(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Hello again Steph., Here's the next episode of "The Lurcher Diaries", I blame you for that one..............!!!! Well, June is nearly over - next Tuesday I will have been married 34 years......... imagine the poor man, he had had a very deprived childhood without a dog! On his wedding day he received a horse [if you “can’t beat them, join them” philosophy!] and at that time 3 dogs. One of our first visitors was courtesy of an ex-boyfriend who asked could we look after his Irish Wolfhound for a couple of weeks while he went job hunting. She came for two weeks and stayed two and a half years!!! Malcolm noticed a colleague walking a Bassett hound in his lunch break, upon enquiry it transpired that the marriage had broken up, he kept Maxwell-the-Bassett and went back to live with his mother whose JRT took a violent dislike to Maxwell. This was a serious problem; Malcolm had the answer ‘We’d love him, he’s so handsome and he begs beautifully.’ Home they came to our bungalow where I had Penelope the Wolfhound confined in the kitchen IN SEASON!! Malcolm hadn’t even remembered this minor detail!! The night was spent with a wailing Bassett in the hall and a singing Wolfhound in the kitchen. The next day Maxwell was re-homed to another friend who had a Bassett bitch and who had just lost her Bassett dog.......... they lived happily ever after! We have muddled along ever since - a major move from Dartmoor to Ireland in 1978 complete with three dogs, a cat and three horses: I went on the lorry with the horses and he drove the 1969 Land Rover and Farmer’s Hunt trailer with the feed bins, rugs and house plants. We still have both the Land Rover and trailer............ don’t ask about the condition though! There were two furniture lorries as we were moving my parents with us, amalgamating two households into one large house. At the time there were many British Army families here for a tour of duty, and one of the first questions we were asked was ‘How long are you staying?’ We answered that we had come to stay...... when they saw what we had brought with us they thought it was just as well! At this time we were entertained by a very well-connected family, they were wonderful. The husband had a very high profile position and the security services considered he was at risk from terrorists, so all the main rooms in their house were fitted with bullet-proof glass, except the kitchen!! His wife said she was obviously of no account when she was cooking! The lady mentioned was a large lady and somewhat eccentric, our introduction to her was auspicious in as much as Malcolm was convinced I would grow just like her when I was older - he was so right!!! She came up from the yard followed by a pack of dogs, I remember predominately JRTs., a sheepdog and a couple of rough coated Lurchers. I think maybe 14 dogs!! We dined with them one night, when ushered into the dining room where a beautiful table was set with the family silver, I noticed at the head of the table there was a carver chair with a cushion on it, the table setting was for a DOG! His name was Dudley, a battle scarred JRT of doubtful origin; it was explained he was the founding father of the current brood, great-great, great, grandchildren and children!! Malcolm had imagined that the ‘Irish R.M.’ was all fiction........... Her husband explained that when he married his wife she came complete with her family groom, this gentleman was a stickler for doing the correct thing. We were told that the groom decided which horses might be hunted on a particular day and by whom! All these aforementioned people have since died; I hope to dwell with their treasured dogs and horses, in a place where there is no arthritis and all are sound and happy. Meanwhile up to date things here: Malcolm has returned from his foray onto the golf course in Scotland where he was accompanied by his trusty friends, Tig and Alfred. Tig actually caught a rabbit, and he’s getting old now. They had a great time, all they have done since their return [the dogs] is sleep. Malcolm has left me AGAIN tonight driving the jeep and a trailer of our own logs, to dash up to the other house to cut the grass, chase the builder and tomorrow lunchtime pick up 6 young ones together with our son who have been attending an Alternative Music Festival in the wilds of Co Donegal. I’m trying not to think about the state th jeep will be in by the time he gets them home.... dogs are clean in comparison!! As I write in the kitchen I am surrounded by snoozing hounds, all happy and contented and sleeping until I say “Ok, out-time” then all hell breaks loose, 36 feet trying to do handbrake turns out of the kitchen, through the back hall and conservatory to the front door where they skid to a halt, [God Help the Plants] while I struggle to open the door wide enough to allow them to progress to the front garden, low garden and field, or anywhere else that takes their fancy. I think we have a fox hole alongside the Yew Walk, there seems to be a great deal of interest in that region. Well, to all my friends on Doggy Snaps, thank you for the messages, treats and good wishes. It seems so sad whenever I read of another doggy friend departing this earthly life leaving behind a grieving family; I have a nightly sniff! Love to you all, The Large Eccentric Lynda, and only 9 dogs, 2 cats and 3 horses [have a few to catch up yet!] .
