A dog's life

Rocco!!

He's arrived.....welcome home Rocco.  After quite a nervous week, then an exciting few days before we picked him up, we had everything ready.  Mum and dad even joined Tim and I at his pre-adoption talk where the Dogs Trust discuss dog owner responsibilities and also try and manage your expectations of taking on a rescue dog.


We headed off to pick him up on Thursday morning.  We both had the day off so we could settle him in.

We had to fill in some paperwork and pay our adoption fee.  He came with a  lead and collar but we also bought him a Dogs Trust harness as he's super strong and when he pulls, a collar on its own really digs into his neck.

Giving me directions on the way back from the Dogs Trust

Getting ready, with a note from mum and dad and some more toys

We've now had him a week and we are both so glad we've rescued him (apart from when he digs up my garden!).  I get really excited to see him when I come home from work.  Mum and dad have been taking him out for a walk during the day when Tim and I are both at work and also checking up on him in the afternoon before we get home. We are really enjoying our early morning walk with him before work....mind you, it's super scorchio at the mo so it's lovely to get out, remind me in six months time when the weather is crap that I love these early morning walks!!

The first couple of nights were really hard as he whined so much and seemed so sad, but we fought it and didn't go down to him (even though we were awake from 5.30am hearing him whimper), but the past two nights we haven't heard him at all and he seems to have settled right at home.  He doesn't pull as much on the lead now either.

I had the pleasure of taking him to the vets for his second set of jabs on Tuesday and I think I was more nervous about the whole thing than he was.....

Having him has already been really therapeutic as it gives me something else to focus my attention on.

We are taking him for his first training session next week....Let's see how that goes.

Oh, and the poo thing - well, it's not great, but it's not nearly as bad as I thought.  However, his farts are legendary (nearly as bad as mine!!! hahahahaha) 💩

Content

Welcome home

He needs to work on his selfie face

That's a bit better

Cute

Our first walk with Rocco

Hello

Tim's first walk on his own with Rocco

Not content with a normal bowl of water, he goes for the bird bath!

Asleep (again)

Chillin'

Going for it around the garden

Birthday surprise

So my CT scan appointment arrived in the post.  It is the day after my birthday at 8.20am in Kidderminster! Jeez.... FUN FUN FUN.  I can't change it as they say it will be at least another five weeks before I get another appointment.  I wonder if they'll see prosecco swilling around my insides?? 😂😂😂

I haven't had my back cement appointment through yet, but I'm hoping it comes in soon.  My back is cack and is really uncomfortable for a lot of the day. I'm living on codeine at the moment but even that doesn't seem to be touching the spot as much as it was and I don't really want to go back on the morphine!!

However, my back did manage a lot of dancing at a terrible 80s and 90s night I went to with my choir chums recently.  Honestly, it was so bad - they played 70s music and served cold food, but we made the most of it and had a right laugh - it was one of those 'it's so bad, it's good' nights... AND I was driving and therefore sober too....at least I didn't have a hangover.  I managed to dance all night, but then I was in my trainers in my 80s gear!!

'It was acceptable in the 80s'

'Choose life' - how apt

More wine?

We had lots of fun at a charity wine and cheese evening at Bottles wine bar recently raising funds for the breast unit.  I helped Lexi (the charity fundraiser) to sell raffle tickets outlining that a blow dry and not a blow job was one of the raffle prizes!!  We had a great time, and then carried on to Boleros wine bar for some more wine and a sharing platter.  I did feel a bit delicate the day after. Oops.

Don't mind if I do

Lovely Lexi

You know it makes sense

oooo, cheesy

Chin chin

Ace friends

Cheers or cheese, I'm not sure which?!

Humbling

This past weekend I volunteered at the Wildgoose Rural Training Open Day at Top Barn in Worcester with some of my work colleagues.  What a wonderful day we had (despite the rain).  It is such an amazing facility and it was very humbling to be there and be part of it.

They offer all sorts of training for those with mental or physical disabilities, the vulnerable, or those that just need help.  They have a small farm, a wood workshop, allotment type areas amongst other things.

I was working the bar and BBQ mainly and I bought Tim some of their homemade cider and myself a lupin.  During some of my time off from volunteering I even made Rocco an identity tag in the workshop.

My handiwork 

A thoroughly rewarding day.

Honestly, if there is one thing you should do with your life, it is volunteer or fundraise for a good cause. It makes you feel so good.

Volunteering with Kev and Matthew

Rosanna was working the headdress making and mask painting barn

Jenn and Tim brought Fenway along for a look around

Model behaviour

Did I tell you that Susie and I have been chosen from 250 people to represent Breast Cancer Care at their flagship event in September?  EEEEK so exciting.  Over 1700 people will see us model several different looks at The Show.  It's a fashion show with entertainment, celebrity hosts and a sumptuous meal at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster. There are two shows - one at lunchtime and one in the evening.  Mum and dad are coming to the lunch event and Timmy B is coming to the evening show....yippee.

If you'd like tickets to come and see us strut our stuff, they are on sale now. Details are here. All of the models, male and female have received a breast cancer diagnosis which makes the event even more powerful.  Last year they raised £403,000, so we'd love to help them better that this year.

We're collecting donations for Breast Cancer Care via our JustGiving page here if you'd like to donate to this wonderful charity.  BCC have been so helpful to me since my secondary diagnosis - I have read many of their leaflets which has provided me with much needed information.

Do me a favour?

So, have you got two minutes spare?  I know you have cos you've spent some of your precious time reading my inane ramblings.... Right, get yourself clicking on the web link below and nominate the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven as one of TSB bank's charity partners.  It would be amazing if the Breast Unit was chosen.  The deadline is 30 May and all of the details you need can be copied and pasted from this:

Go to: http://www.tsb.co.uk/charity-nomination-form/

Charity's full name: Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven

Registered Charity Number: 1171155

Organisation’s email address: alexandra.craigie@nhs.net

Best person to contact: Alexandra Craigie

Organisation’s phone number: 01905 733 786

What does the organisation do (max 250 characters, suggested description here, feel free to write your own): WBUH is Worcestershire’s local Breast Cancer Charity raising funds to support the people of Worcestershire with their breast care needs. They provide clinical services, assistance & invaluable support over & above what the NHS can offer.

Charity postcode: WR5 1DD

The closing date is 5pm on Wednesday 30 May 2017, so we need to be quick.

Thank you sooooo much.

Love to you all. xx