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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
A narrow escape…
Posted by on August 3, 2009
Warning: The following post is not for those of a nervous disposition, touching as it does on the removal of a sensitive part of the male anatomy…
Milo and his favourite toy
Today, Milo had a reprieve. I had finally tired of his adolescent dog behaviour, particularly the need to mark his territory all over the house and had booked him in for ‘the snip’ at the vets. I had been assured that this would stop his anti-social behaviour. I dropped him off first thing this morning, feeling quite mean as it is his first birthday on Wednesday and it was a harsh way of celebrating the event but a short time later, the vet rang me up and said that it was a lot more complicated than first thought. Apparently, the bits of Milo that were about to be removed had not actually descended yet, which would necessitate a much more serious operation, going in through the abdomen and searching for the offending articles – with no guarantee they would actually be able to find them! I decided not to put him through this (and not just because it was going to cost double the original cost – the thick end of £200) and so he came home. He thanked me by peeing under the kitchen table. Marvellous. I thanked him by giving him a bath. You can tell how much he enjoyed this from this photograph.
What a sorry sight...
Never mind, he wasn’t allowed to eat before his surgery so I can now give him the chicken I was going to give him as a treat when he got back from the vets. Spoiled dog? I should say so…
And now an update. Do you remember how I told you about pruning orchids back in April and showed you this photograph of the first plant I had managed to get to sprout again after the initial flowering?
Well, this is what it looks like now. I took this photograph yesterday.
It has not stopped flowering since April. Interestingly, the flowers themselves are smaller than first time around but it looks stunning.
Other than this, not much to report. I’ve been busy making photo albums for a friend and her daughter – can’t show you them yet as they are gifts which I will hand over in a couple of weeks when I go to stay with them in Mallorca and I don’t want to spoil the surprise (in case they read this!) but I will post photos when I get back. I asked my friends’ daughter for some photos of her new son and said ‘the more the merrier’ or some such. Thrillingly, she sent me over 400 so I have been sifting through them and trying hard to choose the best to print for the album – so difficult as there are so many! She is going to send me even more current ones this week so it is going to be a lovely album. I have also been asked to make a wedding guest book for a wedding I have been invited to at the end of the month. So many lovely projects, I do like being busy – especially when the weather is so rubbish. BBQ summer? Don’t make me laugh…
Much of a muchness 
I don’t want to sound patronizing, but I think this is your best ever blog. Loved it.
Thank you, my friend, praise indeed. Particularly as I know how much you love our four legged friends… :-)
The first time I ever read your blog was when you wrote about your orchid and your “naughty” dog. I wrote a comment and you actually wrote back. I was thrilled and have been reading your blog ever since and you often comment on mine. I haven’t found all that many blogs that I enjoy following but yours is definitely at the top. Maybe it’s because I often identify or maybe because you have a very interesting life. Or maybe it’s because you write so well,
I love Simon’s cartoons. Have you seen his cats? They make me laugh out loud. Your orchid is beautiful and so is Milo-even wet!
My orchid is in it’s dormant period and looks awful- I’m persevering with my lack of care theory, though. Worked last time !
Hi Barbara – thank you so much for your lovely comments, you are very kind! It’s nice to know people enjoy what I write.
Simon’s cartoons are so funny – I love the cat ones but I was thrilled to find this doggie one. Doesn’t look like Milo but boy! does he behave like him :-)
I think that is the secret with the orchids – benign neglect! They look dreadful for ages and then suddenly start sprouting when you least expect it. They are so pretty – I love them.
Oh Milo…just you wait, you adolescent pooch with an attitude! I’ve only had female dogs before so didn’t know that you could wait that long to fix them. Female dogs all involve “going in”, so to speak. Tell Milo I know how to do gonadectomies, with a butter knife if need be, so he’d better start treating you nicely!
I need to send my orchid off on a vacation with you…because it is nothing like yours. It sulks in a corner with lots of ugly white roots sticking out into the air (rather obscene, really). Most new growth have been more ugly white roots. Cursed thing.
Just had to explain to Milo what a butter knife was and he went even whiter than usual. It remains to be seen if the threat has done any good….
As for the orchids – see answer above. Ignore them and they will sprout – I’m convinced of it :-)
Heehee…poor Milo!
I’m doing my best to ignore my orchid…I guess I shouldn’t growl at it every time I walk past.
Oh, I do like the way you just casually dropped into conversation that you’re off again. There must be a law against this hedonism surely.
Anyway, who’s going to look after the orchid? and poor, poor Milo. I really think you should have a sit down in the quiet corner and consider whether you should go off partying again …… there are people out here suffering you know …….
Oops. I was hoping no-one would notice…it’s only for 5 days – not even a week. As for the orchid – benign neglect, remember? As for Milo, haven’t worked out what is happening to him yet – any offers? He is really good at watering things….
5 days …… it’s hardly worth it …… you know how tired you get ……
Sorry about the pup. Bob Barker will be proud, though, when you do go through with the snip snip.
Love that Simon video. I like the Simon’s Cat ones too. They just came out with a new one. My daughter gets a kick out of them too.
