Great, if unseasona,l weather (cool and clear) keeps the natives happy

It was a beautiful day in the neighbourhood and the dogs enjoyed every second of it.  There was lots of coming and going, the sun was out, there were breezes and Tom and Ken were working around the property.  According to the canines, life simply does not get better than that.  Al and Betty were here for a summer breakfast, collected their two Airedales and headed back to the Island.  It was a good visit with tales of the previous day's sailing adventures and an update on PEI activities over the past months.  It must be terribly difficult to return to southern Ontario after the sojourn at Covehead.  Lee had village errands to accomplish and returned to Regalridge with local plunder - to Our Ken's great delight.  Dinners will cater to his sensibilities this week. 

The kennel is ticking along.  Little Megan has acquitted herself well over the course of her visit and has repaired her cruciate while watching swallows on her hammock.  Today, Ben joined her.  He has had a serious bout of illness but has manged with great care of his family to work his way through it and is on the road to recovery, albeit after a huge load of steroids that turned him white.  He thinks he looks pretty darned good.  Ken is working on his extreme feeding regimen - a daunting process but one that seems to be working.  Dr Bail agreed to an abbreviated version of the potion with the flax oil and flax seed but no honey so a mutated potion is in the works for Sir Ben.  Then we have Indy.  Little Indy is an aging Welsh and a lesson for many of us.  There was a traffic incident.  Indy was in the car as he had been all of his life.  This time, the forward momentum of the vehicle required an application of brakes with so much force that Indy was thrown and broke his hip.  A trip to the Veterinary College ensued.  As his owner wryly noted, we waived the opportunity for the discount weld and meld and had a major surgery to offer him the best possible outcome.  That was a month ago and he is doing well after physiotherapy, swimming and enjoying the summer as only an indulged Welsh can.  He too will be maintained on a quiet regimen for the week end.  Megan approves.  As little Fenway departed with a wave and nod of that little head, many more arrived.   Lily is here as is Jack the Airedale.  Ruff is still managing his yard with aplomb and hoping that Abby will show up soon (we promised she was coming).  So the hospital ward is full, there are a few more arriving tomorrow and we are hoping they are ambulatory.

The Regalridge dogs are thriving.  Potions are maintaining the crowd nicely.  Those who aren't getting it line up to lick the spoons.  Nick and Piper entertained the guests in the morning and managed the kitchen the rest of the day.  Charlotte reclined under the air conditioner and approved of the comings and goings.  Marilla took over the role of sentry duty with Atlas acting as her equerry.  Dolly and Lori have complaints and are searching for an ombudsman - they have their allowance lined up and ask that anyone knowing of one that works on week ends should contact them as soon as possible.  This kennel life is not to their liking.  Now perhaps if Ken would go down and eat his dinner with her . . .  Puppies are thriving.  They are enjoying their goat milk formula supplement and Laurel is coming to terms with Lee's help, albeit most unwillingly.  She is arguably the best mother we have had - and the happiest.  Her tail wags non-stop.  She is thoroughly enjoying this experience.  The babies all have their eyes open now, are beginning to take small steps and are turning into little Airedales.  They are great fun already.

Meals were somewhat interrupted but substantial when they were offered.  Breakfast happened mid-morning.  To Al's delight, Lee's pancakes appeared.  In typical Curren fashion, there was approbation for anything containing sugar so the great yogourt based pancakes with lots of maple syrup make the grade nicely.  Bacon, fresh peaches, peach bread and the best coffee from the best coffee maker in the world rounded out a good meal.  But that left Our Ken without bargaining power for lunch - a sad day in its' own right.  Still, dinner was early and offered up a summer pleasure.   Fresh beans from the garden were plentiful and excellent - Ken beamed.  They were surrounded by turkey, potatoes and gravy and followed by the most excellent shortbread based raspberry bars with white chocolate cream cheese filling and dark chocolate ganache.  Life could be worse.