that was before Khaleesi’s operation bill. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

They’ve done an amazing job.

It’s good that it’s done as when Khaleesi is fit she’ll be for the off…. And yet she’ll be contained.

Here she is now.

So nice got to dash. I’m picking Gayle up and we’re going to a commemoration of the D Day down in Beith.

Will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1509 April showers in June?!? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Our weather is crazy just now, it’s back to being cold with windy showers, almost hail at one point at work and sunny spells.

You can be lulled into a false sense of security before being thoroughly soaked!

I slept well. Craig’s been sleeping down with Khaleesi to make sure she’s ok. I have offered to take my turn. The spare bed isn’t the comfiest.

I miss my Fitbit sleep tracker. The sleep tracker on the Apple Watch ⌚️doesn’t give me the same satisfaction. 🤯

I was up at 5.15am for a run with some of the 5.45 run club this morning.

We were very lucky only to get some smirry rain to start, then dry all the way.

We ran 4.6km.

Here we are at the end, Claire, Rachel two doors down, Elly and I. I feel way more red than the rest of them as per. 🥵

A good start to the day and straight into cool shower. Love it.

I made watermelon salad for lunch and still managed to be at work on time.

Watermelon salad consists of (obviously) watermelon, with red onion soaked in lime juice overnight, tomatoes and I added some walnuts, sunflower seeds, dates and almonds. It was lovely.

It was a good day today. I got lots done and felt really focussed. The run must have helped.

Khaleesi had a good day too. She got her bandage changed at the vets and she is healing well. She has a purple bandage now!

Check the next one mid yawn…

I’ve slept in the same bed as those gnashers!!!

I took her into the garden after work but she didn’t need the loo.

She’s watching the others play.

Bless her.

Her wee paw on my leg….. 🥺

I’m just sitting under room with her. The door’s open to the garden and the others are coming and going. it’s a nice, calm space and I hope it stops her feeling too bored.

As usual, Calaidh with the ball.

So I’m off into the pub to meet the Crochet Hookers tonight, for what seems like the first time in ages! Evelyn is popping in before had to see Khaleesi.

Hope you all have a good Wednesday night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1508 torrential rain, Khaleesi doing well and a quiet night!

It was torrential rain when I left for work this morning.

The wind was blowing sideways.

Khaleesi had to have her special little boot on before she went out this morning.

The hair on her back leg is starting to grow back in. It feels a lot less jaggy, a bit like a fluffy crew cut now. 🥰

Work flew by today.

It rained on and off, like April showers. The sun came out just after lunch and there was a real warmth to it… it didn’t last.

While I was driving home, I saw a woman driving a convertible with her roof down. There were ominous clouds coming our way.

Within 5 minutes the heavens had opened and I passed another couple in a car with their convertible roof down! It was torrential, they were getting soaked!! It made me laugh but I really felt for them too… there can’t be anything worse!

So after the drama of all the last few days, I don’t have much to say today… check me.

Craig popped out to the supermarket and this is pretty much my view, rhetorical whole time he was out.

Cue the song, “where’s ma daddy gone”?! 🎵🎶

I’m tired tonight… and cold. I’ve wrapped up and got comfy on the couch with Khaleesi. It’s 7 minutes until her 7am meds.

She’s right here. I love our evening cuddles.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1507 the longest walk with the most stopping!!

Craig was in charge of the Khaleesi pup today as I headed back to work .

It was a quick day as I did a stock check. I think I hate a stock check but I love a wee change from sitting at my desk. Ellison was listening to Radio 2 so I loved working to a wee tune for a change.

I got home from work and got Khaleesi cuddles outside in the sun. She’s so excited to see us when we come home.

The farmers are muck spreading just now…. Even sitting in my living room, writing this, I can still smell it. It’s everywhere!

I made a Planthood dinner tonight.

It was really lovely and I scoffed it down fast so that I could go for a walk with Claire.

We planned a big walk tonight, like we used to do in COVID times but I had to be back by 7pm to give Khaleesi her dinner and meds.

We left at 5.30pm…. Plenty of time or so you would think…. 😂😂

It was a lovely sunny evening.

We met 3 neighbours and had 3 good, separate chats… before we even got to the top of the road.