Sorry about the bad weather over there. People around here would probably say the same about our weather, but I don’t mind the cooler temperatures. Better sleeping weather for those of us without central air conditioning.
Just had to check out who Bob Barker was – appropriate name somehow! The Simon video is so sweet – and an object lesson to Milo on the perils of begging for food :-)
I am a hothouse flower who is wilting from over-watering! It is raining again as I write. I long for some sunshine – no wonder I am always trying to escape to the sun at every opportunity.
OMG ! Milo is sooo PRECIOUS ! ! ! Your orchids are amazingly BEAUTIFUL too ! ! ! p.s. This Summer hasn’t been hot at all, lots of rain and mild temperatures. Lately you can feel a chill in the air which says Autumn is right around the corner ! ! !
Milo says thank you very much – he thinks he is precious too.
Don’t say the ‘A’ word yet! I want some sunshine first!
Beautiful orchid, I wonder how difficult they are to grow commercially…..*business head whirring*.
And will you and http://diaryofa70steen.blogspot.com/ stop going on about such things?!! You know how squeamish us ‘old gits’ are!
They are gorgeous plants (the only house plant I will allow in my house as I normally kill them) and whilst they are expensive they do last AGES and now I have figured out how to make them flower again, I need never buy another one!
Well, you tell Milo to stop peeing all over the house then! He’s a nightmare at the moment…
I can hear Milo’s sighs of relief from here …. :-) [he is so gorgeous… Teen is still pestering me for one to join Layla… so far resisting……..]
He is a sweetheart – but then so is Leyla! Hopefully he will grow out of this anti-social behaviour and I can relax again. I have to watch him like a hawk and keep all the doors closed so he can’t get into rooms with carpets!
Oh dear what a face? I can’t stop laughing!! Oh my your orchid is just incredible!!
I am good with ivy and low light, low maintenance plants only! What a wonderful post Diane!
I am so glad my back is better, well I’ll phrase that different, I am so glad I finally went to the DR. and got some pain medication!
I hope you have a jolly good weekend!
Jackie
Yes, it’s the only time I see him looking subdued – he tolerates being bathed but doesn’t realy enjoy it!
Hope your back is much better soon – so debilitating.
I enjoyed your free download – will make a great book cover (when I get round to making it!)
Have a great weekend too!
Have always liked that RSPCA PSA clip. Found you via BlogCatalog
It’s so sweet isn’t it? I also like the cat ones….
Thanks for visiting!
gosh Diane
hasn’t Milo grown!!!!
seems like he was only a puppy just the other day :)
good to hear that you are going so well with your albums
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you re Milo’s doggy behaviour…
glad to see that you had more luck with that beautiful plant…. my plants are lucky to live a few weeks..if only I could remember to water them :0
He was one year old the other day. He does seem to have settled down slightly recently – maybe we are over the worst and I won’t have to have him snipped after all!
As for the plants – I have whatever the opposite of green fingers is normally, that’s why I’m so proud of this plant!
Oh my, in that first photo he’s the happiest dog ever! I’ve never seen such a happy dog. Is it because his toy makes him “happy”? LOL My sister had male dogs … only proved one thing to me, never get male dogs … or cats. Female all the way, haha.
Anyway – sometimes with pets revenge is good – hence the bath.
As for the orchid – wow. I have an orchid but it only has one flower, I ignore. The other ones I owned that I fussed over all died.
He loves that yellow toy. Drags it up to me every evening and sits there looking at me beseechingly until I play ‘tug of war’ with him and it. It is disgustingly dirty, must sneak it away and stick it in the washing machine soon. I’m just worried it will disintegrate :-)
Um…that dog….Milo….jeese he is the absolute cutest. Can you tell I am an animal lover? Would you consider being a guest blogger for our site? I think our readers and visitors would eat your . What’s a snazL you might ask? Well if twitter and You Tube were to have a love child it would be a snazL. Right now we’re doing snazL Stories with some of the most prominent bloggers from BlogHer. We would love for you to do some screenings to promote your personal. It would get your blog promoted on 10 websites. Feel free to email us if you are interested. We would love to have you be a part of our community.
@snazl
Hi Janine
Just been checking out snazL. Still not sure I’ve quite got it sorted out but if it means me broadcasting to the world, I’m not sure it’s my thing – far too shy and retiring!
I will explore some more and ponder on it…
Hi Diane,
i am just popping in to wish you a happy weekend. I am glad you like the download.
If it is too small for your needs just email me and I will end you a larger copy.
As a matter of fact if you see anything on my site and would like a copy just email. But, this offer is restricted to only you and my daughter.
My back is better but still quite painful. I hope this never happens to me again ever!! It’s worse than giving birth!
Happy weekend!!
Thank you Jackie, I love the photograph – and all your work.
Sorry to hear your back is still playing up – hope you are better soon. Bad backs are SO restricting.
Bit late for last weekend but hope next one is good for you :-)
wow…The puppy looks so cute. Nice blog. Your work is appreciated.
Thank you. He is cute when he’s not being naughty or getting dirty :-)
Thanks for your kind comments!