on 29 Jun 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Hello Steph, Well we’re home again from the beautiful ‘God’s County’, Donegal. For those of you who are a bit hazy where it actually is situated [me, before I lived here]. If you look at the map of Ireland, go to the top left corner, that’s Co Donegal: this is in the Republic of Ireland [Euroland], often referred to as ‘The South’, however, this county is as far North as you can travel: So, to go from my home in ‘The North’ to travel to my other home in ‘The South’.........I travel North in a Westerly direction!!! Still looking at the map find Derry City [GB] then go left, a very large peninsula, INISHOWEN, further West is another FANAD, then a narrow peninsula ROSGUILL. We live near there. The photos of a beach I’m posting are on this peninsula at a place called Downings. During the 1800's it was famous for it’s fishing fleet, mainly Herrings, I believe. There are some great old photographs of the herring girls in the gutting sheds, what a very hard life they had. The beach is called Tramore Strand, it is 3 miles long and all sand AND there are rabbits in the dunes........................! The dogs and I had a paddle, it was not too cold, bear in mind this is the Atlantic - if you were to sail out from the beach heading west your first landfall would be North America! The emigrant boats used to sail from Derry during the Potato Famine, also I think Sligo. Many landowners in this area paid for the fare [steerage] to the US. To get rid of their employees and tenants as they could not afford to feed them; they were the good ones, the death toll bears witness to the other kind. In the course of 5 days I did meet one man with a dog and 4 other people walking, this was in the afternoons! I ended up without a husband and pony, things became very complicated; I went with Molly [can’t go anywhere without her!] Annie and Tig. As I hadn’t been up there for a while and the husband and dogs had............. I had to do The Spring Clean, although I ran out of time before attacking the garden. Malcolm, Tig and Alfred are now in the Highlands of Scotland on the Golf Tour, well, one course only actually. They are staying in Boat-of-Garten with Rebecca and Andy who run an excellent B&B and mountain walks/climbing business. They have guests from all over the world and I’m told, by Malcolm, Becca’s cooking is legendary [at this point he looks at me wistfully.....] My late mother always said that you needed to have four feet to get fed around here, Horses first, dogs, finally the cats then maybe I’ll start thinking about the humans! I’m going to try load the new photos, I deleted several last night. I hope you like our little bit of Heaven, the dogs certainly do!! Just a mention to the bereaved ‘parents’ of so many doggy friends, I really feel for you; anyone who has not owned a real family pet does not realise the desolation the loss of a pet. Thoughts and prayers are sent to you all. First thing I did when I booted up was to check on Gis, that started me sniffing. Thankyou for the lovely mesage............... 3 in a bed, you're lucky, I had to retreat to another room the other night, there was no room left - and it is a super king!!! I've shown your photos to several friends, they all agree they are terrific. Love to you all, Lynda and all at Chaos Corner.
on 24 Jun 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Hello to you and the Terrific Twosome, I'm still struggling with the camera, better with fone! I hope you are all well and happy and have a great weekend. Here we go again with a quick news update: All dogs appear to be well, I say that with reservation as one way and another you never know what’s around the corner. This was brought home to me most forcefully this week when one of the Jackies’ dogs, Ben, a 14 yr old Lab collapsed on the road while out for a walk; the other Jackie was summoned by mobile and between them they lifted Ben into the car and rushed to the vet. Now, where was the second Jackie when he took the call, correct: the vets! He had taken his best Agility Collie, Flyte, to be examined as she had started vomiting following eating. Ben has a back problem, he had pain killers and is now on steroids which usually settle the problem, however, our good Chiropractor who DOES sort the problem is working in the US at the moment and will not be back until July. The news on Flyte is bad. She had a barium meal and various tests and lesions were found on her ribs, they get worse towards the back thus indicating the presence of a tumour in that area. None was found but apparently the only way to know the type etc. is to do a bone marrow test. This wouldn’t really achieve much other than