Yesterday the new postman left a small package through the open living room window.
“ It’s Your Bum Test !”he informed me cheerfully
He was right. It was my faecal screening test all 60 year olds receive in Wales to test for colon cancer
I’m looking at the test now, as I’m eating a banana that could in fact be a dry tampon for all the taste it’s given me.
I’ve slept the majority of the day again today and have eaten just one packet of crisps and the said banana
I still have a headache and remain wheezy and breathless but my temperature is not as high as it was yesterday. I still feel unwell , which is irritating .
I heard from Susan, Mary’s breeder today. I have always been in touch since we bought Finlay from her back in 2002 and six welsh and Scottish terriers later we continue to correspond, albeit sporadically .
A prickly and at times incredibly straight talking woman, I have always been touched that Susan rather likes me, but like me she does
She trusts me with her beloved dogs, that I know.
Before lockdown I contacted Susan regarding a new Welsh terrier, seeing that Mary is well over seven now and she was sad and apologetic. The soaring prices of puppies troubled her and at that time she had no plans to breed.
I understood her sadness, the silly prices of puppies probably sickened her
Today , when I emailed her, I was surprised by her news.
She had the perfect puppy for me , well a choice out of two of different ages and both within my realistic budget .
And in a few weeks time , when things have settled down, a “good natured and benign” Roger will be joining the ranks at Bwthyn y Llan
That is brilliant news. I like the name Roger too.
ReplyDeleteRoger the dog
DeleteA new puppy! I enjoy reading your musings every day and am looking forward to reading about the puppy and how your little family adjusts!
ReplyDeleteI’m a firm believer in succession planning when it comes to dogs , Mary is seven and Dorothy is unknown but is approx 5 or 6….
DeleteYay! Happy news, so pleased for you. I hope you are feeling a bit better. Best wishes from a looooonnnggg time lurker.
ReplyDeleteHello lisa
DeleteI am glad to hear that your temperature is going down. And look forward to hearing/seeing more of Roger.
ReplyDeleteI’ve felt “ far away” for over 48 hours . I still feel that today but less so
DeleteWhere did the name Roger come from? x
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a boy , I adored reading Gerald Durrell
DeleteHis first dog in Corfu was called Roger
Gerald Durrell is always worth a re read 🙂🐕
DeleteGlad your feeling a tiny bit better. We call them Poo(h) sticks in my house. Fun - not, but a vital tool for detecting colon cancer. Looking forward to meeting Roger, and hearing about his antics. I hope your other fur babies welcome him. xx
ReplyDeleteBoth Mary and Dorothy need the firm calmness of a confident male dog . William was such a presence
DeleteDo the bum test! You don't have to immediately, but once you've got used to the idea, to it. It's really important. Until not so long ago you had to collect three samples on different days. At least now it's only one.
ReplyDeleteI’ve done it , and have just posted it
DeleteI like that the postman knows about your colon test, although I'm not sure how I would feel about mine knowing.
ReplyDeleteI am curious as to how a dry tampon would taste.
Hope you continue to improve. Tits up!
The “ new” postman is in fact a old one who I’ve know a good while now
ReplyDeleteWell, a new dog is something to look forward to and that will lift your spirits. Hope you will feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always planned my dogs it makes the loss of losing one a tiny bit bearable
DeleteHoly smokes--I still think of Mary as the new youngster. Mercy, time is tripping along faster and faster these days.
ReplyDeleteThe girls need an alpha male
DeleteThat is really something to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteMarvelous! very happy for you!
ReplyDeleteLovely news! On the new pup sorry not the bum test. Quite jealous, looking forward to photos and more news. Hope you are feeling better soon. My husband is still having issues with taste, have sympathy with you
ReplyDeleteNow that really is good news all round. Glad of the slight improvement in your condition today - now it will slowly improve. xx Lucky Roger is all I can say - there will not be a home with move love than yours of that I am sure.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! The new terrier Roger, not your bum test. Although that's important too because such tests can save lives, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteA new pup to look forward to, that is a spirit lifter for sure.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a new pet to get you going, busy and less self absorbed.
ReplyDeletePS Not that I am saying you are.
I have a friend who needs to think about the next dog, she will be devastated and alone, and her terroir is 12 or 13 years old and not in good health. I took a photo of a bulldog on Monday who would be the perfect playmate.
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought of Roger from My Family and Other Animals with his handsome orange eyebrows which he used to good effect to seduce one of the other dogs.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a new pup to improve your life.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRoger will be a very nice addition to your family. It is good to hear you are feeling a little bit better.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're not feeling well. But...how exciting that you're getting a new dog. I'd love to have a dog but am not up to giving one the care I would want to provide and the dog would deserve. Besides, it might last longer than me and I don't know what might happen to it. I've seen people in LTC worried about pets they had to give up. The lucky owners had friends who took their cat or dog and would occasionally bring them in for a visit. What excitement for all as were the occasions when some dogs approved for such visits came in to visit everyone in some of the various communities who wanted to welcome them. One gal in particular who had been a P.T. Asst. raised Siberian Huskies and brought some in to visit -- much friendlier dogs than I expected from that breed. They were handsome, though.
