It would appear that I’ve been remiss at keeping up to date with Heidi’s blog. I’m sorry if this has been cause for concern for any of you, but rest assured HRH is still here, & don’t we know it.
Last week we had a complaint from a passer by that our dogs were “out of control”. He was ignoring the fact that on both previous ocassions we’d met he’d tried to kick either Meg or Heidi, even though both were on the lead & Heidi especially was minding her own business. Long story short, both dogs now kept on leads (Heidi always used to walk off-lead as she never bothered anyone but NO-ONE is going to get even close to kicking my girls). She is now the proud owner of a Flexi which she took to like a duck to water & is delighted to truss us up like a turkey in cohoots with Meg.
The incident above would have been avoided if he’d continued walking on his pavement on the opposite sideof the road instead of crossing over to walk (slowly) just in front of us, then stop with his Chow while he leisurely sniffed the pavement. His dog is great & looks somewhat other-worldly – pays my 2 vaguely interested attention, but why bother? We went to over-take, Meg had a little lunge as her lead was shortened (natural response), his foot came out & I gave him a clear warning to desist. Verbal abuse, barking dogs, Heidi spinning like a dervish (default at times of stress) & D & I walked away bewildered. Both dogs are fine & we just ensure that Chow-man/woman (she does the same) are not around when we walk.
I’m going off-piste here. Heidi is extremely well & I am realising that in letting her express her true Heidiness in day-to-day life she has now developed some traits which need addressing. Out walking she always used to hang around my legs or stick like glue to Meg. Not any more. She now ambles off (at the trot I might add) in any direction which takes her fancy. We went fora long walk recently & Meg took her for a spin around a field. We think HRH got a little disorientated, couldn’t see us (eyesight rubbish) or hear us calling, whistling, etc (hearing rubbish) so worked out which way we’d just come from & ran parallel to the path for a while before going through a hedge to get back onto the footpath. She must have gone a good 1/2 mile before I caught up with her. Air-head that she is had no concern that we’d been separated & just looked at me as if to say, “Which way was it?” & then trotted past me to be with Meg again! She remained on the Flexi until we knew that she couldn’t get behind us again! Scary moments but I was, however, completely delighted that she has enough about her to work out how to get back to the van or home.
From the day we had her she would flatten herself on the ground if you did the palm down signal or say “wait” (regardless of how gentle). She would look at you constantly for direction & wait to be released before moving on. I guess a combination of failing hearing & eyesight & her new cockiness (confidence has been passed!) she just stands looking at you impatiently, waving her tail gently. It always concerned me that her repsonse was so quick & she looked fearful. That is all a distant memory now. Luckily the Flexi keeps her safe from harm & she’s still very responsive to very light signals.
I’m usnsure whether it has anything to do with the homeopathic remedies, the move, me being ill before Christmas, or anything else but she has turned discreetly into a velcro dog. Whenever I move she’ll be there. Rehab is required. We are currently working on quieting her excited barking before walking as it is now so loud it could disturb the neighbours. When did she get so strong? If she barks she’s asked to leave the kitchen (which she does very obligingly) then is allowed back in when she’s quiet while I take my coat on & off to get her bored with the procedure. We have been going great guns until this morning when she lapsed! She’ll get there.
Mrs. Velcro is currently attached to D’s legs as he’s cooking & there may be a tasty morsel (fat chance) if she’s alert in a curled up, eyes closed kind of way.
I never imagined that she would still be with us now. I’ve just been re-reading the Green Acres Rescue blog http://www.greenacresanimalrescue.co.uk/greenacresblog.htm where they said that Heidi had gone with us “in her last stages in life”. She has a touch of angina, is slightly stiff in her back end, is on medication for her heart & thyroid, gets CV247 & flax/cottage cheese daily, but looks to all intents & purposes like any other 13 year old collie – maybe even more spritely. The walk the other week was about 2 1/2 miles but she did more with her detour. Meg was out for the count for about 4 days afterwards, but Heidi was up & ready to go out again as soon as we got home!
She’s incorrigible & we adore her.
Rachael, Heidi & Meg x