swimming is tiring and makes hungry!

I went for my first trip to the  hydrotherapy pool today - for my iffy paws. Wow it was tiring.As you can imagine, these paws can shift quite a bit of water! And shift water they did!
But it was all rather tiring. The hoist, the swimming, the jacuzzi (!), the shower and the blow-drying. All a bit scary, you know. My bath assistants were super nice though. So that was good. 

But it was  a lot of work and I am still waiting for my dinner. 

I am not sure yet what to make of it all. Right now, I am going to have a snooze. 

I'm going again next week - maybe I'll take some pictures then. 

sea, sand and a bit of sun

As you know, my bladder and paw have given me a bit of (unrelated!) trouble recently. But after some awful weeks, I am much better now. The old bladder is jolly fine again and no more sign of any infection. Paw's still giving me a bit of trouble, but nothing major. With all that behind me, I could finally kick back and relax a little bit. And what better way to enjoy spring and the approaching summer than to plan a trip to the seaside. 

With that in mind, I did a bit of pre-tanning in the garden. I had to be ready for some seriously sunny sunshining wet water fun at the beach. 

Then on Friday, the STAFF packed up the car and a mere 5 hours later we were there. Too late for the beach, but I was ready to go the next morning.

 Now what I did not realise is that the North of England is a season behind. So, we arrived in dense haar at the beach. Haar, what is that, you ask. Well, it is really really bad fog.  

And as you can see, we could see nothing. 

If you look at my facial expression, you can see that I am not as happy as I thought I would be. Partly because of the haar. And partly because I can never quite remember whether sea water tastes nice or not. Note to self: not! I'll try and remember that for next time.

But, the next morning, it was b-eautiful and sunny. Really, really gorgeous. And the STAFF even remembered my ringzinger toy, which went and went and went a treat on the sand. 

I was in such a good mood that I even posed for the STAFF to take a picture with my kill, once I brought the ringzinger down. A glorious moment.  

But then I had to jump straight back into action. I wasn't sure whether I had seen some movement.  Quick! The ringzinger had to be killed good and proper, so it could not run off again. You know how it is, nothing personal. 

Ah, the sweet smile of success!

I was so happy on the beach, and I smiled at the STAFF so that THEY would get the idea. I did not, I say I did not, want to leave. Why would you? 

But as you could have guessed, it was all to no avail. After no time at all the STAFF dragged me to the car, ready to leave. And I was not happy. And I did not mind showing it. Not that the STAFF noticed. THEY drove off with me anyway. 

If you excuse me now, I have to sleep. Good night. 

 

Please tell the STAFF that I feel fine!

So, back to the vets to check out the lump in my leg. Apparently it is just a sprained muscle. I'm sure I told you! In any case, I feel just fine, and would be quite happy to go running again. Honestly! All this sitting around is making me feel stir-crazy... but the vet convinced the STAFF that I should be rested more. I can't take it anymore! I miss the woods. The smells. The freedom!

The only slight sliver of hope is that I will start going swimming in a couple of weeks, some kind of hydrotherapy. I imagine it is going to be exactly like the Walchensee. 

Ah, memories of happier days...

The STAFF showed me some details of the place on the interweb, but there is no picture of the actual lake I'll get to swim in. No doubt it is just an oversight! And look at that poor fellow in the hoist. Thankfully this has nothing to do with me...Phew!

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!