Where did Auntie Claire go?!? She had a parcel to drop off.

Look at the changing sky.. Unfortunately the blue was outgoing and the dark clouds incoming!

Loved the contrast against the yellow/orange trailer.

Here we are coming up to my favourite trees. It’s so beautiful but that muck spreading smell is pungent!!

So unfortunately we picked a night where the farmers were cutting silage…. We literally had to stop every 5 minutes to let a tractor go by… there were only 2 drivers but they just have driven past us 5 or 6 times each!!!

The dogs were stopped more than we walked! Then there were cars passing….

We finally got to the bridge and burn which was our planned destination! It took us an hour to get there and 40 minutes to get home.

Then we met another friend and another neighbour on the way home 😂

I tried to get photos of the dogs being so good as the terrifyingly huge tractors passed us but I was embarrassed that the drivers might wonder why I was taking pics…. Claire said don’t be daft, it’s not like you’ll see them again…. I replied with, yeah only another 100 times tonight.

Tractor right there dogs barely visible!!

To be fair, you had to be there.

I got the giggles!

I got home and fed Khaleesi (RULE BREAKER…. 10 minutes late!) and gave her her evening antibiotics. She was so pleased to see me.

“We” went out for the toilet and she was a good girl.

I also called mum as she’d rang while we were out too.

I’m shattered now but I’m getting big cuddles and yes there is a sloth doing yoga on my T-shirt, thanks to my friend Gemma!

Khaleesi wants us to turn out the lights… bless.

Still got the kitchen to tidy and the wheelie bin to put out but that will have to wait until Miss Khaleesi is allowed to move again, for now I am tied to the couch. Hardship.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1506 a lazy day with Khaleesi and housework 🐕🧹

I completely forgot it was 1st June yesterday. Obviously we had a lot going on.

I was reminded when I saw this.

And I thought to myself… what a lovely reminder of my friend June, that passed away at the end of April.

Then I clicked it was about the month and not the person…. It was about the person for me. 💜

As is this.

Not every day is easy but you have to see the good in every day.

I feel like I’m suffering from Sunday syndrome today… that’s what I’ve dubbed it.

Sunday’s should be a day of rest but I’m not very good at that.

I took Calaidh for a walk.

A collie-flower 🌸

Spotted this coo keeking over a fence!

The fields are full of long grass and buttercups. 🌼

We met Rachel two doors down and Nacho!

So…. My head has also been catapulted into a…..

“RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!”

WE HAVE RULES THAT WE NEED TO LIVE BY”

mindset…. Which is never good for me as breaking any of the rules completely messes with my head.

I feel angry and frustrated and am soaking up all of Khaleesi’s sadness.

If we miss a Khaleesi tablet by a few minutes, I’m raging and doing some huffy kid style tantrum in my head. The RULE says….

What if the grass is wet when we take her out and we don’t have the boot on her bandage? There’s a RULE about that.

I use the capital letters deliberately as that’s how I hear it.

We have so many doors in our house that the RULE about keeping her still is actually blowing my mind. If she’s in the living room the dogs can push that door open, so that means the dining room door AND the inner hall door need to be shut when she’s in there. (We did also figure last night that the living room is too big a room for her to be sequestered in… she has too many options to lie down, the couch the single seater and two dog beds, every time we went in she was in a different place!)

If she’s in the spare bedroom, it might get too hot as you can’t open a window. 🤯

I want the house to magically tidy itself into spotless and we are just SURROUNDED BY STUFF!!

It’s actually hurting my head so I came to write this.

I’m sitting in the spare room with Khaleesi and Calaidh and if I can tune out her discomfort for a minute, it’s actually quite a calming space.

I lay there for a few hours while Craig was out at work. I enjoyed the time with her and I’m fairly certain she needed the company. I feel like she relaxed while I was there. I know I did.

All of this is in MY head. As usual by the end of the day I can see it all. (It’s 4.30pm now).

I’m not sure where the rest of the day went. I moved things from room to room tidying as I went.

Craig is moving his office space from the dining room upstairs to the aptly named, dogs’ room!

He will be able to work without me wittering away at him. 😂

We had some special family time in the garden with the dogs at 2pm.

