Letter from Lulu ...

As most of you are aware I am potty about animals. This is pretty indiscriminate, though I must own up to a preference for mammals. So those who know me, know that the decision to join Duncan on this adventure and leave my 'furkids' was only made possible by the saintly intervention of Dunc's best buddy Tim and his beautiful bride Chelsea who agreed to 'house and furry sit' for us. I mustn't fail to mention that they were also recently joined by Tom, their first.

So to set the scene, we have a new eco house in sunny Manly circa 500m from the beach and surrounded by parklands, with even newer (incomplete) addition. We have Tim, just started a new job. Chelsea, a new mum for the first time. Tom, well everything's new for Tom! And then we have Lulu (Beagle x Jack Russell - double trouble) with plenty of idiosyncracies and a look that says 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth'. And finally Bugly, her best buddy (Fox terrier x????) who is never far away and even more eccentric (but at least he doesn't try to hide the fact).

Today, Lulu sent through an update:

Dear Mum,

These new walkers are alright you know - a bit stupid with their routine, but generally ok. In the morning we walk with a pram - it's fun trying to tip it over,but I think she's cottoned on to that trick! In the evening it's a bit more controlled and we visit thebeach. I'm knackered by the time we get home, so it's great to sit still and have some dinner.

We met the ranger this morning. I was having a hard enough morning anyway as I was on a new lead for some reason (I think it has something to do with the fact that I chewed through the other one while waiting for the female walker yesterday - but I'll let you know how my bid for freedom went later). Anyway - the Ranger was quite nice. I sat there obediently while Bugly disgraced himself by trying to be adorable and jump up/ lick the poor man. Talk about embarrassing! Geoff (the Ranger) kindly pointed out that having me on the lead wasn't enough while walking around the ovals and that Bugly should be restrained as well. I laughed...all those walks where Bugly runs free and tries to crash tackle me and shows off...HA...this morning must have been even worse for him than it was for me. I'm used to a lead (although this new one is a bt short), he on the other hand is not.At least he didn't try and mount me when we got home. I s'pose I should be flattered by his attentions,being an old dog and all - but it is a bit tedious! The Ranger also noted that council is providing a new map indicating where the designated dog areas are....hopefully we'll be visiting a few of those when we get a copy of this map. Hopefully I'll have a newlead by then as well so I can venture more than 2m from the new walkers.

OH, OH....I almost escaped these new walkers yesterday- thought I'd test them out a little, but got a little confused and ended up back where I started from.I was SO excited...we were waiting out the front of a friends house when I got bored watching all these 2 legged creatures walk by, so I decided to join them. Chewing through the lead was easy (should have done that MONTHS ago!) - but then I got so excited about the possibilities that I followed a 2 legged creature around the back of the house the new walker was in.

Talk about stupid - I had the entire neighbourhood to explore. It was satisfying to hear a panic stricken voice calling me from the front of the house though. Clearly I ignored all calls - and was a bit gutted when someone else noted how dumb I had been. I soon found myself tied up at the rear of the house....when the lead broke again - FANTASTIC! there were children to play with, sausages to eat, a new garden to digup...bliss....and then I got stuck to Bugly as we had to share a lead. Damn it!

oh no - that .little creature that doesn't do much is making a racket. Will go and check he's ok....lick his face and smell his nappy to make sure all is good.

see you soon
LuLu x