Tuesday, September 29, 2009

it's been awhile

Well, I've finally worked out how to connect my old blogger account (signed up with my hotmail account back in 2004) and my newer blogger account that was set up after Google took ownership of Blogger. Before that I was way too lazy to sign out of my Google account to post on this blog (yes, even I astound me sometimes).

Lots has happened since I last posted... Pip and I have just moved into our own house last week. I'm now trying to build a Pip-proof fence and work out the best posi for the doggy door (it seems an exterior wall - eek- is most suitable). Once the fence and the doggy door are up, Pip will have the rare freedom to come and go as she likes, (although she's rather partial to the sunspots inside the house). I actually chose this house with my dog in mind. Is that crazy? Signing the next 30 years of my life away to mortgage payments for a dog that's only going to live maybe 16 years max (and is 7.5 years old already)? It has a large north-facing window in the carpeted living room, which means that there's an all day sunspot in the living room just for pooch-baking. It also has a large backyard, and within 1 minutes walk is a large dog-off-leash park perfect for sniffing, running and taking on dogs larger than her.

Moving house has a major downside for pooch, however. She's had to say goodbye to her beloved Nola - my ex-flatmate of over 2 years. We'd often joke that she was her second 'mum', surrogate mum or 'aunty Nola'. Whereas I have a limited capacity to lie on the couch in front of telly, with a dog on my belly, Nola would lie there with Pip snoozing nearly every night, and so the relationship developed.... No flatmate has ever been so kind, so close, so devoted to Pip than Nola, and it's clear that Pip is missing her 'aunty' desperately. Apparently it's not one-sided either. Nola and Ingrid (my other flatmate) were discussing whether there was such thing as doggy 'custody' behind my back, and I know that tears have been shed over Pip's move. It's amazing how powerful doggy love is.