In my garden

I think Melbourne is a wonderful city to live in.

People poke fun of it, because we have "interesting" weather.

I love it!

Yesterday was hot and humid, 

in fact the last few days have been hot and sticky.

Today is beautiful, 24deg. with a slight breeze.

That is why I love it, 

you know the heat will finish in a few days.

Anyway, I went to dream in the back garden for a while, 

something I try and do if I am feeling stressed, or tired.

My garden will never be neat and tidy,

it rambles around all over the place.

Sometimes people make comments about its lack of order,

but I don't care, it suits me!

I have a passion for vines and things that wander around the garden.

Here I am growing the most flavoursome mint I have ever tasted,

and the sweet potato vine from last year.

No idea if it is making any potatoes, but it is getting very adventurous, even checking out Toffee's digging patch!!!

I am sitting in the shade of "Benji's tree,

a huge elm of some sort. 

So many of the plants are memorials for my animals, 

perhaps that is why I love to sit here on my own.

My garden abounds with the ghosts of ducks and chickens,

piggies, lizards, rabbits, tortoises, cats,

and of course my precious dogs.

Most of the dogs are remembered with trees,

but now I have beautiful Mandivilia shrubs ,

A white one for my gentle "Lucky", 

it has a delicate pink center that gradually changes to gold.

The newest flower is bright red.

with very shinny dark green leaves.

It is a strong determined plant, 

yet the flowers are delicate.

It is my Nacho plant.

Thinking about her still brings tears to my eyes.

One day she too, will settle into my heart,

and only leave happy memories.

I hope the ghosts in my garden are all content!

SOMEONE has had a hair cut!

My skinny boy with the long legs, has had a hair cut.

He looks more like a bean pole than ever,

but very handsome!

A Birthday!

Well I have had another birthday,

they seem to come around much too often.

The family went to the dog park for a picnic, 

it was a lovely day, we were going to the zoo,

but the forecast was "rain" 

so we played it safe and the sun shone all day!!

I thought we were just having a picnic

but look what suddenly appeared on the table!

Underneath all that chocolate hair,

was a yummy chocolate Swiss roll.

Thank goodness there were no candles to burn down the shelter.

We ate the back end, I could not eat the head.

After the party, the kids all played on the oval together,

it was so lovely watching  the grand children 

racing around with dogs and not have to worry.

Here are a couple of pictures of them all having fun.

Va used to be nervous of Middi, now he can take him anywhere.

Tahl and Middi deciding where to go.

Sekoya wanted to walk Middi for the first time.

Va controlled the lead [and Middi]

while Koya helped, he was so proud of himself.

How Middi has changed,

I remember when even Chris, sometimes had trouble 

with a big black poodle boy.

How times have changed, I think this was the nicest birthday 

I have had in years.

Next year I will be even older!!!!!

CARS!!!!!

This could have been  your last view of Middi and me!

Last Saturday I got hit by a car, 

Middi and I are very lucky to be still complaining about Melbourne's rotten weather [35deg. today]

We walked down to the farmers market,

bought a few things, and started to amble home.

I am always very careful in the weekends,

drivers seem to leave their brains in bed.

We were walking slowly past a group of fancy town houses,

when suddenly, a large black car reverses very quickly out of the drive, bang, into me!

The worst part was, the driver did not stop when she hit me

my 250kg. chair was pushed sideways.

When she eventually heard me yelling and thumping her car

she stopped, looked at me, and said "I didn't see you" 

wound up her window and disapeared back into the units somewhere.

I was very shaken up, all I could think of was  --

It could have been a  child!

If you drive so badly that you cant see a 

great big power chair with flowers,

what chance of seeing a child.

As we shakily walked home I realised how lucky it was that Middi walks on my right,

if he had been on my left he would have been crushed!

Please remember when driving,

  watch where you are going!

A BIG girl!!

Toffee is definately growing!

Here she is at 6 months.

 

Isn't she a beautiful girl,

not going to fit on my tray much longer.

I cant resist.

Today was one of those balmy days we get in Melbourne, 

after a few days of extreme heat.

Helen and I went to Glenhuntly, 2.2k's from home.

I walked and the kids rode in the car,

what a life!

Middi loves cars, he would always ride if he got the chance.

After the big "ride" he was tired, as you are when your mum expects you to walk half a kilometer.

Toffee of course, was full of beans and could not wait to go to the big dogs park with Chris.

They practiced running free [on the long line] and coming back for a treat when called, a great game,

but a very important skill to be learned.

Looks easy when Chris does it.

When I try it is hilarious,

imagine 15 meters of clothes line, an excited puppy 

and a six wheeled wheel chair.

It takes about 2 minutes for me to get completely tangled

and 20 to get me untangled!!!

When Toffee arrived home,

Middi checked her over to make sure she was still in one piece,

then they went to sleep!

If you look carefully you can see they are sleeping around the end of my bed.

They stayed like this, sound asleep, for more than an hour, .

They love each other, there is no jealousy, food can be shared

and even though they can play very heartily,

the next minute they will be curled up asleep in the one crate, 

with those great long legs tangled round each other.

They bring me so much joy.