Mostly fine

Up early this morning to go to the Didim council dog shelter to walk the residents for a couple of hours as organized by CODA*.  My second visit, less traumatic than last Wednesday, as today I chose to walk several of the more docile dogs and youngsters from the 'puppy pad' rather than struggle with the active 'lifers' who are there due to the changes in Turkish law last year regarding 'dangerous dogs'. All Staffordshire bull type terriers, including cross breed look alikes are now banned in Turkey, and as it is also illegal to euthanize healthy dogs, all these types of breeds were surrendered to public shelters where they now have a rather bleak future. They are too boisterous for me to confidently control so by taking out the gentler ones, there are fewer animals for the experienced (and stronger) volunteers to exercise. Also in the shelter were several mums with their litters and some victims of road accidents who will stay until recovery then be put back on to the streets. Some are released directly outside the compound, so there is also a group of dogs who are still fed and watered by those who are involved with running the shelter. Each of my dogs had a nice, gentle stroll and sniff on this lovely sunny day and I resisted bringing them all home with me though I am still battling with whether the word 'feel' should be suffixed with 'less' or 'full' to describe the experience. 

Back home and coffee with Graham on his balcony before we went to My Bar in Didim for brunch which was after visiting the dog shelter again to show Graham,  all of which took the rest of the afternoon.  Today closed with a quiet evening with TV in my spotless home thanks to the marvelous cleaning skills of our caretaker's wife. I accept that deep cleaning is simply not a skill I have, and the best way to have a beautiful place is to ask her to do it. So I did and now it is. 

*Care Of Didim Animals - a local group of animal loving expat residents. There are several such groups in the area - AKBUK PAWS is another, who focus on feeding and caring for the local street dogs and raising money through social events and donations. Nearly famous.