THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

24 January 2014

THE BALLS ARE OFF


Yesterday was B-day for Jack. Delivered to the vet's in Okehampton at 8.30am and picked up again at 2.00, a limp rag who had to be carried to the car and who slept the rest of the day. When I gave him to the nurse and we were going through the pre-op checks, she looked at him and said:

"They are very big for a dog of his size"

Here they are, VERY BIG,  in full flight the day before the snip:


This morning he was back to normal but extremely unhappy about the cone:


He has to stay on his lead out walking:


Ten days of this.....


He is NOT happy.


He will be soon and he was the day before yesterday:



I love this gaping rock mouth:


Some farmers are already putting their sheep back out on the moor:



It's just REALLY dank here. The washing line has looked like this for what feels like weeks:


Sodden Hornbeam leaves:


The birds are really hungry. It's the RSPB garden bird survey this weekend....I must remember to do it. Here's a pretty little Dunnock:


Great Tit:


Angry looking Chaffinch:


And the male GSW at last:


Welcome to three new followers who have joined thanks to Rusty Duck's lovely post about her visit here (http://www.rustyduck.net/2014/01/18/dartmoor-rambling/). Lovely to have you. Creeping slowly towards 100 which will be VERY exciting if I ever get there. 
The proofs of the cards arrived yesterday and two are fantastic (Magpies and the hole in the wall) and the others will be with some tweaking and borders. The Rainbow Sheep almost look like a painting which I was worried about at first but the more I look at it, the better I like it. So, until next time, here's the eunuch after a walk in the rain; he seems to have picked up a piece of leaf, at least I hope it's leaf.....


Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

62 comments:

  1. mrsnesbitt24 January 2014 at 15:50

    What a contrast to my views today - strange I mentioned balls too! lol! When Bing was castrated I was expecting one of these collars - but no, Bing came home as lively as ever and has never looked back. Unfortunately as he has been brought up by two bitches he doesn't cock his leg when he wees - instead he just sprays his back paws. Bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:37

      One of our neighbour's dog lives with females and does the same. I think it's really sweet. I hadn't thought about the paw wetting implications though.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous24 January 2014 at 15:57

    Oh the dreaded cone! Ours loath them. Poppy being a girl probably means we won't be engaging in any snipping but I well remember Teddy going through it. They send commiserations :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:38

      He's already bounding about which is a bit worrying but the stitches seem to be holding!

      Delete
  3. Willow24 January 2014 at 16:30

    Oh sorry Jack , we all knew that day was inevitablely on it's way .
    You'll be flying across the moors agin in no time, never knowing whats gone.
    Easy for me to say ,right Jack ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:39

      He seems in no pain whatsoever.....lucky boy. I guess he's SO young and healthy. I can see the wound is pretty much healed already, two days later.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous24 January 2014 at 16:45

    Mend quickly Jack, and you'll be out enjoying running the moors again without that collar.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Little Red Hen24 January 2014 at 17:10

    We call it the Cone of Shame. Poor thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:40

      I wish he knew shame....we had an embarrassing incident today where he ran off to meet another dog, completely ignoring my shouts.

      Delete
  6. Jane and Chris24 January 2014 at 17:54

    Aaargh the dreaded 'come of shame'. Poor old Jack,won't he have a shock when he sees what's been done to him!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:41

      He must be feeling more comfortable without those ping pong balls impeding his hind legs surely?

      Delete
  7. Bridget24 January 2014 at 18:00

    Ah bless him. I've got a Staffy who'll be having the same done in a couple of weeks! I'm sure he'll make an lightening recovery, they usually do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:48

      Hi Bridget and welcome! I'll be over to see your blog when the weekend child related chaos is over. He's already pretty much recovered. Amazing really.

      Delete
  8. Kath24 January 2014 at 18:43

    oh bless him. Get well soon little chap. Extra kiss from Aunty Kath xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:50

      He has had many kisses. He likes to lick our ears (nice), so I've had to get inside the cone with him. Not a pleasant experience!