Khaleesi was due her next meds so we brought her out for a wee and we got a poo this time too. Good girl.

She’s doing ok.

The bad leg tremors a lot as if it is cold… I’m sure it’s not that. It’s also itchy so that’s bothering her a bit. She has no power in it at all so watching her move around is tough. You can see that she just melts when she’s given lots of attention thought.

She’s going in for the kiss!

I took so many photos it was tough to pick the best of them!

I did like this one!

It’s been overcast and much cooler today. The washing in the line is nearly dry though. Our forecast isn’t great for the week ahead. We were so lucky to have that heat yesterday.

I think she is doing just fine as we adapt to life with her injuries.

We are doing just fine too.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1505 a scorcher for Khaleesi coming home!

What a beautiful day and we got our baby girl home.

This is captioned “where’d ma daddy go?!!”

She was sooooo happy to see us. Broadleys Veterinary Hospital say she’s been the model patient and they’ve all been checking up on her. She takes her meds no problem and hasn’t been such a good girl. Sounds just like her to be honest.

She just makes everyone feel so special when they meet her. 💕

She’s ready for the off with her kinky boot on.

Here they all are when she got home. The Borders all had a good sniff of her. Calaidh sniffed all over the leg.

She should be kept to one room and is only allowed to exercise 3 times a day for 5 minutes. That is going to be so tough. We need to keep her bandage dry and make sure it doesn’t slip down over the splints. We need to make sure it doesn’t chafe her skin too much.

She’s back in on Wednesday for the dressing to be checked and will get further X-rays in 6 weeks.

Unfortunately the Go Fund Me money has not cleared and may not do so until 5th June. We never realised that. They expected it to be settled fully today but we obviously couldn’t. They understood but asked if there was anything we could do to settle it then could we. I paid £500 and we showed them the Go Fund Me page and total. That was a wee bit uncomfortable but there was nothing else we could do. As soon as the money clears we will pay it.

We’ve had lots of cuddles and kisses, she has a few tough months ahead.

It will be 3 months before she is fully healed. We postponed our 4 dogs holiday to Wales in July because we couldn’t afford to pay the balance, with everything else going on, and it will be just as well as Khaleesi still won’t be able to run about by then.

I love this next one… her face when Craig’s still making the scrunched up face look.

He thinks I’m gonna kiss him…. Nope!!

So after all the excitement of going to Stirling to get her, she is literally sleeping in the living room for now.

Taking her 2pm meds like a good girl.

I was awake at 5.15 this morning as “someone’s” alarm went off at that ridiculous time…. I wasn’t due up until 6.45am but of course, that was me tossing and turning, wide awake, thinking of Khaleesi.

Someone has been warned for future alarm events 😂

The run club met at 7am, right outside my house, and we ran 5.36km.

And I LOVED it. I run so much better when I’m not behind everyone, I love that today I was paced out front until the 3k mark. That does NOT mean that I was faster than the others, it means they ran at my pace. I didn’t stop running to catch my breath until 3k in, which is my best yet. I need to work on my head chatter when people are in front of me. I need to stop the negative committee telling me how slow I am.

I love love loved it.

Here are Emma and I rounding the bend. (Should say here that Claire runs on ahead to take photos and then catches up without looking like she had to try!)

Now there’s a guy doing a 24 hour lawnmower push around Beith, to raise money for Cancer Research. We were lucky enough to bump into Grieg of Greig’s Garden’s on his challenge!!

The second time this week asking for donations but if you click on the link to his FB page you’ll be able to donate. He apologised for being sweaty but quickly realised we all were too! The photo shoot will have affected our time as didn’t turn Strava off… check me making excuses for what was, a fantastic time!

I took Calaidh up the hill when I got home but forgot my phone. She looked so cute running through the long grass but we’ll needed to check her for ticks.

So nothing else for it but some sunshine in the garden this afternoon.

It’s a really beautiful day.

We’ve just brought outside for a change of scenery, here she is lying next to me.

Bless her.

And also, my current view!

Here’s the link to Craig’s business FB page with a wee video of her getting him and thanking everyone!

