Pud and Pee-Wee-Two-Poo

We're always giving the puppies alternative names, Max is Shmoo/Syd/Bruiser/Monkey Boy/Little Shit/Poo Face/Mr. P. Uppington (a personal favourite) and Millie is Moo/Chunkella/Wiggly Woo/Mills to name but a few, however just recently it would appear that Millie and Max have a couple of names that seem to stick. Millie has developed a waistline since her previous life as a waif and stray - well she was never going to be a size zero, not in this house - and so Dad 1 has taken to calling her 'Pud', which does suit her. She does eat far more than Max and doesn't have the metabolism or endless energy that he does so it seems only right that she becomes a solid lady with a voluptuous figure! She's gone from Kate Moss to Oprah Winfrey without the drugs or doughnuts!

Pud

Maximillian has a couple of toilet-related 'habits' (He was never going to be classy was he?!?!) and so it goes without saying that his new names are also derived from his daily rituals. Pee-Wee-Two-Poo has been so named in honour of the fact that he has a 'little problem'. He can't control himself when he gets really excited and so he dribbles and 'wets himself'. Although, if you're Aunty Kay, you get him really, REALLY excited and then you plonk him on Dad 2's chest and watch as Max pee's all over his Dad.....thanks Kay!!! Two-Poo is basically because when we go out for a walk to the park Max nearly always does two poos, most of the time in the most inappropriate of places and that's the story of Pee-Wee-Two-Poo.

Pee-Wee-Two-Poo

Apart from coming up with ridiculous alternative names for the pups, life is as life is, quiet and non-eventful for the moment. Considering the last 6 months it's something I'm rather happy to roll along with to be honest, lord knows 'His Nibs' needs the break and I have recently come to the conclusion that I am tired, really rather lethargic and in need of a rest, both physically and mentally - and I'm "menstrual", short tempered and moody (no change there then I hear you say!!!). However, all is not well in McEllis Towers, my lovely man is unwell again and we don't really know why. Pain and discomfort, the inability to walk too far without using his walking sticks (Thank God he can still reach the kitchen and cook the dinner - yes, I AM joking!!!). He's had all sorts of tests and x-rays, however we're no nearer an informed decision (our GP is a prize Numpty!!!) so it looks like we'll be getting him back in to hospital for more...there is talk of an MRI....we will see. I worry about him, I always worry about him, but it's the last thing he needs right now and is, as they say, the icing on the cake!

Mr & Mr McEllis

We're currently flicking through seed catalogues trying to decide on want to grow at the allotment for this year's crop. We're definitely going to get the mini poly tunnel up this year and fill it with various varieties of tomato, cucumber and melon and then fill the outer beds with the usual suspects - french beans, potatoes, celeriac, broad beans, artichokes, salad leaves, radishes, brassicas, turnips, etc, etc. The planning stage is very exciting, almost more exciting than watching your seeds grow into something edible and delicious and I can't tell you how fantastic it is when you get home and the post has brought you a delivery of seeds......FAB!

A small section of the allotment - 2010

We are currently planning our trip to Mexico (Don't tell M&M - they don't know!!!) and we're more than a little excited.....the warmth, sun, bird watching and relaxation will do us both the world of good methinks. I've only ever been to the Americas once, the West Coast in 1998 so this is very exciting for me.....all those new bird species I haven't seen yet including Hummingbirds *excited scream*

Now if someone could arrange for the next 5 weeks to be 'event free' I would be most grateful!!!!!

5 weeks and we will be here!!!

Life Goes On.....

Those three words have been bouncing around in my head for some time now, and as much as I try to avoid cliches, it's true. The past 5 months have been largely devoted to Joyce, her illness and subsequent passing and now that the funeral has taken place and the family have all returned to their respective homes, life is somewhat quiet and reflective. 

And we let these people near our puppies!!!!!

While we were in Cheshire for Mum's funeral, the lovely Aunty Kay and Uncle Jim looked after  Max & Millie and the Girls. A fantastic job they did too! Max was positively apoplectic with joy that Kay was in the house, although I'm not too sure that Jim was happy to be wee'd on.....get used to it Mr. Horton, there's plenty more where that came from I can assure you!!!!