cause expense, pain and probably even more depression! Meantime, she is looking fantastic and is out competing this weekend; you could never have anticipated that news looking at her. We had a great weekend in Buckinghamshire; we attended a 70th. Birthday party, the lady in question, Chrissie, had flown in with her husband from Australia, one of her daughters from Canada, others from Manilla, France, Kenya and Japan! The league of nations assembled for dinner on Friday night and finally bid farewells after a very long Sunday lunch. While we were away, Jill, our veterinary practice’s nurse came to dog and pony sit. Apart from Horatio deciding as we were not there he would go into Guard Dog Mode and not letting Jill out of the kitchen [ Just wait for the Police!] all went well. Fortunately the Jackies called over to check all was well and rescued her. One thing, no strangers would walk into our house..... 8 pussycats, one tiger! Sammy the Welsh cob is in fine flying form, probably a bit too flying at times! We should have been doing an event today but I wasn’t well yesterday and didn’t do all the things like working pony, cleaning carriage and harness and loading the lorry; there is a point when you know you’re not going to make it! I left him out for a munch in the field last night, I know which option he’d prefer! Today we are planning to go North to Co Donegal c/w 9 dogs and Sammy. This is 107 miles door to door, a bit of a trek. I’ll drive the jeep [forget that ‘you don’t need a gas-guzzling 4WD, we do or we can’t get up the hill!!!] with the horse trailer in which will be Sammy and the Cement Mixer plus a few small bales of Horsehage. I think it will be Molly, Lulu and Horatio in the back, the puppy crate roped on the back seat in which will be sedated Caiomhe and Ruairi, Annie will sit on the back seat feeling supeerior. Malcolm will drive the 12 year old Volvo estate [another one of those cars Mr Brown wishes us to relinquish] with the rest of the dogs, assorted tools and a trailer on behind with a carriage, horsehage and anything else we need to throw in at the eleventh hour. One thing is certain there will be no space left in either vehicle. A RANT. 4WDs. Not everyone that has one owns it as a status symbol or drives it on school runs, in the city etc. We can’t tow in to our house without being in 1st. Gear Low Range. I used to have a smart car [my 50th. Birthday present] but after another time getting stuck with the Volvo and trailer, husband running up hill, getting tractor, me climbing under linkbox and car with towing chain to be hauled up the hill I decided ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH and did a swap. Bliss, I can now get across fields and up the hill! Mr. Brown please take note; rural drivers do actually need 4WD especially for towing livestock trailers, it’s bad enough paying for the diesel without increasing the tax anymore. As for public transport, HA! What public transport? We can’t get to a town 7 miles away by bus without taking one to another town 6 miles in the other direction, changing bus and then heading to the first town. Time of journey 1 ½ hrs. if you’re lucky, by car 15 mins. Of course, don’t travel after 6pm., there are NO buses! We do have a station 3 miles from us, 2 trains stop in the morning, 2 at night....that’s it! I feel better now!!! Been longing to write that down, I’m fed up with being told what I can drive by some edjit in Government who has a chauffeur-driven 6 cylinder car [if not a V8] and they do not try to get home by public transport outside the city. Oh, here’s another one, it is cheaper to hire a very small car for 3 days than pay for one taxi off Heathrow........... cut down on the number of cars? Back to the dogs: It seems that we have had several of our friends with very sick dogs and sadly many seem to have lost their best friend recently, to all of you healing thoughts. A good night’s sleep and a little improvement is a great tonic. I’m sure I’m not the only person who was signing in quickly in between cooking the lunch or cleaning the kitchen to see how Gis was doing, then Angus, poor-dear-late-lamented-Duds and now Fluffy; life’s tough for some of you at the moment. Everyday it seems like there are more messages of condolence. Well, I better get moving here; it’s all very well having pups but you have to get up so early, their little bladders can only last so long! Time to get myself going and start loading up. I have no internet in the North [or phone], this will be the first trip with Annie and the pups and my first since Floss died. In the last 4 years we have lost 4 dogs, I still recite the dishes in the correct order.......... Molly, Emmy, Poppy, Floss, Horatio, Bert, Alfred, Tallulah, Meg, Tig, Annie, Caiomhe and Ruairi. To all of you who now have empty places on the feed list, remember the good times and send a doggy toast to absent friends. I’ll try to send this out to a few friends before I go, don’t know when the rest of you will get it! All the best, Lynda at Chaos Corner [North and South!]
on 14 Jun 08

