Friday, November 29, 2019

Recommendation.


Things getting back to normal. Sophie is taken to the vets for a full medical check. Dog owners guilt in action. The vet is absolutely certain that the walnut toxins were to blame for Bobs sudden and rapid demise. There was nothing that could have been done. He shows us the blood results. They are dire.  Sophie's by contrast are great.


Sophie is overweight - she has to lose a kilo or two - but otherwise in fighting form. We'd somehow always assumed that she would be the first to go. A history of toad eating and broken legs meant that she spent nine times as much time at the vets than her brother. The vet thinks it quite probable that in a decades time we shall have a very strong willed and feisty companion on our hands. Humour levels at The Rickety Old Farmhouse are back to 60% of where they should be.


The gas man comes to check on the boiler. He doesn't bring biscuits so Sophie is unimpressed. The window cleaner also arrives. He too is biscuitless. Sophie stands and glares at him. There is a clear inference that we should be choosing our trades folk with greater care. Jaffa Cakes would be perhaps be the best recommendation ?


On Saturday Sophie will accompany Angus to the morning rugby match.  It remains to be seen how she will respond to such a 'male' environment. You can be sure that the rugby players will spoil her. Her reaction may be less positive. I'm betting she gravitates to the hot dog caravan on arrival.

This video says everything about sheepdog energy levels : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXylcEJzD-k


25 comments:

Lisa in Tokyo said...

Wow, you are brave, taking Sophie to the rugby - I hope she enjoys it!

WFT Nobby said...

So pleased to read that Sophie is in tip top health. I think she will LOVE the rugby. And possibly want to join in?
That video is amazing.

Poppy Q said...

Poor Miss Sophie - it must be a hard adjustment for her. We are glad that the vets gave her a thumbs up.

We loved the video it was beautiful watching the sheep moving around.

catherine said...

I found it very poignant that your blog's title has changed. Catherine

Taste of France said...

I also find it poignant. I wondered whether you were going to change the title, Angus. Glad to know Sophie is healthy.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I had to grin at your thought about Sophie, isn't it said that "only the good die young?"

Anonymous said...

I'm so pleased that Sophie is adjusting and in good health and also that the humour levels are back to 60%. Perhaps the rugby-team could offer Sophie a few Jaffa cakes;). Luzia from Basel

Anonymous said...

You might give the rugby players a tip off about the Jaffa Cakes before the diva arrives if they want a new and likely vocal fan.

sillygirl said...

Thanks for the vet's assessment of Bob's illness and impossible-to-avoid outcome. It helps to accept that nothing could have been done. It still is not simple to let him go but I think we all are working on it. It will also take time to just see Sophie's name at the top - glad you have kept the photo of the two of them.

Cheryl Pass said...

Glad to hear that Sophie had a good vet report! I am wondering where those walnuts were that Bob found and ate? Obviously glad Sophie didn't get into them, too. And she has the adventurous taste for strange things...voles and poo and such. Good thing she didn't. Where are those dastardly lethal walnuts?

Sheila said...

The question that remains for me is where did he find the walnuts? Do you think they were somewhere near the kennel? I've been rather shocked to learn that even semi-decayed windfall apples can contain the toxins which will prove fatal. Perhaps owl vole discards are to be avoided in the future.
I thought that first Sophie photo on yesterday's post said it all. She seemed to have a brave, "I'll be okay, Boss" look about her. Surely, she'll enjoy all the attention she's bound to receive from the rugby players.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I too was admiring that Sophie has a solo blog (for a while) and an updated 'bio'. All part of processing. Rugby is a fine place to be letting off any steam, so I do hope she enjoys herself.

Angus, you will have noted a Charlotte commenting about an image of Bob. She tracked down contact for me and has requested help in sharing that image. I offer THIS LINK to the main image and THIS ONE for the same image set 'in a frame'. I have advised her that it is entirely up to you whether you access them or do anything with them and you ought not to be pressed further on the matter. I will say this to you - they are offered up from good heart and that Love you have felt from your blogging adoration society! I do think they are worth a look.

'S all I have to say and done my bit. YAM xx

Angus said...

We live in an area where walnuts are grown. We have trees in the garden and walnut groves all around us. Loic collects up the nuts when they fall from the trees but it only takes one to be hidden in the long grass !

Angus said...

Thank you to Charlotte and yourself for sorting this out. The picture is wonderful and shall be posted here tomorrow and printed so that we can have it framed. A belated thank you to one and all.

Charlotte said...

I am so thankful for the encouraging message shared with us today. 🙏🏻 each day it will be better.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Am so pleased you found joy in these: Charlotte has been quite determined in this matter... to the extent that one more has just been added... if you care to use it. Yxx

suej said...

Do hope Angus and Sophie enjoy the rugby and that a lot of fuss is made of both of you.

Charlotte said...

I have taken the time to find out when I started following this blog. Looked at all thr pictures. So many memories. Beautiful PONs.
I started November 21, 2009‼️
This is the most outstanding blog.
Angus, thank you for sharing a small piece of your life with us.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We think Soph is already a strong-willed, feisty girl! She should make quite an addition to the Rugby group. Maybe a sausage won't add to her waistline much.

Angus said...

10 years! Seems like a couple of weeks to me. Over dinner we agreed that generations of PONs have been unfailingly patient and loyal in dealing with toddlers, teenagers and now empty nesters. The things they've seen, the things they've heard. We have laughed every day... even the ones when one or another of the pack runs ahead. Sophie will keep the blog going for another decade. Please stay around

Charlotte said...

I plan to be here a long time.
I am so thankful you received the pictures. Bruce and his had just lost one of their Westies he knew how you were feeling. He wanted to share with you. That is why pushed so hard for both families. They were beautiful. You and “the Font “ love pictures so I believed you would want them. I wasl late sending a beautiful picture of Bob and Sophie together. Another beautiful picture.
Yamini MacLean really out for me to send another link for you to download. It was sent by her on November 29, 2019 at4:41 PM.
It is written above. I trust you read this comment and check it out.
🙏🏻 for all of you.

WFT Nobby said...

Reading the comments above, it occurred to me that I too must have been first visited your wonderful blog about a decade ago. Can you believe I went back through the Wilf and Digby blog posts this evening and found the first visit and comment from 'Hamish the Westie' was on 29 November 2009, ten years to the day! Here's to another decade. Cheers! Gail.

WFT Nobby said...

PS The comment was on the 28th Nov 2009 post, but made on the 29th, to be precise!

Pam in NH said...

I cannot wait to hear how Sophie charms all at the rugby game. So happy that the vet checked her out.
Love to all. Be well. XXXX

Angus said...

Hamish the Westie is remembered with great fondness. He was a handsome chap. In fact an exceedingly handsome chap. As for it being a decade - that's truly amazing. Seems like six months at most. We rather lied the vets forecast that Sophie will be around for the next ten years ! We hope that both Bertie and Sophie and their respective owners will enjoy the next decade even more than the last !