In 41 years nursing, I have done my fair share of nights.
During that time, I have had one enduring memory of a favourite shift.
This was at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield where I was the senior nurse in Charge of the four Osborn wards.
It was summer and around five dawn was bringing warmth and light to FirthPark, FirVale and Longly, the poorer parts of the Steel city. The Northern General Hospital with its 1000 beds was located centrally, effectively separated from the real world by a wall, railings and small copses of trees. Such a copse featured as the backdrop to the spinal unit and this morning I remember watching a Jack Russell Terrier play with an adult urban fox in the urban meadow formed by my buildings.
It was a glorious and intensely personal experience, seen only, I presume by me and I was captivated by the pair who chased and rolled and yapped and jumped around the small field together like puppies
Sometimes, an experience like that lifts the heart in its warm reality, and to this day I remember it as if it was only yesterday.
The fox, magnificent in russet red, and the little white terrier, open mouthed smiling and breathless, frolicking as most of Sheffield slept on
A really special moment and one to be treasured!
ReplyDeleteI recall it often so it must be important to me
DeleteOpen this link >>>>>> Www.Dailypay7.com
DeleteWhat a special moment. Both animal's instincts subdued to be replaced by fun. Magical! xx
ReplyDeleteThe fox was just as engaging as the dog as I recall , that’s what moved me
DeleteThe natural world can amaze us sometimes. We miss so much.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen other odd things when I had all of the animals on the field
DeleteHens cornering and killing a crow in a hen house
The hierarchy of the female hens when protecting a flock
A badger attack
It is a strange thing to happen, I think. What a wonderful thing to witness.
ReplyDeleteYes I thought the same
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to see. I wonder why the JR was out on his own at that time of the morning?
ReplyDeleteYes I had so many questions too..the Jack Russell was an adult too , no a puppy or youngster
DeleteIn the animal world, it is not all about survival, reproduction and defending territory. There's room for fun
ReplyDeleteI agree YP but fun is rare
DeleteWe have plenty of Foxes in Brighton. Billy occasionally stops to stare at one, but he has yet to make friends.
ReplyDeleteMy dogs have helped protect the field against foxes but as I recall have/never met one
DeleteYour words are enchanting to me John, as they draw the scene clearly in my mind - the writer's special gift. I do think the Universe pulls the curtain back at times, just for us to witness and cherish.
ReplyDeleteI need to proof read but I was on night s and I was tired,mit reads better now but thank u
DeleteI just yesterday watched a YouTube video of a fox and a dog playfully chasing (and hiding from) each other around a tree.
ReplyDeleteI’ve looked on line and found this which had a similar vibe to my experience
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYjLVufxvpI
Wonderful!
DeleteLovely image for my Monday morning John.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are stable today weave xx
DeleteMy cat Milo - aged 16- was recently told by the vet that he had arthritis- in both his elbows and a spot in his spine , and was given medication ( that he refused to take ), and we were told that he would slow down in activity until his pain was under control . Our vet is fab and I trust her , but Milo was furious ! Since his appointment, he has caught small rodent s most evenings ( to show he is still a hunter ) and this morning chased an adult fox around the garden and out into the vicarage which my cottage neighbours
ReplyDeleteI have reminded him that as a household we abhor fox hunting, but he was too proud of himself to care
A lovely story John
Siobhan x
Just like my Albert
DeleteWho almost had the need to remind the world he was a killer cat x
Such a privilege John - Me and my terrier encountered a hare in a woodland - For a while time stopped x
ReplyDeleteYes flis you described it well
DeleteTime did stop
We've been seeing a fox in our neighborhood regularly for a month now. I can't imagine either of my dogs playing with it, though! What a great story!
ReplyDeleteAs long as Marco is safe
DeleteWhat a special thing to have witnessed and a wonderful memory for you to share with us.
ReplyDeletePeople often asked us, and still do, why all our animals get on well, these days just the cat with the dogs but back in the day the dogs with the cats, chickens, geese, sheep and pigs and my only answer is that, under supervision at first, we expect them to find their own level playing field with the other species that share their home. Apart from Mavis once biting the heads off two chicks (and immediately recognising that what she did was wrong, and then never doing it again) we have had no problems.
