Friday 3 September 2010

Another mad plan?


Oh dear, I had another blog-whinge yesterday! Sorry about that; I really need to be more accepting that the process I've embarked on is fraught with uncertainty, false hope, disappointment and wanting to be somewhere else, somewhere where I'm not. The Somerset house was also being viewed yesterday, and that raised my anxiety levels even higher.

I need to pin notices up round the house reminding myself:


The new life will happen whenever it happens; all my angst and anguish isn't going to make any difference, I know. But thank you again for your supportive comments, as I drag you along with me.

However..... one of the elements of the new life plan that I had been forming for so long included taking in another dog. I have long wanted another black labrador; the Lovely Son grew up with the adored and perfect-natured Becky, and she left a big hard-to-fill gap in our lives when she died.


I thought I would start my search once we had all settled down in our new home, in reach of wonderful moorland and country walks; however, as it is quite possible that for the foreseeable future, we will be settling down in our old home instead (our home within a couple of hundred yards of a huge 40-odd acre woodland park, perfect for long walks with a dog....), I thought "Why wait?"


And so I have floated the idea with my more doggy countrified friends, who are now on the alert for a black labrador bitch in need of a new home. I've combed the rescue sites, and contacted the Guide Dogs people who sometimes have dogs that don't quite make the rigorous training standard.

I know that, just like the house sale, this quest could also take time and patience. (And perhaps some compromise as to make and model....)


You may wonder about the existing team. The cats will be snooty and bullying - I've seen them in action with George, the visiting labrador, who shrinks in stature and courage as they stalk round the edges of the room giving him the Death Stare - but they all came from doggy households before mine, and will adapt. The dog will be put out, no doubt, but she's very good at making sure that her needs are met, and will enjoy being carried for part of the long walks that she and her tiny legs, her injured ligament and her love of amateur dramatics won't willingly put up with.

Watch this space, but patiently.....

16 comments:

Sue said...

I'm so jealous, I'd love to get another dog but husband says not at the moment. Our westie died a couple of years ago and I still want to cry when I think about him.
Hope you manage to find a new companion soon.

Karen said...

Well, it certainly will be a pleasant distraction from the house selling bit for you.

Yes, things happen when and where they want to regardless of our intricate plans. I can tell you stories. . .

jabblog said...

If you're set on a rescue dog then this won't be much help. If not, then I can highly recommend Threevalleys Gundogs. We have two blacks from there and our eldest daughter has a fox red. They're working stock and have fabulous temperaments, beautifully brought up by their breeders. They also sometimes have older dogs for sale.
Keep smiling - tomorrow may bring good news.

Susan said...

Well of course you're set on a rescue. Once you've gone Rescue ya never go back, eh ? (from the Canadian)

Be here now ... I like it, it will be my new motto
Who's on 1st ?? - will ya tell me please ??

and I so love her ! and her amateur dramatics, the squished up weird facial expressions and her ability to fly, albeit low to the ground.

I'm thinking that you just don't know what M. Universe has planned for you and the team plus Lab rescue. Perhaps there is an even more perfect house that you wouldn't have found unless the Dr's offer fell through - I bet that's it. I can't wait to see how this all turns out.

mountainear said...

Could put you in touch with someone with 2 x two week old Lab puppies right now.....

Rattling On said...

We have 2 dogs, one a 12yo chocolate lab. She is wonderful and gets on with all the other animals. Can't wait for you to find your new family member!

the veg artist said...

Wow! You're right about not waiting, though. Why do we do that? Wait until our lives are settled/perfect/different etc to do things we really want to do?

lovethosecupcakes said...

I soooo want another (as in we haven't got one at the moment but have had dogs in the past)pooch. You'd think it would be easy with the Mister working 3 days a week at the local RSPCA rescue centre. Seems that most of the dogs they get there (and they're almost always bull terriers. What's that all about?) are, and I quote, "Not to be rehomed with cats". Good luck with finding a new team member.

Fran Hill said...

We rent and are not allowed to have a dog. Sob.

Carolina said...

Ah, I'm with you!
We have three black labradors and friends of us currently have a litter of labs. We are NOT going to visit. NO WAY. We'll end up with four labradors. Or five. ;-)
And we have four cats. They all get along very well.
I hope the right dog in need of a home will find it's way to you soon. Good luck!

Pam said...

Black labs are very... big... aren't they? I have a friend with two and I always think they might eat me.

But I'm sure yours will be lovely.

You're right: live for the moment, make yourself happy. I wish I could do this but I commend your resolve.

Lucille said...

So glad you enjoyed Mrs M. I've been wanting to ask. My only problem with her, is that she never allows herself to whinge. She is only just the right side of self-satisfied and a teeny bit smug.

Anonymous said...

Go for it. Life has a habit of passing us by as we wait for the 'right moment'!!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

We had a rescue black lab that died a few years ago. I still miss him and keep hoping we can find another homeless one to adopt.

BumbleVee said...

I know I'm the odd man out...I usually am..... but, ....I'm kinda saying ....erm,...I dunno...... maybe not quite yet.......

Julie said...

Totally agree with the 'be here now' thing. And I think it's great that you are considering a rescue dog, there are so many looking for homes. I don't know if you have heard of the Oldies Club (www.oldies.org.uk) - they take in and rehome older dogs (over 8) that have lost their homes for various reasons. They are all in foster homes so you have a good idea of how they are with cats, kids etc.

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