Bridge lessons from Dad

Dad's been teaching Mum to play Bridge and they use the computer to practice. So, yesterday when Dad was practising I thought I'd ask him to show me what to do.

Now, shall I go 2 spades or 2 No Trumps!

A disturbed night!

My poor, poor pup!

Brandy is fairly laid back and when something is wrong he just takes himself into a corner and lays down to recover.

Brinkley is a different matter altogether. Last night he woke at 4am and found only 3 legs worked. He couldn't make his back right leg bend. It woke me and I realised his knee had popped out. I got up with him and encouraged him to walk on it until it settled back in place and after a few minutes it seemed better but Brinkley was definitely upset by it. I tried to encourage him to walk by offering him a biscuit but he didn't want one - now that is not like Brinkley, so I know he isn't feeling right. It did mean he had lots of cuddles last night and he fell asleep on my knee.

This morning his knee has popped out a couple of times already, so no walks for him today, he needs to have a day of rest to see if it will settle or we may need a trip to the vets for some anti-inflammatories, like Brandy had. To be fair Brandy's has settled down well and rarely is a problem these days.

It looks like both of them are going to have knee trouble as they get older, poor mites, but there is a 33% chance of a Cavalier having a luxating knee cap, I suppose we could be seen to be a little unlucky to have both of ours with the problem, but they were from the same litter, so maybe the risks were higher that they would both be prone to the problem.

In the meantime, lots of cuddles are planned.

We're just back from a walk.

We are very lucky that Mum takes us out for lovely long walks, where we can be off our leads and run around together and explore everywhere. Just 2 minutes walk away at the top of our street is a storm drain, which allows us to cut through between 2 villas and get onto the Campo without having to spend 20 minutes walking all around the estate.

Once we get to the other end of the storm drain we are onto the Campo, a huge area of countryside that is away from roads and the only things we have to look out for are other dogs (they're not all friendly) and the goatman with his goats and his very scarey dogs.

Anyway, today I asked Mum to take the camera so that we could share some of our favourite spots with you.

Here's one of me in the middle of some wild flowers:

Here's one of our Brandy with the sea in the background:

And of course, one of us together:

We are really lucky to have such a great place to walk at the top of our street!

New photos.

Brandy & Brinkley

Cute, aint we!

I'm on the left with the geranium!

3 claws and a black, stumpy bit!

OK, it's been a while since the traumas of losing a claw so I thought I'd update you on how it is.

It's black, stumpy and horrible looking.....

BUT

Mum did a good job on cleaning it and keeping it clean, so no pain, no infection

AND BETTER STILL....

no need for a trip to the vet!!!

It's looking possible that the claw is starting to grow and that the black, stumpy bit will grow out.

Have I been lucky or what?

Brandy doesn't like going to bed on his own.

Last night Mum & Dad were up really late and I stayed up with them but our Brandy wanted to go to bed. I went upstairs with him but I wanted to see what Mum & Dad were doing so I came downstairs and left him.

But our Brandy doesn't like being in bed on his own and so he went to find something to keep him company - one of Mum's slippers. He hadn't chewed it or anything, he was just laid next to it on the bed - and he was fast asleep. Last night it was just one slipper.

Well, Mum & Dad have been out this afternoon 'cos it was Dad's birthday today - anyway, our Brandy decided he wanted company again and this time he got both slippers. Again, he didn't chew them but just cuddled up next to them.

Personally, I cannot see the attraction even though they are lovely and blue and furry but I can't see any harm being done!

Just so long as I don't get in to trouble 'cos them slippers aren't where they were left! I get into enough trouble for playing with the loo roll, Andrex Puppy like.

It's true, this is not a story for April 1st!

I've lost a claw. I should have 4 and I only have 3.

I have 4 on my left paw but I only have 3 on my right paw.

I have 4 on each of my back paws but I only have 3 on my front right.

I've looked everywhere for it, but it's gone.

My paw doesn't hurt but it is red.

When I walk I leave red paw prints everywhere.

The last time I saw it was when I went out to bark at Zak.

Dad came out and shouted at us to stop barking so we came into the house

THEN ALL HELL LET LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mum picked me up quickly

Dad wrapped a big wad of wet cloth round my paw

Mum held me tight while Dad looked at my paw and said 'he's got a claw missing'.

Honest, I don't know where or when I lost it but I didn't mean to, I'm sorry!

Mum sat and cuddled me for ages until I could walk without leaving red paw prints and then she made me put my paw in a bowl of warm water that smelled funny ( I hear her say antiseptic, but I don't know what that means!)

I've been outside looking for my claw but I can't find it anywhere. I heard Dad tell Mum that I must have caught it on the fence when I was up barking at Zak and had to move away quickly when Zak jumped up at the other side and frightened me.

I wonder if I'll ever get another one or if I'm scarred for life?

I think our Brandy's jealous of all the cuddles I'm getting.