Friday, October 31, 2008

finally, the big block walk

kane and I did something amazing today.

We went on a walk just after 6.30am in the morning. Not only that, but we finally went on the big block walk again.

It was very light and very few people were out. We even walked past the suspicious house, 16 houses up the street.

The walk took slightly longer this time. Our big block walk always seemed to take 30 minutes. This morning, it took 33 minutes.

Anyway, before I was ready to leave for work in the morning, I gave Kane a beef bone. He even had the dilemma of choosing between having his bone or returning indoors. This time he wanted both and tried to bring his bone in. So much for giving Kane a bone to occupy himself as I leave for work.

This evening we only did the short block walk.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

strange Thursday

Today was a semi-exciting day, not walk-wise but happenings.

This morning, the glazier came to replace the broken bathroom window from last week's burglary. Kane barked at him at the door. He was also a bit scared of Kane and asked if Kane would hurt him.

Half an hour later, the claims assessor from the insurance company came over to explain what I have to do. Kane did not bark at her.

Today was also bin day. A wheelie bin was used last week by the burgler to gain initial entry by jumping over the gate. As the bins were accessible and the bathroom window repaired, I was paranoid that the burgler would return by using the bin again and breaking the repaired window. So I locked the door to the deck area, which meant Kane was not able to go out into the backyard while I was at work.

Poor puppy. It mean that he couldn't take the big bone I gave him this morning out on to the lawn so the sun could dry it out a bit. As a result, he left the bone on his bath mat which then became very dirty with blood. So I washed the bath mat tonight.

Tonight, Emily came over and Kane barked when she came to the front door.

We didn't go on a walk until tonight (after dinner) and it was only the short block walk.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

even more boring Wednesday

Poor puppy. I fell asleep on the couch after I returned home from work (it was a very busy day).

We didn't go on our walk until later and after dinner. Not only was the walk late and in the dark, it was only the little block walk.

Still, we had not done the little block walk for awhile. It was also less of an exercise walk and more of a leisurely stroll to catch up on all the canine gossip (scents).

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

boring Tuesday

Poor puppy. We walked to Macquarie oval but there was nobody there. There was a strange dog with a person kicking a ball. They didn't seem sociable.

Anyway, we continued walking doing a quick loop back home. It was a 20 minute walk with lots of stops for sniffing.

I'm avoiding the big block walk as some neighbours think that there is a house down our street which may be suspicious. They have kids who don't seem to go to school and the house is run down. They have four or five cats which just sit on the front doorstep. Their front letter box is destroyed.

They would know that Kane wouldn't harm anyone. Perhaps one of them is the culprit to last week's burglary?

Monday, October 27, 2008

better than the big block walk

It was a warm day today, so we didn't set off on our walk until 7.15pm and it was still daylight.

We walked to Cook oval and said hello to Kel the blond Labrador and two new dogs. We didn't stay long and continued back to the main shops via 'the woods'. After a quick shop, we walked home the short way and came across Millhouse and two other dogs. If we weren't coming or going, it would have been a great party.

It was also Millhouse's second birthday.

Tonight, I added a raw egg to Kane's dinner. Though his coat is nice and shiny, the egg might help with his dry skin.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

shop and greet

Poor puppy, I meant to take him on a walk early in the morning, but was distracted with my de-cluttering frenzy, which still hasn't been completed. Before long, it was too warm to go on a walk.

It wasn't until 4.30pm that we set off on our walk and that was to the hardware store. I decided to replace the mat that Kane likes to lie on. As he likes to chew his bone on the mat, it became very grotty. I bought a piece of green carpet which goes more with the decor. I used to call the deck area the garden room or the green room, but with the fairy lights up and the star, snowflake and bauble decorations, it should be renamed "Kane's party room".

From the hardware store, we made a quick visit to the markets across the road and then headed home via Macquarie oval.

There was a canine party in session so we joined Jack, Lil, Kosi, Genie, Viva and a new blond Labrador called Andy. Compared to Viva, she was a bit chubby, but still very friendly. We didn't stay too long and as we left the oval, we greeted Milko who had just commenced his walk and who also very pleased to see Kane.

Then as we walked past Jake's place, he bounded over - being very pleased to see Kane. Jake wanted to play, but Kane did not seem to be in the mood. Of course if it had been that chocolate Labrador Bruno, Kane would have responded.

Aside from the the new green carpet, I put on a plush green bath mat which Kane seems to like.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

the Saturday walk

Today was a busy day with laundry, house-cleaning, spring-cleaning/tidying of my wardrobe, changing bedding etc. Hence we only went on one walk today in the morning, but it was the main Saturday walk.

We also walked mid-morning, which was a good time to go on a walk.

Our regular Saturday walk was to the shop and then the long way home. After I had finished grocery shopping, Kane had company - a Spaniel tied up nearby. Instead of facing the entrance as he usually does, keeping a look out for me, Kane faced the Spaniel.

