More Prattle from Povey

  Great Aged Dutch Sheeps' Milk Gouda.   From Detwiller's Farm Market in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, S,W, Florida r

My  80th birthday celebrations ended today.  Thanks to D'Arlene Llewellyn. D'Arlene is one of my most beloved co-parishioners at St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, FL She mailed me a birthday card in time but made one wee error in the zip code (34231 instead of 34232).  The card was returned to her as undeliverable. When I returned from the U.K. D'Arlene asked me about the correct zip.  She remailed the card, and it arrived today. I am happy that the card, with its flashing lights, arrived late.   It set a seal on my 80 + new days. I took a video of the flashing lights card but I cannot figure out how at attach to this blog,' A great big hug to D'Arlene!

  I needed to make a wire transfer of funds in U.K. pounds from my Bank of America account in Florida to a Santander Bank in Bath, U.K. The transfer needed a number of diddlysquat codes; and an equal number of squatdiddly codes. 'Twas very complicated. Staff member Gina at the Bank of America branch at Sarasota Crossings (5457 Fruitville Rd.) took care of my needs with gracious efficiency. Kudos to Bank of America; and especially to Gina

  No.  This is not a choking collar.  There are no harsh spikes.  It's a rattling collar designed to get Cooper's attention. I was trained this morning to work with Cooper so that he will cease and desist from pulling me when I rattle the chain; but instead walk to heel. The chain rattling helps.  We've had a couple of 75% successful "walks to heel". I've intuited that when and if Cooper is distracted, my job is to place my body between Cooper and the source of distraction. He is a grand and loving boy.  I am grateful.  My training is essential.

  Many/Most dogs like to have a sniff where other dogs have done their business. Cooper thinks that this dog waste bin (at Nathan Benderson Park) is a veritable smorgasbord of smell.

  Cooper and I went to the Nathan Benderson Park early this morning. We wandered hither, thither and yon.  He couldn't find the right spot. We returned to my neighborhood and yet again wandered hither, thither and yon. No right spot in our locality. So it was off to Bayfront Park.  There Cooper refused to be a party pooper and did his thing. We returned to a bench and sat on it, in the hope that some of C's friends would be nearby. They weren't, but this noisy truck was.  My dear boy hid under the bench and trembled greatly.  What was this about?  Mr. C doesn't tremble at the sound of thunder.

Good morning Cooper.  Re: training you to walk t o heel . I know that you find it hard and boring.   So do I. You resist by rolling onto your back -  legs and paws flaying in all directions, including   my leg which has to heal. 'Tain't much fun.

See this from yesterday https://retiredpovey.blogspot.com/2024/06/june-22nd-2024-two-great-men-memories.html Here is the wonderful Ben in older days  

  Today would have been Ben's 100th birthday.   We had a party to remember him.                                                   WWII service With my sister Ruth .  She adored him. Here is Ben's Obit.  He was quite the guy ps://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nytimes/name/bernard-morse-obituary?pid=184275371&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ObitShare_PPNBlock_072023&utm_content=ViewObituary&sfmc_id=47313105&env=7d82acc91161a08b17aa169818279f5fc48bd76502e773ef5c106545edd0b23e&et_rid=47313105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Povey brother Steve died eight years ago today. We continue to mourn.  He was 63. We had talked about him at my party/family reunion. He would have been certain to tease me and burst the bubbles of my pretention.  I needed that! Steve's wife Angela is very much a part of our lives. She and I talked today.

Mr. C and I had an hour-long session this morning with trainer Ann C. One thing became clear.  I have to be trained, not Cooper! My training will involve making positive eye contact with C as I encourage good and helpful interaction. The word "no" is not helpful. Treats are rewards, not bribes. We are working on heel, on stay, and on sit; always with hand signals. This work is not to be reserved for special sessions.  It's for our 24/7 interactions.  It's my work! There are helpful tools. They include a Martingale Collar and a Dual handle leash. I have such on loan from A,S. for now. Our own will arrive courtesy of Am-z-n tomorrow.  Note to jmp  "a bad workman blames his tools" A.S. will grade me next week. On another note, Cooper had his first bath and grooming  today at  The Shoppes at University Town Center University Park, FL - Three Dog Bakery (threedogstores.com) It's where I took Zion.  I was delighted, but not surprised when Tim (the groomer) sai

  Zion loves looking out of my low windowed porch --------------------------------------------------------------- My neighbours B and J have a dog named Maggie. She and Cooper met the other day and did well together. B and J invited me to join them for lunch on Tuesday at aTiki Bar at the local Shriner's Lodge (at Beneva and Circus) .  I hooked dear Cooper to the table after asking B and J not to give him people food, (Maggie gets (too) many French Fries!) My Cooper rested and relaxed.   Such a good boy! ================================================= At daybreak today I took C to Arlington Park.  To my joy M-rk, a city employee, was cleaning up the large dog park. I know M-rk from his good work at Bayfront Park.  He met and greeted C, then said "let him loose in the small dog area". That I did.   C (off leash) ran around with utter glee; did his stuff,  and returned to me at my call.  Such a good boy! --------------------------------------------------------------------

 

  We were with Donna Chrisman and Ashley Lloyd. Ashley gave Cooper a new toy.  He ravaged it, as puppies are wont to do! And he gave me a BIG hug.

