Yesterday we had an e-mail from Kevin Too and Harry to say they could drop by this morning and a 'phone call from Kaz to say that most of the grandchildren were going ice skating and would we like to go and join them. We had already recovered the car and arranged to drive across and meet Pete and Sally (my old mate and post lady) for lunch half way between us and their coastal location in Norfolk at March. It was about a 70 mile round trip each and we had a great time with a nice lunch at Mama Mia above the town moorings. Sooo sorry to miss you Kevin and I would have loved to go skating Kaz and kids.... no 2 buses...grrr
So; between my last blog on Monday and tonight we've, inexplicably, had no internet signal. G caught a couple of buses to collect the car and fetch it out to Weedon Bec on Tuesday, because Monday night Baxter had another 'episode' just like the one in September and we thought we would need the vet. We blamed the last episode on Muttley having a go at him and I now believe they are minor strokes brought on by stress - I believe this one was due to the noises inside the boat whilst I was stuck on the bottom and touching lock gates due to a lack of water in the pounds impeding my steerage (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). They were inside the boat on their own and these noises are very loud inside. Normally they are out on the bank locking with me or out on the back deck - they wouldn't normally be inside on their own. Baxter went down flat again but completely recovered by Thursday. There are lessons to be learnt here and we need to keep him stress free as he gets older.
Wednesday, whilst I nursed cuddled Baxter, Graham had a rather exhausting but lovely day babysitting and Thursday we toddled down into the village for a pint and a bit of shopping - really not at all impressed with the general attitude of the staff at the Plume of Feathers which has been taken over by Everards brewery although they are dog friendly. We didn't stay for a second pint and the previously fabulous greengrocer shop (relocated) didn't know what variety of potatoes they were selling. No pastry for more mince pies in the village shop either. The locals are all still lovely but this place, to me, has lost it's pizzazz. Perhaps it's just me.
So; between my last blog on Monday and tonight we've, inexplicably, had no internet signal. G caught a couple of buses to collect the car and fetch it out to Weedon Bec on Tuesday, because Monday night Baxter had another 'episode' just like the one in September and we thought we would need the vet. We blamed the last episode on Muttley having a go at him and I now believe they are minor strokes brought on by stress - I believe this one was due to the noises inside the boat whilst I was stuck on the bottom and touching lock gates due to a lack of water in the pounds impeding my steerage (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). They were inside the boat on their own and these noises are very loud inside. Normally they are out on the bank locking with me or out on the back deck - they wouldn't normally be inside on their own. Baxter went down flat again but completely recovered by Thursday. There are lessons to be learnt here and we need to keep him stress free as he gets older.
I blogged earlier about the problem of putting our boat name (French requirement) on our 'flared' bow flares - this is our solution. We think it's a good compromise without forking out even more shed loads of money
Yesterday I managed to get us out for a, much needed, proper long walk - pictures won't load but Baxter full of it; such a relief to see him back to full health again
Poor Baxter, Oscar had mini strokes for years but they seem to recover very quickly, I gather its quite normal in older dogs, but as he got much older he seemed to stop having them, it was normally after he had got himself excited about going out in the car! Give him a big hug from us xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you guys, that's quite re-assuring. I guess stress/excitement all raise the blood pressure
DeleteSo glad that Baxter has recovered - these boys are such a worry.
ReplyDeleteTy has taken your words very seriously and says we shouldn't risk his health by taking him boating!
Before we got him, Lynx was having fits every month - the vet reckoned that might be down to stress because they stopped when he came to live with us!
We probably have a bubble-wrap dog coat somewhere - if we don't we should have :-D
Sue, nb Indigo Dream
Oh Sue; I feel I haven't taken good enough care of him now - sometimes, particularly on boats, things start to happen and there is only so much that you can deal with at any one time. He's not a nervous dog and I had no indication that he was having problems - if he was - I knew I was having problems and I was extremely stressed!!
DeletePoor Baxter - I'm glad he's recovered well though. The name on the bow looks good - did you (or G) paint it on, or have you had stick on signs made? We must make sure we meet up again before you head off to France - remind me when you are going. We are heading of to the Dordogne for 5 weeks at the end of January - minus Windsong of course, but we'll be back at the beginning of March.
ReplyDeletePip & Rog xxx
Stick on transfers but it's not as simple as it sounds with the 'flaring'.
DeleteOur date for shipping is 14th April - if Windsong is still at Gayton we'll be around there after Christmas xx
I think that caring dog owners live in a state of guilt!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the clues are so subtle that you can't possibly know that there's something wrong until it suddenly becomes serious. Goodness knows we've had that happen lots of times!
Of course, total paranoia rules now, but I don't know whether that's any better either :-)
Sue, nb Indigo Dream
I think women spend most of their lives in a sate of guilt - it seems to be in the genes. I'm definitely in the paranoid camp now x
ReplyDelete