We walked around the outside of the complex and then the long way home via the green way. I think we may rename that path, 'the woods', as in walking through the woods.



It was such a busy afternoon that before I knew it, it was nearly time to go out to dinner. Poor puppy, we should have gone on a late afternoon walk.

I left Kane inside for 90 minutes after Devi came over and we went out to dinner nearby (the Dumpling Inn for Peking Duck). As we left, Kane looked out the window through the blinds.

After dinner, Devi and Fiona came back for a cup of tea, but not before Kane was given his dinner, which was even at the regular time.

Friday, October 24, 2008

visitors and visiting

We didn't go on a big walk today, but it was a good day.

Early in the morning, a plumber called Luke came over to fix the pipe from the hot water tank that was damaged during the burglary. Kane barked when he came to the door.

After that, I had to leave for work.

I returned home a little later and Anthony came back with me (I had not seen him for over a year while he was off doing film work, and we had an after work beer). Kane even nuzzled up to him which was high canine approval to visit again.

Afterwards, Kane and I went to visit Kettles' place. She didn't hiss or scratch. Their place was also burgled recently. Sally decided she was going to get take out for dinner (vegetarian laksa from Au Lac), so I gave her money to get me one too.

Kettles


Klaudia with Kane - so comfortable as if he lived there...


Kane and I then continued on our walk for a short way before I decided to return home. In the end, it was equivalent to the short block walk.

Later, Sally came over bearing dinner and we ate on the deck/porch.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

walking with Jake

This evening's walk was quite exciting.

We went to visit Jake, and it was time for him to go on a walk, so we walked together. We walked down a few alley ways to the green way, then continued on to Cook oval before returning home. We saw Millhouse as we left.

The walk took 45 minutes.

Later, Jarn and Amanda from next door came to visit. We are a very neighbourly neighbourhood. When they came to the front door, Kane barked. Of course Kane knows them as he always says hello to them when we walk past.

Emily came around this evening for Thursday dinner. Kane didn't bark at her when she arrived.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

wednesday

Despite dealing with the aftermath of the burglary (waiting on calls from the insurance company, repairers etc) at home today, it was a good day.

Kane and I walked to the shops early in the morning and after midday we walked to the hardware store and then the markets. Normally I visit the markets on the way home from work, so it was good to bring Kane along to the regular weekly shop for his bones and wings. One of the butchers from the shop where I buy the beef marrow bones saw Kane while he was outside. He seemed pleased to put a canine face to the bone.

We went to visit Splat at the pet store and walked around the aisles. Kane likes to smell in the store. Afterwards, I collected Kane's bone. In fact, the butcher we saw earlier went to the cool room for the biggest one he could find.

Then it was the chicken shop and the fish shop before venturing home via a different route completely.

Tonight Kane had fresh baked fish (mahi mahi) and vegetables, then his dry food for dinner while I had pan fried chilli squid.

Earlier today, while Kane was watching out from the deck over the gate, Kane barked, then the Dobermann next door, Scotch, also barked. It was only the house across the road where a car had pulled in to their driveway. I wonder if Kane barks when he is home alone.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

visitors... uninvited

Our house was burgled today. I need to take Kane to police training as he is too trusting and may have thought the burgler (or burglers) wanted to be his friend(s). Thankfully, they did not hurt Kane and he was fine.

The police came after I phoned. Kane did not bark at them.

Then Therese came over as I had phoned her and Kane barked when she was at the door. Then the glass repairer came and Kane also barked. Janey from next door came over to visit, but Kane did not bark.

Given the mess (broken windows, my room ransacked), waiting for the windows to be repaired etc, we did not go on a walk this evening.

Monday, October 20, 2008

no party, but better than the big block walk

Poor puppy, when I returned home from work, he was ready to go on a walk. It was still warm, so I did some more cleaning out on the deck (I had to buy more vacuum cleaner dust bags today).

There was a sudden cool change, so we went on our walk at 6.45pm. We walked to Cook oval, but there was no party there - although Kane did meet a silly sheared poodle. We continued walking to the green way (mini pine forest).

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Jakey poo

We didn't have much of an outing today as I decided to do some de-cluttering, house-cleaning and gardening. Kane did enjoy supervising me. When I was out the front yeard do extensive pruning and with the side gate open, Kane opted to watch me through the front screen door instead of being outside.

This afternoon just before the sun set, we went to visit Jake but he wasn't home. Fortuitously, while we were talking to Sue, Jake returned on his walk with Nick. Jake has an elbow injury and is not allowed to the oval to chase balls. He was very excited to see Kane. We haven't seen Jake for weeks.







Anyway, after the quick visit, we walked to Macquarie oval. There wasn't a party there, but Genie and Pepper were there, along with a new pup called Charlie (a seven month old Kelpie cross). Genie and Charlie were roughing it with puppy play and Kane even wanted to join in. They soon left, and we continued along the big block walk.

The perfect time of day to walk is now 7pm, or earlier if a party is on.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

w00t, what a day!

We had an exciting day today.

