Photo of the Month (Aug 2020)

Surprisingly this year the weather has been lovely and sunny.  

During such weather the colours of the countryside are bright and varied as in this month's photo.

This is why the countryside must be protected and the farmers supported.

The photo was taken during one of my walks in Shropshire 

Have you taken a colourful photo of the countryside?  

           Do you remember where and when? 

 

Puppies again

I did not expect to return to this topic again so soon, 

There has been much on the news and various discussion shows about the huge demand recently for puppies. 

People seem to think that having a dog will help them.

It is true dogs can be of great help during difficult times.
I have experienced this to enormous benefit to me
My first dog helped me during an especially difficult time. 
So much so that my first book "My Friend Ruby"was about her.

Puppies may be adorable but they are hard work
They need to be

• house trained.
• Socialized
  
• Trained to obey commands

All of this is especially difficult during these social distancing times. 

This does not seem to concern prospective buyers.

As a consequence the huge demand for puppies has resulted like toilet paper in a scarcity.

Instead of empty shelves there is inflated prices.

Out of interest I decided to check out the asking price for a Labrador puppy.

I could not believe it 

Anything from £1,000 to as much as £3,500

This is an increase of more than 3 times the usual amount.

Such a huge amount encourages many unscrupulous breeders.

Already this is creating problems with an increase in abandoned dogs

(Puppies lose their cuteness when they become dogs,  

If not trained etc they become a liability so people decide to get rid of them)

To reiterate the advice given if you MUST have a puppy do make sure it comes from a reputable breeder.

If you need advice about this do contact me. 

Puppies Playing

Read of the Month (August 2020)

 Apologies for the delay in blog post.
Sorting a replacement laptop took longer than expected.

These are strange times in which we are now living.
Much as one would like to remain in a secure known bubble and avoid disagreements and confrontation this is not always possible. 
Recently events have prodded and poked at the bubble (at least mine).
I feel compelled to comment.
My suggested read of the month is very likely going to be contentious.

It is only by learning about the complexities of events that there is a greater understanding and acceptance things must change rather than a wholesale airbrushing.
Hopefully lessons can be learnt and so the same mistakes avoided.

It is for these reasons August's Read of the Month is 

Empire
by
Jeremy Paxman

It examines the rise of the British Empire; how and why
mainly greed and power and influence.
It also looks at its gradual demise and legacy.

It is an easy read and all the complexities are systematically scrutinized.
Are there parallels today?
Maybe