The Beach

With the first day of summer looming tomorrow, my thoughts turn to the beach.

Mr S and I spent a lovely 30 minutes one evening last week sitting on this seat and observing the beach.

There was much to see. People walking their dogs. Seagulls wheeling in the sky and stalking each other across the sand. And a ship moving up the bay towards The Heads.

Mr S was in his PJs, so I didn't want him running around, but he had lots of enjoyment sitting with his mummy. There was also a fair bit of jumping on the seat! He is very talkative, so there were lots of words to explore. And watching the dogs was a highlight. Since Mil has left us, Mr S has become very very interested in other dogs.

Winter Hats

It's been a cold winter for Melbourne. I've been busily knitting, but a bit slow about finishing anything. However, I have managed to complete two hats for my toddler. Ya!!

The first is made from Shepherd's Colour 4 Me in a good strong traditional red. It's 100% wool and knits up well. I used a Sirdar pattern (1682). I've also knitted a matching jacket - I just have one more side seam to sew on that, however it's been at that stage for well over a month!

The hat is nice. I added the stalk.



The second hat is really more of an old fashion 'helmet'. It's a Zoe Mellor pattern. It needs the tie to keep it on properly. It is designed to be close fitting and if not tied on it pops up. If I was knitting it again I'd knitted it a couple of sizes bigger and at least 3 cm longer so I could do away with the ties. I knitted it from Sublime Baby Cashmere, Silk, Merino DK. Super soft, but it does pill a bit. The hat also has a pompom!

I haven't been spending much time in the garden. Too cold and too difficult with Mr S. We did plant some bulb recently (they should have gone in during February!). Mr S now refers to the garden as a sandpit!

Despite the neglect, or maybe because of it there are some nice vignettes that have appeared naturally. Here lie the fruits of the Pseudocydonia nestling amongst decaying leaves.

We are still missing Mil very much. Mr S still asks about her and was very excited yesterday when he saw a picture of a blue heeler. She lives on in our hearts and our memories, but it is still very sad and painful.

Wishing you well on your journey

We buried Mil today.

She is lying next to Chewton in the backyard. While I dug the grave, Robert and Mr S went and bought some lovely flowers. The lady at 'Bodaceous Blooms' in Dromana remembered Robert buying flowers for Chewton a few years ago. Buying flowers for dog funerals must be unusual. She gave Robert a substantial discount. Her gift to Mil. Very kind and generous.

We burnt some incense at the grave. We spoke about Mil's life, what she liked, funny incidents, what she meant to us, why we love her. We cried. But we are happy that we knew Mil. We think she had a good life. We hope she loved us. We think she did.

I don't know what happens when you die. Maybe you just die. Maybe there is something else. If there is I hope Mil is happy.

Thank you to everybody who has been kind and said lovely, supportive things.

We miss her terribly. No more tip tapping of paws on the floor boards. We are a dogless house for the first time in around 20 years. Very sad.

The Mil is dead, long live The Mil

The Mil died today.


She wasn't well last night. The first inkling I had was a refusal of dinner. She had been OK during the afternoon. But last night she just wanted to lie down and pant. Mmmmm. Not good.


So she was taken to the vet first thing this morning.


He immediately diagnosed a stomach tumor that had exploded and was bleeding internally. He thought that she also had tumors in her spleen and liver.


I had no warning. I didn't know how ill she was. She was gruff, feisty, loving and slightly enigmatic to the end. She was probably in pain, but she was good at hiding her illness.


She was a good, tolerant dog. In 2006, following the birth of my son I did wonder how she would cope. But although she steadfastly ignored him for the first three months or so, she ended up interacting on a daily basis with good temper. As Mr S became more mobile she tolerated him, and in the end I think quite liked him. She allowed him to pat her, cuddle her and even pull her ears. She would even lie down for him. Pretty good for a 14 year old dog who didn't grow up with children.


The first three photos below were taken last April, just after she recovered from a mysterious illness.





Here she is having a cuddle in January 2006.

And at the beach January 2006.

And on 27 May 2008 with Mr S.

Love you Mil.