Let the animal out

I have a dog and class myself as a pretty good dog owner. Don't get me wrong, my dog is not perfect and I have had many many moments where my I've been in the owner with 'that dog'. For example when when he jumps out the car runs straight down to the beach into the water and squares up to a swan while everyone else watches, like when everyone else avoids the gigantic muddy puddle but he runs through splashing then encourages other dogs to follow, like when he loses his ball in the river and has 4 different people doing the 'dawwww' face and climbing in to get it out for him.

However, I am firm believer that if you own a dog you should learn how to train it. You know, do a bit of research, read up, watch some of the many shows on TV on the matter. My personal saviour is the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. My dog was wild when I got him at the age of four. He wandered off, he charged, he escaped, he barked, he jumped up to name but a few, but now he's....no bad.

In the UK we are lucky as you don't have to keep your dog on the lead. We have the pleasure of being able to let our dogs run free (which is great if you take the time to train your dog) I regularly take my dog long walks, I like to vary the venue but one of my favourite things is the social aspect of a park for the dogs and for me. The majority of dog owners at parks are great. However, there are the few who go to this wide open space, don't let their dogs off the lead and even worse freak out when another dog goes over to theirs. They panic when my dog sniffs their dog's behind. This is what dogs do to greet each other, it is normal. But no the panicky owner is shouting at this stage to get my dog under control.

I tend to make a point around these people to NOT put my dog on the lead. To NOT call him off and to let him basically do what he wants. The more the other person wants me to shackle my dog, the less likely I am to do it. You also notice that these people's dogs generally have a jealousy in their eyes that they want to play.

If you are going to take your dog to the park, let them play, let them get dirty, let them have fun. You might just find it brings a smile to your crackling old face too.

A damn fine cup of coffee

Everyone needs caffeine to survive right?

Well a few years ago my main source of caffeine was Diet Coke. I drank gallons of it. I probably went through 4 -5 cans during a working day and then probably more when I got home. Then I decided that was probably bad so I stopped and started drinking orange squash.

However bizarrely since I stopped doing shift work and moved onto the 9-5 life late last year, caffeine has become a staple diet in my life again. Although this time in coffee form. Although I have become fussy about my coffee. My place of work has a Costa Coffee on the premises which I vow not to use due to financial implications but the jar of instant I keep in my drawer (even if it is premium instant) just doesn't cut it when you know Costa is just downstairs.

Work is covered but I don't tend to drink coffee in the house. Firstly because it doesn't occur to me to boil the kettle, secondly it takes so long to boil the kettle and thirdly, it instant - see previous comment. I have never bought a coffee maker because I live alone, and as I say don't drink enough coffee alone to warrant it. But today that all changed I bought a pod system coffee maker. A Tassimo to be precise. It makes one cup at a time which is perfect for me, makes it instantly, and you can buy lots of different varieties.

I have had it for a grand total of 7 hours and am already in love with it.

It's a whole new world

I've said it before but this time I mean it. I am determined to make some changes in life. I'm gradually getting fitter, losing weight but the best bit is I'm actually enjoying doing it. I recently found a social tennis group to join. Tennis is a sport that I have never played, never. I love watching tennis, love it. I become obsessed with Grand Slams and always want to give it a go but can't think of a way to start playing. The group I'm playing with seems to be a solution. I am really enjoying it and finding that I am also not terrible at it. I'm not great, but not terrible either. But most importantly it's got me looking into trying to find lessons...at my age!

Also, last month I completed a 26 mile marathon walk (Kiltwalk) for charity in 8.5hrs, something I am very proud of completing. Something that a some people who know me and should support me, didn't think I could do. It wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but it certainly wasn't as hard as I expected meaning that the training had helped. Since then I've done a 10K walk and am slowly attempting to start running, but to be honest, I hate running. I'm getting better at it and I'm certainly feeling fitter and better than I have in years but running is not something I enjoy. Walking yes, running no.

I have also found social groups to go out with which is great which means I have some semblance of a social life. I have also found new interests. I joined a debating group. Again it's a fun and social group (we meet in a pub) I signed up while on a pub crawl with the group's organiser but decided to go anyway and actually really enjoyed it.

My new philosophy of trying new things seems to be going well. I guess it's a little bit about getting out of my comfort zone.

I think once you pass the age of 30 trying new things is definitely not as easy as it once was but I am slowly and surely finding that you can get a hell of a lot of out of just biting the bullet and trying.

So, I'm feeling pretty good, I'm trying new things - let's hope it continues.