Keeping It SEASONal...

A couple of weeks in and Millie is doing well, very well....in fact so well that she went into season within a week of coming to live with us. When my Hubby told me I immediately thought it would be like a scene from a horror movie but it's been really easy, apart from whenever she sees a boy dog while out walking and then she goes nuts....she is, unfortunately, gagging for some boy action (resists the urge to type something unnecessarily naughty - this is, after all, a family blog!)

It's hard work being a bitch!

Max, having no nuts whatsoever is not bothered by this turn of events and continues to carry on in his own nutty way.....ok, no more talk of nuts! They have both settled down well together and I think until her season is over Millie is happy to let Max pull her about and basically trample all over her. Once she's out of it I think Maximillian is going to get a Millie-shaped shock!!!

A rare moment of calm in the McEllis household!!!!!!!!!!!

It hasn't all been plain-sailing...in fact some days I've been more than ready to call Aunty Kay and insist that she take these miniature monsters away immediately!!!! We came home a few days ago and found, upon investigation, what used to be one of their beds, shredded within an inch of it's life on the dining room floor.....the look on Max's face says it all......

She made me do it Daddy, honest she did....

Millie has also followed in Max's footsteps and decided that flip flops make a darn good dog chew and so, without a second thought, a pair of Dad No. 1's have been 'remodelled'. Thankfully, the furniture and chickens appear to remain unscathed by this wave of destruction, although it has to be said that I am holding my breath on that one.....watch this space methinks. 

Apocalypse Now!

Before Millie (seems like an Eon ago!) I used to take Max for a walk in the morning around the block before work, followed by a run about over the park when we got home. Now that we also have Millie things have changed a little and they get a big walk in the evenings which incorporates the Park, Cemetery and surrounding woodland, which they both really enjoy.

Reason enough to take the dogs for a walk....what a view!

This morning (August Bank Holiday Monday) we took the pups for a walk to Peckham Rye to see the Sunflower Border they've planted there, plus it gave Max & Millie some really good exercise. It's so lovely down there, it was a little fraught for me with Millie being in season and us trying to avoid every boy dog we could see - it was dripping with dogs down there!!! I'm not looking forward to taking both dogs on walks on my own while Dad No. 1 is in Italy later this month......Volunteer Dog Walkers, please contact me *urgently* via the usual means!!!

Millie & Me 

All this exercise walking the dogs is knackering let me tell you, I feel like I've run a marathon over the last couple of weeks, however, if you take on a dog/dogs, you have to walk it/them, innit.....and so we do and it's lovely, even in adverse weather conditions I enjoy it, especially as you can do some damn good bird watching over Camberwell Cemetery while you're in there...tons of Ringneck Parakeets and Green Woodpeckers by the bucketload and little unidentifiable Warbler thingys (Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers continue to elude me).....and all right next door to the allotment!

Run, Forrest, Run......

I think, to close this chapter, what I'm trying to say is....I love my life, I LOVE it!!! In almost 8 years I've gone from single, to boyfriend, to engaged, to married and with 2 dogs, 4 chickens and 14 goldfish, an allotment, a lovely home, a great job, marvellous friends, a potty (but lovely) Mum and a truly, TRULY wonderful Husband who puts up with my trials and tribulations on a daily basis (who knew blogging could be so cathartic!!!!)

.......I might even say I like London one day, but let's take it one step at a time eh!!!

La vita è bella

Crazy in Love

Bloody hell people!!! 

Who's idea was it to take on not one rescue dog, but two...and one of them has some real issues?!?!?!?!?

I. Am. Exhausted.

Millicent Hermione Oprah's arrival has turned the tables in our home. Max hasn't really changed, he's just trying more and more to assert his 'authority' on Millie.......and failing. Millie just ignores him while he constantly tries to either 1. gnaw her legs off, or 2. push his bum in her face! Millie's arrival has also given us a crystal clarity insight into Max's state of mind.....he is CRAZY! Absolutely, completely and utterly bonkers! But without him I would not be, he's a little diamond and I love him dearly.

The shorter I am, the higher I will become

It's incredible to think that Millie, the little black dog we now have, is the same little dog that came to our house almost a week ago. With each day she becomes stronger and more of a dog rather than a quivering wreck who hides from everyone and everything. I know that Millie's journey is going to be a long one but the start of her new life with us has been gentle, comforting, and most importantly for her, safe.

