Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tuesday rest day

After yesterday's exciting walk, today was a rest day.

Monday, March 30, 2009

w00t - puppy party

We went on our walk earlier this evening to Cook oval and there was a puppy party in session. Kane was very happy to see his friends, and a few new canines.



We didn't stay at the party for long, as most of the puppies were too exuberant and Kane as much as he wanted to, was not able to join in the chasing.

It was a nice 30 minute outing.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

a cool visitor

Today wasn't much of a walk day, but we had a really cool visitor in the morning. It was Moet, an old girl German Shepherd (about 10 years old) and her person Bev. Kane barked at them wen they arrived. Moet was very excited and Kane was quite pleased to meet her. She was the same size as Kane but her fur was much more grey in colour. Bev was amazed at Kane's rich colour markings. For an old dog, Moet wanted to play. She must have known Kane is older than her.

Anyway, we went for a walk around the small block. Moet will be back to stay next weekend.

In the afternoon, I left Kane in while I was out. Later in the afternoon, I returned with Devi, then she left.

We should have gone on an evening walk, but on the days I make up batches of Kane's dinner, there isn't time before dinner as it takes about an hour on the stove top. After dinner time, I did some ironing, so tomorrow should be better. Poor puppy.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

shop walk

We finally did a shop walk today. It was in the late morning. It took 20 minutes to get there, and after my shop, 15 minutes to get home - both ways the short way.

We backtracked home as I somehow lost a pair of glasses along the way. Strange. I put them in a little bag and nothing fell out and upon arriving at the shops to change pairs, they weren't there. Nevermind.

Kane spent an hour or two laying in the dark, except for light from the tv as we were observing Earth Hour. We meant to go on a late night walk, but didn't.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday rest day

No walk today. Kane probably needs to have more rest days.

I also returned home a little later than usual (only an hour, going into to town for Emily's farewell drinks). Kane was waiting, in the yard looking through the slits in the side gate of the drive way. He must have been worried.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday

Poor puppy. As today was cooler, we started walking towards Cook oval as soon as I returned home from work, but Kane was very slow. So we ended up just walking around the small block. It also took 17 minutes, when it usually takes 10. He's definitely slowing down.

We may need to visit the vet to see if there is anything that can help Kane regain his bounce.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Buddy visit

On Wednesdays when there is no marrow bone piece left, Kane usually gets a dried pig's ear when I go to work. This morning I gave him a dried smoked half pig's trotter. He looked like he enjoyed that more.

This evening Buddy came around with Emily and Kane barked at them when they came to the door. Emily came over for dinner of bangers and mash (and peas). Buddy also brought his dinner with him so ate at the same time Kane did.

Later tonight we all went on the double small block walk. It took 22 minutes. Afterwards, Buddy and Emily went home.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

what's regular

We went on a night walk later after dinner. It was only the double small block. It has now become the regular walk. Even at such a short distance, Kane tires at the end and walks at a slower pace. I have to accept that he is getting older and slowing down a bit. It was still a mild night when we walked. Perhaps Kane might pick up his pace towards winter.

The double small block walk is in red (the small block walk is the right half). Even the Cook oval loop (in blue) has become a big walk.


When we were on the doorstep while I was locking the door, Kane barked. He saw someone quite a distance away down the road. Kane waits for me to walk down the steps first before he moves. Good dog.

Monday, March 23, 2009

w00t - walks

Today certainly made up for yesterday.

This morning we managed an early morning walk. It was around the small block, though it took 15 minutes, which was longer than usual. Kane seemed a little sore in his right shoulder, but insisted on continuing and it helped to stretch his joints.

This evening we walked to Cook oval and came across Desker and Tully the two Shelties having a party with Daisy a Fox Terrier. Kane said hello though Daisy was a little timid but we didn't stay long and continued home around the loop.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

dull Sunday

Poor puppy. We didn't even go on a walk today, a Sunday. Buddy also went home in the evening.

We'll have to make up for it tomorrow.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

dull day

We missed the morning window. By the time I had hung out the washing, it was already warm, so I walked to the shops by myself. How rude of me.

We only went on our walk after sundown (twilight) as it was cooler then. Again, it was the small block double walk which took 19 minutes this time.

Kane barked at a lot of passersby today. Buddy also likes to join him.

