Ice Lollies and Boiled Eggs

Summer has finally hit Scotland and it has sure done it in a big way. A heatwave by British standards has struck and while many parts of the world cackle at us Brits floundering they seem to remember we're on a level with Russia and Canada for the most part. We're just not used to these temperatures and that is what it is all about when it comes to change in the weather, what you're used to vs what you find yourselves experiencing.

I'm not impressed with this heat and Nico sure as hell isn't either. He goes mini walks, as I like to call them, in this heat. He pees, we go home, rinse and repeat as needed until after dinner when it cools down and he trots along happily. I'm lucky that we went to such as fabulous trainer in the beginning and continue to keep in touch with her. She often hands out tips for different occasions and that has proved invaluable over the Summer. Some tips should, I would think, be fairly obvious like checking the pavement with my hand to make sure it isn't too hot. If it is too hot for my hand it is sure as hell too hot for his paws and we need to wait or stick to grass ect. Others get scoffed at by people around me until they see them in action and more importantly see the benefits for Nico.

My favourite has been doggy ice lollies, Nico's too. I was scoffed at when I informed my parents why I was pinching a plastic Tupperware box but I carried on. It it as easy as boiling the kettle and making up some chicken stock, popping it in the box and freezing it on a normal day. When the sun decides to pop its hat on and make a rare appearance, bring out the box and if you're anything like me proceed to smash it to death with a rolling pin until some chips come off. What your dog doesn't want now pop back in the freezer but Nico loves them. He likes to carry them around in his mouth for a bit to cool down and then spit them out and have a wee chew, or you know play, before polishing them off. I gave him his in a bowl and when he wasn't eating it he tended to pop it in there so all the melted stock gathered there and provided a tasty cold drink when he was finished. It sounds ridiculous to make an ice lolly for your dog but a dog is part of your family so why the hell not? Only thing I regret is using a box. Next time I think I will use an old ice-cube maker and dedicate that to the wee man and his chicken stock. They are murder to pop out but might be cleaner than the explosion of ice I ended up with before. I needed an ice cold drink after that work for sure.

In other news Nico is 1 on Thursday. Sob. My wee man is growing up so fast. Plan to make him a wee boiled egg for his breakfast for a treat and there might be some home made scone involved in his dinner. He does love a wee egg and scone. I've not mentioned it before but Nico doesn't eat dog food. Nothing that wouldn't pass for human consumption is going anywhere near by dog. I get him meats and cheese that would actually pass inspections and actually have meat in them rather than insanely high percentages of grain. Grain that failed tests to be given to humans. Nico eats a mix of beef, chicken, ham, eggs and likes the off corner of toast and so on. People are often appalled when they hear this and say BUT THE VET, yeah the vet probably paid to advertise certain brands. Plus, what do these people think dogs ate before dog food? What do they think they eat in the wild? Nico is perfectly healthy and a perfect weight and very happy with his human food in his cat bowl. Cat bowl because I couldn't find a dog one he could get his wee face in. So yes, it is his birthday this week and he will be getting a wee bit of warm scone as his 'cake' and two of his favourite meals. Mushed boiled egg for breakfast and a half raw beef sausage for dinner. Wouldn't mind it myself!

Long time no woof

Oops. I kept thinking I should update and then I kept forgetting. Well, Nico has grown and is progressing with various milestones like big boy haircuts and not getting insanely excited when he meets new people. Just...mostly excited when he meets new people. As he gets bigger he can walk more and that is fun. He still has his limits as he has short legs and he will never be a 5 mile a day lab but still, it is fun. Having him is getting me to investigate all the nature that is on my door step that I never thought of before. There is an old quarry that has been dug out and turned into a heritage trail that runs down to the river and I love it there. Within minutes it feels like you're miles from the town and everything is green and lovely. Dogs run around off their leads and have fun, sniffing out rabbit holes and getting fascinated by wild rabbits darting to and fro.

I feel safe there, relaxed, and that is a big deal for me given my anxiety and how every time I leave my house it is a small victory. Nico's first walk around the top part of the trail left him knackered but every time we go back he manages to toddle a little further and having him down by the river is amazing. By that point you can't hear the cars at all and everything is so peaceful. We've had a big adventure there by losing the lead. Or shall I say, I let go and he waddles along investigating and checking I'm still there. I feared he would run off and I'd be chasing him down but he rewarded my trust and stayed close by. Given how much he's struggling to pick up recall that was a big moment for us. It is such a rush to feel like I've taught him something, that I'm developing this little pup into an adult and sometimes it feels like I've had him for five minutes and other times like forever.

I'm a lot more confident when we bump into other dogs now. I'm not scared and I don't fear being judged by others because I know Nico is well behaved and that I am doing the best that I can for him. I can now tell people I want them to call their dogs off and don't fear the consequences because I do it for Nico, because of Nico, and their opinion isn't really important to me any more. That is a big mental shift. We're at the point where Nico is ready to take on the sponsored walk for DiabetesUK with me next month and I'm very excited for that! Taking him on a sponsored walk is on my bucket list if you like~

Trying to Help Out

This morning started like any other for Nico and I. I had my pastries and he had his sausages and I was halfway through my cup of tea when I heard that a dog had been hit by a car at our local Leisure Center and ran off towards the canal, near my home. At first I was going to sit and keep an eye out as my house looks onto one of the routes down from the canal but then I thought about it more.  It made me think of how I would feel if Nico was hurt and no one came to help look for him. A moment later I was a flurry of activity shouting for my mum to get Nico on his lead while I fell about looking for clothes and suitable footwear. A few minutes later I was out the door armed with treats for Nico and the number of an emergency vet.

Nico and I were out there for a good hour and a half searching through the wooded areas around the centre and canal but unfortunately had no luck in finding the injured dog. It was pretty disgusting work as being near the canal the ground is always wetter anyway and we’ve had a lot of rain recently so it was like sludge most of the time. Plus it was cold and generally rather bleak while trying to squirm through dead trees on the search. Nico was brilliant about following me through even though he got very muddy and probably had cold feet considering how deep the sludge was in comparison to his wee feet. He did not complain or try to stop once though and was always sniffing. Of course, he didn’t know what he was sniffing for but it made me feel better.  We got into a right mess but I’m glad that we did it all.

I wasn’t sure whether to take Nico at first, and had to weigh up the options.  On the one hand, he might scare the other dog or the site of him might cause the dog to panic and become aggressive but on the other he might be able to find the dog easier than I could alone. Obviously, I did take him but it was always on my mind that it might not have been the right choice until I bumped into others looking who had their dogs too. Nico behaved perfectly like he has been trained to and made some new friends on the search. It felt nice to be part of the dog community if you like, trying to help find another part of it. I’m glad that I did my bit and it was nice to think that if it was Nico these people would be out looking for him too.

For someone with social anxiety like me, it isn’t easy to do something like that. It was terrifying just getting up and heading out to help like that but I’m very proud of myself for doing it. Without Nico I would never have been out in that area of town by myself, never have met those people or spoken to them, and wouldn’t have felt the sense of community that I did today. Every person that I don’t know and talk to is part of my recovery process.

On our return to the house, Nico was muddy up to his knees and in dire need of a bath and I was utterly exhausted. Tea and bones were handed out and we had a hard earned rest but I do feel a sense of achievement and pride for what we have done today.  I hope the dog is found and that his injures are not too severe so it can recover and return home to its family.

Sam and Nico