Thank you for being a friend!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and huge congratulations to my lovely friends Julie & Keith who get married today, down in London. 👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏻💍💒

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1504 Khaleesi out of surgery by 4pm and a day by the sea for me 🌊🏖️

It was very strange waking up with only 3 dogs this morning. We’ve been fixated on Khaleesi for the last week and now she’s not even here.

My alarm went off at……. Wait for it… 4.30AM!!! Elly had asked if I wanted to wetsuit swim this morning but she had to be back by 6.45am.

As hard as it is to get out of bed, it’s so worth it. As you know I love being out and about when everyone else is asleep!

Pic taken at 5.30am. It’s 9.5°C.

Wetsuits bottom half, still to get ready to go in. Lovely sunrise glow!

The tide was coming in, and almost at high tide but it was a bit windier than it usually is, when I go in the sea.

We didn’t swim but we stayed under the water and bobbed about in the waves.

It’s the most present I’ve ever been in the sea. I didn’t take a million photos, I just enjoyed the moment.

It felt like we were in for ages… and here I go sharing the million photos I “didn’t” take 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

It clouded over a fair bit, which surprised me as I knew the forecast was going to be good todays

I didn’t find it particularly cold today but it took me ages to heat up, even after a hot shower.

We had great chats this morning, nothing beats a good deep and meaningful conversation! Thanks to Elly for asking me to go.

We decided to take the 3 Borders for a family dog after my shower. .

This is what happens when I say ….. WHO…. WANTS…. TO GO…. FOR… A….. WALK…. Exactly with that intonation 😂

Look at this gate, it’s disappearing after years of no use!

This is what happens when Craig says… GO!

It’s a lovely morning and I’m a bit overdressed as I’m still a bit cold from the swim.

When we came home it clouded over so I hung out the washing and hoovered the whole house. It’s like deja vu from last weekend…. The house is soooo hairy. I want it to be nice for Khaleesi coming home. 😆

Craig had a job in West Kilbride today at 1pm so I decided to go with him and spend some time on the beach. It seems really hot until I get there and there’s actually a really cool breeze.

It’s still beautiful and exactly what I need to take my mind of Khaleesi. That’s not entirely true either, that was the plan but actually I think of her more when I’m alone, it’s the not knowing that’s the worst part. Is she still in surgery, out already or still to go in?! We had no idea.

I sat here for a few minutes. A lovely view over to Arran.

Craig dropped me near the Waterside restaurant and I walked up the coast as far as Portencross.

Sat here for a few minutes too. I have 3 hours to kill.

The tide is out so the beach is full sized.

My photos pretty much all have Arran as the backdrop 😂.

I loved the wee cottage off to the right hand side of the burn. It’s literally on the beach but private enough that it seems secluded too.

I found a sheltered spot behind the Seamill Hydro. The wall to the right of me, sheltered the breeze. I lay down here for a while and rested my eyes. The sun felt very hot.

The beach is just massive when the tide is so far out. I set off again.

I tried to take some arty upside down shots of all the lugworm piles (it disgusts me that they seem to be called that…. ) but I can’t seem to hold the camera straight when I’m hanging upside down… picture the scene?!?

Should say this is Portencross beach now.

I’m getting straighter 😂

There are more waves here. They’re still tiny though.

I love the colour of the sand.

I almost have the whole beach to myself. I wish I had brought some of the dogs. If the tide is in, the beach is tiny and I always feel a bit overwhelmed with 3 dogs on a beach filled with other dogs.

It’s really windy but I love the peace.

The lovely irises growing in the boggy ground.

I’m finally on my favourite rocks at Portencross.

Portencross Castle with the Scottish flag flying.

Love the rocks.

Always think of Claire when I see this lovely blue boat as she took some lovely photos of it.

I’m heading back along the road to meet Craig when he’s finished.

Sooooo green!

I love this house.

How pretty is this?!

And just like that my knight in shining armour appears.

We head home via Lidl. We’re on a budget and it’s great to see how many bargains you can get in Lidl. I got sensitive toothpaste for 69p!!!

That reminds me I actually had the dentist in between shower and dog walk! Just check up and scale and clean. £15.85 and done in 10 minutes.

We got the call when we were in the supermarket with no signal and Craig had to run out to call them back.

Her operation had just finished and it was a success. Her ankle bone has been fused and her foot had been straightened. It all went as planned.