Friday, March 20, 2009

pack walk

Kane either demolished his bone from this morning, or Buddy helped him. When I returned home from work, there was only a small remnant of the bone, though it was a smaller quarter than yesterday's big piece.

This evening we walked the double small block and it took 20 minutes. Even though Buddy had little legs, he walked faster than Kane.

At dinner time, both were respectful of each other's seperate meals. I must still be pack leader.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Buddy the buddy

We didn't go on an early morning walk again, alas. Thursday is bone day (as are Friday, Monday and Tuesday). This morning's piece (one quarter of a leg marrow bone) was a larger segment.





This evening we went on the double small block walk, which took 18 minutes. It will be time to return to Cook oval soon, which used to be a medium walk, but is now a major walk.

After our walk, Buddy a Fox Terrier who has been over before (mistakenly described as a Jack Russell) came over. He is going to stay with us until Sunday. As two old dogs, they get along but pretty much leave each other alone.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

w00t - a morning walk, and two today

We finally went on an early morning walk before I went to work, even though it was around the small block.

This evening, we also walked earlier (before dinner time) and did the double small block.

Today was a good walking day.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

no walk

Another no walk day. Poor puppy. I'll have to make it up tomorrow.

Monday, March 16, 2009

only the small block walk

We nearly ended up making an early morning walk, but alas no.

Tonight we walked late and it was only around the small block. We did manage to stop by Jet's house on the way and said hello to him through the gate. Kane also received some cuddles from the people.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

cooling weather

Today was a perfect day to walk anywhere at any time - a cool day with a cool breeze and a bright sunny day.

We didn't go on our walk until the late afternoon. We walked to Cook oval and said hello to Tosca along the way. We saw Rosie the three legged dog at the oval, and another little Kelpie cross, but we kept on walking our loop home.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

just a shop walk

Even the weekend hasn't resulted in an early morning walk yet. One of these days (on a weekend) I must get up before 9am.

Late morning we went on a shop walk, the short way there, then after my shop, around the outside, and then via the alleys home. In fact, an older couple near the entrance called to Kane and an old man gave Kane a big cuddle. We also walked passed a Labradoodle who barked meanly at Kane.

Tonight it has been raining so we didn't go on a second walk.

Friday, March 13, 2009

reverse double small block

One day soon we will resume walking early in the morning.

Tonight we walked the reverse double small block. It took 19 minutes as Kane insisted on stopping to smell frequently. I walked ahead a few times and Kane always knew where to find me in the dark (we stopped using torchlight). He still has excellent eye sight.

Earlier on, he kindly warned passersby that he was watching them.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

no walk

Every now and again we have a non-walk day. Today was one such day.

We did have a visitor this evening. CQ came over for a vindaloo curry beef dinner. Then we watched The Ruins (a horror movie filmed in Australia). Kane barked at CQ when he arrived.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

forward double small block

Tonight has been really cool and we went on our walk much later.

Initially we were only going to walk the small block, but continued on to the next so it became the double small block but not in reverse.

No only was Kane unleashed, so he stopped and sniffed regularly, but it only took 17 minutes. When it was warmer, we were walking half the distance in 15 minutes.

Tonight Kane had fresh fish for dinner. It was barbecued leather jacket and I had to pick out all the bones and mixed it with carrot and zuchini. Fresh fish two weeks in a row. Woohoo.

Before dinner, Kane had a nice barking session through the front door at various passersby. There were several in a row.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

w00t - finally the big block walk

We still haven't managed an early morning walk yet.

We went on a later walk tonight and this time we finally went on the big block walk. Unfortunately, I restrained Kane's freedom to stop and sniff by walking him on a leash and kept him moving. The walk took 33 minutes, which is close to the usual time but would have taken longer if it included stop and sniff.

It was still a slow walk, though there were moments of a steady canter.

Before dinner and our walk, Kane still barked at passersby.

Monday, March 9, 2009

play date with Lola

Today was a good day. In the late afternoon, Margie came over with Lola and we walked to Cook oval. While Kane rested, Lola bounded with much energy like the Golden Retriever that she is. Afterwards, we walked back home via a loop. Lola hadn't been to our house before so she enjoyed exploring the backyard and barking at the neighbouring dogs.

This afternoon, I left Kane for a few hours (okay for a public holiday, compared to being away all day) and returned with Devi. As we walked to the house, Kane barked at us from the deck. Good dog!

In the evening, we walked the reverse small double block, which took 19 minutes.

