Kramer's Sunny Spot

We had two bags delivered to us at home from the bank - to be used at a function (inside were the bank's banners.) Kramer found the sun was falling on this spot, so found his way onto the top of the bags. He was quite comfortable for a while, and suddenly without warning the bags parted, and Kramer found himself stuck between the two bags. I ran for my camera, but in the few seconds it took me to get the camera and turn it on, he's wriggled out of his dilemma.

I don't think he'll trust strange bags again.

Kramer's hiding places

With the cold weather Kramer has attempted to remain indoors 24/7 - but it is not to be. If no one is home, he's sent down to his pen, but he works out when we are going out. He can tell - when we shower and get dressed ready to go out, he has worked it all out.

We've thwarted him most of the time, but yesterday he went missing again. We know he is in the house. Thank goodness he can't get under the beds as we'd have no hope. He'd found a doona on the floor in the second bedroom. All neatly folded up! He burrowed in until he was almost invisible. The hunt was on - we knew he was inside.

Eventually he was found. His little head was the only part of his body visible. I think he was a bit put out that he was found. Damn.

More friends

We had a quiet day - not a lot to do, other than a walk and further exploration of the island. MM went to Macleay Island for the Sunday paper, leaving Kramer behind - and he was not happy. He ran around trying to find a way out of the gate - impossible but he tried.

We left the island in the early afternoon as we had a booking on the car ferry - and Kramer made some more friends. It is amazing how he attracts attention, just by looking at people with his google eyes. And they all fall for him and want to cuddle him. He made a friend on the ferry.

Kramer dines at a restaurant

There are no shops on the island and we discovered later that the papers can be delivered to the little shed near the jetty, provided one ordered them earlier. My husband caught the ferry across the waterway to Macleay Island - it is less than 5 minutes away - to get the paper and check on the restaurant.

I'd been to the restaurant before - so suspected that they would let us sit in the outside area with Kramer, and sure enough they did.

We spent the morning reading the paper, walking around some of the island, and then taking a drive before lining up with others who were going over to Macleay and Kramer was carried on to the ferry. He is such a cute dog, he gets a lot of attention and just loves it. It doesn't matter where we go, people come up and ask to pat him, or cuddle him!

He wasn't keen on the walking, but we've discovered if we give him a push on the rear end, he will walk. Like pushing a broken down car sometimes!

We arrived at the restaurant, the Blue Parrot, and were shown our seat undercover, but in the sun and out of the biting cold breezes. And we had a lovely meal.

Kramer sat at our feet quietly, though even then people came up to us wanting to talk about him, or pat him. I think I read somewhere that if you want to make some friends, take a dog. From experience I'm sure it would work. Take a cute dog though!

We returned back to the cottage, and had an afternoon sleep - after all, we'd been sleep deprived because of Kramer's antics.

Later we went for a longer drive, and I think we've passed all houses on the island. There are some beautiful houses - we are really going to consider moving there.

It is so peaceful.

On Saturday night we created a comfy bed for Kramer on the floor in the loungeroom. We believe that he spent the night on the lounge chair!

Dog friendly holiday homes

It is always a quandary - what to do with pets when one goes away. For years we have used kennels as there was no other choice, but our recent experience with our old kennels (with new owners) was not good, so we decided to look for a "dog friendly" place and take Kramer.

I didn't want to drive a long distance - whilst I like country travelling when you are going away for less than two days the traveling time can make a difference.

On the Net I did a search for "dog friendly holiday places" and found one not far away on the lovely Karragarra Island. I phoned and booked (although there was some confusion with that!) and booked a spot on the car ferry. Karragarra is a small island with only 100 or so residents, and no shop, no public transport etc so we had to take everthing with us - so taking the car was essential. Anyway it was marginally more than the money we save by not using the kennels.

Kramer was excited. I put his little car seat belt on and strapped him in the rear seat. So excited was he that he kept getting tangled up in the seat belt, so after disentangling him a couple of times I gave up and left him unsecured. We weren't travelling a long distance anyway.

