Agape + Anthos

Yesterday I made a mental note of my plan to test the state of my breathing skills and to try my hand at mowing some parts of the lawn. Naturally, this morning, we woke to a short but soaking shower, which put paid to the mowing plan.

When I put my gumboots on, the dogs rallied round expectantly as if I was planning to take them for a walk – not an easy job for single-handed control, if you know Benny and Sophie.

“Walk? Yes, please… we’re game, let’s go!” seemed to be their message.

“Oh, you don’t think… a walk in the garden? Ok, yes please… That’s good as well!”

So we went on a “walk” through the garden with camera in hand. Actually, I strolled very slowly, whilst my two Lab accomplices dashed hither and thither, as if hunting rabbits and other strange creatures under every bush and shrub and in every conceivable place. They seemed to enjoy this simple pleasure as much as they would have in the street, especially as there were no leashes involved.

With dull and dreary light, damp grass and trees, I wasn’t over-inspired to do much photography. I then took some “arty” pics, close-ups and abstracts.

(a) Agapanthus

Agapanthus, blue and white seems to be a regional flower, growing in everyone’s garden and also along the verges of most of the country roads. Apparently, the name Agapanthus is derived from scientific Greek agape=love and anthos=flower.

(b) Pines

(c) Up the Garden Path…

A number of “secret” pathways have been formed by the hounds in their travels through the undergrowth, generally running along the street fence to “chase” passing cars and walkers with their dogs.

(d) Flowers

(e) Grasses…

Reikorangi Big Game Hunters

New Zealand has a reputation as being a “green” pristine country with all the beauties of nature on show. Just as important, there are no territorial (land) snakes, native or imported, no lions, no tigers or any other such nasties which can kill you.

However, there is a small team of big game hunters in the Reikorangi Valley, to hunt down and capture the wild creatures around here: Below, we bring you a scoop preview of the team members and examples of their hauls:

Benny, the hedgehog king. He can hold even the biggest and heaviest of these hardy critters in his mouth, without damaging his cheeks or gums. Benny is probably the Reikorangi hunter king with a large tally of nocturnal hedgehogs to his name.

 
Sophie has recently demonstrated her prowess by capturing and bringing home this bunny, without really harming it. Rumour has it that the bunny died of heart failure. She has only caught one (so far) – on Goat’s Hill.

Cocoa caught this wee mouselet this afternoon. (see yellow arrow and outline). We couldn’t get a decent photo of the agile mite, not even one in focus. But then, again, Cocoa is not much of a hunter – he’s quite good at snoozing.  Sorry, Cocoa.

The English (Labrador) Patient

Benny came dashing in from outside on Wednesday. Nothing unusual in that. Except that there were dozens of doggy paw-prints all down the passageway, to each of the bedrooms and the bathroom/toilet, as if he was searching for someone…

He was searching… Please help me, he seemed to be saying (in a doggy sort of way), “Please help me, my left-back paw is covered in this sticky red stuff!"

Long story short: Bloody footprints all over. Telephone call to the Vet, copious licking (by the dog, not the Vet). Rested overnight, another telephone call to the Vet. Foot not good, come in for stitching, etc and overnight stay. Still cannot fathom how his foot got cut. Sister Sophie sulking and pining at the absence of Big Bro’ Benny.

This morning Bianca collected a heeled healed Benny, with instructions that he should wear the (clear plastic) doggy gumboot and be kept to the grassy surfaces. Everyone was happy to see the Big Boy back, not least of all Sister Sophie.

With this huge “TV dish” around his neck to discourage any licking of the bandages and dressing off. Benny looking a little forlorn.

Does this protector make my bum look big?

Close-up of the repaired paw. Get well soon, Benny! We all love you!

Ow, Ow, Ow… Woe is me! How did this happen?