Devi stayed for dinner of barbecued lamb with couscous and broccolini. While we were on the deck, Kane barked at passersby.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

mini puppy party

Poor puppy. I slept in again so we didn't go on an early morning walk.

I also meant to go out in the afternoon, but postponed it until tomorrow.

This evening, we walked to Cook oval and came across a mini puppy party with Tosca, Tai, Margot and Lucy. We didn't stay long and walked the rest of the loop home.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

back to basics

Poor puppy. We should have gone on an early morning walk, but I slept in.

We had two walks today. Woohoo.

In the early afternoon we went on the shop walk. This time, we went back to basics and walked the way that we used to but not the extended distance. We walked the short way along the street to the shops, Kane rested while I was inside, then around the outside of the complex and through the woods on the way home. Just like we used to do.

Later in the late afternoon, we went on another walk to Macquarie oval like we used to. We didn't stay long - Jeanie and Pepper were there - and walked around the block to home.

Even with the cooler weather, Kane's joints are ageing and not as supple as they used to be. Kane has been on glucosamine+chondroitin tablets for 2-3 months now, which is a more convenient form. We may go back to the powdered Sasha's Blend.

Kane is being spoilt this week with dinner. He had cubed raw rump steak for dinner, with the usual diced carrot and zucchini. I need to cut an incision in the cubes to bury his tablets.

Friday, March 6, 2009

dull day

Uh oh. Another no walk day. Poor puppy.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

reverse double small block

The days were getting cooler, and the nights even moreso.

This evening Emily came over with Buddy the Jack Russell Terrier with whom Kane had spent much of the weekend. Emily and I had Thai green chicken curry for dinner and watched the Dog Whisperer.

Kane and Buddy saw Felix the cat (who lives two doors up, with Jet) wander past and barked.

Jing came over later and had some dinner. Then they all went home.

Tonight we walked the reverse of the small block and continued on, covering two small blocks. The walk took 20 minutes, a decent length.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

w00t - a puppy party

Poor puppy, we must try and get back into the morning walk routine.

We went on an earlier walk this afternoon/evening to Cook oval. There was a puppy party in session with Tai, Margot, Lucy, Tully, Desker, Hilda and probably a few more. There was a little grey fluffy dog who was annoying and tried to dominate Kane. Silly pup. Sherlock was there, but was grizzly at Kane so they left not long after we arrived.

We also saw Melba the lovely Border Collie as she and Adam walked home from Cook shops.



We didn't stay too long and were home after a 40 minute outing.

Tonight, Kane finally had fresh fish (barbecued garfish) for dinner with boiled diced zucchinis and carrots. I think he liked it better than the raw diced porterhouse steak on Monday. When Kane has steak, he leaves some of his vegetables and I need to sprinkle some beef liver flakes on top to trick him to finish it. With the fish, Kane ate all his vegetables. The cooked fish must make the vegetables smell nicer.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Momo visiting

One of these mornings, we will go on a walk.

This evening, Margaret came over with Momo - to watched the latest Battlestar Galactica that she missed on Saturday night, but which I had recorded. When they arrived at the door, Kane didn't even bark. He must have done so earlier when they were on the footpath. Momo was well behaved until we watched Dog Whisperer. He jumped up and down until I went "shh" just like Cesar Millan does and he stopped.

Mary came over too, and Kane barked when she parked the car but not when she came to the door. Then all of them went home.

Tonight we are having a rest.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Monday shop walk

Although I was up earlier, we didn't go on a morning walk, mostly because I needed to get in to work earlier.

This evening though, we walked to the shops via the woods as it was cool and pleasant. It was a nice slow meandering walk. Kane started well, but his joints were a bit stiff and sore as we arrived at the shops. After grocery shopping, we returned home the short way. It was 25 minutes to the shops, 25 minutes rest (while I was shopping) and 10 minutes on the way home. Poor puppy, it wasn't the heat this time. Kane is slowing down with age. We might have to go on shorter walks several times a day, than a long walk once.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Kane's holiday

It wasn't just me who had a weekend holiday.

Kane also had Buddy a Jack Russell Terrier visit and then Kane went to visit him. Emily told me that they both got on very well indeed. Some excitement without me.

Anyway, I returned in the early afternoon and Buddy was visiting. Jing and Emily then went home with Buddy.

We went on a night walk just around the small block.