Thursday, July 7, 2011

Brrrr!!!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...


Hello there, dear friends.

It's been a fairly uneventful week, except for the extremely cold temperatures we are experiencing at the moment.  Like all South Africans, our homes aren't designed to restrain the icy outside conditions.  This has resulted in a general winter virus doing its rounds amongst us all.
Oh, how I hate the flu!

The dogs, however, are non-plussed.  They diligently seek out the heaters and congregate in the kitchen to absorb the only underfloor-heating in the house.  Occasionally, I have joined them on the floor, LOL!
Brrrr, it's been cold!
 (Sniff)
Night-time temperatures have steadied around the zero mark and day-time temps aren't that nice either.  One is reluctant to emerge from the warm covers in the morning.

But then there is always work to do:

I've been working on my book all week.  It's been months now. Long hours behind the computer have warranted a few physio appointments to rid me of the spasm in my neck.  Editing, re-editing and more editing doesn't do me any good!  My various self-publishing options keep me awake at night too.  Perhaps, it's not a good idea afterall? I constantly double guess myself, but... Maxdog's story HAS to get out there! 
Hold thumbs that clarity and wisdom will prevail and that I will find a decent publishing route.

 Toby continues to remind me of some of Maxdog's quirks.  Take this photo, for example...

Doesn't it remind you of someone?

We took the dogs to the vet this afternoon for their annual vaccinations and one-or-two little niggles.  Toffee and Tammy are aging noticably now (although one would never say this -  judging from Tammy's walks in the afternoon).  They are both in very good condition for their ages.  Toffee has responded markedly to the Hills Kidney diet - all his blood tests are within the normal range now.  It's good news, so we'll simply keep him on the diet. 

Tammy's eye has to be watched however - she has a conjunctivitis at the moment and needs drops every few hours. If it doesn't improve, it will necessitate a visit to the eye-hospital.

One has to be constantly on one's toes when there are aging dogs in the house.

Our 'nearlyone-year-old' Toby, on the other hand, remains a hooligan!
He has far too much energy for his own good. Luckily, with the girls at home on mid-year break, I've been able to delegate some of his games to them. 
"Outa the way! That's MY ball!"

It's was so cold on Tuesday night that Toby's first agility class was cancelled.
Brrrrr...!

Anyway, enough moaning. 
Cheers to warmer weather! Roll on summer!

Sending lotsaluv to you all,

14 comments:

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hello Caryl!! It's always good to see a post from you! Just as I was last year, I am continually in awe of how your weather is the flip-side to what we're having--It's really hot here in Virginia....

Know that I'm sending warm and healthy thoughts and hopes for you to find the needed clarity and wisdom that I know is in your heart to finish Max's story!

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Like Kim, I am always glad to see you back-despite the cold weather and flu bug. Your pups always make me smile. Thank you for your wisdom. Praying that you will have clarity and direction with all that concerns Max's book plus freedom from the neck spasms.
Hugs to you today.
Noreen & Reggie-dog

Piappies World said...

Hello there MaxMom!

We hope that the temperature there would improve really soon. We have been getting extreme sun and rain in our part of the world. We've had days of typhoon and days of super sunny rays! Such strange weather conditions and we hope it'll get a bit more comfortable here and there as well.

Just last weekend, we fondly remembered the World Cup event you hosted for Piappies Mom watched the first qualifying round of the Philippines for the World Cup here in Manila vs. Sri Lanka and our team, the AZKALS - the Philippines National Team won!!! Incidentally, AZKALS, is a Filipino term for mixed breed dogs and that's what the Piappies are so we are doubly proud of the victory. We are far from the level of your team but we are happy that football is gaining more popularity here in the country.
As for your book, we eagerly await the publishing and we are willing to wait so take your time. Max's life in your words is worth the wait.
It's also great to know that Tammy, King Toffee and Toby did good with the medical check-ups. We keep our paws crossed for Tammy's eye to improve really soon.

Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

WFT Nobby said...

