International Dog Day

The terrible twins are back, walking Boris in his stroller has made so much difference to his happiness levels, he's now back to his cheeky happy self again now that he's regularly coming out on walks with Eko and I  once more

Photo Description - Boris the Black Cocker Spaniel and Eko the Golden Cocker Spaniel in the boot of my car, I'm standing off to the side of the car for a different angle, Boris has his front paws up on the bumper to be in more light, whilst Eko remains in the darker boot area, both dogs are looking round at me after a walk out on the common and looking happy

I admit was starting to get a little worried for Boris as he always seemed so depressed because he was getting left at home and missing out, no amount of enrichment toys or chews seemed to lift his mood in a way that going for a walk does

On Thurday Boris and I headed over Lumbry Park so that Boris could have an echocardiogram done to check on his heart condition and find out if he'd need supportive medication for his upcoming surgery

The news was really good and there's been no significant change in Boris's diagnosis since his last echocardiogram, because Lumbry Park is now fully up to date on his heart status, rather than seeing his usual heart specialist, they'll have his notes to hand should they be needed on the day of his surgery 

So it's just a matter of counting down the days now until September 12th when Boris's surgery is booked for, we might even be lucky enough to get another cancellation appointment before then to bring his surgery forward

**all fingers and paws crossed**

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This week my brother has been over visiting from France which has taken quite the load off and it's been good to see him again. I've not had to visit my parents every day like usual which means I've been able to catch up on some much needed rest and personal admin time, as well as practicing my photography skills following the advice and tips in our good friend Kerry Jordan's newly released ebook Furdography for Beginners 

I was really pleased with the amazing difference that by just changing my position made to the two photos below, they were taken only seconds apart but look as if they were taken either at different times or by different people

Photo Description - In this which is photo one the camera is looking down at Boris the black cocker Spaniel laying in long grass surrounded by lots of small white flowers, they're not daisies but some type of native wild flower here in the UK who's name I don't know. Boris is looking up at the camer and as it's a bright sunny day, part of my shadow can be seen in the bottom left of frame

Photo Description - This is which is photo two, after changing my position, it's now a close up head shot of Boris the black cocker Spaniel looking directly into the camera, he's laying amongst the long grass surrounded by the same small white flowers as in photo one, some of the flowers are in focus in the fore ground and taper go out of focus in the background which shows a large out of focus hedge some distance away

All I did was crouch down and zoom in to get from photo one to photo two -  I'm stunned by the difference it has made, previously I'd have just cropped down photo one, but that wouldn't have given me that lovely soft feeling of distance in the background or Boris's level relaxed gaze that photo two does

What I so love so much about Furdography for Beginners is that it's not pretentious in any way, it's aimed at photography on your mobile phone and it's not full of all the jargon that let's face it not many of us have any idea about, it's just amazingly helpful hints and tips on how to get the very best photos of your pet(s) from an award winning photographer 

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Yesterday my brother took us all out for a family meal, I've no idea how my brother managed to persuade mum to agree to it, normally I can't get her to leave the house unless it's for an appointment as she hates going out now since her stroke in case she sees somebody she knows as she's still very self conscious of her walking frame

I arrived to collect my parents who were amazingly ready and waiting for me out on the driveway all suited and booted, I always phone ahead to say I'm on my way although they're rarely anywhere near ready when I do arrive, so I was thinking we were off to was a good start, until I opened the car door that is and it was then when I heard mums acid tongue giving dad a right ear bashing

How dad always let's mum speak to him so badly I've never understood, but it's how they've always been and it's something both my brother and I have always really hated for as long as we can remember, especially as dad never has a bad word to say about anyone ever

I was absolutely fuming and told mum she either winds her neck in and speaks to dad with a civil tongue or I'm not taking her, of course that then started her on the tell me when I do something right mantra **groans**

It was like some kind of weird flashback to my childhood - except I was the parent and it was my parents acting out, not my brother and I

Anyway long story short mum agreed she would only say nice things to dad and not start criticising his every move, no matter how much he starts to annoy her by just being in her orbit

We all had a lovely meal out and it was great to catch up properly with my brother, although we often talk on the phone it's usually about our parents or the hassles he's still having with the solicitors trying to sort out our Uncle's estate after his sudden and unexpected death last year in Cyprus 

Nothing beats a good old face to face catch up with family

Even mum managed to play nice for the whole meal and journey home, right up until the second she walked in through the back door..................

Dawn xxx 

 If you love online Jigsaw Puzzles check out our latest puzzle(s) here of this weeks photo(s)

 

This Post is linked too

1) Eastside Cats Caturday

2) Brian's Thankful Thursday 

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