Kennel Cough...

Yes. Kennel Cough has returned to the household… but not Archie this time - JR. The cold that has been hanging round for a couple of weeks has now taken hold. Tea and toast was being administered to the invalid at 5:30am after a coughing fit.

I am also a partial invalid - I seem to have strained my calf muscle - possibly in the speed-of-lighting strides to get to Archie in the canal yesterday… I know he could probably swim, but I do have visions of a dog we used to own in NZ, a bull terrier pup with one black eye called Angus. Angus had a heart condition and fell into the swimming pool and kept sinking. Yes, I jumped in with my clothes on.

So today Archie has had a wee walk down to the Meadows, and a couple of sniffing/piddling walks round the neighbourhood via the shops. We had a visit from H and her daughter B again, this time without the scary faces… but he was still wary. I don’t know at what height he deems children to be safe. But B was patient and was able to pat him and feed him bits of chicken. What a woos! Mind you - I’d much rather he was on the timid side than aggressive. B and I took Archie for a walk, and B had the lead. She loves dogs, and is desperate for Archie to love her back. We hope they’ll come round more often and he’ll get used to her, and better still, learn to love her, and by association, children.

Archie and I made more of the newspaper briquettes this morning. I’ve got a nice line of them drying on top of the shed. Must remember to bring them in before any rain or we’ll be back to Square One - MUSH.

I’ve just taken a notion to make a chicken pie. And that's not a sentence I have ever said before in my life! Archie and I popped out to get some pastry and on the way I passed a nice whole side of a discarded wooden pallet. Excellent kindling - too good to waste. On the way back I tried to lift/drag it with one hand. Heavy. Very heavy. We made very slow progress along the pavement.

A young man getting into his van laughed and asked if I needed any help. Without further ado, he hoisted it up on his shoulder and carried it round for me! I offered him the bag of Maltesers that had mysteriously slipped into my pocket (though paid for!) while buying the pastry… But he just patted me and told me to eat them, he was happy to help. What a nice young man. I’m all aglow with the milk of human kindness.

And soon to be even more aglow with my home made chicken pie.

This is Archie doing his rabbit impression...