All is well at Regalridge. Puppies are growing, Christmas is coming - ready or not - and a cold day has finally arrived. It is mighty difficult to be in Santa-readiness mode when NS is the hottest spot in Canada with a 19 (that is almost 70 degrees for the Americans among us) degree wake-up temperature mid-December. Mud season continues and Charlotte is thrilled to death. Winter is certainly shorter by the day (even though it has yet to arrive). We Maritimers feel that November begins winter, the season lasting until late March. This year, a month and a half has been taken off and the long autumn is a reality. Our Ken is fighting the battle of the copper pipes. Last week, there was an Airedale-friendly little swimming hole - unfortunately in the grooming room but a delight in and of itself as far as Gabe was concerned. He had a party planned and invitations written by the time the leak was pinned down. Apparently a tiny hole had managed to appear in a pipe behind the bathtub. Our Ken moved into management mode and has been switching water on and off as he contemplated the major repair project. Calling on young Alex, the two determined that step one would be to move the tub - and the fun began. There is now a tub in the center of the room, a pipe under pressure broken (the pool deepened for a while and Gabe's guest list adjusted to incorporate only long legged terriers) and the management of the room is, well, you can figure that out. Bob Marshall is coming up to analyze the situation and effect repairs. Hopefully he will have stopped shaking his head by the time he gets here or he will be treated for ear mites.
The kennel, apart from the construction zone, is well and the dogs happy. Lola and Kenzie departed with a jaunty wave, having maintained order for three weeks. There is coming and going for the next week and then the Christmas visitors will settle in.
The house crew are thriving in the warm weather, enjoying daily ball games with Our Ken and time in front of the fire by late afternoon. Piper has been penning Christmas lists for all of her friends. The list is lengthening by the day. Lily has been taken off of the list. With Lee in Toronto on the week end, Miss Lily had a grievance. Deciding to phone Glenda to complain, she found the phone book print small so used Our Ken's glasses for improved clarity. Needing sustenance prior to actually putting in the numbers, she shared Our Ken's invitation (it was available and on the table) to partake of his hot chocolate. Finding it not to her taste and knowing that it could be bad for Our Ken, she thoughtfully deposited the cup on the tile floor - who knew cups break! The late night long distance phone conversation was a tale of woe. Poor Ken. It's never easy staying ahead of an Airedale. The puppies are doing incredibly well. They are a happy litter and very people oriented. Weaning has been a smooth transition and food is now on the menu. There are no dissenters. There was a visit from the Antigonish folks, with appropriate appreciation for the bright little faces. The move from whelping room to den is complete and the indoctrination into the world of CNN and the Weather Channel has begun. The addition to their lives of a large, stuffed bulldog met with puppy approbation. All now sleep on top of, next to and occasionally under their new best friend.
Dinner was chicken cutlets (pounded nicely with the mallet Christmas gift of several years previous) with fresh green bean and portabellos and riced potatoes. Date squares and ice cream rounded out the meal. Date squares are a favourite of Our Ken and Bob so may be on offer for a short time only.
The kennel, apart from the construction zone, is well and the dogs happy. Lola and Kenzie departed with a jaunty wave, having maintained order for three weeks. There is coming and going for the next week and then the Christmas visitors will settle in.
The house crew are thriving in the warm weather, enjoying daily ball games with Our Ken and time in front of the fire by late afternoon. Piper has been penning Christmas lists for all of her friends. The list is lengthening by the day. Lily has been taken off of the list. With Lee in Toronto on the week end, Miss Lily had a grievance. Deciding to phone Glenda to complain, she found the phone book print small so used Our Ken's glasses for improved clarity. Needing sustenance prior to actually putting in the numbers, she shared Our Ken's invitation (it was available and on the table) to partake of his hot chocolate. Finding it not to her taste and knowing that it could be bad for Our Ken, she thoughtfully deposited the cup on the tile floor - who knew cups break! The late night long distance phone conversation was a tale of woe. Poor Ken. It's never easy staying ahead of an Airedale. The puppies are doing incredibly well. They are a happy litter and very people oriented. Weaning has been a smooth transition and food is now on the menu. There are no dissenters. There was a visit from the Antigonish folks, with appropriate appreciation for the bright little faces. The move from whelping room to den is complete and the indoctrination into the world of CNN and the Weather Channel has begun. The addition to their lives of a large, stuffed bulldog met with puppy approbation. All now sleep on top of, next to and occasionally under their new best friend.
Dinner was chicken cutlets (pounded nicely with the mallet Christmas gift of several years previous) with fresh green bean and portabellos and riced potatoes. Date squares and ice cream rounded out the meal. Date squares are a favourite of Our Ken and Bob so may be on offer for a short time only.
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