I should know better

Eventful doggy times here.

Kaiju, having had a bout of memorable and expansive sickness and diarrhoea, and demonstrating this extensively on the way to the vet, emerging as a soggy bundle, was sent home with a soothing paste, which he was absolutely unwilling to take.  I was reduced to smearing it on the inside of his lips, leaving him resentful and me very sticky indeed. 

But it worked.  However he was still not well, and screamed when lifted or handled.  I could not find the sore place when i went over him, but he was obviously very unhappy and shy of being lifted.  Another visit to the vet was indicated.

On the morning this was due, I let him and 3 others out for a last run .  Only 2 came back.  Kaiju  had disappeared.  I searched and called.  Then Sparkle
appeared at my side.

Sparkle and Kaiju at a recent show, waiting their turn.

I should point out that Sparkle and his close friend Kaiju recently spent a few days with a friend.  I had phoned to find out how they were, and was told that the quiet and reserved Sparkle had…changed.  He had taken over.  He had insisted that all the bitches were now his, and guarded them.  He stole food from dominant dogs.  Was he confident enough to cock his leg?   “Everywhere!” I was told.  She said it was as if a shy boy from a quiet public school had gone on a lads` weekend in Magaluf….”but I promise he didn`t get any piercings or obscene tattoos”.  

And certainly he came back a different dog.  Mature and grown up (but still cautious around Fidget).  A real improvement, I thought. At last he was an adult.  And not before time.

So here I was, searching for Kaiju, and calling his name, and suddenly Sparkle came.   He barked at me and ran up into what is euphemistically called “the rockery” – once a real one, now a tangle of shrubs and mature trees, all planted as “dwarf conifers” some 40 years ago.  (Be warned- there is no such thing as a dwarf conifer, just ones that take their time to get going)  He turned and  looked at me and barked again.  He came back for me.  I was to follow him.

And, just like Lassie in the old films, he took me to Kaiju, who, faced with pain and the vet, had holed up, fortunately not down the well, which is capped, but in an old field drain.  I would never have found him otherwise.  I was amazed.   And relieved.     Sparkle saves the day!

The story has a happy ending.  Kaiju was not dying from a mystery disease.  Like many Papillon dogs, he is a colossal wimp.  He had strained his neck.  He came home on painkillers and steroids, a much happier dog looking for cuddles and fuss again.  I hope he will soon be over all this.

Meanwhile he has little brown pills and rest.

And his best friend, Sparkle.

Haven`t been here for a while, as since the New Year I seem to have had every infection possible, and as a result I missed Crufts – and most other things.  Kaiju and Figaro and Sparkle went, however, but were not liked by what seems to have been a very confused judge indeed.  Quite glad I wasn`t there after all.

 

Meanwhile, the puppies are still here and still growing.  I have begun to train them.   We started with the very simple idea that when I called their name they would come over, stand and receive a titbit.   This lesson was greatly appreciated.  By the third time they were lined up in expectation.

 

I called Comet and he stood and had his reward.  Then I called Clara – and he turned on his sisters, biting and screeching to drive them off.  It was all to be his!  He would be back in a moment to collect theirs when he had dealt with them.  Unfortunately his sisters are made of sterner stuff.   A ferocious puppy battle ensued, in which Comet wasn`t exactly the winner…  I decided training was over for the day.

 

They are of an age to run riot, and especially outdoors where they are great explorers.  Tess Trueheart, their long-suffering mother has had enough, and we are getting to the stage when she will have to be bribed to spend time with  the little horrors.

 

 

At the moment they are all fast asleep on my foot.  It means I can`t move – but oh, the peace and quiet!