This morning we walked to the shops. One of the candidates of today's election was handing out balloons, so Kane acquired an orange one.



After my quick shop, we walked around the shopping complex and then took the short walk home. The long way back along the green way will be saved for another time.

After an hour's rest, it was bath time for Kane. We used a fancy fur shampoo by Aesop. It was so gentle that I might even use it myself!



After Kane's bath, we walked to the local primary (elementary) school to vote in the ACT election. After I voted, we walked through Macquarie oval to the markets. Splat was more hidden than usual so didn't greet Kane. We picked up an 8kg bag of Advance senior dry food. Normally we get 3kg, but Kane is eating more of it now (one cup a day, along with fresh - not tinned - food), and $8 a kg is better than paying $10 a kg (for the smaller bag). Theresa only feeds Jet with Advance dry food. She said that she changed brands once, but Jet lost condition, so she is sticking to Advance.

Splat, the resident cat


No, he couldn't have any of the dry food while in the shop


After the pet shop, we stopped by the book store, and then the wine shop. I managed to pick up two books (The Islamist and A Three Dog Life) and a six pack of beer, all without needing to tie Kane to a post (Kane came in with me to the book store) and we transacted at the entrance of the wine shop. Carrying around an 8kg bag made it more difficult.

After such an adventurous day, we didn't go on an evening (and the sun is still up) walk. Instead, we visited Janey and Glen next door (Glen was mowing the lawn) which was the first time Kane explored their yard properly, and then Jet who wanted to play.

Friday, October 17, 2008

late block walking

Poor puppy, we had another late walk.

I returned home from work a little later and it was still light at 7.30pm, due to daylight saving. Instead of going on a walk right away, I put up a long string of festive lights around the deck which took longer than I expected. It was dark when I finished at 8.30pm.

Kane and I then went on a big block walk, calling in to see Jet first through his gate. Jet's people were not home, so he was barking and barking.

Tomorrow will be a day of adventure.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

waiting... waiting...

Poor puppy, we didn't go out on a walk as soon as I returned home from work as usual.

Instead, I mowed the back lawn (or rather, collection of weeds pretending to be a lawn). It was very long (knee high) and Kane didn't like walking through it.

After the mowing, I prepared dinner in the oven, and then we went on a walk to the shops. It was dark by then, and our shop walk was in lieu of the big block walk.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

puppy party? what party?

This afternoon, we walked to Macqarie oval, but nobody was there. We continued on to Cook oval and met Pepper and Millhouse. It was a mini party and Millhouse enjoyed giving canine kisses to Kane.

There were another two small Staffordshire Pitbull cross dogs who were both not desexed. We were not able to avoid them, though Kane wanted to play with one of them.

We later walked to the shops, walking with Millhouse until he turned a different corner.



It was a 90 minute outing.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

almost back to normal

I returned late afternoon and was met by Emily at the airport. On the way home, we collected Kane from Lola's house.

Tonight, we walked around the small block at a meandering pace so Kane could catch up on the local canine gossip.

Friday, October 3, 2008

party time

We walked to two ovals today.

Firstly, we walked to Cook oval. Tosca and Jack (the Labradoodle) were there, with two new dogs, but then everybody apart from Jack departed. Jack's person didn't have a ball, so it was rather dull. So we left.

We walked to Macquarie oval and there was a party there. Jack (the Jack Russell Terrier), two strange dogs, Bronte and another Golden Retriever puppy (whose name I forget), Genie, Pepper, Milco, Lil, Jeanie, Koz, Sammy and Shayla were there. And even Tess.

Kane enjoyed trying to join in Milco and Genie's wrestling.



It was a one hour outing full of fun.

Kane's blog will be on a break until 14 October while I am in Brisbane and while Kane is staying with Lola.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Milhouse looks funny

We walked to Cook oval this evening, but first greeted our neighbours from both sides - Glen and Janey who were visiting Jarn and Amanda at their front yard.

Along the way, Kane saw a cat and chased it up a tree.



We greeted Melba at Cook oval but she was continuing on her walk as the puppy party was too slow for her.



We saw Millhouse without all his usual long fur and he looked funny.



The usual gang was there - Millhouse, Jack, Kel and Molly. Their people were all sitting on the grass in a circle. The only thing missing was beer.



After about an hour, we went home, and walked a part of the way with Millhouse.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

lo lo lo lo Lola

I left work a bit earlier today and upon arriving home, Kane and I set off on our walk to Aranda oval for Kane's play date with Lola.

We met Margie, Mikey and Lola at the oval and did some walking. We also met Tashy, a Shih Tzu Maltese cross who was very smart. She showed us a few of her tricks including shaking paws, high five, and dancing in a circle

Lola loves water and had found a dirty puddle


Tashy


Kane


After walking around a bit we all walked back to Lola's house. After a rest, Margie gave Kane and me a lift home in the car. It was a very nice 90 minute outing.

Emily came around tonight so Kane had more attention and cuddles.