Such a relief. Craig is blinking back the tears all through the crisps aisle… I’m relieved but I knew it would be ok.

We have to call at 9am to find out how she was overnight and they’ll tell us when we can pick her up.

It will be so good to have her home again. It feels really strange without her. Bless.

Thanks again to everyone for your support!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1503 we have just hit our target!! 🎯

How amazing is that?! In less than 2 days, 171 people have donated to allow us to afford Khaleesi’s operation.

I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to be on the receiving end of this…. There is shame that we had to ask in the first place and we are just overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone. People apologising for not donating or for saying they wish they could have given more….. hey we wouldn’t have been able to afford any of it so we completely understand.

This is a huge ask and one that we have only undertaken because the surgeon thinks it will greatly improve her quality of life.

I’ll share Craig’s FB post from today as I am too tired to type it all out again.

I sat out in the garden with them all this morning and Craig got a great shot.

Khaleesi sat enjoying the sunshine. I tied her to the bench so she couldn’t run and play with the others!

She is currently in Broadleys Veterinary Hospital in Stirling. She was put under anaesthetic this morning so the surgeon could manipulate her and determine the surgery required, and he has established that she needs the more complicated surgery.

Her operation will take place tomorrow and we will be able to go and collect her on Saturday.

The house feels very strange without her. Despite my protestations at having SO MANY dogs…. It feels really strange without her here. She’s become a part of the family in such a short time.

She should be able to come off pain medication and that is amazing. She currently gets doggy Tramadol and Metacalm on a daily basis. Coming off meds will do her the world of good.

She will have a much better quality of life.

I did make some Planthood dinner tonight.

And here’s what they actually turned out like!

They were really lovely, if a weeeee bit oniony. (That’s a great word!)

Gayle is picking me up shortly and we’re heading out to Largs for a couple of hours. The Scottish Dog Behaviourist is back at work. We’re both trying to forget what’s going on just now.

Apart from being so eternally grateful to everyone. People really pull around when things get tough. As Craig said all the donations have helped save Khaleesi’s life.

A very humbling time for us.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1502 blown away by donations for Khaleesi’s operation!

Wow what a whirlwind of a 24 hours.

Since Craig raised his Go Fund Me for Khaleesi’s leg operation yesterday, we have just hit over £5,000.

I cannot tell you how that makes us feel. Incredibly humble, indebted to people forever. To think that a few days ago that we thought we were going to lose her. Now we have some hope that she could have more mobility than she had, and be pain free.

We had never thought we would raise so much so quickly and are so grateful to the all of those family, friends and strangers who have donated. So many people we don’t even know…. It’s incredible.

She was so much brighter again this morning.

She is definitely picking up on our mood and responding to our increased positivity.

She never bites at her dressing, never whimpers, never cries, never makes a fuss. She’s such a good girl, if only I could master some of her calm outlook on life. She just gets on with things.

So the latest is she has her initial consultation in the morning and they might keep her for an operation on FRIDAY!!!!

I can’t believe it’s so soon and despite the fundraiser, we have not stopped to think about what she will go through…. It’s a sobering thought.

Oooh a wee eye fill moment there.

I’m going to make this a quick one tonight as I’ve been on my phone since I got home.

Oh I did go for a 5.46km run with Lynsey before work this morning!

I cuddled with Khaleesi when I got up at 4.50am as I couldn’t sleep…. It was nice to sit with her until it was time to run at 5.45.

I loved our run this morning! It felt really good and only stopped up a couple of hills. I’m so proud of that.

Right now I’m tired. I’m not eating well just now as I’m too tired to cook but it’s been a big week. It will settle and I’ll get back to it. Meanwhile I had hashbrowns and rice pudding for dinner. 😆

We made the Ardrossan and Saltcoats herald today too…. I’ll end with the link.

No food for Khaleesi from 9pm.

Bless her…. And all of you 😘

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald – Khaleesi

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1501 the one about Khaleesi the Belgian Malinois

Soooo, my strange comment at the weekend can now be explained.

We’re sitting in Woodbury Salterton in Devon, on Friday 24th, having lunch with friends, we’ve been there for an hour, when we get a call to say that Khaleesi has hurt her leg.

