waiting... waiting... worry

So, I'm back to waiting. No more running in the woods. No more running in the evening. No more running, full stop. 

It all went downhill on Tuesday night when the STAFF exploited an evening cuddling session and felt my front leg, screeched something about a lump and dragged me to the v.e.t. the next day. The v.e.t. (v.ery- e.vil - t.raitor) said I could do NO exercise ever again (apparently on the calendar that date falls on Monday. Whatever.). 

The STAFF seem worried. Not sure why. I am pretty sure it is just a torn muscle. I'm making use of the sunshine as I am waiting. Might as well. You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails, as I always say. If there's to be no exercise, you have to maximise the enjoyment of life's calmer pleasures.

I am sure the STAFF could learn a lot from my calm attitude. Don't you agree?

We'll know more on Monday. I'm hoping that I get to go swimming in the pool to help with my recovery. Paws crossed, eh!

keep on running -- up and down the hills -- yeah!

I told you I would not be kept from the best woods for long! Last week the STAFF got themselves some running shoes (from my cash!), and a new lead for me which allows me 5 glorious meters of freedom, and now, morning and evening we run. Mornings in the best woods and evenings around our home territory. I say run, but really it is just the STAFF huffing and puffing and me at a slow trot. As you can see, I don't get tired at all! Certainly I would not be falling asleep sitting upright on the sofa. No, not this Weimy.

Where was I? Oh, yes, so, to get my paw good and strong and stop it from getting sprained again, the v.e.t. - cat from hell she is - suggested taking me on two super dull walks around the block a day. No more than 5 minutes, she hissed, for the next 109 years! Always on the lead! Well, I can tell you that gave me a lot of spare energy which I got rid off by charging up and down and up and down the stairs, skating on the wooden floors, charge-jumping the sofa... etc... you name it, I did it. It didn't take that long for the STAFF to get the message and that's when THEY got themselves running shoes and off we went. On the lead, but still. Not too shabby this new rehab programme for my paw. Not too shabby at all!

Sometimes the STAFF are good to me. And bless THEM, THEY look tired all the time now - from just a little bit of running, I ask you! - and sometimes just fall asleep on the sofa. I suppose THEY are just not as fit as I am...

PS: On reflection, having spent most of the day sunbathing, and, er, snoozing in a dozing fashion for, er, a short while, I might have to admit that I am perhaps a leeeetle bit tired myself. And I don't mind resting my paws for a few more hours.

After all, wherever I lay my head, that's my home ¹. 

¹ Conditional upon basic needs² having been met.

² Basics needs include, but are not limited to: a run in the woods, cuddles, food, something soft to lie on, a warm spot by direct heat source (sun or radiator), STAFF available upon request.

Help! I am under house (ar)rest!

The traitor STAFF dragged me to the v.e.t.s -- can a guy not limp in peace for a few days? Huh? Anyway, the v.e.t. - demon of the dark abyss she is - told the STAFF not to take me out for about 4 weeks or so. 4 weeks! Do you know how long that is in dog years? 109 years! Possibly more.

I am already plotting a dastardly plan of how to shorten this rest time. 109 years for a bit of a sprained paw? Pah! 

In 3 easy steps I'll be back to the best woods. Step 1. Look depressed. Step 2. Add some heavy sighing. Step 3. Throw up. Step 3, incidentally, should be quite easy right now. On of the last trips to the best wood I found a very aromatic mole - couldn't have  been dead for that long. So, I dug it up and ate it, natch! Little bugger didn't want to stay down though. The STAFF took a photo when it came back out, but they won't let me post it here. Squeamish like a kitten, I say! Anyway, the old tummy is still a bit iffy after that. 

It'll have to wait until the sun's gone down to start on Step 1. I cannot quite manage a miserable expression when I am this hot and, frankly, happy.

Don't worry, I'll get there. And I will keep you posted!

you know it's spring...

you know it's spring....... when the sun is at an ideal angle to hit the comfiest sofa all morning. AND you can get your head on the forbidden cushions without the STAFF noticing....Success!

it's still cold outside!

