Monday 6th April
Beginning of the Tax year. I suspect that the Government will have problems balancing the books this year. It seems that every day must have some worrying news. Tigers in Bronx Zoo, New York, have contracted Coronavirus from a keeper. If it has jumped from human to animal, what are the implications for dogs? This morning we meet with just a couple of dog-walking friends on Croft Hill, and exchange news and views as we are spread out on the side of the Hill. Thanks to Social Distancing our bellowed news was no doubt shared with occupiers of houses along the Lane at the bottom of the Hill. I am sent out once again to a pharmacist to search for an ankle support as specified by Mum-in-Law Andree. This time I am armed with a photo of Andree dangling an elastic ankle support that she already owns, held at arm’s length through an almost closed front door. I show the assistant my photograph, and explain that the support must meet the specification. Between us we conclude that, of the half a dozen designs available, none qualify. “Your Mother-in-Law is a bit awkward, isnt she?” the assistant comments. Strange, after such a short conversation. She has just seen Andree in my photo, and this is Andree’s local pharmacy. Just saying. This evening I have chats with Simon and sister Ros, on WhatsApp and Facetime respectively. Video calls are becoming the norm. Tonight, would normally be our Dog Training Club meeting. We upload videos to the Club WhatsApp group, of Tia and Ellie weaving between poles, and in Tia’s case, jumping through a hoop. We comment on videos of exercises performed by other dogs in the Club. It keeps our dogs focussed and all of us in touch until we can meet again. Boris cannot shake off Covid-19 symptoms, and has been admitted to hospital.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