Chilly weather, cold viruses, tell us about it....
Well done for persisting with the book. There's nothing I hate more than having to go back and edit and reedit something. Can i put in an advance order? (Sorry, can't offer any advice on self-publishing options though - I can well imagine it's a nightmare).
Old dogs and vet visits - I'm having a break from all that at the moment. I'm sure Tammy and Toffee are in the best possible hands. Sweet hooligan behaviour is what I have been learning about over that past 15 months!
Cheers, Gail.

Mrs. JP said...

oh so sorry for the flu bug. I hope you all are better now. I think I'd put a quilt on the kitchen floor and snuggle w/ my babies.
I didn't know Toffee and Tammy were feeling poorly...sending love to you from your friends in the holler...

The Life of Riley said...

I know what you mean about winter - it is cold here with rain and thunder! Muddy paw prints around the house and two slightly damp dogs (after thier garden visit) sleeping at my feet as I type this. I keep reminding myself that the shortest day has past and summer is on the way.

Agility is so much fun. We did agility with Riley for over a year until a non-agiltiy injury meant our vet advised us to stop regular classes, which was such a shame as he was in his element off-leash weaving, jumping and running around in field of dogs. It was his favourite time of the week. I'm sure Toby will love it. In our case although I started running around the courses with Riley, the male of our house (who only went to watch) discovered how much fun it was for him to do agility with Riley, so he ended up being the one running around! Perhaps your husband will also take up the challenge occasionally - while you enjoy watching them both from the sidelines!

Molly the Airedale said...

Please blow some of your cold temps our way and we'll blow lots of our heat your way!
We know Max's story is going to be the PERFECT book!

Love lots
Maggie and Mitch

Anonymous said...

OH yes I so agree with Maggie and Mitch, PLEASE send us some of your cold weather! We sure are baking over here! It was 100 degrees today! BLAH

Toby dude will you ever slow down just a bit??? BOL

Hope that all feel better soon.

woos, Tessa

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Maxmom
When you talk about the cold, it makes me shiver! Our temps have been 20 to 30 degrees below what we normally have this time of year.
But this is our summer.
When it gets cold,, we lay in front of the heat too.
I hope you find the answers that you are searching for- regarding Max's book. It will truly be a masterpiece, and the whole world needs to read it.
We are holding our thumbs (as you said) so that clarity and wisdom will prevail ,and you will feel confident in your decisions.
Here are some kissys and hugs for everyone
love
tweedles

Suka said...

Hi Maxmom,

Sorry to read about your cold, but it sure sounds nice to us! We have been sweltering out here with both high temps (90s and 100s) plus very high humidity, and little wind. So, a very rough couple of weeks for Suka. No walks, which is hard on him, but it is much much too hot and humid for a Malamute. I hope the cold weather ends and nicer, more reasonable temperatures head your way. :->

Good luck with the book! I am sure it can get discouraging, but don't stop. The right path will come to you and in the end, it will all work out.

K and Suka

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Maxmom, yes I agree. Go away cold weather. Its been freezing here near Adelaide too. Rain and even worse horrible strong winds. Not a good time to be toilet training a puppy. Hope your flu clears up soon. Treasure your old doggies, aren't they just priceless. Bye. No worries, love Carol x

Curt Rogers said...

If I could send you a few of our degrees I would in an instant. You could even have the rain if you want!

I'm glad to hear you're recovering from the bug. When friends have asked me whether or not they should get a dog I always ask, "Are you ready to be sick, standing outside on an extremely night, waiting for your dog to go to the bathroom?" It's rough, but what they give us more than makes up for it.

I'm wishing you and Max's story all the best! Some things are worth the trials we endure. Keep going!

Amber-Mae said...

Sorry about the weather & sickies. I think I will LOVE that weather! Nothing is ever too cold for me. Maybe we all can switch homes. I move to your place & you move to ours. It's very warm here in Malaysia so I think you'll like it here.

OOOH I bet the book is going to be so awesome!

Scout and Freyja said...

Warm here - cold there. Gosh, wish I could give you a little of the heat we've been experiencing. Some days I feel as though we have too much and would like to spread the wealth around!

You must have your laptop up and running! Isn't it fun to use a new machine? I remember when I got mine and I was SO happy!

Please stay warm, get well, kiss the dogs for me and keep in touch. I miss you!