3 legs n one spare and Sophie.

29^th June 2012 – Location – Comfy chair at Richard's home in Salisbury with Sadie parked up outside.

Yes. This really is quite cosy and welcoming and just as before I left the UK last February. Both Tanya and I enjoy our time here at Salisbury and really appreciate the hospitality. There is a difference this time though. I notice I have been reluctant to completely move out of Sadie, my home for the last 6 months. I am sleeping in the sumptous guest suite and spending most of my time with Richard in his home. Mornings though see me getting up, taking Tanya for a walk and then breakfasting and spending time in Sadie.

As indicated in the previous blogs. I am here for a reason. Tanya's recuperation back to fully functioning four legged dog. She is doing very well. The vets prognosis this morning was positive and signaled the next stage as 'Go Go Go!

'Go Go Go'; means that now is the time to disturb the mental condition Tanya is happy with; which is …. '3 legs n one spare is OK n guess we'll just get on with that.' I  somehow have to now intercede and change it to ….. 'Ok, Ok ! I get the message, 4 legs is go, 3 is soooo NOT Go Go Go!'

This is to be done over the next few weeks by gentle walking and increasing, by various methods her use of the injured leg. One tip I have been given is baby socks. Insert some sharp stones in one and fit it securely to her one good rear leg. This should encourage her to use her dodgy leg a little more. On the other hand it could be, and was, a good excuse to sit on doggy bum and spend a few minutes chewing baby sock off. Much more fun!

If all fails then more money needs to be thrown at the problem and in turn Tanya gets thrown into a Hydrotherapy pool for some doggy paddling exercises. I am not sure my credit card will sanction that one so am keeping silent in case credit card hears and gets the jitters. Best to surprise the poor little plastic being at the last moment with a quick and definite thrust into the dreaded machine rapidly followed by pin number before it realizes and starts curling up it's corners in violent plastic protest.

Certainly Tanya is benefitting from having a 'non moving floor' combined with a regular walking route around the local 'Middle Street Meadow.' She is back to climbing up and down stairs but not yet able to leap in and out of Sadie or, once in, jump up to her rightful place on the passenger seat. She has discovered however; that a bungalow beautifully converted for wheelchair use with liberal amounts of slippery wooden floors is a trifle difficult to negotiate with only three legs. She is getting there though and has no problem in rapidly moving to the kitchen once Yvanna or Jurate, Richard's carers, start to prepare food.

Tanya has also met Sophie while out walking. Sophie's mistress coincidentally is a local lady who owns a motorhome and has travelled the western Isles in it. Something I hope to do. She in turn was equally interested in my going 'Fulltime' in a motorhome and travelling on the continent. Well; such a meeting naturally prompted a wish to know more and so, and with much ribbing and hilarity from both my brother, partner, and the assembled bridge foursome, I now have, 'a date'. I on the other hand will look forward to a day trip out as passenger in a very different and smaller motorhome.

….. date indeed.......... Hmmmmph!!!!