When we drove onto the car ferry Kramer saw that he was not the only dog in the world - in fact most of the cars transported a dog. There was a lovely red setter in the truck beside us!

The trip over was most pleasant as the sun rose in the west leaving a wonderful golden glow in the sky.

By the time we arrived in the island it was dark, but we followed the truck with the red setter who has our guide - that is another story - and reached the cottage, where the owner was waiting with one of her dogs - a lovely young German Shepherd.

The cottage was fairly new - two bedrooms and well appointed with a view to the south over the swamps which take up more than half of the island. The property was well fenced and Kramer wandered around quite safely. He explored every blade of grass and and every corner of the property and every plant.

It took us a while to unload the car, but we were soon settled in and preparing the evening meal.

There was a list of house hold rules - one being animals must not be on the furniture. It was a cold night, so the best option was to put Kramer's bedding in the bathroom, and shut him in. Otherwise how can one stop him getting on the lounge?

But Kramer was having none of that - and kept up a racket until we gave in around 2 am and put him in the lounge room. Of course he found his way onto the lounge chair - but after a sleepless night, we gave in.

He woke at the usual time - around 6 am - and was ready to go! No sleep in for us!

Winter - it's cold!

Well, at long last we are having some sort of winter. At least it is cold at night. Kramer does not like going down to his "room" in the house, downstairs. He puts up a racket and barks in the tone that says "I want to come upstairs again. I like it better there!" But we ignore his pleas.

We bang on the floor - three bangs with a shoe will do it, and then there is silence. Generally he is quiet all night then, although he has been known to "test" us in the early hours of the morning. We relent if it is around 5.30 am, and let him up and he scampers to his spot in the bedroom, curls up and goes off to sleep. Conman.

Looking for Dog friendly holiday homes.

Recently when Kramer stayed at kennels he came home with an infection. His tummy was swollen, and he had a bladder infection. In part I think it is that he doesn't like to wee anywhere but at home. So he hangs on, and hangs on. It is not a healthy move!

So, we decided to find a "dog friendly" holiday place and found Teacosy Cottage at Karragarra Island - not far from Lamb Island where I had hoped to be house sitting. You'll have to read my entry on another site to find out what happened with my house sitting plans.

Anyway, next weekend we are off to Karragarra Island - first by car ferry from Redland Bay to Karragarra to the cottage on the island. The resident dogs are German Shepherds - but hopefully Kramer will find friend or two!

The island has no shops, and we have to take our own linen, dog bed etc. so it is easy to take the car on the ferry. It will cost around the same as it would to put Kramer in a kennel.

Anyway we are looking forward to it. I don't think Kramer is aware of it yet.

Kramer "jumped" me.

Since I've been away for a couple of days Kramer is all sooky and just wants to be with me. He's full on. He follows me so closely that when I do a "u" turn, I accidentally kick him or treat on his toes. He doesn't get the message.

He's insisting on sitting on my lap - often! Last night I was sitting on the lounge chair deep in reading mode, when without warning Kramer crashed through my reading material and landed on my chest.

He'd climed up on the footstall and without warning he jumped - flying through the air without fear until he landed. He nearly winded me!

Funny fellow!

Lazy Boy

Kramer's hiding spots are increasing. He does not like it when we go out, and put him in his little room downstairs. He would rather enjoy the comfort of the main house, and when he sees us getting ready, he looks for another spot.

Today he was found on a pile of clothes waiting to be taken to the laundry for washing. He even seems to find things that he is not very conspicuous on - just tucking himself in, and being very quiet so that we don't notice! Ha! As if! Though I must admit I get a bit peeved that I have to go on a "search" every time I want to go out.

Sometimes I do leave him - especially if I am going only for a short time. Then he's likely to be found (when I return) sitting like a king on a throne, now ensconced on the lounge chair. He knows he's not supposed to be there but he doesn't care.

We are hoping to go away for a weekend soon - looking for a dog friendly place. There's one on Karragarra Island - which sounds rather nice. Will look into it today.