Pee-Wee Two-Poo McEllis

The pups aren't getting as much exercise as we'd like, due to both of us still not 100% in the bones/joints/ache and pains department! However, when they do go out for a walk I am trying to get Millie to walk on the lead rather than pull like some mini husky that she seems to think she is. It doesn't start very positively but slowly she gets the idea and by the end of the walk she's almost getting it. I can be heard around the area shouting "Millie walk, Millie WALK!"...

Chase me, chase me

Unfortunately, due to vandalism, theft and the like, the Council have decided to take it upon themselves to shut the park from 5pm in the evening to 8am the following morning. This means that at night when people get home from work they have no green space available on which to walk our dogs. They did employ a 'security firm', but even with this addition of so called security, the events were still taking place, so they've shut it. Not that this will stop the vandals, thieves, etc, they'll just climb the fence! It's the poor dogs I feel sorry for, not just ours but all of Max & Millie's "friends" too as they all have to wait for Saturday and Sunday before they can have a run around in the park *rant over*.

Max playing with Roxy and Toby

I'll close with a lovely poem dedicated to my dearly departed Mother in Law, Mrs. Joyce Ellis:

You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Gone But Never Forgotten

Mrs. Joyce "Nana" Ellis

23.8.37 - 9.1.2011

Welcome to 2011

The end of 2010 passed very gently in our home, what with the pair of us being in bed by 11.30pm and 2011's arrival was equally as quiet, if not a little sickly....my fella has 'man flu' and has not been well for a few days. He has been ably looked after by yours truly (despite what he may say!) and is feeling a little better today. 

A cuddle from Milllie ALWAYS makes you feel better!

However, I have to say that having a guilty pleasure dinner of roast beef with horseradish sauce and home made chips (in the new deep fat fryer I bought him for Christmas) followed by Vienetta (memories!!!!) was MARVELLOUS....I was hoping for a bit more beef but he didn't really feel up to it *fnar fnar* so I lay in bed and watched the fireworks from the comfort and warmth of the duvet while he snored like a freight train and oozed germs from every pore.

An excellent area for bird watching and dog walking

After breakfast it was decided that we take the dogs for a good, long walk up at Sydenham Hill Wood. This would not only give the puppies some much needed exercise, but would also give my Man the opportunity to get some fresh air and to try and feel human again (a tall order by anyone's standards!). So, with wellies on and dogs on leads, we loaded ourselves into the car and off we went.

The Family - New Year's Day 2011

The place was heaving....not only with other dogs but also families dragging their children through the woods. Max and Millie, as always, had a wonderful time and met a number of other dogs. Bo, who appeared to be a very timid but cute little rescue Staffy and Lily, a Pug who was absolutely bonkers but enjoyed playing with Max, as he did with her.....obviously, they both got very muddy.....

Help. Me. Pleeeeeeease!

We got home and the pair of them were caked in mud so, what better way to start the new year than with a bath?! Apart from when the water goes over her face, I truly believe that Millie enjoys her bath, she stands there and lets you get on with it, knowing full well that when she gets out she'll get a well deserved treat and a fire to lie in front of.......Maximillian, on the other hand, is another story (surprise, surprise!!!).

How dirty is that dog?!?!?!

Max is not a fan of baths or getting wet at all for that matter. He doesn't like it and never has, however hard we try and make it a pleasurable experience for him. He HATES it.....I recall a certain little dog, halfway up Snowdon in September 2010 who sat there and wailed like a banshee because it was raining too hard for him....admittedly the rain was torrential and accompanied by a howling gale but that's not the point!

Pleeeeease don't bath me Dad, pleeeeease!

The transformation from Max in the bath to Max out of the bath and dried is extraordinary, they resemble two completely different dogs! Once out of the bath, Max can't wait for you to finish drying him so that he can dart around the house like a thing possessed, have his treat, attack and maul Millie and then collapse, happy and content in front of the fire or on Dad's lap, for a much needed nap!

The ordeal is over...

The first day of 2011 has so far been nothing short of lovely....we've had a lazy morning, a refreshing walk with 'the kids', bath-time followed by treats and a nap in front of the fire (I hope my bath-time goes the same way!!!). I'm off to clean out the hens which will probably be followed by me annoying my Husband (it would be a crime not to since I do it sooooo well and why change the daily routine I say!!!)....

Happy New Year One and All from All of Us.