Last Sunday morning the little market square was full of tables occupied by tourists and late running clubbers. This Sunday morning its table less and deserted apart from the Haagen-Dazs shop which is serving large bowls of ice cream to fathers with young children. This is the universal " OK! You can have a breakfast ice cream as long as you promise to be quiet for ten minutes and don't tell your mother ". Bribery - the universal male parenting technique.
We were supposed to be in Stratford on Avon to go to the RSC this week and in DC for the night of the US Presidential election. Both trips are cancelled. Such are the priorities in a house with an ill 'diva'. A young lady from the Park Hyatt phones back to wish ' your dog a speedy recovery' . This is either kind or peculiar. We opt for kind.
Bob and Angus go to the afternoon rugby match. One out of shape group of farmers saunter up the pitch. Shortly after another group of out of shape farmers saunter down the pitch. The young Sapeur Pompier wanders over and asks after the family and learns about Sophie. '' That's a bummer '' he says. Bob gets a scratch on his head.
Outside The Rickety Old Farmhouse a small metal cage has been set up facing the front door. We hope this will be a suitable spot for Sophie to settle and keep tracks on what is going on. Let's hope an opening for surgery appears before a week on Tuesday. She is quite oblivious to her damaged leg and would charge after rabbits given half a chance. We are quite aware that the character of this particular dog will make the quest for 'immobility' difficult.
14 comments:
That shot with the tongue is priceless.
Good luck to you and Sophie. Usually when someone has to stay in bed, I would recommend Netflix, but that won't work in this case.
The Park Hyatt young lady - a kind dog lover I'd say. I hope the cage idea works to settle Sophie. When Bertie was an extraordinarily hyperactive pup I was advised that he'd happily settle down in a crate. Never worked. (What did work was temporarily depriving him of stimulation by shutting him in the under the stairs bathroom).
Cheers, Gail.
Bon chance, Sophie
The things we do for the animals we love.. They add so much to our lives.
Poor Sophie! She will have to be a caged animal after her surgery! But you are right, I can see her forgetting her situation if a bunny runs by! I agree with Babycakes!
It will be interesting to see how Bob reacts to his sister's confinement and surgically impaired leg.
Something tells me he will sense that he needs to take on the role of sibling sympathizer, wise old soul that he is. I envision his lying beside her when she's confined by the front door.
So much to think about, and do before Sophie's surgery. We all regret this has happened, but are very grateful there is a solution! Recovery will be challenging for each of you. If ever there was a family that can handle such an event with grace, love, and humor, it is yours!
I would definitely opt for "kind" on the part of the young lady. My husband said that Bob is looking "very stalwart" in the very last photo.
The stalwart Bob is preparing himself for many "diva" moments ahead, but we're sure he'll rise to the occasion magnificently. Poor Sophie, imagine not being able to chase cats, voles, rabbits and all manner of wonderful wildlife.
Only true dog lovers understand cancelling engagements to care for the dog.
I'm so sorry to return and find this news about Sophie. Oddly enough, Apple did precisely the same thing to her knee three years ago and, like you, we were most concerned about the stern warning we were given to keep her immobile for three months as that sounded completely laughable. The strange thing was, she was the perfect patient. She loved being in her soft crate - would even go there on her own to nap. She was soon as good as new, it's remarkable what they can do these days. She did have to wear one of those dreaded collars for two weeks, but we found a soft donut-shaped one that made life so much easier. She could still see all around her with it on and even used it for a pillow of sorts. I highly recommend ordering one before the surgery if you don't already own one. We'll all be keeping a good thought for her here! And it may just be a good thing you won't be here for the election. xoxo
Hi - That's reassuring. Yes, we have a German soft round collar.
Its the 'family' bit of 'family dog'.
The grace and love are there. The humour part is being tested !
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