Postcards from home – An Ally update – car news!

Now, don’t get TOO excited, but I had a wonderful car ride this morning! I was dropping the boys in your backyard as it is sunny today, and I have a tiler coming. I thought they might enjoy that. I was sort of dreading the car ride there and back with Didders. The other day on our drive  he was clearly very anxious, and did his usual wailing trick. I growled at him on Edgecliff Rd (literally stopped the car, looked in his eyes, and growled like a big dog!) and he sort of shut up, but not completely. This morning I had him in the boot, secured tightly to the baby-seat rings. The cover was off the boot so he could look at me, or out the back window, but not really move that much. I opened all the windows, and put on some classical music (I have been reading about classical music helping with severe anxiety and depression, so thought I’d give it a go) and HE WAS GREAT! He just sat there, not shaking, no wide eyes, no singing, and looked out the window, looked at me….just cruised along with us! He got LOTS of “good boy-whatta-goodboy”. I can only hope we get a repeat performance tonight, but I was just so happy I thought I’d share!

Admin: Can you believe your wonderful mother has cleaned up all the bombs, and cleaned out your wheelie bin? She s nutso-amazing!

Postcards from home – 9 February

I'm what?!?! In disgrace!???

Hi unlce Ben And Auntie Fleur,

This is Iggy here. I have to write because currently Diddley is IN DISGRACE. I think he must be missing you or something, or is maybe finally starting to realise who is the boss here (me) because My Mummo said he has been acting out, so is IN DISGRACE.

It started at the park this afternoon. We were on our second afternoon walk (third for the day) when he whispered to me that this staffie puppy looked at him funny. I tried to tell him it was all in his head. Too many late nights eating top shelf bones. You know how a dog can start thinking funny . He was SURE this little staff was giving him ‘tude, so before you know it, he was all over her! Nothing violent, just some general smothering and growling. Of course, I can’t let my buddy go down alone, so I got in there too,and this poor little puppy was a but nervous with all our noisy wrestling on top of here. We were sent home IN DISGRACE. I thought I should be an extra special good boy. Didders thought he should wee on the floor. Each to their own I suppose, but that meant he was still IN DISGRACE. The final disappointment for didders is that he is STILL working on project “staffy proof toy”. I don’t think he is going to meet his 24 hour toy distruction deadline! The toy is still going strong. Didders gets SO disappointed when he doesn’t meet his KPIs! It wasn’t a great day for him, but I’m sure tomorrow will be rexerrent!

Anyhow, Mummo says we are going to stay in your back yard tomorrow because her tiler is coming, so that should be fun.

Are you SURE that's what you want to be doing? I'm not so sure it's a good idea....

Love and snorts!

Postcards from home – 8 February

Hi Mummo! Hi Daddo!

My stay over is just getting better and better! We got up this morning and had a long walk in the dark in the park. Silly Iggy was scared of the bats, but I showed him how to act tough. Today was the first day I was left home alone all day while Auntie Ally and Uncle Josh went to something they called “werk”. I have no understanding of what this means, being a lord and all. The only thing I know is that I went ALL DAY without pooping or weeing, so uncle Josh bought me home a present! The pet shop guys guaranteed him it was staffie proof, so right now I am working really hard to prove them wrong. I reckon uncle Josh will be proud of me for that!

Staffie proof toy. Yeh, sure!

When Auntie Ally got home she took us out for another really long walk to the little beach at Blackwattle bay. There was so much to see on the way! Birds, sticks, other dog’s puke. It was THE BEST!!  Iggy zoomed here and there, chatting to all his friends. I just concentrated on sticking really close to Ally, and getting there without falling over. We spent quite a while just rolling round in the sand and water because it was quite hot, then we had to start the long walk home. I tell you what Mummo, that Ally is a slave driver! All I wanted to do was rest, but she kept walking and walking and walking. I was exhausted! I was such a good boy though. I stuck really close when off leash. Sometimes so close that when she stopped walking I bumped my nose on her leg!!!!

We got back home and she hosed us off and Me and Iggy and Uncle Josh and Auntie Ally sat in the grass until I got hay-fever and sneezed! Iggy got a big fright as you can see in the photo! Terriorist strikes again!

