a day we would all rather forget?
Why, you might idly wonder?
After yesterday’s visit from the rescue centre, our worries were firmly put on the back burner. Our fears at what a ham-fisted job we were making as new dog owners was put to rest. Photos were taken to show just how chilled Ellie was for all to see back at the centre.
We went to bed mightily chuffed with ourselves. This morning Ellie who is afraid of men decided once again that husband wasn’t to be trusted? Where that came from during the night, who knows?
Still on a roll from our top of the class marks, we decided to go once again to our favourite coffee stop by the river. All
good... so far! Instead of coming home after watching normal well balanced(?)people at play we decided to go for a walk in the woods. A bright Sunday morning, last weekend of the school holidays... WHAT WERE WE THINKING OF!?! The world and his wife was at large: crossing the bridge we met with old couples out for their daily constitutionals... all okay, although the bridge is narrow so no escape. Walking low down along the river was fine, lots of interesting sniffs, tracks, maybe otter runs, or at the very least alligator trails! All was going a breeze until we decided to come back high in the wood, where the the mountain bikers, whizzed, folk with packs of dogs off the lead, wolf like howling jack russells crossed with hyaenas, gave full throat. All
hell was let loose high in the Shropshire hills.
Surrounded by four off road and off lead, vocal terrier type bits of gristle, yapping and snapping, their owner trotted out the hoary old chestnut...
‘They only want to play!’
Struggling back over the bridge himself with almost dislocated shoulder,
me with gammy knee, the dog turbo charged. We made for home, full of
dismay as to how wrong we could have got this morning’s little escapade!?!
Yesterday we felt we were featuring in a film version of A E Housman’s ‘A Shropshire Lad’. Today a remake make of ‘Apocalypse Now’... in
just the space of 24 hours.
Ellie this afternoon chilling with Cyril Squirrel! All’s good in the world again!
Why, you might idly wonder?
After yesterday’s visit from the rescue centre, our worries were firmly put on the back burner. Our fears at what a ham-fisted job we were making as new dog owners was put to rest. Photos were taken to show just how chilled Ellie was for all to see back at the centre.
We went to bed mightily chuffed with ourselves. This morning Ellie who is afraid of men decided once again that husband wasn’t to be trusted? Where that came from during the night, who knows?
Still on a roll from our top of the class marks, we decided to go once again to our favourite coffee stop by the river. All
good... so far! Instead of coming home after watching normal well balanced(?)people at play we decided to go for a walk in the woods. A bright Sunday morning, last weekend of the school holidays... WHAT WERE WE THINKING OF!?! The world and his wife was at large: crossing the bridge we met with old couples out for their daily constitutionals... all okay, although the bridge is narrow so no escape. Walking low down along the river was fine, lots of interesting sniffs, tracks, maybe otter runs, or at the very least alligator trails! All was going a breeze until we decided to come back high in the wood, where the the mountain bikers, whizzed, folk with packs of dogs off the lead, wolf like howling jack russells crossed with hyaenas, gave full throat. All
hell was let loose high in the Shropshire hills.
Surrounded by four off road and off lead, vocal terrier type bits of gristle, yapping and snapping, their owner trotted out the hoary old chestnut...
‘They only want to play!’
Struggling back over the bridge himself with almost dislocated shoulder,
me with gammy knee, the dog turbo charged. We made for home, full of
dismay as to how wrong we could have got this morning’s little escapade!?!
Yesterday we felt we were featuring in a film version of A E Housman’s ‘A Shropshire Lad’. Today a remake make of ‘Apocalypse Now’... in
just the space of 24 hours.
Ellie this afternoon chilling with Cyril Squirrel! All’s good in the world again!
You work so hard...other folks are no help!
ReplyDeleteMost are fine, they stop and try and talk to her, that makes her worse. She is a lovely affectionate dog and with patience will come on a treat. Well worth the effort.
DeleteLX
I guess you'll bag those weekend walks till the dead of winter. Most of those mountain bikers aren't game enough to put on winter tires.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we just didn’t think it through properly Joanne. It was a beautiful day and the last chance before the schools went back, I suppose we should have realised and gone home while we were winning! Wet and windy weekdays it will be a breeze...!
DeleteLX
If Ellie is afraid of your husband he needs to become the caregiver and feed her everyday plus all treats to come from him. This will help Ellie to realise he is not the scary person she thinks he is.
ReplyDeleteHusband attempts to give her treats and she runs away. Even this lunchtime I chopped some sausage up for him to give her. She was settled on her chair and as he approached she shot out into the garden, where she is sat now.
DeleteLX
There is a lovely local walk near here along an old railway line in the river valley, but it is also a designated cycle track.......we rarely go now for that reason. Cyclists seem to think it belongs to them and rarely give warning of their hurtling approach. Even with dogs on the lead this can be scary! Good luck with Ellie....WorcsAnnie's advice sounds good, but you might be already doing that?
ReplyDeleteSure am, see above. The woods will be ours when the visitors go home. It was nearly there this morning when we sat on our usual perch by the Green cafe. She sits looking for all the world like a ‘normal’ dog. Tiny improvements are being made, tomorrow we may try to sit on the terrance of the cafe, must be sure not to order cake!?!
DeleteLX
Other people and their dogs are the worst!! I've had so many 'angry' talks with other pet owners while out walking. We look after our daughters dog while she's working 3 days a week and he's a yappy wee yorkie cross. Our own dog is very easy going and 'talks' to all the local dogs but Leroy (yorkie) shouts at them. Of course you then get the owners whose dogs are off the lead and come bounding towards you and Leroy is terrified and shouts to tell them to go away but the owners come bimbling along saying 'oh don't worry he/she/it just wants to play' I then say well we don't do playing so could you take your dog away please and then they get all stroppy! Of course most of the ones who behave like that cannot control their dog so it all ends in tears and tantrums (I'm usually the one having the tantrum!) I fully believe if you cannot control your dog with words such as come and stay your dog should not be off the lead particularly in busy walking areas! There, rant over but your story just reminded me of times when much the same has happened to us and there's no need for it! I'm sure you'll work out the best route to take Ellie as we have to with Leroy. I always try to keep to the quieter routes when we have him. Ellie looks lovely and very comfy in her chair! She'll be a big softie in no time I'm sure! x
ReplyDeleteThe vision of you growling, I must say MG made me smile. Bitten anyone’s leg lately?
DeleteI do love your fulsome comments.
LX
That is sad she obviously had bad experiences with men from previous life. Did you say in a previous post that your hubby was walking her back from the woods and nearly dislocated his shoulder. At least she allows him to walk her on her lead. Has he tried sitting on the floor not looking at her and dropping treats on the floor near him? Im sure you will get there in the end as it is early days. She is rather gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteShe feels afraid with too many people about and pulls to get away. She sees me handing the lead over to him and as we walk she is constantly looking up at him. She is slowly thawing, some days fine, then she reverts back to fear. With me, if anything she is too clingy following me everywhere. It is only two and half weeks so lots of new things to get used to. The house is now quietening down as the work nears completion. Last day tomorrow. A relief for us all!
DeleteLX