I’ve been absent. I’ve encountered a bit of writers block. It happened a month ago when a trusted so-called professional misquoted my statements and included condescending comments about my blog as mere amateur photography. I really shouldn’t care, but I’m human and I do. It has not helped my health improvement progression and has set me back. Thank God, for the ocean at least once every two months, aquasize and the swimming pool. I am also grateful for the local library. Finally, I thank God, more so for my family who are amazing, with their ongoing support.
It’s been a difficult slog where changes must occur including me making some. This is why the blog has been abandoned. I plan to be back.
The blog isn’t the only thing in my life abandoned, my garden has taken a back seat to a new family member, my new 2-year-old Cavalier named ‘River Girl’. Many have said the dog or cat that gets their noses out of joint when a baby joins a household, well I suspect if my plants could communicate, they will be feeling a bit of jealousy right now. They still are watered and trimmed, but not quite to the same detail as before my new family member joined the household.
It will take time to get used to it not just being about me, which is not a bad thing. River Girl needs to be looked after. She needs presence, love and nurture. Nurture in the way of being fed, watered, walked and companionship. She will also need regular baths and grooms, my sister in law and I gave her a wash on Saturday. I am thankful that she was satisfactory with the water seeing most dogs hate bath time. She also is good when I brush her.
I can see that she is good for me, as she MUST have her walks to avoid going nuts by being left alone all day whilst I’m at work. I’ve been advised very wisely not to make too much of a fuss when coming and going so she knows that if I do go out, that I’ll be back. I just leave with a low key ‘see you later River Girl’. I still get the guilt ‘look’ regardless, I hear it is a common shared ‘look’ all dog owners get.
My fur baby has been through a lot in the last few months. River Girl has had a litter of puppies. She used to live on a big property with other dogs. She made a day trip from North to South New South Wales (over 24 hours). Finally, after a week with five canine cousins, four human cousins and her human Aunty and resistant Uncle (my brother who detests being referred to as an Uncle for a dog), she then made another 3 hour trip to Canberra with me.
She’s so far very quiet and calm but has a bit of separation anxiety and does occasionally cry. I suspect some confusion after the moves. She needs to get used to and comfortable in her new environment with me as her owner and her place to call home. I hope she will be okay being an only child after being around other dogs all her life.
I’m thankfully she eats, sleeps and poops with no issues, she loves her chicken necks big time. I’m also thankful she hasn’t tried to run off from me on our walks together of an early evening.
What I’m realising more and more on why people prefer dogs to humans is the following:-
- They love unconditionally
- They don’t criticise you
- They don’t throw your screw ups back in your face
- They love their food and pats
- They don’t backstab you (at least not to other humans)
- They don’t judge you
- They are protective of their master
- They are clever
- They are forgiving
- They don’t make fun of you
- They make you take the focus off yourself whether you like it or not
- They don’t talk back
Slowly she is accepting the dog door and the benefits (aka ‘treats’) when she uses this. Though I will say, I don’t think River Girl will ever ‘fetch’, this attempt has not proved any fruition in the privacy of my yard. I wonder if any dog does go ‘fetch’, but at least I know she eats right!
Update 9 December 2015
My baby girl has been with me for over a week, nearly two now. She’s so loving and affectionate. Getting snuggles on the couch is so sweet. She is protective, she is loyal, she loves me. I love River Girl. She met my parents over the weekend, they love her and vicea versa too. Just as well given we are staying at their place for a week over Christmas.
Update 19 December 2015
River Girl has claimed me as her human. She guards me and watches out for me. We have managed another bath without issue and I am blessed with a beautiful and good dog. The next challenge will be nail clipping. It’s amazing how many more humans stop and say hello to you when you have River Girl with you. We had our first walk by the beach on the Central Coast and she made some more friends.
Against The Tide 