Happy New Year!!!!

A somewhat eventful start to the year. Whilst Anton worked, three members of the family went in search of a kitten. Unfortunately an outbreak of cat flu meant they were all quaratined till Jan 11th. This meant we just had to go and look at the dogs. We were thinking of a rescue dog anyway, for lots of reasons, security being the main one but fitness, companionship and fun running it a close equal second. And sadly there were so many new dogs in the centre. I had met one a couple of weeks ago, a sort of staffy cross with really intelligent ears, but he was nowhere to be seen. There were, however, lots of puppies.
Needless to say we fell in love, with all of them. We have put our names down for a 'labxstaffyxshepherdxsomething'. Our first choice is a fawn coloured little girl and our second choice is a black cutie with a white collar. We have to have a property check to make sure we are suitable and then she will be neutered, microchipped and registered. I know it's a big responsibility but it feels like the right thing to do. The litter we saw had about eight puppies, all six weeks old which had been abandonned down a bank on Margan Ave in New Lynn on the 28th. There is such problem here with unwanted pets, especially because people don't desex their animals which leads to a glut of kittens and puppies, especially around Xmas. It is so irresponsible and so stupid.


I do keep wondering if we have done the right thing but then Caitlin, being 43, reminds me that the quality of life for that puppy will be so much better than in an abandonned box or being euthanised ( my word not hers).
Luckily we already have offers of help for training her. Chris and Debs who we met on Xmas day, have a beautiful newfoundland called Storm. She is huge but incredibly docile. They came over on New Year's eve as none of us had any firm plans and we had a blast. I didn't realise the amount of alcohol consumed until Roo had to do the recycling run to the bin. The poor thing was exhausted by his tenth run down the stairs!!!
Chris and Debs walk Storm past our garden every day so we are becoming firm friends. Lst night we covered topics ranging from organic gardening ( her veg is delicious but you don't want to know what she waters it with), dog training, broken bones, chinese horoscopes ( Anton the dragon and me the monkey are the most highly compatible verging on the nauseating), children's programmes ( as every good 30something conversation has to ), Star Wars and the search for real stormtrooper outfit, bungee jumping, white water sledging, motor bikes, campervans, drumming and lots more I can't remember. Poor old Chris had to put up with Reuben play fighting with him all night, with a bow and an airpump shooty thing. Roo, who usually is very wary of new people absolutely idolised Chris, for his drumming skills I am sure.

Did you know you can shoot arrows from Parau to Beijing...trouble is Roo has no arrows, just a bow. Oh for his imagination.

We ended up in the spa at 11.30 to see in the new year. As usual Roo took himself to bed ( ours) so he would not miss anything but was soon fast asleep. Caitlin, being nearly 44 stayed up till 2 with the rest of us. She was a real star. I can safely say it was one of our best New Year's Eves probably all the better for being quiet and cosy.


What will the next year bring? According to our chinese horoscopes the last year has been tough for all of us, but next year looks far better. Anton has been advised to look for new horizons... COOKIE MAKING!!! I am enjoying a lovely choc caramel mix at the moment. Ben's cookies have nothing on these!!!!!