Hey buddy! Say it, don't spray it!

It really was a great afternoon. I am so pooped I can’t move, and Ally said we have to do the same thing tomorrow!

Here are a few more pics of me and Iggy in the grass out the fron of their house. You enjoy while I listed to Uncle Josh play guitar. K? Love you!

Didders and dog tired staffie.

Staffie proof toy. Yeh, sure!

Hey buddy! Say it, don’t spray it!

PS Auntie Ally says she went round to yours and bug bombed it. Trish must have put the rubbish out. What a great grandma!

Postcards from home – 7 February

Phew! It is almost like Auntie Ally and Uncle Josh are tying to wear me out or something! Hi Mummo and Daddo! I saw the snowy pics of Japow, and gee it looks cold. I’m glad I’m here! Even though it is raining so so much. I try and tell Auntie Ally and Uncle Josh that I don’t LIKE being wet. I sit down inside and refuse to get up when they go for their crazy walks in the rain. Auntie Ally won’t have any of it! She actually carried me out to the yard and plopped me in the mud! The indignity! Doesn’t she know I am a LORD!!!!

I had my first night here last night, and so I claimed my den under the dining room table. I was very cosy and hardly whined at all when they went to bed upstairs. That brat Iggy got to go up with them. I’m not so sure what is so special about HIM. He smells, for a start!

My den! Stay Out! No Iggys allowed

Anyhow, yesterday I had a bit of a sulk because I was lonely, but today, well THAT’S another story. I’ve played with some toys, growled a bit, and gone on so many (forced) walks.

Iggy showed me the way to his local. Uncle Josh came with me to be my body guard. A lord can’t be too careful these days…

Then we got in to the bit I love, some SERIOUS sniffing of butts! I was lucky enough to get to play with a brindle 7 month old staff in the rain, avoid some puddles like a fussy girl while Iggy and the staff splashed around, and Iggy showed me how to bark at birds. What a great day!!

Oh! Daddo Daniel came around as well! Could it have BEEN any better!

Love you! Didders (aka the soggy staffordshire)

My den! Stay Out! No Iggys allowed

On our way, Josh on point duty

On our way. Josh on point duty

I’m not playing dead. Surprise!!!

PS: Pedro says “Hi!”

Postcards from home – 6 february 2010

Dear Mummo and Daddo,

I MISS YOU! I know you said Japaow would be REXCERRENT! but you left me here! I know it must have been a mistake, so I am pretty sure you’ll come back to get me. I am keeping my head orientated to the front door, and my but orientated towards the back door so I can detect you as soon as you walk back in.

My mummo forgot me!

That little brat dog Iggy came around yesterday with Auntie Ally. I love to try and wear Iggy out by playing 24/7 bitey face, but last night I was just too lonesome to play! The only time I felt in the mood was when I saw Iggy asleep on the bean bag. Now, I am not the quickest pup after my stroke, so you should be REALLY impressed with this mummo: I launched myself onto the beanbag to smother Iggy. He got well and truly trapped underme and the beans, and couldn’t get up so started shrieking like a gremlin!!! I was too funny. Auntie Ally had to untangle us in the end!  I laughed so hard afterwards I fell over sideways.

She walked us up to Sabbaba for dinner, and I pooped on the door step of the 7/11 so that as the automatic doors closed, they would hit my poop. Yes! I am an excellent staffordshire urban terriorist!!!  Stay tuned for my next attack!

We slept quietly while Auntie Ally (who I think is a little crazy) shouted at a show called Bridezillas on the picture box. I much prefer animal planet, but I have no thumbs, so I have to watch what I am told to . I got her back though, because halfway through the 700th episode, I peed on the floor. That made her jump up and stop the stupid video! Staffordshire terriorist strikes again! I think I need a cape and mask to go with my evil doing!!!!!

Auntie Ally slept at our house with me last night because she said her house was too messy for me. She must have realised that I really am a Lord, and demand the best! Good girl Auntie Ally! I slept like a good boy at the end of the bed and only growled at Iggy every now and then.  She said to tell you her kitchen is finished. I hope she cooks me a roast! I will go over there this afternoon and introduce Iggy to some of my evil scheming.