Millie and her sad brown eyes

There have been a number of times this week when I have had to stop myself after thinking about the life she must have had before us. 24 hours of every day spent being absolutely petrified, hungry and in hiding can't have been easy on her and her state of mind and for that I will (and must) forgive her anything that she may do (apart from trying to kill Nigella!!!) until she reaches the point where she is 100% comfortable and happy with us. She and Max are a life commitment and I/we will do whatever it takes to give them the best possible life.

Millie and Max play in the garden

Yes, as briefly mentioned above, Dad No.1 introduced Millie to the Girls yesterday and she decided to try and take a chunk out of Nigella. At this point I have to congratulate Nigella on not only her flying skills but also her gymnastic ability. Having a dog chase you while 'The Dads' are screaming at the dog, Max thinks it's a game and wants to join in and at the same time trying to avoid both dogs and get to safety cannot have been easy!!! I am pleased to report that Nigella is absolutely fine.

**Disclaimer** No chickens were harmed during the making of this blog.

A safe and very much ALIVE Nigella!

Back to nutcase Maximillian Sydney Bruiser.......he's found a new game.....

He plays with his favourite tennis ball, getting one of his Dads to chuck it here, there and everywhere while he runs around like a headless chicken (sorry Nigella, no pun intended!). Anyway, he then decides after a while that it will be fun to drop the ball in the pond. Why is anyone's guess.....Max (and it is becoming clearer with each passing day) is just plain mad and so who are we to question when and why he decided that this would be a good game, as long as he is happy so are we......almost! 

A damp Maximillian

Max decided that he couldn't wait for Dad 1 or 2 to get the ball out of the pond for him, so......yes, you guessed it, he tried to get it out himself. He did not succeed. Max fell in the pond, not fully submerged but enough to give him a bit of a shock. I can assure you that "Eau de goldfish" is not a good smell on an already stinky little mutt!

Max giving his own personal input to the blog....

Earlier I mentioned Millie's positive growth and the one thing she's really happy about and really enjoys is "walkies". Upon arrival she wasn't great on the lead with a collar, however we bought her a nice new harness and whenever we get it out of the drawer she gets very excited, her little bum wiggles like mad and off we go. Having walked her I now know what it feels like for a sled to be pulled by huskies...she's a stout, strong lass is our Millie!

"Innocent Babes"......

For all the stress, lack of sleep, worry and concern, the dogs are doing well, in fact much better than I thought after only a week. Max is Max (and I hope he always will be!) and Millie has a very long way to go but the positive thing is that she has already begun her new life and what a positive, happy, safe, loving and fun life it will be for them both!

The Family Grows....

If you remember from a recent previous chapter, Max was instrumental in helping Lewisham Animal Welfare rescue a little dog who had been dumped and was hiding away in bushes. Well.......she is now OURS!

The first time Max met Millie with Aunty Kay

Millicent Hermione Oprah McEllis (Millie) arrived this evening and both Dads and little Max are very happy indeed......although it has to be said, if Max gets any more excited he's going to implode (and get a Dad sized boot up his backside!). Millie is a very calm dog, if a bit shy but I'm sure she'll find her way and settle in once she's got her bearings.

My name is Millie and this sofa is now mine!

Of course Millie has as many adventures to look forward to as Max and they will all be documented here, on the blog, as you would expect so keep on checking in for the regular updates.

"The Kids"

So why Millicent Hermione Oprah? Well, Millie was the choice of first name and logically extended to Millicent (although Prudence was a close 2nd!). Hermione because it's the closest we could think of to Horniman - she was found in the area of the museum in Forest Hill. 

Finally, Oprah.....because she's a gorgeous black girl, innit!

Welcome to the family Millie

Max's Favourite YouTube Video!

Search & Rescue (and a special Birthday!!!)

On Friday 6th August Dad No. 1 received a call from Aunty Kay asking if she could 'borrow' Max to lure a stray dog that had been abandoned and was wandering the streets of Forest Hill. We thought it only fair that Max give some 'pay back' for his own rescue, so with a confirmed yes Dad No. 1 took Max out on Saturday morning to find the little wanderer.

Daddy, she's not here......

