happy Thursday

I returned home from work a little earlier today so there was still light, but not for long.

Consequently, we were able to walk to Cook oval and walk a loop. Kane briefly greeted the two Shelties Desker and Tully at the oval, and then Tosca a bit later. It was a good walk that only took 23 minutes. I thought about extending the walk, but Kane had already decided to walk towards home.

Kane had fresh fish for dinner - pan fried gemfish fillet (cold from yesterday) with carrots and zuchini. Fish is one of his favourites, but an occasional treat.

two separate block walks

Winter is almost setting in and Kane is liking the cooler weather.

This evening re-explored another block across the road, walking past Jake's house on Goulbourn Street. It was a good walk, but instead of returning home, we continued on with the small block walk and met a brown Staffordshire Terrier along the way. It took 29 minutes at a decent pace with Kane stopping often to leave 'messages', especially at the block across the road.

Soon, we should be able to walk the big block.

wonder walk

Poor puppy, I returned to work today so Kane was back on the deck during the day.

We went on our walk after I returned home from work. It was already dark and becoming cold. We only walked the double small block and it took 15 minutes at a good pace. Kane is enjoying the cooler weather as his pace is quickening. We may even try out the big block walk again soon.

Monday shop walk

Today was a public holiday in Canberra, so Kane enjoyed my company all day.

We went on a shop walk in the afternoon, the short way over, and via the woods on the way back - 15 minutes to the shops, 30 minutes wait for Kane outside, and 20 minutes to home. Kane really enjoyed the walk and must have missed the neighbourhood as he stopped to sniff a lot and left his mark to announce his return to other canines. Kane also walked at a good pace too, thanks to the cool weather and regular walks while staying with Margie.

back to normality

I returned home this evening and Margie brought Kane home not long after.

It didn't take him long to settle back in to his usual spot near the couch.

Kane-less

We still had bones from last week as Kane did not have them on Friday and Monday as I was home (bone days are when I go to work), so there was one left for today in the fridge (stored uncovered). It seems Kane prefers the bones to be 'aged' longer as he demolished the last one (though smaller) this morning. Usually he doesn't gnaw through them until they have been in the yard for a few days. Hmmm...

I returned home earlier today and we went on an early walk to Cook oval. Kane put in a good pace and the walk took 20 minutes.

Tonight, Margie came and collected Kane, who will be spending time with Lola, a Golden Retriever and two cats until next Sunday (nine nights) while I am in Brisbane.

So I'm Kane-less tonight. I miss the old boy already.

Wednesday walk

Poor puppy, we should try and get back into the habit of early morning short walks.

This afternoon/evening we walked to Cook oval. It was cold and windy and nobody was there, except Molly the black Labrador. We walked around part of the oval with her on the way home. It was a good walk and Kane kept a good cantering pace so the walk only took 20 minutes.

boring Tuesday

Poor puppy, it drizzled with rain after I returned home from work, so we waited until after dinner before our walk tonight (not straight after dinner as we wait an hour for Kane's stomach to settle first).

We only walked the small block walk as Kane started very slowly. He did pick up a steady canter half way through though.

I nearly surprised Kane, returning home at lunch time, but decided not to surprise him and then leave again so quickly. CQ had helped me pick up a 15 kg of Advance dry food. The last bag has actually lasted about four months.

Monday

Today was a cool day and we went on an early afternoon walk but it was just around the double small block. On the way home we crossed the road to say hello to Dusty, the elderly Kelpie. It was just as well we went earlier as it has been raining since then.

Kim came around this evening for dinner (roast turkey and vegetables) and Kane barked when she arrived. Actually, Kane barks most days at passersby through the front screen door or from the deck. He can detect strangers at a distance even before I see or hear them. Good dog.

finally the shop walk

Not only did we go on the shop walk today, but we also went mid-morning. We went the short way to the shops, then around the outside like we used to. We also met a Beagle puppy called Charlie who was very cute.



Then we walked home the long way via the woods, which was a rather slow walk.



It was a big walk. Kane used to be able to walk it with ease and some speed, but his joints continue to deteriorate with age.

Later in the afternoon, we also went on another sunset walk - the double small block walk. While Kane picked up a good canter, it still took longer, about 25 minutes instead of the usual 20 minutes.

Shorter walks more frequently may be better than a longer walk once a day.

rest day

Today was a rest day, which is unusual for a Saturday but needed after yesterday.

Friday excitement

Today was another exciting day.

We walked to Momo's place in the early afternoon. There was a light drizzle so Kane wore his coat. The walk was a slow one and took 25 minutes. After us people had a nice lunched cooked by Mary, I took Momo on a leashed walk around the block with Kane following that took 15 minutes. When Carolyn departed, we sat outside in the front and I tethered Momo's lead to Kane's collar. It was quite funny to see Kane leading Momo but it served to keep Momo calm while we had a drink. Then we walked home, calling in to say hello to Tessie the Border Collie along the way.

