Bleaching The Fanny Flannel

Meg's death has hit The Prof rather hard today.
There is a reason for this I feel.
When It comes to the animals, I have always assumed the " traditional" 1950's housewife role, and in bleak times like we have now, I can get lost, just a little , in the minutia of caring for the group of characters with special needs.
The dogs still need to be fed, Albert still needs worming, and Winnie still needs her tuppence wiping  by the hastily resurrected " fanny flannel"  as just yesterday she has decided to come back into season.
Baby birds with their mouths open will keep a mother busy.
Unfortunately the Prof doesn't have that kind of luxury.

So this morning I took William to the groomers nice and early. He rolled his eyes in surprise when I opened the driver's door and told him to sit in the passenger seat as if it was almost as though he was waiting for Meg to beat him to it....but I needed the seat to be filled , and so I told him that it was all ok.
He sat up in rather a " full of himself" way....happy at the promotion.
It tugged just a little at the old heartstrings.

On the way home, I spied a familiar figure in a floppy hat walking down the Llanasa road and my heartstrings were tugged just a little more
It was Mrs Trellis and with her, walking gently to heel, was her new companion, a slender whippet cross called Blue.
Her face beamed as Blue said hello to me with typical whippet politeness and it was lovely to see the transformation a new dog had made to her life.

So, today, I have carer jobs to do. George and Winnie are waiting for their walk. I've got to refill the field's paddling pool as Camilla has just emptied it and after Winnie's sneaky " lie in" on our bed...the duvet cover is in drastic need of  a hot wash!
Thanks to everyone who has emailed and have left comments for us regarding Meg.....everyone has
been so kind
Anyhow

I'll leave you with two more blogger  entries to the NOVELTY VEGETABLE PHOTO COMPETITION........they are great are they not?....please keep your veg photos coming in.......they will lighten my day! ( to jgsheffield@hotmail.com)





49 comments:

  1. Sending you a lot of love. I shall try dodo something for the show today with my grandkids.

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  2. Don't let the prof get too big for his boots John, next thing you know he'll want feeding before the animals! Best wishes to your happy brood x

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  3. you know, I was just thinking of mrs. trellis yesterday, due to the similar circumstances...THANK YOU for sharing a pix of her and her new puppy!

    more {{{{{hugs}}}}} to you and the prof and the rest of the animals.

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  4. Another fine post title, and more fine vegetable pics. Life goes on!

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  5. Oh John I have been thinking of you and Chris. Your first drive without your co-pilot must of been hard . It seems to take some time to adjust to the abscense of a loved little one xxx

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  6. Lovely to see you blogging today John. That's a lovely picture of Mrs Trellis with Blue - they look well matched! Keeping busy with the animals will help you to ward off overwhelming sadness. Sending good thoughts and wishes to you and Chris for happier days to come. x

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  7. Anonymous10:46 am

    Mrs Trellis looks so happy with her new dog. I just love the little strawberry chicken with her huge egg...sometimes the smallest things are the best aren't they? I wish I could come up with something for the competition but my mind is a complete blank.

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    1. Just google novelty veg and get some ideas

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  8. Hi, life goes on. I like to see the vegie entries. Very good ones again today x

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  9. When one door closes, another opens, take it easy and take care,

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  10. Mrs. Trellis and Blue both have the loveliest smiles on their faces; it gladdens my heart.

    Thinking of you and the Professor... and of attempting a fruit and veggie 'quilt' piece this evening.

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  11. It's really good to keep busy, isn't it John ? Each new day will feel better tell Chris.
    …. and, that raspberry chicken on the egg is brilliant. XXXX

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  12. Keeping busy helps but, then you are always busy!
    I must get my a**e into gear and send an entry, these today are very clever!
    Yesterday, I had to rescue the blind hen, she was clearly distressed and I knew instinctively what to do. Gently picked her up, placed her beside some water and let her drink! She was becoming de-hydrated!
    Also, put her feet in the tepid water to help cool her down, then gave her some thawed sweetcorn and put her in the shade. Phew! Thankfully I was at home and could see her before it was too late. xxx

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    1. Ive cleaned the cottage from top to bottom

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  13. I do love the way Blue smiles along with his Mrs Trellis. I had a dog named Blue. He was my love .. he lived a nice long time.
    I have suffered a loss myself. One a bit worse than when we lost our dog Tate. But I know one thing from losing someone that means the world to you ..... you still go on. I was actually surprised in the beginning that I could get out of bed and get through the day and sleep at night .. I didn't understand how I could do anything normal when life was so not normal anymore.
    So I am sending understanding thoughts and hope your sorrow is eased by all those lovely memories you have stored away.
    much love, C

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    1. Had one major wobble today....just one

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  14. It's funny how our other animals react when one of their cohorts passes away.
    I remember when one of our cats died of old age, she was nearly twenty, and the next day the other cats all walked into the kitchen for breakfast and stared at the spot where Lady's bowl would have been.
    And then they all walked out without eating.
    They know; and they miss the dearly departed, too.

