Thursday, September 5, 2013

Everything in life that we really accept undergoes a change.






The return of the builders. Or, to be precise, the return of two sets of builders and the swimming pool repair man.

One set of builders repair the floor tiles they broke on their last visit. Another set replace the modern glass in the windows with old 'run' glass. I'd always thought that glass  'ran ' because of gravity but ' the font ' says that old glass gets its distorted appearance because it was simply badly made. I prefer the gravity answer. The swimming pool repair man replaces the pump that has been allowing overflow water to wash away the local farmers winter wheat.

Both sets of builders are the well meaning sort that want to talk to the dogs. They wave their arms, bend down, and make all sorts of strange noises. There is nothing that is more likely to make two seven month old PON's believe that the house has been overrun by sociopaths than men who wave their arms, bend down and make strange noises. The builders are followed everywhere by two constantly barking guardians.

Bob and Sophie are finally banished to the kitchen where their curiosity can do least damage. Glass cutting is an activity best practised without canine involvement.


24 comments:

Louise said...

Love the last photo, they look so playful, and that very American term "cute" seems completely appropriate.

I think the font is correct ( of course) about the glass. Makes me think of the scintilating pitch drop experiment in Australia.

Louise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WFT Nobby said...

The last photo is just so lovely.
Oh dear. Memories of puppy Bertie and hand-waving ignoramuses...

Jean said...

I notice you still walk the little angels on the lead.
Will they be ready to be let off the lead soon?
That last picture has all the signs of a "who, me?" situation !!

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

The morose lads turned up at our house yesterday to replace our hot water system. Perhaps it's part of an apprentice's course....Morose 101. We certainly got the idea that we'd ruined their day making them work.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy (who worked hard barking to keep the lads moving.)

VirginiaC said...

It's almost as if all the repairmen have some kind of ESP or something and they all descend on the ROF at the same time. Despite that I know that you're thankful to get everything fixed.....finally.
Bob and Sophie can't help but be endearing to all......it's natural.

Julie said...

Don't you just want to tickle the puppy tummy in the last photo ? Did the builders forget to bring biscuits, is that why there was barking ?

Anonymous said...

There's nothing like a PON, belly up. A particular favourite picture of mine is of Wilf, laying on the gravel, tummy warming in the sun, ears splayed perfectly to either side.

A quick question, for anyone that might have any advice (I hope you don't mind my taking the liberty Angus); Merlin is scratching himself to distraction. He was given a full dose of Frontline mid August and in my desperation to help him, I have just given him another. I have added a special oil to his kibble and have bought a natural anti-itch shampoo from the US. I check him every day for ticks and have noticed that he does have a few bites. have you heard of any insects that might be immune to the effects of Frontline?

Thank you.

Have a good day.

Teena and (a miserable) Merlin

x

Angus said...

Wilf used to get these bouts of mad, uncontrolable, scratching. To begin with we thought it might be mites. Finally, we discovered that it was food allergies and cut back on his protein intake while using an ear cleaner. Have you tried cleaning his ears out with Zymox or Zymox Extra Strength ear cleaner? Not sold in Europe which means ordering from the US but worth the hassle. It's a PON owners best friend ! We also found that Advantix is better than Frontline for dealing with ticks. Wilf was allergic to Advantix as is Sophie - theyboth suffered nerve spasms.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Angus, I will try both. I didn't occur to me that his ears might be the source of the problem. Also, since being here he has had a few more meaty treats than usual (as have we), so I think I am going to try and restrict him to kibble for a week and see if that helps too.

Angus said...

Hi. The heat won't help. Thankfully, it should be cooler for the rest of the week. It took us eight years to work out Wilfs scratching issue .

Anonymous said...

Yes that is true. Even though he has been here for short holidays in the past, this heat really is new to him.

houndstooth said...

I grew up in a house with run windows and I always loved the effect of sitting and looking out the window when it rained. I thought it was caused because some of the elements in it didn't dissolve completely, but I like your theory!

Angus said...

Theories are often better than reality !

Unknown said...

Sophie, relaxed in a submissive posture, seems an oxymoron - but totally adorable!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I hope that tummy got a tickle.
xo

Jean said...

We reduced Lulu's scratching and itchy lump problem by feeding her on non-allergenic kibble supplemented with cooked plain meat and eggs.
The highly coloured chews and treats were the biggest cause of her scratching so she only gets plain hide chews now.

tammy j said...

i see now! it's a yellow stool. VERY COOL!
and the picture of sophie grinning on the floor and bob posing for the camera... well. they're BOTH posers! LOL.
adorable as always.

Whispering Walls said...

The house is looking good!

Angus said...

Don't look too closely ! It's still rickety and old .

Kari said...

Looks like things are coming along nicely. Are you enjoying your new bathrooms? Are your major projects almost completed?
Love Sophie on her back! It reminds me of Wilf, in the middle if the road, on his back. Must be a PON thing.

KB said...

Oh my... Shyla would've been hiding in the kitchen if men were waving their arms and making strange sounds in our house. I have to agree about the glass-cutting and canines...

VirginiaC said...

Brownie gets the itchies sometimes too. I found out it was due to the brand of dog food that I was mixing with his home cooked meals. I bought one that listed either chicken or lamb as the first ingredient and was formulated for an older dog (Healthy Weight formula). I also open up a 3-6-9 or flax seed capsule and pour on his food before serving.
When he starts digging at his ears as if there's no tomorrow, I pour a little mineral oil inside and massage it well into the ear canal. Whatever mites may be hanging out there are immediately smothered. Mites are more active at night so check whether your little one is scratching the ears more in the evening. Best of luck.

Anonymous said...

Thanks VirginiaC. He does seems to be scratching more at night time.