(new) message from
markvain

erin, thank you so much for taking the time to write to george and me, it means a lot and helps a little as this hurts so much! x
on 24 May 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Molly changed her mind about the season! The pups are very good really [for pups] Annie should be called 'Lil Miss Dynamite!' She is greased lightening. When outside -as now- she wears a muzzle as she terrorises the pups, her idea of playing is rather rough! Just brought them in.. its like a hurricane coming through the conservatory, handbrake turn through back hall skid in slate ,bounce on kitchen door...VOILA!!! Molly is still out somewhere perusing the fox holes....................! I love your photos, there are several Erin and Ollie adorning my pages.............. Are they digital or 35mm scanned in? I have a new digi camera but I can't find a really fast speed on it, I can take 12 then pick the best.......or worst, not much difference! Find my Minolta 35mm much easier to work with, I do better with my phone!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love your dog's stories too, you must be very patient. A friend without a PC has given me some photos to put on with mine, so if you see 2 GOOD ONES, these are hers! She has 5 lovely dogs, wait 'till you see that lot, especially Heidi-Hi [think she's your sorta dog.] Thanks for the message and treats, lovely to hear from you. I'm off to treat the treasures now.......... Bye, Lynda
on 23 May 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Nothing else for it, this is going to be a GANG NEWSLETTER FROM CHAOS CORNER! Happy Spring??? Bank Holiday to all my readers. As I write it is Saturday night and I was speaking to my friend [one of the Jackies] who took the little Whippet X Lurcher, she went to a Game Fair today with her and ran her in the Whippet Racing.......... her very first effort, slow to understand where she was meant to go but then.........................whoosh........ finished 3rd and just getting going! Molly: Wonderful as ever, her phantom pregnancy is over but I noticed blood on a teat last Saturday, mastitis... more anti-biotics! She is actually coming in season, the boys are sniffing about and their teeth are chattering like mad; Molly soon sees them off though, it won’t be long until she is banished to a stable out of the reach of the marauding males! Horatio: Lovely dog, being very good and loving. Bert: Mindless as ever! He has a Molly Fixation, if we did not know otherwise we would say that he had been weaned much too early. He spends as much time as possible SUCKING Molly’s back, he goes into a trance of ecstasy pummeling her with his front paws......... but......... when she gets to the ‘interesting condition’ he suddenly grows up - real problems for him. This time it will be worse for him than ever as Molly’s substitute, the late-lamented FLOSS R.I.P. is no longer here to be his surrogate mother. Tallulah: Thinking about coming into season too, she is now missing her ‘partner’ Floss, maybe Annie will step into the breach, though I doubt it; Lu and Floss were an item for years. Alfred: The Teddy Bear of the family, a big kind, gentle dog who lives to follow my husband around [they go on holiday together!] Tig: The mobile hot-water bottle, he was getting depressed about the pups taking centre stage and we had to give him extra time in BED WITH US!!! He is much cheerier now, he has been assured he is still TOP DOG. Annie: Settling in very well, she had not put a paw wrong until this afternoon when she CHASED MY CAT! Death at dawn was threatened, I grabbed a broom handle and chased her with it, she cowered away, she was given the lightest tap with it, you would have thought by her expression that she had been thrashed within an inch of her life. She retreated to the kitchen and has avoided eye contact with me since! She is currently fast asleep in the puppy cage next to me. She continues to sleep with us, all goes well until she leaps up on TIG who is under the duvet, then there is a growling session from ‘The Master of the House’, Tig that is!!! We then re shuffle round the bed and with luck all is calm. One night Alfred arrived too and landed on them both! I evicted him altogether so he trundled down to a visitor’s room and joined her - opportunist! Annie plays with a tug, she takes it and prods various noses asking to play, so far the only one to take up the challenge was Little Ruairi who was quickly defeated. She tears round the garden and field [just had slurry sprayed........................] she seems very happy. Ruairi: Is getting bolder, he has turned on Annie a couple of times when she took his tuggie, I don’t know who was the more surprised! Caíomhe: Is not feeling very well, this morning she had the violent gut-rot, fortunately the pups were in the cage and so it was not too drastic, the thought of that lot on the kitchen floor............ poor little girl, she is really off colour today. General News: The pups and Annie went to visit Elaine-the-Dog Warden to get their licences and be microchipped. Here in Northern Ireland we have DOG LICENCES! It costs £5 per dog and there are no exemptions. One can have a reduced fee for an OAP, but there are no block licences unless one has certified breeding kennels Ministry inspected. I believe that the reason there are so many dogs destroyed here is that if a dog strays and it is not wearing a collar and a current licence disc the owner is liable to a hefty fine or if any damage has been incurred, prosecution. Therefore, dogs are abandoned rather than being claimed, it is the efficiency of the system here. Ah well, Better get on here, time to feed everybody. Best Wishes to you all, here’s hoping your dogs stay healthy and happy and so do you! Lynda. Off to leave the treats!
on 04 May 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Thanks for the message, yes, Molly is feeling much better, contemplating coming into season judging by the boy's chattering teeth! Left the treats!
on 20 Apr 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

Thanks for the message, the gang are fine except foe Molly who still has some milk; she is really very unusual, the vet. has never experienced anything like this before. I am beginning to think she may have to be spayed. No food in the morning - just in case! A friend was away on the beach today with her 7!!! She met a rough coated lurcher [bitch]..................... finding out about her tomorrow!!! All I know is she's lovely. Just going to leave your darlings treats. Goodnight. Lynda
on 13 Apr 08

(new) message from
molly the lurcher lover

They are lovely dogs, obviously very special like their owners. Brought a tear to my eye too. Call round and see our mob.
on 08 Apr 08

(new) message from
animalover

Hello, hope you are ok. just dropping by to say- COMPETITION!!!! http://forums.doggysnaps.com/showthread.php?p=464923#post464923 please enter, and good luck! Fred and Milly
on 06 Apr 08

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