I like you was pragmatic . I also tied the dogs on a short lead to the field gate and threw corn around them , after then minutes of being surrounded by fowl and sheep and geese
DeleteThey never touched a hen
A delightful memory!
ReplyDeleteIt is one I will see on my deathbed amongst a 1000 others
DeleteA very special moment
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
There is all kinds of deep meaning in those three short paragraphs. The start of a chapter in your book.
ReplyDeleteA lead to the Welsh move David?
DeleteBeautiful imagery.
ReplyDeleteLike your home x
DeleteYou described it well, John. I can see why you would treasure that happy memory!
ReplyDeleteIt was surreal and normal all at once
DeleteWhat an image you have painted with words my friend. - Jackie
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie x
DeleteWhat a glorious experience/memory!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a cheerful moment.
It’s funny at the hospice , we see the goats
DeleteSo vividly described. We have a fox, or foxes, in our neighborhood (MD, US) The other morning quite early one was screaming/barking so loudly, I could record it on my phone from across the street.
ReplyDeleteThe screaming are from the vixens calling to mate
DeleteIt has always been fascinating to me the way small moments can turn into memories that never fade.
ReplyDeleteI remember wanting to share the experience but I knew only I would see it a
DeleteI remember being a child in the back seat of our car. My parents were fighting, and we passed a ranch style house and there was a woman shaking rugs from the front porch. She was dressed in one of those old fashioned full skirted house dresses and I just watched her, shaking her rugs... Now why that is something that I remember clearly all these years later, I cannot tell you, but I do. I think about that woman sometimes, and I wonder about her. And she never knew that she lived in the memory of some little kid.
DeleteYesterday I saw a cute little dog walking down the.sidewalk unattended. Drove up next to it and it was a very pretty red fox
ReplyDeleteRural foxes are, in my experience, totally shy creatures . You never see them . Urban foxes are bold and confident
DeleteI live in the suburbs so it's a little bit of both!
DeleteWhen do u think you will give up work john?
ReplyDeleteLee
?? stalker comes to mind.
DeleteNo a fucking normal question you moron
DeleteLee
Tip toes away
DeleteLol
I’m not sure Lee my national pension is small some 770 £ and I wont get it until I’m 67
DeleteSo it’s all down to money !
DeleteChrist your divorce came at the wrong time didn’t it?
Lee
Yes Lee, it’s been a bit of a nightmare
DeleteAnd that £s is taxable!
DeleteVeg Artist, current personal income allowance tax free is £12,570.
DeleteJohn, I don't understand where you get the figure of £770 from. Current state pension (tax year 2024/25) for a man born after April 1951 is £221.20/week; amounting to £11,502.40/yr (assuming you have paid 35 years of National Insurance contributions). By the time you'll retire it'll be more considering the triple lock.
I am not being facetious here, it's just an observation: Such a pity that Rachel is not on your page any more. She'd give you financial pointers. Which reminds me: Don't nurses get a chance to build a private pension?
U
Ursula, the State Pension figure will be added to John's Nursing Pension, and the whole lot considered. Once the Tax Free Allowance is deducted, tax will be payable and taken from the Nursing Pension as that is the payment system with PAYE built in. Also, many govenment employee pension schemes carry an opt-out, beneficial in some ways, but result in a slightly smaller state pension figure.
DeleteVeg Artist, thanks for your reply. And, of course, you are right re tax when income exceeds the personal allowance.
DeleteAs to opting out - I don't know too much about it. A friend of mine worked in the financial services industry (late eighties/early nineties); she specialised in advising people to opt out which appeared to be all the rage at the time. Alas, eventually, and to her bitter regret, some years later she hung her head in shame when it all went pear shaped. Can't remember the details now but it appeared to amount to, I don't know, a type of defrauding?
U
Different kind of opting out I think. I don't think it is possible to opt out totally from government employment based pension schemes, unlike private company schemes.
