Wednesday 31 October 2012

mini movie

Jack would like to thank everyone for their wonderful birthday wishes, especially the lovely Tammy over at peanut on the table. Tam is Jack's number 1 fan and her blog is truly honest, funny, heartwarming and is well worth checking out - if you haven't done so already, that is. Here's a link to the wonderful 'peanut'  http://peanutonthetable.com/

And so, without further ado, here he is...



Jack



And, many thanks to the beautiful Tracy for her generous advice on how to reduce my ridiculously large video clip to a viewable movie!
You can find Tracy's wonderfully inspirational blog at http://pranalight.typepad.com/prana_light/
  

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Celebrate!



Warning! Intensive photo post ahead :)



Ten years and ten months ago, this chubby little silver grey bundle bounded into my life... and, I was besotted.


From the very moment I held him, we were inseparable and, he became a much loved member of our family.

Always the centre of attention, he has charmed with his cheeky character, his antics, his intelligence, his utter gentleness, his amazing guardsmandog ship, his unflinching loyalty and his unconditional love.

You're invited to share in the celebration of Jack's eleventh birthday and get to know him a little better.


Here he is, throughout the years.

grrr, you're not so big, you ball you!

I is tired - clothes out, me in

is everybody watching me?

I love yoga - especially the upside downward dog pose

I'm a great singer!


 huh? I'm not hiding anything - I dunno where that box got to!


c'mon in, the water's fine!


 are these mushrooms magic, mum?


 look, I really need a biscuit, I'm starvin' down here!



I collect kindling, one stick at a time

 




my partner in crime...Sunny



I'm a lounge lizard, er, dog 




ahh... cuddle time on the couch with mum and Sunny


Though sweet and absolutely gentle,

I'm real gentle, aren't I mum?

he takes his guard duty seriously.

 halt! who goes there? 





And, his patience is something to behold...

Christmas 2011
can I open it now? can I, can I, can I?


joy!

all right, I'll wear it - 5 minutes, tops!


aww, my ball popped mum!



Many miles we've travelled together - thousands, across the land.



from country bumpkin

to city slicker

 I'm Aussie through and through


We’ve been through many experiences together and hopefully, many more.

Ever by my side. My little shadow.
We’ve forged a bond, he and I.

 buddies 


He’s slowing down now. His walks are ambles and stops are more frequent. 
He spends longer reading the ‘wee-mails’ left by other dogs - processing their news and data, lost in contemplation.
His bursts of energy - or, 'wig out sessions' - are much fewer and farther between naps. 

His right eye sees less than it used to. I take care to approach that side carefully so as not to startle him.
The sparkle hasn't left it though. That knowing is still there, deep down and way back – he doesn’t need good sight for that. When he looks at me, there is a connection that transcends the first level of this sense.

But, the squeak of a toy will rally the puppy in him and the call to play begins! Though, not for too long now, as he tires quickly. 
And, the promise of a biscuit guarantees a smile and a bark of excitement!

Car trips are always considered with him in mind. He loves a journey – big or small. Every outing is an adventure!


We’ve been considering a ramp that we can place in the car for his entry and exits – he waits so patiently for his pick ups and place downs. The result of a long ago injury is beginning to be a constant in his life. He's not to jump in or out of the car - too much potential for damage. At least he loves his vet, Prue - who adores him in return, when he visits for his arthritis shots.

These days with Jack are especially precious. His clan is everything to him. And... the feeling is mutual.
He is such a huge part of our lives and an important presence in our home and, in our hearts. 

And so today, his special day, started with his usual sleep-in on our bed – he climbs on when hubby gets up :)


Then, the big present-ation...

 how embarrassing, but, I'll do wear whatever it takes

A few clicks of the camera and then... it's a free for all!


 yay, new toys! 

Some quiet time while I clean up. 

Followed by a walk down Poet's Lane - a lovely name for a lovely walk.




And, on to the George Tindale Gardens for some sensory overload. 




All in all... 

 ...it was a good day!



Happy birthday wee blue boy - my shadow.  Big kisses on your Bentley Mark. Love you xxx








Monday 15 October 2012

Sunday Morning Snapshot



After a very wet Saturday, we woke to a sun-shiny Sunday morning.

The sky was a soft blue, the leaves sparkling with dew and … uh-oh, I’m in danger of turning this into a cheesy poem!

We had “our” secret magical lake all to ourselves again this morning. That’s not always the case, as it really is the perfect photo op’ for novice and professional photographers.
But, if we get there early, we’re usually in luck.

At the risk of repeating, I’m posting a few (new) pics of our morning walk – I hope you don’t mind, but I really love sharing some of the magic with you.





 
Then, we went to one of our favourite cafés on the mountain, ‘ripe’.


This is a quaint little old wooden cottage situated in the pretty mountain town of Sassafras. Great food, even better coffee.


And, they make a mean soy hot chocolate! At the bottom of this glass, is a real treat - melted Lindt chocolate. Mmmmm.


Tucked away nicely off the main road, this café seems tiny, but inside is deceptively spacious. And in winter, a welcoming fire is always blazing.

However, it's rare that we ever go inside. Why? Because we usually have Jack with us, of course! :)
I would rather be outside, in all weather, with him than leave him in the car or tied up outside. And if the weather is too unsuitable, well, we simply get takeaway. That’s just us. 
But, we’ve found that we’re not alone.

Ripe café has become a meeting place for locals and their canine companions. And we are very grateful that our pups are welcome there. Not inside of course, but the generous seating area out front under the lovely old birch tree is often graced with wagging tails.

Here’s a regular customer, beautiful "Bella", AKA "the Mayoress of Sassafras". She is a well known and loved identity in the town :)  And, if you look carefully, you’ll see a wee Schnoodle at table 26.


 
 These two sweeties are waiting patiently for mum and dad


We always have the “chubby gubby” with us - Jack’s back pack. It holds his café essentials like a padded mat to lie on, his collapsible water bowl, a bottle of water, a towel and his other collapsible bowl with a zip lock baggie containing his all important breakfast biccies.

 Um, biscuits perhaps?

Now that he’s a senior citizen, Jack gets lifted into and out of the car – wanna save those old bones and ligaments as much as possible – not mine, his.
“I’ll get Jack, you get the chubby gubby”, one always says to the other. Oh dear.

Still waiting here… hello?

Quick story about “the chubby”. A few years ago, I decided I wanted to find a good backpack to fit all of Jack’s stuff in – instead of the old shopping bag we used. A doggie travel bag.
When out and about one day, I passed, then went into, a baby store.
I found the perfect bag.
While paying for it, the woman at the counter asked me, “buying this for the new grandchild?”
Without thinking, I replied, “no, it’s for my baby”, and walked out with the bag under my arm.
As I walked away, I realised I left the poor woman with her mouth open. It was too late to go back and explain, so I decided to leave her to her imagination :)

 
So, this morning was the perfect start to our Sunday.

And, Jack did get his biscuits. Of course.