Dream Country Chat

LITTLE FRIENDS CAN MEAN SO MUCH

A tiny friend can surely break your heart.

Yesterday afternoon Idgy came home from school and headed straight upstairs to find her furry little friend for their usual afternoon catch-up.

But something was wrong, something was horribly wrong. Harry couldn't walk, he was dragging his hind legs and almost swimming with his forelegs and going round in circles crashing into things.

Didn't stop to think, straight down to Stewarton and to David the vet. As the whole thing was so sudden we could only think that it was a trauma of some sort that had caused this. I felt guilt creep all over me like a dreadful rash. As it was below freezing yesterday I had let Mr X's cat into the house to keep warm. She had been upstairs with Harry. We can only think that she has attacked him and the poor little creature been badly hurt during the event.

It  was heartbreaking to see our little pal fail all the tests that David tried on him. Could he hold his own weight, could he see the edge of the table, could he put his paws flat. You can imagine the state that Idgy and I were in, we just held hands and looked on in stunned silence.

David didn't want to make any intrusive tests when Harry was in such a state. He injected him with anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. We were to take him home, keep him warm, feed him and hope for the best.

I felt so useless. What to do in such a position, hit Google for help. I found various ferret rescue sites and just picked up the phone and called people to ask for advice. I cannot say how helpful these people were. They didn't know me, they didn't know Harry, but they knew their stuff and wanted to help in any way they could.

From words of encouragement, top vet phone numbers for possible referral, to recipes for honey water to give him a boost. All were helpful and all were kind. I really have to mention Ian Kearns and Carole Fleming, you were both great and saved my sanity on such a hellish night.

By 11pm he seemed to be pulling together a bit more. Could move around  without falling over completely. A huge improvement. I knew he was meant to stay in a box to keep him quiet and contained, but I couldn't keep him in a box overnight when he usually sleeps in my bed. To hell with instructions, if it was to be his last night he would at least have it in his usual comfort and not in a box alone.

It was a sleepless night for me, and at 6am  after dozing off a bit I woke to see this little fuzzy face looking right at me. I mean looking, seeing, not blind. Okay so he is a tad wobbly still, but he is walking on his own feet and he can see. You have no idea of the joy I felt. I rushed through to Idgy and dragged her out of bed, she was over the moon. The endless night was over, thank God (and I really, really mean those two words). I'll take him back to the vet later this morning for a check up, I can't wait to see David's face when he sees the difference in little Harry. Talk about coming back from the brink. I am amazed, I am stunned and I am so very thankful and happy.Harry is happy too.

Karon x

JUST BE

I had some lovely emails and comments yesterday re my less-than-professional blog. Seems I may well have failed in the 'push your business via your blog' stakes, but I have won your hearts. I'd rather have that any day. So thanks for getting in touch and letting me know.

Anyway onwards with todays waffle .........

I have no idea of this highland pony's name. He stands in the field I run past every morning. He is calm - seriously calm, he rarely moves.

He will never set the world alight in the dressage arena,

the Grand National is out of the question,

show jumping is just not an option,

polo, mmmmmm maybe not,

but boy can he do cute!

Who needs a reason to 'be', just 'be' yourself.

I'm off to Stirling today to do the Scottish Trade Fair, so won't be blogging  again until Tuesday. Wish me luck!

Have a lovely weekend.

Karon x

BABY OH BABY

Yes it has to be done, the baby pictures! I started snapping yesterday and I just couldn't stop.

The one with the spots is a boy and we have called him Marty and the fluffy white girl is Annie. They are named after my friends Martin and Ann that we are going over to France to see today.

I have had sheep here for years and years, but these have to be the cutest lambs I have ever seen.

Descisions on their futures already made. Annie to join the band of ladies as a breeding sheep and Marty has already been banded (ouch!) and will be kept as a pet for Idgy. She had the most amazing pet sheep called Amos who has had his pix in various glossies beside his proud little owner. Unfortunately he dies last summer and I had promised Idgy she could have her pick of any future lambs as a replacement pet. Well here he is, Marty.

