The Pet Minder

I haven’t seen Dodge for quite some time, so, to have a Doberman to stay, was a treat.

He has a propensity for running away, if given the opportunity, and does not have the manners to come when he is called. That is part of the game, wait until they think they have me, and then run again. This dog loves to run, and run, and run.

A social dog, so that proved to be helpful, as the Bassets were coming for Day Care.

Fortnum and Mason arrived, head collars firmly in place, tails wagging like flags, with Julie at the end of their leads. Mason’s ear was still not healing as well as it should, so there were meds in a bag as well.

When Julie had departed, we washed the ear with Vetadine. The boys using my house as an excuse to stop and sniff, while at the same time, my dogs knew they were inside, so pandemonium broke loose for a short period of time. Then on we went to the kennels.

I stayed with the three of them, Dodge, Fortnum and Mason, just to ensure there was no argey bargey on Dodges part.

He was enthralled, with these two big, little dogs, (compared to him), and finally gave them the play bow, and then they were away.

Round and round the compound, he ran, with the bassets on his tail. He was delighting in having company with his running game. The boys did their best to keep up, even skidding on the ground as they nearly collided.

When bassets run, I am sure there is not a piece of their anatomy that does not move. The large jowls wobble from side to side, the ears are flailing out beside them, and the skin on their bodies is moving in unsion, as they gallop along the path.

And so it was, Dodge and the Dodgettes……..

This continued for at least ten minutes, and then they all stopped, chests heaving and tongues hanging. Time for rest and relaxation now.

Mason was in for a shock, because at 11.45am, he had an appointment at the Dr’s.

I have to admit, begrudgingly, that Auckland, showed us some fabulous weather, hot and sunny, except for Thursday morning, when it poured with rain.

However, the rain subsided, and presented another sunny day, in which to comb the outlet stores.

From Barkers to BDM Grange, where the likes of Clarins, Prada and ROC,  were presented with ludicrous prices, it was an absolute feast for a woman on a mission.

From Albany to Birkenhead to Ponsonby where Karen Walker, Zambesi and World, to name a few, dominate the landscape of shops, to Dominion Road, to Green Lane, which was my last port of call, it was a day of total enjoyment, something I thought I would never admit, being a tried and true Wellingtonian.

Navigating my way around was not as bad as I had anticipated, and when I was unsure, there was always a friendly local, willing to point me in the right direction.

I failed to re visit the store that stocked the water beds for pets, that will have to await my next visit.

Now, I am sure someone thought I was going to say I had a canine escape? No, my escape, for two and a half days, to another part of the country, to visit friends and relatives. Should be fun.

Life, however, is not that simple, it is not just a case of walking out and saying goodbye.

My relief staff have to be informed of what is happening during the next few days, and then there are my animals to organise. All in all, still a lot of work, and I do ask myself, is it worth the hassle. Once I am away, I know I have made the right decision.

Belinda works three Fridays and one Saturday afternoon a month, and is now proficient in the workings of the kennel. She is also a trained veterinary nurse, so that assists in relaxing my mind when I have vacated the premises.

Hopefully, the sun will still be shining, for me, and also for her, nothing worse than picking up in the rain.

Bryson, my cocker spaniel, decided to make himself at home on her lap, he knows a soft touch when he sees one