At the Starting Line

Missy is excited about all the adventures set to unlock from tomorrow (covid willing), don't let the picture fool you!

It's been a week. 

On top of a busy online schedule, we've had a super busy week IRL. 

We had booked Stirling Castle for the  Monday weeks ago, planning a nice date day for just the hubby and I. Following Missy and her combined ear infection and cracked pad, I was reluctant to go out and leave her. We'd already booked her in with the dog walker (who was happy to swap it to a house visit), but I still felt absolutely guilt ridden. 

We got there in good time and made things worse for ourselves by pointing all the places we had previously walked Missy when travelling through for a big adventure up north. 

However, once we got into the castle, we did start to really enjoy ourselves. We had organised for the audio tour (which you now just download to your phone) but had no need of it as there were more staff than visitors, each eager to share the history and stories of the castle. 

The tapestrys were by far the most outstanding thing for me (followed by the wooden heads. I can't explain them, they need to be seen to be believed). A lot of the castle is shut because of Covid, but we still had a great day and were home in time for Missys very slow, very short, afternoon walk. 

Wednesday is typically reserved for role play in the evening. We cancelled it as our friend (who we consider ourselves having adopted after she ended up living with us during the December mini lockdown, and have helped through a multitude of new home teething disasters) had received bad news. As we share a bubble, we bullied her to come to ours and made sure she had plenty of food and ice-cream before she went home. 

I had to get blood tests Thursday. Had a rebleed on the drive home. I was officially over with the day before 10am, and worked an extra 30 minutes for the privilege. (Nothing of concern, got my iron levels checked and it confirmed what we knew, that I'm border line anaemic.) 

Friday was a virtual get together under better circumstances. I shan't share details, but a grand adventure is in the works. 

Saturday was supposed to be a quiet day in followed by visiting our aforementioned friend to help her build a wardrobe (I honestly had never been more excited for a DIY party!). Then it turned into one of those days were one job led to another to another and I found myself with the house even more upside down than it had started and longer to do list. Just as I gave up and sat down to listen to a podcast and stitch my newest project, my phone rang. 

Big sis. Her dog, Wee Ben, had a splinter. He was being super anxious and snappy about it and they were too scared to get it out themselves. 

I looked at the clock. I had to get hubby in half an hour. Then it was the DIY party. Sod them, I wouldn't leave a dog in pain. 

I rang hubby, messaged my friend and made it clear to big sis that I had arrangements, so she had to come to me quickly. 

They arrived swiftly and I looked at the patient. Yep. A giant splinter. Firmly held against me with my elbow, I lifted the paw and pulled the offending article out with only a whimper. BIL was impressed, and mortified his dog wouldn't allow him to do such a simple thing. 

Missy watched from the sofa, clearly glad that, for once, she wasn't the one receiving medical attention. I'm sure I saw a smug glimmer in her eye as I washed that paw with doggy disinfectant, a drama we've endured twice a day all week. 

After much thank yous, they shared with me the quote of £160 that they had been given by the emergency vet. So I have a take out promised to me! Looking at the splinter after they left, I did have to wonder why he never pulled it out himself, it wasn't embedded into the pad, but the fleshy bit between the toes. I suppose I'm just used to a dog that will chew off her own torn dew claw than let me take her to the vets (yes, it was chewed off by the time I booked the appointment). Either that or King Charles Spaniels have no survival instinct! 

Hubby was dropped off by a colleague, we got to our friends and we built a wardrobe. Missy thoroughly checked it for a doorway to Narnia, but alas, no such adventure awaited us. 

Today was different friends, our very good ones with the twins. The kids were super excited to be somewhere different and we had nerf fights and played football and Frisbee. There was hot dogs and pumpkin pie (a homemade treat brought by our guests) and, best of all, lots of laughter. There was a small meltdown at the end when I couldn't promise we'd see them next week, but I did promise it wouldn't be so long a wait until we all saw each other again. 

A last update, as you can see the boys are doing well. Whilst still hand shy, they are happy to come out the cage, have a wee fly about and put themselves back in. Missy is still completely ambivalent:

Let's hope next week is a bit smoother!