Doggy Wash

I found a new doggy wash near home today, and I will take him next week. He does go to the Dog Groomer on a regular basis, but in between expensive visits he still needs a bath, and the new dog wash will be good. It is less expensive too.

It is right next to the very old produce stall. I remember these being more prolific around the place when I was a child, and I still love going in to them. The one at Wynnum is very olde worlde. It is quite ancient, and I doubt if any repairs or renovations would have been done on it for years and years.

They have a cockatoo called Henry that shrieks and calls out "Scratch Cocky" which I do. Today he ran down his post (he is tied by a chain to his leg), and jumped on my shoes. Apparently he crunches up shoe laces! I managed toa get away from him - thank goodness for the chain!

Thank goodness the don't sell puppies - you never know I might just be soft enough to take one home.

Kramer at the Sausage Sizzle and Bridge opening.

The local councillor announced the opening of the bridge across the creek opposite our house. I had a hand in lobbying for the new bridge and though the councillor and I are on opposing polical parties, it seemed that I should go.

The event was celebrated with a sausage sizzle - not one of my favourite foods or events, but still I went. As I was leaving home Kramer decided he wanted to go. I put his lead on and set out for the back door. He was a bit miffed - he usually likes to depart through the front door!

When we arrived over there there were a dozen or so people - mostly unionists supporting the councillor, and his wife and daughter were there. The little girl was coy about Kramer and didn't want him to lick her. I'm sure he would have it she'd got close enough!

Then he discovered the sausage sizzle and made noises that we recognise as "Here I am. Feed me. Share your food with me or I'll whinge." And sure enough he scored some sausage.

A man wandered past - he's a strange old man that wanders the street all day every day, and has a little white fluffy dog with him.

Whether Kramer was concerned that this little dog was getting too close to this new source of food (the sausages) or not we don't know. But Kramer behaved very badly and went on the attack. No damage done, but Kramer was chastised for his bad behaviour.

When it was time to go Kramer refused to budge. It wasn't far to carry him this time!

Kramer's letter

Kramer received a letter yesterday.



"Dear Kramer,

Our files tell us that you are due for an appointment for the following:

Annual check and Vaccination
proheartSR12 reminder,

Your visit will include a consultation and full physical examination, and your owner will be able to discuss other health care matters such as routine working,heartworm prvention, skin and dental problems.

To arrange an appointment, have your secretary call those nice people at Wynnum Manly Veterinary Hospital on the number below.

By the way, have them talk to us about MICROCHIPS - the best way to find your way home, should you stray from the straight and narrow!

We look forward to seeing you soon,

Bob, Tom, Nicky and nursing staff."

Kramer and the grandchildren.

Kramer is so gentle with the grandchildren. The eldest is 7, so we still have to closely monitor the time they spend with him. I don't think he'd bite - but there is always a first time if they do someting to him that hurts or scares him.

They had a sleepover at our place.

Kick starting Kramer

Recently we've had a great challenge with Kramer. If we take him for a "walk" we end up carrying him. We are thankful that he is a small dog, but even then it is quite a weight to carry. We don't know why, but he walks for a short distance and stops. Stops dead in his tracks. He'll stand and survey the scenery and just refuse to budge. We've tried "encouraging" him, calling him, walking away from him, enticing him with a dog bikkie - in short we've tried everything we can think of.

The result is that we seldom take him for a walk. It's all too hard. He's keen to go - but would rather ride in the car. When he knows it is a WALK he loses interest and just stops. Dragging/pulling on his lead doesn't work either.

On Thursday we took him for a walk on the waterfront, and as usual - abot 10 feet from the car he stopped. As it turns out MM was behind and just pushed him with his foot. Pushed, not kicked, of course. Let's be clear about that. We've never set out to help him.

And it worked. He just started trotting along again. Again some distance later he stopped again. We are happy to let him rest a bit, but again, a light push from behind and he sets off again.

Have we found the solution to our problem? We've called it "kick starting" - and it works, or it did on Thursday.

We'll test it again, next time. Perhaps today.

The Bone

Kramer, just like any dog, loves a bone. He regularly gets chicken wings which he generally chomps into quickly and completely demolishes it. Good for his teeth. We also give him other bones, and one of his favourite is a knuckle.

Generally we leave him in his pen to eat the bone - but sometimes he does a runner and hides it in the garden. Then sometimes days later he finds it again, and drags the revolting dirty bone around. He tried to get it into my office one day, and I sent him packing and on another occasion he tried to get it upstairs into the house. He failed miserable, as he finds it difficult to carry the bone and climb the stairs at the same time.

So I found thebone on the steps. And put it in the bin.

The Flying Hot Fritter

A funny thing happened in the kitchen with Kramer and the Flying Hot Fritter. As I've said, it was far funnier to be there when it happened, but you might get a laugh.