      Delete
  9. A Heron's View24 January 2014 at 18:44

    No wonder his brow is furrowed in the last photo hehe !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:52

      I thought those furrows would have stretched out by now but they haven't!

      Delete
  10. ann @ studiohyde24 January 2014 at 18:46

    Aww, poor little man...still, job done and such a sensible thing to do (although I'm sure he would disagree with that)!

    ReplyDelete
  11. rusty duck24 January 2014 at 20:08

    Oh poor Jack!
    I tried a bit of gardening a couple of days ago and almost sunk without trace. When will it ever stop?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:53

      It's started again............I feel for your wellies.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous24 January 2014 at 20:12

    R.I.P. Balls Formerly Belonging To Jack

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tom Stephenson24 January 2014 at 20:32

    I remember well the day when mine were taken off, though they were not as big as his.

    My mother told me that this was a ritual which marked the transition between boyhood and manhood.


    I believed her - the witch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson24 January 2014 at 20:34

      I had a lamp-shade tied to my neck as well, but I didn't understand the significance of it at the time. I still have an arsehole though, thank God.

      Delete
    2. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:55

      I know how important arseholes are to you Tom. Perhaps some CBT might help you come to terms with your testicular loss?

      Delete
    3. Tom Stephenson28 January 2014 at 20:30

      Sounds tempting, if I only know what CBT stood for. I know about TLC, but those days are gone, along with the testes. Arseholes have always been a big part of my life - for better or worse.

      Delete
    4. Em Parkinson28 January 2014 at 21:00

      Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. TLC possibly better.

      Delete
  14. angryparsnip24 January 2014 at 20:36

    I am sure he will be up and happy again as soon as the cone of shame comes off. He looks like you have taken great care of him. He is so handsome.

    I always had my dogs snipped right away early very early as soon as the vet said early . That way I think it is easier on dog and owner And the males don't get the bad habits of jumping fences, disappearing and less marking. Yea for less marking.
    Love what Denise wrote... Watson squats down but as he is so close to the ground he doesn't mess his feet. But he did have our lady, Scotty dog to teach him.

    Now I must go over and see what rusty duck wrote about you !

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. angryparsnip24 January 2014 at 20:41

      ack... just read her post... if I wasn't following you I would be after reading her post.
      so wonderful

      Delete
    2. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:56

      Isn't it lovely? Great to see her photos too, particularly of the dogs.

      Delete
  15. Bovey Belle24 January 2014 at 21:34

    I bet he thought "ouch" when he came round, but probably better for him and you. Those cones are a pain in the neck (hah - pun not intended!) and our cats have gone crazy wearing them in the past, when they kept reeling off the furniture.

    Loved the laughing tor. Not to mention the scenery which just draws me SO. . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:57

      I'm getting bruises on my legs from the cone....so sharp.

      Delete
  16. Wendy24 January 2014 at 21:44

    Awww...hope the ten days fly by for Jack. He does look a bit subdued by it all. I love the gaping rock mouth in the sunlight - this crag looks so solid and ancient. Love the photo of the sheep behind the rocks gazing straight into your camera, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 19:58

      They weren't at all happy to see us.....the sheep I mean. Glad you like that rock one. I've never taken it from that angle before and hadn't noticed the mouth. Ridiculous really given how long we've lived here!

      Delete
  17. Gill - That British Woman24 January 2014 at 23:18

    poor lad he will be back to normal soon enough.

    ReplyDelete
  18. DeniseinVA25 January 2014 at 00:49

    What a sad face, poor sweet thing. Hope he's back to jumping around soon. Loved your photos today Em, you take some beauties.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:00

      Thanks Denise. It is a sad little face sometimes, but I think we're anthropomorphising somewhat!

      Delete
  19. Morning's Minion25 January 2014 at 03:31

    We've never had to do the cone thing with ops for dogs or cats--10 days seems quite a stretch.
    I like the photo of the hornbeam leaves--and the birds--and, of course, Jack in his many moods.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:02

      It does seem a ridiculously long time doesn't it? He's careering about like a mad thing and I can't stop him, so he must be okay. I understand he needs to be kept away from the stitches but not for THAT long surely. Glad you like those hornbeam leaves!

