Cone of shame

It’s been quite the day for Bert. He’s had his little boy operation, got lots of cuddles and now has to wear the cone of shame. The latter isn’t going well…

He’s taken my legs out several times, he’s bounced off the furniture and couldn’t work out how to get his food. Think he’s only just forgiven me for no breakfast! I got PROPER Spaniel eyes and threats of the RSPCA.

The vets said to keep him calm and limit his exercise. Ummm he’s a 10 month old Sprocker?! He’s had a sleep in his crate. Then came out for some food. At which point, he went to his toy basket and grabbed a ball. Nope, sorry Bert, it’s not happening.

So he’s back in the crate, dragging the cone across the bars like some 50s jailhouse film. It’s going to be a long evening. Thankfully, I’ve been offered a bodysuit for him, so I’ll go and get that tomorrow.

Now my next challenge is to keep him calm for the next few days. Wish me luck!!

My new mattress was delivered this morning. At first glance it looked like a dead body. 20 mins of huffing and puffing to unwrap it and get it on the frame. Why do I think I can do these things on my own?!

As if that wasn’t enough exercise for one day, I took Buddy for a jumping lesson.

Let’s hope we all sleep well tonight…

Piglet

Well this has certainly slowed my little piglet down. Bert loves his food and was gulping it down so when I saw this yesterday, I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Honestly, I must be the only person who goes to a horse event and comes back with three things for her dog and nothing for her horse! Buddy will be having words I’m sure.

I’ve tried to find ways to slow Bert’s eating down. He literally inhales the food! Tactics so far have included a treat ball, a snuffle ball, putting it in boxes, hiding it in boxes, scattering it on the floor, splitting it into small portions and a puppy tornado!

I was getting to the point where it was taking me longer to get everything ready than it was taking him to eat it!

The puppy tornado did help to start off with. Till he worked it out (that took about 2 mins). Puppy Tornado is definitely a good description for Storm Bert when it comes to food. Never seen anything like the frenzy. He’s clearly starved poor chap.

Bit like the Oversized Labrador who stamps his feet and demands his food. Then his eyes practically roll up in his head while he’s inhaling it! He can’t eat it fast enough.

There are benefits to having food-orientated animals, that’s for sure. At least Buddy doesn’t try to eat his empty bowl unlike Bert. He just poops in it…

Wonderful

What a difference a day makes huh? On Tuesday, I needed my layers as I rode round Blickling. Today, I needed less. It was wonderful to be back there. In the glorious sunshine.

I’ve had a wonderful day all round. One of those days where things line up and you seem to sail through things. Lots of wonderful things happened. Nothing earth shattering, but wonderful nonetheless.

Buddy had a wonderful day out with his friend Archie. Bert had a wonderful day when he discovered my yard owners dogs’ food. Little piggy!

The after effect of that aren’t quite so wonderful. His puppy farts are off the scale! He’s even spooked himself with them. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but I think he’s disgusted himself.

Snout

Bert had a proper treat today. A pig snout! He was so funny with it. He didn’t know what to make of it to start off. He played with it. He barked at it. He threw it about. Eventually he chewed it.

Once he’d gotten the hang of it, he made quick work of it!

I had to go and get him some more food. And a few bags of body parts. I made the man in the shop laugh when I said I was going to browse the body parts section. He said he was going to refer to it as that from now on. I do love a rebrand…

Common sense

I have suspected for a while now that common sense is a rarity in this wonderful world we live in. But this made me laugh. Also make you wonder how many people ignored the cooking instructions on the back. The first one is remove lid.

I’m very partial to a Fray Bentos pie. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of my guilty pleasures. There’s something about a pie in a tin that does it for me. Make of that what you will.

For me, it’s proper comfort food. And on a rather wet day, it was much needed. I also needed something to warm me up after getting a tad soggy.

Thankfully it stayed dry for our pony play date this morning. Bert gained more gold stars for his ‘Lorry Dog in training’ chart. I’d parked the Buddymobile facing the arena. Bert was like a little meerkat popping his head up when I rode past. So cute!

In fact, he was so happy in the lorry that when we got back, he didn’t want to leave. Or it might have been he didn’t want to get wet in the rain…

Dosa fun

I love it when I get to try something new. And today I tried somefood new! It was our Chiro’s Christmas Meal. Bit late I know. It was lovely to get all the therapists who work out of the clinic together. We went to Namaste, a local Indian Restaurant. I had a Dosa…

I’m going to be honest, I’d never heard of it before. It sounded intriguing so I thought I’d give it a whirl. It’s a crepe filled with masala spiced cheese mashed potato. It was kinda weird. It was kinda wonderful. I liked it, but couldn’t tell you why. I’d have it again, but definitely needed a side salad or something. It was a bit heavy.

We had a right laugh as we did a bit of a Secret Santa by bringing a naff present. Then drew names to see who got it. I ended up with 3 hyacinth bulbs. I was chuffed! In fact, everyone was pleased with the gift they got. Spooky! Just goes to show how what seems naff to one person is appreciated by someone else.

Finger food

Well I battled my way through the crowd. I survived Aldi and Tescos. I succeeded in my quest to buy enough finger food to keep me going!

I am ready for the festivities. Or the time of the year where I get to ‘eat my body weight in finger food’ as I prefer to call it.

Christmas isn’t my favourite time of the year for so many reasons. This year has been a really tough one. But finger food is my favourite part of it all. I have voluvents. I have filo prawns. I have cheese bites. I have spring rolls. I have a full freezer.

I had my first plate after my ride while watching the show jumping from Olympia Not Olympia. Well once my fingers had thawed out. It was a tad fresh out there! Can’t eat finger food with frozen fingers.

Bo bo

Bert had an imaginary ‘bo bo’ at Puppy Pre-School tonight. I could say that he was very brave having the bandage put on, but honestly, I’m not sure he even noticed. He was far more interested in the liver paste on the table.

It was all a bit too exciting for him tonight. He got rather overstimulated and needed a time out. There were 3 new puppies tonight. All tiny and terrified compared to him. He’s such a confident chap.

He had quite the day as he had another visitor. This one brought treats! It seems I have a very food-oriented dog to go with my very food-oriented horse. Not a bad thing at all when it comes to training. Just need to get over the excitement of food. For both of them….

Sleeping Beauty

Well it wasn’t 14 hours, but nearly 12! Today has been about catching up on sleep and food. I’d love to say that I emerged from my bed like Sleeping Beauty. Sadly I looked more like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Very crumpled indeed!! And my feet are still very sore.

I felt dreadful too. That’ll be the adrenaline of this week leaving my body. I know the drill. But this time I’m trying to get ahead of the comedown. I’ve had some lovely messages of thanks about the Conference.

I’ve promised myself a quieter December. So let’s see what that looks like….

Afternoon Tea

Who doesn’t love a spot of Afternoon Tea? And a birthday one at that! In fact a double birthday one. Colette and I have a birthday outing tradition. We couldn’t fit one in for my birthday, so we decided to share one. We headed to The Orangery Tea Room for an amazing Afternoon Tea. Happy birthday us!!

It was sooo good. But way too much, so I had the rest for dinner.

Afternoon Tea is a wonderful concept. It’s a firm favourite. Along with room service. But then I guess I’m a big food I don’t have to prepare myself.