It ended up as a very sheepy day yesterday. I even managed to get Alexander to come up and sheer the other ladies. Now they are all in their summer best and hopefully will avoid  nasty fly strike.

Well that's it, cute baby pix done. I'm off to France tonight so will be back with lots of photos next week.

Keep happy.
Karon x

CAT MAD

Last night l was clearing out photos on my computer (boy that tells you what a  lively Friday night l was having) and came accross some cat pix l took last summer. Don't know why l have never printed these off. Here is Hank showing off as only a true cowboycat can!

These really gave me a smile when l found them.

Guess l will have to find myself some frames and put these up somewhere, they are just too much fun to have hiding in a laptop.

Loving your cheer up comments on the keyring giveaway. Tea and chocolate seem to have a big influence on all of us - great minds think alike!!

Have a good weekend.
Karon  x

YOU JUST CAN'T GET THE STAFF

Still on my site revamp and new photos, l bravely decide to get Hank to pose with new version of catnip mouse.

Now Hank, sit nice with the pretty mousey while Mummy photographs it.

No, no, put Mousey down!

Ah it must be love.....................

Will have to reshoot using a stunt mouse.

Karon  x

BLOODY ANIMALS

The two troublemakers at rest.

Yesterday dawned bright, sunny and windy. Decided to strip the beds and get some washing done. First load from my room is fine, all washed in a trice and hanging on the line. Ah the joy of fresh laundry blowing in the breeze...........

Stripped Idgy's bed and loaded the machine. A while later l go to empty the washing machine. I see red. Literally. There is red sticky stuff everywhere. It is almost glowing and jewel-like, actually it would be rather pretty if it weren't on my washing.

Drag all washing out, it is everywhere. Those nice white sheets are now pink splattered and with spotty red sticky bits. And then l find it, inside a duvet cover. An open packet of wine gums.

Listen carefully, here comes the science part.

Wine gums + hot water + tossing about in washing machine = melted wine gums and their charming colour all over everything.  They will not disolve completely, they will keep about 30% of their body mass and cling manfully on to your washing, meanwhile oozing mixed colour everywhere.

Throw trantrum over washing incident and am assured by Idgy that the wine gums were last viewed in the livingroom. The culprit is found, he is even armed with one of the bloody wine gums under Idgy's bed - Harry.

Abandon the washing and decide to go to Tesco in Irvine for food and hopefully a new dvd to watch. Idgy and l head off. Phone rings twice furing the 20 minute journey and Idgy tries gamely to get it out of my pocket. It gets wedged under the passenger seat.

Arrive at Tesco and try to sort out the missed call bit on the phone without the aid of my glasses. Just loading my trolly when the phone goes again. I'm ready, l have it in my hand, it scares the life out of me by ringing and l drop it smartly into the frozen food selection.

Retrieve phone. It is Colette on the line. 'Your house alarm is ringing merrily, been down and all looks fine but you had better get back smartish before the police come'. Words do not fail me here, l swear loudly and rush round stuffing anything l can into the trolly. Find daughter knee deep in Primeval stuff in kids dept. Mad rush out of store and less than calm drive home.

Ah there they are, the best of Strathclyde boys in blue filling my yard. Have horrible feeling l know exactly what has happened to set off the alarm. However l do the right thing and usher the constabulary into the house to check it all. All is calm and quiet within, okay it is a mess, and yes maybe the mud room does look a tad incriminating with sheets piled everywhere all with red goo and splats all over them. Had something happened they politely inquired, no said l, but it was about to.

House is fine so we move on to HQ to find out what has casued the trouble. My heart is sinking as we cross the garden, l just know what we will find. Ah yes, there he is, sprawled accross my chair enjoying the sunshine, completely oblivious to the fact that he has caused so much hassle - Berti bad cat.

Apologise to the police and offer coffee as compensation. Reload washing machine, unpack shopping and discover l have bought 6 packets of biscuits and no washing stuff.

Give up, pour a glass of wine and start eating the biscuits.