The dog was extremely nervous and would only come out of hiding for Max, who she seemed to like and would wag her tiny tail (for it has been docked) and they would play together in the bushes, far enough away so that her rescuers could not get to her. The day ended with her still at large.

I can't see her Daddy!

The following day Max was called into duty again and set off again to see if the little dog could be found. After a couple of hours she turned up and Max greeted her and they played together and Max ate most of the smoked ham meant for her!!!! Again the rescue attempt ended with her still not rescued.

Even hero rescuers need some downtime

However, the next day a local lady managed, after a 3 hour marathon session, to tempt the little dog into her house using her own dog and some food, so thankfully the little lady has now been rescued and is in the expert care of Aunty Kay until a suitable home is found.......

Readers, you may want to watch this space....... *GRIN*

Do we REALLY want another rescue dog?!?!?!

This weekend also saw the arrival of Dad No. 2's Mum to celebrate her 60th birthday with us here in London and a wonderful time she had too (apparently!). We took Mum on a London Rib (www.londonribvoyages.com) which was excellent and Mum loved it, especially as everyone onboard sang Happy Birthday to her as we went under the Tower Bridge!!!

Mum, on a London Rib, on the Thames

In the evening we took Mum to the Brockley Jack for dinner and a few drinks and our wonderful friends Mark and Paul joined us to help Mum celebrate (Thank you Boys)......I shall never think of the Soho Sex Shops in quite the same way again (ask my Mother......!!!)

Maximillian and his (OAP) Grandma

I'll leave you with a video of the Old Girl in action on the Thames......

Happy 60th Birthday Mum from Us, Max and The Girls

A TRAINing Day....

The heat seems to have subsided but it's still muggy here in Sarf East London. 

Le Jardin

The allotment, pots and borders still seem to require a lot of water each and every day. However, everything is blooming wonderful, the credit for much of this (it has to be said) is for my handsome Husband, who toils away in both garden and allotment while I seem to be able to find 'other things to do'....strange how that happens!

It's all 'sunny' up the allotment, innit

Today (Sunday 1st August - is it REALLY August already?!?!?!?!), Max experienced a first. We took him on a train to see Muffin & Bella (Carole & John) and their dogs, Finley and Archie in Ashtead, Surrey...I wasn't sure how he would be on a train, considering that he's not even seen one, never mind been on one.

Max waits for his train to arrive

So, on the train we got at Honor Oak Park and settled into our 45 minute journey to Tattenham Corner where Carole would collect us and take us to Ashtead. When I say 'settled', me and the Husband tried to settle with him on one of our laps, but no, Max could not sit still for a second, his nose and face were everywhere and into everything, he even enjoyed a little window licking to pass the time!

Daddy, are we there yet???

It's always a joy (and hell on the liver afterwards!) to see Carole and John and we had a wonderful time...Max had a blast!! He was having so much fun with the Boys, he thoroughly enjoyed himself, especially with Archie!!!

"Archie"

Archie, out of the two is the naughty one, the one that WILL get into as much mischief as possible and WILL get himself into trouble!!! Archie's other name, which gives you a hint of the amount of mischief he gets into is "Il Bastardo"! It would appear that this afternoon, Archie was giving Maximillian some lessons......!!!

"Finley"

I think it's fair to say that Fin is a mummy's boy, he's also a bit of an old man in a young dog's body and sees much of life as 'below him', however it doesn't stop him having fun, chasing the cat (Harry) and blaming much of whatever trouble he gets into on Archie! He's "stately' for his age but he's a gorgeous dog, a big softie really and I do think that he looks out for Archie. He probably thinks that one of them has to have his eyes on the road so why not him!

"Hear No, Speak No, See No"

Maximillian was spoilt rotten while he was at Carole & John's, receiving a fair few tit bits of barbecued lamb. He didn't stop while we were there, he was on the move all the time with either Finley or Archie, depending on who was more in the mood to tear around the garden with him.

A pooped puppy!

Maximillian Sydney Bruiser McEllis had a wonderful day with Carole, John, Finley and Archie, as did his Dads and all of us can't wait to do it again as soon as possible. Next time we will take Max and his mates to Ashtead Common or the Racecourse for a scamper.

The WONDERFUL Bella & Muffin

This coming weekend sees the arrival of Grandma Celia who is coming to stay and celebrate her 60th birthday with us......there will be pictures....