I miss you Aroooooo!!!!!!!!

xo Didders (aka Staffordshire Urban Terriorist SUT)

5 Feb 2010 – Postcards from home

Dear Auntie Fluff and Uncle Ben,

Today is the day that Lord Damage is coming to stay. I’ve been marking the days off on my “Little Beasts” Boston Terrier Calendar and I am SURE today is the day. I’m a bit nervous having the Lord to stay. I’m not used to the higher classes coming over. Do you think he’d mind if I keep calling him Diddley? I’ve put all my toys in a row for him to peruse. Don’t tell him, but I have hidden my favourites. I know he has BIIG teefers. I hope he doesn’t want to seep in the big bed with us. Oh Now I am even MORE nervous! I am keeping one ear alert for his arrival!

Have I hidden all my good toys????

Have a safe flight to Japan

Love and snorts, a worried Iggy.

Sam’s special (roasted) swine. The best roast pork!

Sam taught me this recipe for perfect crackling, so credit to her. I was existing in a not-being-able-to-make-crackling world, then Sambo gave me this recipe, and that world now ROCKS with crackling! I’ve lost the memory card on my camera, so no pics for the moment……

Ingredients

1 pork leg or roll with skin and fat, 1.5 kilos

3 carrotts, finely cubed

1 celery stick, finely cubed

8 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3/4 cup white wine

tablespoon butter

salt

pepper

veggies for roasting (I had fennel, potato, sweet potato and some peas)

4 green apples

cinamon

4 cloves

teaspoon brown sugar

Teaspoon flour

Method

Pork

Score the skin of the pork

In a heavy fry pan, melt butter, some salt and pepper.

Sear the skin on the pork until brown-ish and hard, about 2 minutes on each section.

Remove and rest. Keep the fry pan and grease for later. (mmmm…grease!)

Pre-heat oven or bbq to 180 c.

In a baking tray, cover with the carrots, celery, garlic, fennel and wine. Place pork skin-side up on top.

Place pork in oven for 1 and 3/4 hours.

When done, remove crackling from pork to a plate, cover meat and rest for 15 minutes. Carve

Apples

core apples and place on individual squares of aluminium foil.

In the hole where the core was, push a dob of butter, a clove, a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. Seal tightly and place in the oven with 1 hour to go.

Vegetables

Par boil the potatoes, roll in flour and salt, then fry in the pan with the left over pig fat and butter OR place in a tray with some butter, salt, pepper and rosemary, and roast for 1/2 hour if boiled, or 1 hour hour if raw.

Roast onion in a tray with some butter and rosemary.

Place peas in pot of boiling water and remove after 30 seconds.

To Serve

Place a scoop of the garlic-carrot-celery mixture on a plate, add slice of pork on top, then some crackling.

Open the apples and place on plate.

Serve veggies and peas.

Eat like a piggie while watching the biggest looser!

Sleepy pup!

When it is hot, Iggy gets pooped really quickly. He can’t keep his eyes open, poor little guy!

Sleepy pup

Roast chicken coma

drool...............

Iggy has had a very full weeekend. Friday night we went to visit Flash and Pepper. 2 VERY active staffie / kelpie cross rescue dogs. They ran him ragged, to the point that he was laying in the water dish to try and cool down and have a break from the rough housing!

Saturday our 2 year old nephew came to visit. More craziness occurred, with the 2 year old smothering Iggy with attention.

As a reward for his hard work, he got left over roast chicken, and this is the result: Chicken Coma!

Santa loves Iggy

Tamworth golden guitar

[caption id="attachment_78" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tired boston"][/caption]

Boston terrier in disgrace

We went to my parents house to celebrate Christmas this year. If there is someone that Iggy LOVES it is my mum. She spoils him rotten. As evidenced by the diamante collar santa brought him this year.

Santa brought me a collar!

To repay the love, he begged for turkey. His whining became so insistent, he was sent to the corner in disgrace

After all that, he was a VERY tired puppy