The STAFF made a big fuss about covering pipes etc. last night because it was meant to be really, really cold. I was a bit anxious about that and was quite pleased when THEY issued me with an extra blanket. Not that I have ever been cold in my super luxury bed by the radiator. No need to tell THEM that, eh!

I couldn't quite decide how cold it was outside when I woke up in the morning. What with being wrapped up in extra blankets and stuff. I knew it was the weekend, because the STAFF and I enjoy a coffee and a cuddle on the bed before we go out.

Anway, I needed to know just how cold it was, so I checked: ice and snow as far as I could see! I immediately alerted the STAFF to these ghastly conditions and made it very clear that I did not want to go out. Well, I thought I had made it very clear... but, as you can see, I found myself shortly afterwards in the "Best Wood When It Is Warm" - Woods.

I tried some iced stick, but it was not really my kinda thing. 
I was bouncing to keep warm. But that generated a lot of cold air with the ear-flapping.
I even posed for pictures all smily and happy, so that the STAFF would move on. Come on! Move and keep warm...! Normally, you see, I pose and when THEY are ready to take the shot I move. It is hilarious. THEY have hundreds of shots of Ottie's bottie. 
Anyway, maybe I am just in a bed/ bad mood today. I have a dicky tummy, that's what it is... I am sure I will be better tomorrow. 

snow... sofa... shrimps...smile

So, the STAFF dragged me out in the blizzard this morning. You can't see my face in this picture, but just imagine that I do not look happy! Things might be different when my new hurtta winter coat arrives. Ironically it is probably delayed in this weather. 

I got soooo cold. Doing a full roll in the snow when chasing the ringzinger did p-robably not help.

Thankfully I could communicate to the STAFF that I was verrry cold and THEY wrapped me up nice and tight in my favourite cat blanket. It's only right they did. I remember full well who dragged me out into the inclement weather!

Finally thawed-out and not sure whether things could get any better, the STAFF surprised me with the issue of my favourite ever snacks - Shrimps!

These, of course, were a present from Amber and Chez at k9active.

What a wonderful surprise that was! And they even sent a very nicely shrimp-scented card with it, telling me to get well from my ringzinger injury. The STAFF could learn a lot about treating an injured/ recuperating guy from Chez and Amber!

Even though it was all addressed to me, the MEANIE STAFF have been rationing the snacks. I have kept a close nose on THEM though and I don't think THEY snuck any for THEMSELVES. THEY would be in a lot of trouble if THEY did. 

Yummy, yummy, yummy in the Schnuffie's tummy!

Pity you cannot smell these. They are soooooooo good. But all mine. 

I'll doze now. Dreaming of shrimps. You cannot see my face now, but just imagine me smiling!

stress testing the hurtta pro

So, we tested out my new hurtta pro raincoat today (see previous post). It wasn't raining (phew!), but we needed to check how it'd fit in the field, when I am running and chasing and jumping and, erm, weeing and .... you get the picture. And it was colder than a vet's thermometer out there, so having a windproof, yet breathable and athletic coat was not to be sniffed at! Incidentally, if you don't know how cold a vet's thermometer is, count yourself lucky! I could happily do without that particular bit of expertise.
Anyway, the STAFF coated me up, and off we went. What better way to stress test the coat than with a game of chase'n'kill with my ring zinger? Oddly enough, the unsporty member of STAFF is better with the ring zinger than the sporty one. It's really funny! Where was I? Oh, yes. Testing the coat under ring zinger conditions. And the result? See for yourself!


I'd say. bring on the next adventure holiday!

So, I am back home now and just as well! It has started snowing. I am watching the spectacle from my nicely warm corner on the leather sofa. It is very soothing. Good rest! But perhaps I should get the STAFF to get me the nice warm winter coat from k9active.co.uk to complete my wardrobe. I'll work on it!