2017 March – Good Times, Away Days, Emergency Reinforcements, Down the Rabbit Hole, Stuffocation, Luncheon
Good Times
I am beginning to chill out a little more these days. It has taken a while and I’m still not 100% but today is a good day.
Every now and then I get some nice treats too.
And some days I am just totally silly.
Away Days
Here is a picture of me keeping a close eye on Mum.
Mum has recently taken me to Brighton, Worthing and Stansted.
Which is nice.
I have also heard her talking about going on a cruise with her elderly Aunt, to keep her company.
Which is also nice.
However it’s not going to work because I’m pretty sure they don’t allow dogs on cruise ships. Even if I went in disguise as a therapy dog. Once she realises this, Mum is going to have to cancel and take me somewhere else instead.
Humans eh?
They’re really not the brightest.
Emergency Reinforcements Required
I know this will shock you. I thought offspring #3 had Mum pretty much under control but I am sorry to report that, last night, they both went out and left me HOME ALONE.
I know.
And offspring #3 drove.
Traitor.
I hope they had a lovely time.
Really.
Anyway as you all know, I am a busy dog already and now I have extra duties to add to my list, namely to never let Mum out of my sight. She simply cannot be trusted. So where she goes, I go.
I even had to sleep on her bed last night – I casually pinned her feet down so I would know if she moved. I was not going to be pushed out of the room and I can tell you that with absolute certainty. I reckon she must have seen the look of determination in my eyes because she gave in quite quickly.
This morning has been exhausting so far. I couldn’t eat breakfast without grabbing a mouthful and then checking on Mum. Eventually she came back into the kitchen and sat with me. Then obviously I couldn’t go outside without her. Now, instead of being in the sun at my window of joy, I am forced to nap on her bed while she has a cuppa. The change in routine is playing havoc with my system I can tell you.
Please send reinforcements
I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Here is a picture of me investigating a hole in the ground.
I am taking my time about this.
Mum thinks it’s a rabbit hole.
But it’s not.
I know what it is.
And actually I’m being very casual about it.
It is something much better than a rabbit hole.
How do I know this?
Because as soon as Mum is occupied putting her camera phone thingy away in her pocket, I drop my left shoulder and there I am rolling in a massive fox poo. Mum can’t react quickly enough and I am covered in gorgeous smelly stuff. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Lovely.
Mum is not amused.
We have only been out for 5 minutes
La la la la la
Stuffocation
Mum has been reading a book called Stuffocation. She says it is quite interesting. She has decided she will be an experientialist and not a materialist.
I have no idea if this is a good idea or not.
I am having toy experience here just to check this philosophy out. It seems Ok.
Anyway Mum started this journey by taking me for a walk in the pouring rain. Which was an experience for sure. I’m not certain if that was what the book really meant.
Then I helped her experience tidying out the kitchen cupboards and the bathrooms.
Then I helped her experience going down the tip.
So far, so good.
Then she experienced shopping at Sainsburys. I have a feeling this might fly in the face of the book as Mum bought stuff back into the house.
Personally, I am going to aim for a perfect blend of stuff and experiences. Although I could do without the experience of being around other dogs, if I’m honest. Unless there is chicken involved, in which case I will concentrate on the chicken experience.
Luncheon
Mum has left me (again) and gone off for lunch (whatever that is). She looked quite business like, for her anyway.
Ok so she got me breakfast and took me for a long walk and I may have had some treats and then I may have had a nice chew stick and I may have some nice dins when she gets back – BUT STILL.
Sigh.
She has also put my toys away tidily which is mildly irritating to be honest as I had just got them nicely scattered about the place.
Saffrons recommendations this month:
Music: Going a little rogue here. Obviously Michael Jackson was super famous but take a listen to The Jacksons as a group. You won’t be sorry.
ABC (if you only listen to one song then try this one – on loud :) or watch on YouTube – incredible performance)
Rockin’ Robin
Blame it on the Boogie
I want you back (or watch this on You Tube – The Ed Sullivan show – crazy good performance when you consider the tech available at the time)
Can you feel it
Show you the way to go
Never can say goodbye
I’ll be there
Reading: Stuffocation – Living more with Less by James Wallman, published by Penguin. Is all our stuff depressing and possibly even killing us? Containing intriguing insights on psychology, economics and culture this book could be a vital manifesto for change in a world of super consumption. It has apparently inspired those who have read it to be happier and healthier by transforming what we value.
(Mum reckons it may well be a partial reimagining of some of the original stoic values / philosophies.) Well it’s sold a lot of books for a rewrite.
Films: This month we’re visiting the bat cave. This is probably the polar opposite of living more with less. However, Batman has been going since 1939 and he hasn’t aged a bit. Lots of films to choose from however some faves are the portrayals by Michael Keaton (Batman 1989, Batman Returns 1992) or Christian Bale (Batman Begins 2005, The Dark Knight 2008, The Dark Knight Rises 2012). And Tom Hardy as Bane in DKR to Christian…..
‘You will watch as I torture an entire city to cause you pain you thought you could never feel again. Then, when you have truly understood the depths of your failure, we will fulfill Ra’s Al Ghul’s destiny. We will destroy Gotham. And when it is done…when Gotham is ashes…then you have my permission to die.’