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  15. Life moves on - for some of us. We know you'll embrace the new while holding onto the most cherished memories.
    And Blue looks like he'll make a fine friend. He's sure to love your own menagerie, if Mrs T will allow him to get close.

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  16. sending much love to you and Chris, John (((hugs)))

    I love the photo of Mrs Trellis and her gorgeous Blue ~ what a lovely lady she looks to be :-) We have a lurcher and a greyhound and they are fantastic dogs ~ even if Matty (the greyhound) IS a little short of the 'ole grey matter LOL

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  17. I did wonder who would get promoted and am sure that William felt rather pleased.

    Mrs. Trellis and Blue are perfect for your blog today.

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  18. Life goes on...I should have sent my condolences to Chris also. I did not realize he was as enamored of the pets as you are. I apologize. Mrs. Trellis looks much younger ...so happy she has a companion!

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  19. Great pix!

    I wondered if anyone would take the copilot's seat, and you were sweet to offer William the chance. I was sure Winnie would take that spot.

    After Grace left us, the other two cats did not use the litter box Grace chiefly used the few times it was just too snowy or dreary for her to go outside (she much preferred outdoor plumbing to indoor). I didn't move the litter box, I scooped it as I did the other two boxes, although I noticed about a month went by without my having to scoop anything out of it. Just after that, Jo decided she'd use it now and again, as did Phoebe. I felt it was their way of paying homage, and when enough time had passed, they got on with things.

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  20. Couldn't get into your blog last night "Missing post" was the response. Which was true.
    Meg's death affected me deeply as I have an elder dog of my own, arthritic, half blind, nearly deaf. Deepest sympathy, you did her proud John, right to the end.
    XO
    WWW

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  21. Once I had an old cat and a new cat. The old cat slept at my shoulder and the new cat at my feet. The first night the old cat was gone the new cat moved up. Animals are intriguing.
    I'm happy you are not out of animals.

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  22. Life does go on and sometimes that seems like the cruelest thing of all.

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  23. Keeping busy helps as much as anything, I think.

    Seeing Mrs Trellis with her new companion made me smile. How wonderful for both of them!

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  24. Sometimes a little bit of "normal routine" is a blessing when you are going through a rough time

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  25. https://www.thedodo.com/nepal-festival-celebrates-dogs-1218492472.html

    I thought this was a beautiful thing and here is a symbolic garland for Meg...

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  26. Nothing like a gang of other dogs to make on return to some kind of normality. Apologies for not sending love and hugs to Chris too.

    Those veggie entries are brilliant - wish I had that kind of imagination.

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  27. In time John copy Mrs Trellis and get another canine pal. Sorry to read about Meg. Best wishes.

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  28. Blue is a lovely looking dog, complementing Mrs. Trellis very well. Thinking of you, the Prof, and all the menagerie.

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  29. Anonymous2:42 pm

    The chicken strawberry is priceless!

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  30. I can imagine William's confusion. Hugs to Chris, I know he has to hurt too. Yes having things to do does help. Thinking about the veggie entry and coming up blank, I suppose I need some victims from the store, all I have in the drawer is some carrots and wrinkled potatoes that need a ride in the garbage truck.

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    1. Google " novelty vegetable" and get inspiration

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  31. Love Mrs. Trellis and her hat! Best wishes to you and Chris.

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  32. Anonymous4:54 pm

    Yes, keep busy. :)

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  33. Aww a promotion for William, I bet he looked a picture sat proudly beside you in the car.

    And how lovely that Mrs Trellis has her new dog to walk, just what she needed.

    Love to you all. xx

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  34. Awww the gang is helping you out.
    I was wondering about Mrs, Trellis and this dog seem to be much better for her. Now she can walk the dog and not be dragged along.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Forgot, I love the chicken on the egg !

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  35. So sorry about Meg, John. :(

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  36. And life goes on x

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  37. Life goes on, eh. You're right, it's good to have the minutia of everyday routine to occupy us. I love the strawberry chicken and the little racing car, and gorgeous photo of Mrs Trellis and Blue. Blue looks like he's a good fit. I like whippets and greyhounds, they are very easy to get on with.

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  38. A lovely post. Smiles and laughter to go with the tears and the tugged heart strings. A little bit of life...

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  39. Thanks for sharing your adjustment to this new family configuration. Keeping you all in my thoughts!

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  40. Big Hugs to the Prof. My hubby is the steady one in my family, but I know he feels things too. In my household the oldest dog gets to sleep on the foot of my side of the bed (no room on hubbie's side for our big lumper-clumper dogs.) I'm sure they see it as a rite of passage that they are now senior dog.

    Please tell Mrs Trellis for me that Blue is beautiful and it is lovely to see such a wide smile... on them both. I will think of them off out to experience the world together.

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