      Delete
  20. Christian Perrin25 January 2014 at 12:15

    Haha poor doggy! As a male myself, there's just something about this procedure that makes me wince, no matter how necessary!

    I don't know how you handle such damp weather. It drove me insane when I lived in London, I really felt extra prone to sadness and anger in the winter.

    I LOVE the Woodpecker! I did see a couple of these and the Green variety in London parks, but never a view as good as that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:05

      When the damp goes on and on, it is pretty depressing but when it's good up here, there's nowhere quite like it on a doorstep not TOO far from civilisation, so it makes it worth it....I think!

      Delete
  21. ~Kim at Golden Pines~25 January 2014 at 12:29

    I think 'we' are more traumatized by those operations than pups like Jack are! :-) But a lovely walk gets your mind off of it, doesn't it? Enjoy your weekend Em!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:06

      You too Kim. Gorse bushes and cones of shame don't really mix which is proving a bit of a problem!

      Delete
  22. Ragged Robin25 January 2014 at 12:46

    Poor Jack - he'll soon forget all about it once the cone is off!

    Love your Dartmoor photos - especially the gaping mouth :)

    Great bird photos and well done on getting one of the GSW - ours are very timid the slightest movement in the kitchen and they're off!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:07

      The GSW was gone by the time the camera was ready to take the next shot! I just got lucky. the female is less timid and I usually get two or three before she disappears.

      Delete
  23. Roy Norris25 January 2014 at 14:25

    Poor old Jack. His Man(Dog)hood may have been reduced somewhat, but whilst he has that bucket on his head then his hearing would have improved Em.{:))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:08

      Good point Roy....I'd better keep my voice down when discussing subjects he might find exciting.....sticks, dinners, treats etc.

      Delete
  24. Linda25 January 2014 at 17:13

    Oh Em....those birds are awesome....I have never seen those species before....cute!
    Oh..I have seen the woodpecker, but not the other fellas...
    Hope your Dog is back in fit form in no time!
    enjoy your weekend...still blowing and snowing here...:o(

    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:11

      Keep warm Linda - I've forgotten what serious cold is actually like. Rain and wind, yes, but lovely crisp cold....no. We've still got a couple of months to go before we're completely safe though!

      Delete
  25. Daily Photos and Thoughts25 January 2014 at 17:49

    I would say, his bark may be just a bit higher after this :) That title would catch anyone's attention!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:11

      It WAS quite low for his size so you never know! Lovely to have your comment - thanks Anne.

      Delete
  26. Gail H. Ragsdale25 January 2014 at 19:36

    I had to laugh at your title! Glad the deed is done, he'll be better for it if not as anne greene said, a bit higher in voice :) .

    Love the sheep, what great subjects to paint or draw! I love the gaping rock also and that's a cool photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson25 January 2014 at 20:15

      I haven't drawn a sheep for ages. I haven't drawn anything for ages. There never seems to be time. I must actually put aside some to do it. Commissions are easier as there's more impetus!

      Delete
  27. SeagullSuzie26 January 2014 at 10:53

    Poor doggie-but it has to be done, they do hate those collars and they catch your legs too...ouch. The weather is terrible today and I'm sure not a single bird will be seen in the garden for the RSPB bird watch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson26 January 2014 at 11:03

      If there are any out there, I can't see them through the sheets of water running down the windows!

      Delete
  28. Down by the sea26 January 2014 at 16:58

    Poor Jack, I know when Daisy has to wear a collar and she hates it. We were doing some gardening yesterday and everything feels so wet. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lou Mary28 January 2014 at 12:02

    Bracken hated his cone of shame! I think he got over the experience pretty quickly though. He sends commiserations to Jack! We kept Bracken on his lead for all of 3 days, but it gets annoying when they are so used to being let off the lead!

    Love the photo of the sheep popping its head up over the rock!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Em Parkinson28 January 2014 at 21:01

      I'm afraid it was only 36 hours before I caved in!

      Delete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)