It was a good five hour outing combined with a three decent walks.

Thursday excitement!

I give Kane a quarter cut marrow bone on Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays and Tuesdays just before I leave for work (he gets a dried pig's ear on Wednesdays, the day I go to the market after work).

This morning's was a choice piece. Kane likes to scrape out the marrow and then gnaw off the cartilage before grinding the bone.

I also surprised Kane this afternoon, returning home by 4pm, as we were allowed to leave work early due to the coming Easter long weekend. We went on our walk earlier today at 5.30pm (instead of the usual 6pm) and went to Macquarie oval. We hadn't been for some time.

There was a puppy party in session and all of Kane's friends were there including Jake, Jack, Nell, Genie, Pepper, Milko and most excitingly Bruno. Kane did exert himself a little from running after Milko and Bruno, but he was very happy. We hadn't seen Bruno for a long time and he was also very happy to see Kane, though probably a little too exuberant for Kane.

We walked home the same way as Kane had enough exercise on the oval. We were out for nearly an hour.

alternating walks

I was home a little earlier today and greeted the neighbours who also returned home at the same time, then Kane barked from the deck. He must have heard us talking. Good dog!

I managed to do some cooking preparation to put in the oven and then we went on a walk to Cook oval. Nobody was there except for some strange people walking or running in circles around the oval. It was a good walk and Kane even walked at a steady canter. The walk took 20 minutes. We may yet start to go for longer walks.

Later on CQ came over for dinner of apricot chicken (which I learned to cook living on campus many years ago). Kane barked when CQ arrived at the door. After dinner, we watched a horror movie, Timber Falls - I yelled in fright a few times and Kane looked up, so I had to go give him a cuddle each time.

Tuesday

Now that daylight saving has ended, I try to get to work earlier so that I can finish earlier before it gets dark. We may still manage to go on an early morning walk now and again.

This afternoon Kane barked at me from the deck as I returned home. Good dog.

We went on our walk at 6pm, which is the most ideal time as that is just when the sun sets. This evening's walk was just around the double small block. We saw a blond Labrador and a Husky cross twice as they were walking the same loop but in reverse. Our walk took 20 minutes which was a good time.

w00t - puppy party

As daylight saving has ended, it must have seemed to Kane that I was late home by the sun (not the clock) and he was waiting behind the drive way gate, which he does when he thinks I am late.

Anyway, we went on our walk almost immediately as it was beginning to get dark. We walked to Cook oval and met a very friendly Staffordshire Terrier called Max on the way. At the oval, there was a a puppy party in session with Margot, Lucy, Pepper, Gypsy and Windsor. We hadn't seen Gypsy and Pepper for a long time. We didn't stay too long as Kane wanted to run after Max, so we walked around the oval and then home. As we walked along the path away from the oval, Max was also leaving and then went off like a rocket. Kane wanted to keep up.

This evening's walk was a great walk. Kane walked for some of it towards the end with a canter like he used to. The cooling weather must be good for his joints.

Sunday

Today was nearly exciting. We went on a late morning walk around the double small block. This time, I walked both Kane and Moet alongside each other, which took some effort.

I left them both inside when I went out to lunch. Afterward, a big group came back including three kids and four other adults.

Moet's people then came over in the afternoon to take her home.

The sun set earlier today as the clocks went back an hour last night. We will have to walk earlier, as the later walk will seem so much later.

Saturday

We didn't do the shop walk today, but did walk to Cook oval in a loop later in the afternoon. It was a good walk and took 25 minutes, even with double the German Shepherds.

double small block with double dogs

Kane spent the day outside with Moet today. I expect that Kane spent most of the day sleeping while Moet was hyperactive exploring.

As soon as I returned home from work this afternoon, we went on the double small block walk. Moet is also arthritic but compared to Kane, she moves like a rocket.

Just before dinner time, a thunderstorm broke, with thunder and Moet was very agitated. Thankfully, her person left valium for Moet to take with her dinner.

Kane on the other hand, is a calm and very peaceful dog.

It was just as well we walked earlier as the rain has set in.

seeing double

We didn't go on a walk today as these will now be more spaced out, probably on alternate days.

This afternoon, Moet the German Shepherd came over. She will be here until Sunday. Even though she is 10 years old, compared to Kane, she is like a puppy.

Even though Moet is younger, her fur is more grey

double walk

We managed a morning walk today - going on the small block walk before I left for work.

This evening we went on another one - an after dinner double small block walk. Kane was a little slower compared to the morning with frequent sniffing stops.