  I had a longstanding commitment today to have lunch with a friend who lives in Lakewood Ranch, FL It was too soon to take Mr. Cooper with me, so Amanda, my friend and dog sitter par excellence,  stayed with him. After I left Cooper spent a few minutes scratching at the front door. Then he settled down. But Cooper was ecstatic when I returned home Reaching high to tussle with a toy. Welcome Home Papa!

  I like this independent business.  For locals - it's at the corner of Beneva and Webber.  I was there today for the first time in nearly six months.  I was shopping for food and treats for Mr. C. The first words of the staff member who greeted me were "does this mean that you have a new dog?" I congratulated her on her memory. For she was one of those staff who surrounded me with tenderness when almost six months ago, I entered the story weeping buckets. They all knew that I was weeping for their beloved Zion.  He was a favourite at the Pet Supply Centre. This is customer service with care! I didn't think that Cooper was ready for a debut. But next time! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHOP LOCALLY!

 FRIDAY  Another wonderful day with Cooper. This bonding business is incredible. It's almost as if he and I are old friends.  He is in the worthy succession of Penne and Zion. As I drove home after our morning walk, I encountered a neighbor who met Cooper through the car window. Once in the car port Cooper got out of the car without permission (we'll have to work on that). Then "whoosh" he raced across the road and ran like a bat out of hell in pursuit of the rabbit that he (not I) had spotted. The rabbit won.  Cooper stopped to greet three neighbours who were enjoying a morning chat; and to meet a wee Bijon. One of the neighbours called out "he pooped".  My alleluias were profound  -  this was his first poop since Wednesday. Fortunately the neighbours were utterly understanding and I had a poop bag in my pocket. Cooper like little dogs. Cooper likes large dogs. Cooper didn't flinch during a Friday evening thunderstorm. Cooper likes it when we tussle wit

  Zion the Poser. He is so utterly gorgeous and entirely loving. I discovered that he likes to play (indoor) ball.  Neither Penne nor Zion cared for such activities. Cooper is strong.  He wants to pull me rather than walk alongside me.  I tried a harness but as my friend FRED E. noted, a harness gives dogs more heft (think of the Iditarod). I went to HSSC today.  They recommended this two point collar.  It helps a bit. In the end C and I will undergo leash training at HSSC.  Their programmes are fully booked through mid July. Never mind.   Mr. C are having such fun in the interim! And so am I!

Cooper came to Humane Society of Sarasota County on 20th March of this year. He was surrendered by the Hardee County Sheriffs Animal Service, at aged two years.  We have no idea how he came to be in their temporary care. Hardee is small County in Central Florida with a population of about 26,000   Wauchula is the County Town. It's likely that there is no rescue /adoption service in that town and county.  The obvious humane choice was to bring Cooper from Wauchula to Sarasota, where the   Humane Society of Sarasota County is a premier no-kill shelter. (I adopted Penne and Zion via HSSC) Our first day together has been little short of remarkable. It's as if we have always known each other.  He is perpetually by my side. Cooper and I will need some help in leash behaviour.  He is very strong and forges ahead at will.  I bought a harness (which makes me feel more secure) but nonetheless we'll need the available help of HSSC so that I will become the leader in our outdoor forays

  1.  Moes Surgery on my neck with Dr. Bogart.  ❤ Right side needed simple sc raping.    Left side treated with one cut.   In and out in 75 minutes! ----------------------------------------------------------- 2.    Completed and mailed my passport renewal application.  Hoping that I dotted every i and crossed every t. $135 for new passport, plus $19.53 for it to be mailed to me.   Separate checks/cheques required. 3.  At Humane Society of Sarasota County. Cooper (his name for now) will join my life on June 15th Cooper BREED Mixed Breed (Medium) SEX Male WEIGHT 65 lbs AGE 2Y/2M/3W ADOPTION FEE $85 Donate Hi there, I'm Cooper! My days are filled with boundless energy and a zest for life. I love to play and explore, always curious about what's around the next corner. I'm also quite independent, so while I love company, I'm perfectly happy amusing myself with a good chew toy. But don't let my independence fool you, I'm as sweet as they come. Adopting me means gainin

                Collection  l ovingly curated and arranged by my dear                                                       niece Louise.                                                   Sister Maureen and Brother-in-Law Bern                    Bern with his grandson Isaac             Louise, my lovely niece who curated this book Dear Aunt Irene's wedding in circa 1948.  Here she is surrounded by her new husband's side of the family - the Finches.  Can you spot me and my Mum?   I remember some of the great-aunts; and some of Mum's brothers On the left with my Dad and Mum, my twin, and my older sisters Maureen and Jean, c 1946 On the right at my brother Martyn's wedding in 1979. The only photo' of Mum with her brood; Dad having died in 1974