Khaleesi is the Belgian Malinois recue that came all the way from Spain.

Craig had gone out to train Jo-Rosie Haffendon’s dogs, for a week in April last year and fallen in love with her. When Jo’s circumstances changed, Khaleesi needed a new home and within an hour of Craig seeing Jo’s post, Khaleesi was going to be ours.

We joined our gang in September 2023.

Both of her right legs are badly injured. The front leg has virtually no power and she often holds it up when she walks, the back leg has fused at the wrong angle.

You can kinda see the right back leg in this picture, splays out to the right.

So we spend all of Friday afternoon in phone calls back home, trying to decide what’s best.

She isn’t moving…. She won’t move off the bed for food. It’s heartbreaking for those who are with her and equally awful for us being so far away.

We decide that she needs to be seen by a vet and my lovely in laws and sis in law manage to get her to their vet by 6pm on the Friday night.

She’s doped up to the hilt and has a bandage on her back leg.

They believe she has ruptured her tendon in the back leg.

By this time, Craig has already decided that he has to come home. He made me stay, but the logic was, if he went through the hassle, and cost, of coming home, then by some strange twist of fate, we might not lose her.

A dog that can’t put pressure on both legs on the same side is not going to live a great life.

Given that we were an hour and half drive from Bristol, and everyone we knew down there was heading to a wedding on the Saturday, made the travel more difficult.

My lovely friend Helen booked him a bus from Exeter to Bristol Airport, her partner Mike picked him up on Saturday at 7.30am and off he went…

EasyJet charged us a fortune despite the sad story but hey, it was the right thing to do.

We can’t thank our in-laws and Craig’s sister enough, for everything that they did.

Once he was home and he got to see the true extent of her injuries and he started to worry we may lose her.

She could barely move but she was very happy to have him home and fussing over her.

He investigated her leg under the bandage and realised what the tendon rupture meant, the bottom part of her leg just moves all over the place.

The front leg had been the worst and now this one was worserer… I know that’s not a word 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I’m trying to inject some humour into a stressful situation, it’s what I do…

He slept with her on Saturday night and I travelled home on my own, on the Sunday. I cried when I saw her. She wagged her tail at me but didn’t move.

We cuddled up in the couch in the evening.

I came downstairs on Monday morning and had this awful feeling she wouldn’t have made it through the night.

Of course she had but she was the same the whole of Monday, so lost and sad looking but then, so was Craig.

It was not my story to share as we needed to know what was going to happen before he told Jo-Rosie, her previous owner, and before he told anyone on his business page.

I’ve never seen him so upset.

He slept in the living room with her again last night.

This morning they had another vet appointment at 8.50am.

It was a lovely morning and I spotted them out in the garden so I did a wee impromptu photoshoot, just before work.

The mood was very somber, we were both scared that she might not come home with him. I was sure she would but Craig was convinced this was it.

So the very good news is that Ed the Vet has sent her X-rays to a vet hospital, Broadleys in Stirling and they believe they can fix her injured back leg.

“She will require surgical treatment via tarsal arthrodesis. either partial arthrodesis or pantarsal depending on the level or extent of the injuries”

In layman’s terms there is a chance that they can fix the leg, better than it was when she came to us.

Craig text me straight away to say “she’s coming home, they have options”, what an immense relief.

It’s been a dreadful few days and finally there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Khaleesi knows something has changed. She is reflecting Craig’s mood, she is brighter and even came to the door to meet me when I came in tonight!!

We’ve had some cuddles on the couch!

So the bad news in all of this is the cost.

She is not covered by insurance as this is a pre-existing condition.

We need to generate somewhere in the region of £6,000…… but we can’t not try.

Craig has started a Go Fund Me page to try to help us raise the money. It’s hard to ask people for help but we can’t lose her when the vet had so much hope.

Here’s the link:

Khaleesi needs help to fund her life saving leg surgery

Here she is stretched out in all her glory… bless her.

She has a green bandage now!

We have been truly humbled by the extent of the donations we have received in the short space of time since he launched it. So many donations from wonderful people who are family and friends and more people that we don’t even know… they maybe know Khaleesi from her previous life.

We might just manage this!

It restores your faith in humanity.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️