ReplyDeleteMy friend J had a lab called Roger - "Roger the Dog" elicited many a school girl giggle (snrt), but now you've mentioned it, I suspect it was the Durrell connection. But maybe not........... lol
ReplyDeleteWelcome Roger! Can't wait to see him.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is exciting news!
ReplyDeleteHere's a comedian who talks about people naming their dogs. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelJrComedy/videos/777778276550528/
ReplyDeleteI hope it makes you laugh, and I hope you feel better soon.
I love the name; well, I would wouldn't I.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exciting 60's milestone :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Roger being part of your family and very happy you are feeling a little better.
Congratulations on the coming new family member! Rest up and get well so you will be all ready for Roger's arrival!
ReplyDeleteExciting news - the dog, not the cancer test, nor the lack of taste. I look forward to stories of the antics of the new family member, and also that the test comes back clear, and your taste returns.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, you need to eat, even if you don't feel like it!!
Roger, or just the anticipation of his arrival, surely ought to expedite your recovery.........one fervently hopes. It's given lots of us some excitement to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteHope you improve from the dreaded 'Rona soon, the taste and smell should return soon but it is rather bizarre being without it isnt it. As for Roger its great news but do all pedigree puppies come prenamed?
ReplyDeleteGosh, way to diet when you feel so crap and nothing tastes of anything. I think I will pass on dieting that way as long as I can! I hope that you turn the corner soon and don't have months of dead taste-buds.
ReplyDeleteRoger sounds delightful and I hope he will soon fit into your doggy menagerie. Looking forward to photos.
So exciting to be looking forward to another dog. Is he a puppy? Sounds like maybe not! I have know quite a few dogs with " human" names. Colin the collie. Larry the labrador. Arthur was a german shepherd.
ReplyDeleteHope that you will be back to full strength soon and can enjoy the new family member.
I’d much rather get a puppy in the mail than a bum test.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Roger's arrival, great news. My chickens are six, four and one year old. I always have a succession of ages to keep the flock going. I hope Roger settles in easily and he couldn't have a better home.
ReplyDeleteThat is lovely news. Xx
ReplyDeleteHurrah I signed in!
ReplyDeleteOur dear old yorkie was put to sleep 2 days ago, all dog owners will know what that's like . We still have another elderly terrier and a young lab - both female but my husband is saying ' no more ' ( at the moment!)
I so look forward to seeing young Roger.
Get well soon John
Alison in Wales
I’m so sorry about your fur baby. We’ve always had Yorkies. Our current one is 12 in august and I’m dreading when “the time comes”. We couldn’t think of getting a companion for her though as she’s always so grumpy and intolerant. In fact she’s just like my husband. Lol. Life is also too demanding at the moment. X
DeleteThat's very kind of you Deborah, yes, we are very sad. Our boy was 15 and 7 months. Our girl sounds like yours - so intolerant and grumpy at 12, a real diva x
DeleteYou’re very welcome Ali. Lots of hugs xxx
DeleteI've never really thought about how losing your sense of taste could impact eating until you described eating a banana...Ughhh!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet Roger. I love his name. I've never actually known someone named Roger. Parents don't seem to use that name on their children anymore.
Yippee - we look forward to meeting Roger.
ReplyDeleteSorry that you're still suffering, but you're heading in the right direction now!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, another dog, Roger's a very lucky pooch, he's going to be moving into his 'dream home', where he'll be 'top dog', and have all the love in the world.
Would you like to adopt a chubby, slightly arthritic 64 year old me? X
Good natured and benign sounds like the right kind of dog! I'm glad you're feeling at least a little bit better.
ReplyDeleteAww Roger you is one lucky doggy
ReplyDeleteIs Mary seven already??? My goodness, time flies. Seems like just yesterday. Roger is a cutie.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling a bit better. Those four legged beasties need you, as do all of us. Take care. Don't overdo.
ReplyDeleteHow on earth is Mary seven already?! I would have sworn she was maybe three or so! I love the name Roger for a dog. How exciting for everyone! Our new little girl Poppy has really shaken things up around here, and I'm sure Roger will do the same in your house. I can't wait to "meet" him!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon John. I’ve been so lucky and missed covid. My friend currently has it but I haven’t seen her for a few weeks x
ReplyDelete"Roger the Dog"... For one brief moment I thought that was an instruction! Hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad currently has COVID but sounds to be doing better than you are (luckily for him). It seems to have picked up again. Hope you feel better soon John. Am very excited about your new pup.
ReplyDelete