Chivalry and Dogs

This morning, a young and good looking gentleman gave me a seat on the bus, even though I'm not (1) old, (2) disabled and/or (3) pregnant. Chivalry is not dead!!!

It's a new week, it really started yesterday. This week feels less laborious than the last, probably due to the restful weekend of playing with the dogs, seeing the family, getting some really really good home-cooked food, some DVDs and escaping from new plus slope for just 2 days. Monday is so much more tolerable if one had had a good weekend, and something fun to look forward to on a Monday evening.

The dogs are fine. Tara and Cookie got their vaccination - Tara tried to bite the vet , Cookie kept jumping on him (he must have smelt very interesting). 

Tara is a cross between a Belgian Shepherd and a Rottweiler, and she's an absolute beauty. She's not a year old yet, but probably about 25 kg and a big bundle of energy. Playing fetch with her is such fun because she goes off like a bullet and then keeps coming back. She's been enjoying eating Tyro's poop, probably coz Tyro hasn't been digesting his food well; but then again, Tara is perpetually hungry. She's super playful, i wish there were a big field somewhere i can let her go so she can run to her heart's desire.

Bonjour Tara.

Cookie is a cockroach-killing, housefly-snapping Jack Russell, who thinks he's actually bigger than Tara but uses his petite size to hide behind the bushes or leap onto the garden table once Tara goes after him. Cookie never understood how Tara grew from being the same size as him, to the alpha female she's become. It baffles him, one can see it in his eyes.

Hello Cookie.

Tyro also got his check up. Vet was baffled why we didn't continue on his medication, but poor mom didn't know she had to continue with the dosage (mis-communication there). Tyro is a cross Japanese Spitz and is about 17 years old this year. He is our first family dog, and the first love of my life. Throughout his 17 years, he never got sick, was always happy and laughing, and had such a thick coat of fluffy white fur. Kids loved him. Gay dogs too. Sadly, Tyro is getting on years, and since he contracted hypothyroidism, he has been consumed by his hormones, lost alot of his fur and spunk. He doesn't move around very much anymore, and doesn't laugh anymore, but he hasn't lost his fighting spirit and his desire to live. He manages to walk at least an hour a day, and knows how to seek help if he needs to pee or empty his bowels. He's lived so long, and deserves to live the rest of his life peacefully and being taken good care of (thanks to moms!). He's back on medication, and we all hope he feels better soon. I'll try to scan a picture of him when he was healthy and share here.

Last night's session with Monk was great. Niks Biks brought her guitar, and we practised and jammed for a while. Apart from some new scales and arpeggios, we also tried:

- Besame Mucho
- Fly Me To The Moon
- I Wish You Love
- Can't Take That Away from Me
- Beyond the Sea

Can't wait to get some time to practise some more!

Today, I'd like to share the "Trois Gymnopedies", composed by French composer and Pianist Erik Satie in 1888. I find it very emotional and very pensive.