New life blossoms and nourishes

Partner and children have gone away for a few days. I was to have gone too but the holiday was booked before we had Tiffin and none of us had the heart to leave him in kennels or with someone else whilst we all went away. It’s only 5 weeks since his original owner died and the poor old dog would’ve wondered what on earth was happening if we all disappeared.

As it is, it has been quite nice to be alone with Tiffin. At first it was hard to let the children and partner go; especially when my daughter howled as the train left and wanted me to come too, but Tiffin and I have gotten along really well and I’ve discovered that he likes a cup of tea (one sugar).

Yesterday I was weeding a bit of the back garden and then went to do something with the chickens. Normally I am only with the chickens for a few minutes --- with Tiffin on the other side of the fence ---but yesterday I was longer. Tiffin got rather cross and seemed to feel left out – like when a child feels you’ve spent too much time and attention on a sibling. He let go one of his lovely barks –it’s not yappy but a sort of questioning, throaty ‘wrooafff !’ He looked through the slats of the fence so pleadingly.

Later I was sitting on the bench under the apple trees with Tiffin having a cup of tea. I noticed that the rose bush we planted above the grave of our first dog, Dory, had come into bloom.

As one life ends another begins.

Dory nourishes the rose and Tiffin nourishes me.

Hector

Hector

On Sunday my daughter found this tiny bird……..there was no nest nearby we could pop him back into and so we took him inside and tried to keep him alive.

Sadly he died yesterday (Monday afternoon) despite out best efforts. We called him Hector and I’ve buried him in the garden.

Watching this poor little mite fighting for life really made me aware again of the fragility of existence. The past ten years have seen me witness the birth of two children, countless animals and the deaths of many people I love and care about.

Watching this little fella on his cotton wool in a plastic berry box reminded me of watching one of our children in the intensive care baby unit after birth…..lying on some stuff similar to cotton wool and inside a clear plastic crib.

For me its been a too busy period and I have caught a virus which is making feel decidely shaky. The slightest bug can make my keel very uneven with the wretched CFS always running in the background. However, seeing Hector struggle to survive and trying to help him reminds me how I have to keep on trying even when I feel like giving up.

Tiffin snoozing

Another picture of Tiffin

Tiffin is turning out to be such a sweetheart: gentle, forgiving, restful.

What a lovely picture of peace

Tiffin in his new home

Time for Tiffin

We had a Jack Russell cross called Dory (after Dory Previn) for many years and she was a darling. . Two and a half years ago she died aged 16 years Though we loved her dearly she was a typical JRT --- in that she was naughty, always ‘on’ and never really rested. She was a real comedian and always up to mischief.

In my present state of health there is no way I can cope with the JRT temperament. Its too busy and boisterous, but for many years I have hankered after a whippet.

The first whippet I ever met was whilst taking Dory out. That whippet was called Suzy and ever since then I’ve been in love with their shape, elegance and quiet demeanour.

For the last year I have been looking for an old whippet –one that’s as tired and old as me ! At last we’ve found each other and it’s time for Tiffin !

He’s an almost nine year old dog whose owner dies about 3 weeks ago. He had another name but it just seemed wrong so we’ve rechristened him and he doesn’t seem to mind at all. He came here with us two days ago and it’s like he’s always been here.

I really hope we can do him justice and that his last owner is looking down and approving.