Karon  x

TWO DOG NIGHT

Say hello to Cally and Isis, they are Colette and Simon's babies, and they are my house guests this weekend . This is a much anticipated visit, especially from Idgy's point of view - she just can't wait.

Instructions are; remove everything at tail height, remve 'Cat Cafe' from floor, remove Harry to my room for duration of stay, feed valium to cats to calm frayed nerves ay sight of enormous guests.

Idgy has already made her bed into a double to accomodate her friends.

We are in for a two dog night.

Karon  x

HAPPY HARRY

 

Good morning out there in Blogland. Here is Harry. Yes l know, he hasn't featured on the blog for a few weeks now, so thought it was time he put in an appearance.

Some may be horrified at a ferret popping out of the bed, but what the hell, he is my ferret and it's my bed. And come on, doesn't he look cute!!

I have really enjoyed the blog this week. I always enjoy doing my blog, but this week has been extra good. I think getting all your lovely comments on my home has done it for me. It really has felt as if l have had you round for tea.

Something else l have enjoyed lately with the blog was doing my giveaway. This was fun and l thought it would be even more fun to do one every month.  So this weekend l shall put my thinking cap on and try to come up with something nice for March.

March, can you beleive that - Spring.  On that hopeful note l will leave to enjoy your Friday.
Karon  x

MOLE WARS

Just look at the lovely valentine l received from my darling daughter. Love the address on the handmade envelope -  To Mum, In the kitchen  - says it all really!

Did a wee bit of thrifty shopping this weekend. Just look at my lovely 'new' kettle. While l do like my jolly red kettle which beats like the heart of the kitchen, this old copper job is just gorgeous. Took me ages to clean it up. Being small it boils quickly, makes no noise as base sits well on aga, and it pours like a dream. So thrilled with it. Red kettle now desiding in pantry until l need to make lots of tea or coffee then it will be welcomed back into the kitchen again.

You know my passion for old books, well l scored this lovely old book on British birds. The colour plates are just beautiful and to be honest, it reads far better than the modern counterparts. I am going to keep it on the dresser in the kitchen for handy reference on anything unusual that gets past the buzzard and makes it into the garden.

So those are nice things for the weekend. Now for the nasty - come on, this is me, you just knewe it couldn't all be perfect in the garden.....

Now speaking of gardens. The snow has melted (apart from some wierd half corpses of snowmen littered around) and in its place......................................................

molehills          50 bloody molehills all in a space of approx 20 square feet!!!
Okay there have been moles before. In fact l have been using one of those sonic mole repeller things for a while. Just th odd mole hill here and there. Bad enough but not a deadly business. This on the other hand looks like the damn thing has been trying to plough the lawn. You know l might as well just dig about in the 6-10" between each molehill and make a new bed for plants. I have never seen anything like it. What a complete mess.

This makes me think of the old Jasper Carrot sketch when he sits on a revolving stool with a shotgun trying the shoot the little monsters. Boy am l close to that.

What is it with me and wildlife, first the mice and now this. They are conspiring against me this furry army.

So come on, any ideas for getting rid of moles, help, help, help!

Now must remind you about the '10 things you love giveaway', remember it ends on Thursday when l will draw a lucky winner for the gorgeous herb filled heart pillow. Have had some fab comments. So many things l wish l had added to my list, but then l would have a top 100 and it would all go on and on and on..........
Karon  x
 

BIG CAT DIARY

 

More and more snow outside means l am holed up in the kitchen with laptop and sewing on the table. Also a desk companion - Berti. Berti has a great line in 'depressed cat' looks, he just sort of flops in a flat out position and looks very sorry for himself. there is nothing actually wrong with him, he is just being Berti.

While others may have a cute little stuffed toy, pretty bunch of flowers or some other treasure on their desk, l have a giant sized cat with attitude.

I think he is somewhat miffed that his sister (Baby - a misnomer if ever there was one, she is almost as big as Berti) has moved in with us for a month while Mr X is working in Singapore.This has divided food space at the cat cafe, Berti is not pleased. Bad enough that he has to share the house with Hank and Harry, now another cat, and dammit, she is just too cute and cuddly. He is not a happy boy!

Karon  x