Cutting Back

Matching panel was very positive and brought huge relief as panel were happy to recommend the match. It has lifted an enormous weight from my shoulders and now, knowing who is going to be my child has freed me from the uncertainty of the whole process and allowed me to concentrate on getting everything ready for their arrival.

Finishing up all of my work commitments is obviously a priority and I am going to feel quite a tug leaving my class part way through the year. However, this is the point in my life where my priority shifts from work, to home life and it has been a long time coming.

Getting things ready at home is progressing well and honestly, my child could move in tonight and we would cope just fine. There is still a list of stuff to buy and a couple of small jobs still to do but on the whole it's done.

As for the cutting back, that was today's theme. Wicket went to yet another new groomer, who turned out to be great (and local). He looks super cute in his shortest cut to date. He should make a good first impression with my child in a few weeks.

The garden also had some major cutting back in the form of some major tree surgery. My great willows, planted as saplings 12 years ago and now taller than the house, had a 30% reduction and trim in order to let more light into the garden and make them safe. This should allow me to reseed the lawn after a damp and shady year which resulted in a large mud patch. Hopefully, this summer I will have a lawn for toddler and Wicket to play on.

The Dog and The Beach

Newly groomed, it was inevitable that Wicket would find the quickest excuse to get mucky again. He had plenty of opportunities on the beach. Mawbray is a fabulous place for a dog walk; a lovely wild stretch of beach with ever changing colours and moods. Considering the time of year, it was relatively mild and the wind was not too biting.

This time last year it was blowing a gale, and bitterly cold. Wicket, at just 3 months old, was quite quickly over the excitement of a new place and looking for a lift in my arms. This time we managed a good hour running around on the beach with Snoopy and he showed no signs of having had enough. Both dogs were reluctant to return to the car.

Snoopy shows off his confidence in jumping small streams. Wicket doesn't.

A beach-eye view of Scotland across the Firth.

Wicket digs a hole to stick his nose into.

The sunset painted a Turner sky.

While the dogs played on.

Welcoming Wicket

Back in November I fell in love. It was instant and from the moment I heard the words 'he's for sale', I knew he had to be mine. Yes, I know - oldest trick in the book. Take cute puppy into the school playground and see who bites. Truth is, I've thought about buying a dog for sometime and until now have always pushed it aside as impractical with my lifestyle. As soon as I saw Wicket I just had to make it work.

And so far we have made it work. He is a beautifully natured Shih tzu/ poodle cross. He is learning fast and already at four and a half months old, has most of his commands down. We are still working on house training but he is nearly there, and today he experienced snow for the first time and ran, loopy, round the garden. I have a friend and a dog walker helping me out with lunchtime walks while I am at work and I can hardly remember what life was like before he arrived.

So why Wicket? Well Star Wars fans will probably be there already but for everyone else: see below!

Wicket the Ewok

Wicket the puppy