DeleteThank goodness veg artist has clarified the situation., I hope that pacifies you Ursula ,
DeleteAs you obviously know how the land lies between Rachel and I, I find it interesting that you mischief make by bringing her up. There was no reason to do so.
I find it interesting that you are so frightened of her as you never comment on her blog
"Pacify" me? I came in peace.
DeleteRachel? Well, it's hardly a secret that Rachel and you are incommunicado. Why is an observation "mischief" making? Seriously, John, one of these days you should raise your vague paranoia as to other people's motives to your mentoring counsellor. Not that you haven't come along in leaps and bounds in your communications - even with evil me.
I am not frightened of Rachel. I do comment on her blog. Alas, she doesn't publish me. For reasons which allude me, but there it is. No need to make a song and dance about it. Maybe she is "frightened" of the immovable and not exactly forgiving TS who may give her hell for talking to me. No wonder he works in hard matter.
However, please sit down, Rachel and I have private (email) exchanges. Some months ago I speculated what learning of this will do to you. Do not worry, do not fear. As they say: "Love is where it falls." Not that Rachel and I love each other. We have an understanding. I respect her boundaries of which there are many. Let's leave aside that I think her a highly interesting if puzzling person, she and I [please take note] have also proven that a relationship once seemingly hopelessly derailed can be rescued with determination, tenacity and faith in the good of other people.
U
Wading into the treacle here.
DeleteJohn, it is possible to 'buy missing years of contributions from DWP. It comes out in you favour if you live beyond 3 years after you retire. See Martin Lewis for more info
Ursula , there was no need to mention her, so we both know you were playing…
DeleteNot that it’s that important
Is this Ursula broad an American ? She writes as if she is. I kinda like her but I know you have a history with her john .
DeleteI’m in your camp, don’t forget that
Lee
Spot on anon.
DeleteA shining memory, indeed, and one for your book.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
More for the run through of my life, the one you glimpse before you die
DeleteA fox and puppy playing together is most unusual. You were lucky to have seen this beautiful sight.
ReplyDeleteEverything was just right, even the sunshine of dawn
DeleteI recall a similar event seen online, someone captured the dog/ fox playtime on their phone or Ring camera. It was so sweet.
ReplyDeleteEnchanted. By the sound of it. Just what you want to get down in artistry. But your words drew the picture for me!
ReplyDeleteMany years ago on our farm I too saw something unique, a dog left her tiny puppies under some old box to excersise and get a drink, as soon as she left a Hen with her little chick's went in and the Hen fluffed up to cover all the babies until mum dog returned .
ReplyDeleteI’ve had hens take over ducklings
DeleteMany years ago, I was one of 4 women out power walking before 6 AM, so it must have been spring. We were just in a neighborhood, and were stopped in our tracks when a yearling deer crossed the street in front of us, maybe 15 feet from us. Followed by a very curious small cat, each one walking ahead of the other and then checking to make sure they were together. I remember watching them nearly touching noses as they were sniffing and checking each other out. It really was a couple of minutes of magic.
ReplyDeleteBonnie in Minneapolis
I saw a huge stag driving from Nu ‘s cottage in rural west Ireland back up to Dublin , just standing in the road
Deletewhat a magical experience! Thank you
ReplyDeleteWelcomex
DeleteDid you wonder why a purebred small dog, presumably valuable, was outside unattended at night , at dawn? Even if dogs aren't leashed in your area it seems so odd that the JR was there. Lost, a runaway? And therefore attracted to the fox for companionship? Poor thing. Most of the fox/ dog incidents on You Tube the dog is in its own yard in daytime.
ReplyDeleteThe hospital lies in a poorer area of the city , not that this makes any reason
Deletepoorer area? if that isn't the reason then why now mention it?
DeleteImagine at that age that one's a domestic animal and the other is not doesn't make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThey looked adult animals not puppies
DeleteWatched little bunnies running, jumping and playing in moonlight one night long ago. Will never forget it! Kathy
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to witness! Magical! x
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