When the World Goes Wrong

Sorry I haven’t posted for a while, but I haven’t been well.

Until Annabelle took me to the vet, I thought it was the world that wasn’t well – it kept tilting and whirling so I couldn’t keep my balance – but the vet said I had something called canine vestibular disease. She told Annabelle it’s something that happens to old dogs, and I would feel like I was ‘on a boat’ for a while. I must be a good sailor, because I didn’t throw up – apparently a lot of dogs get sick with this condition. I still wouldn’t want to go on a boat, though, if that’s what it feels like.

Where’s my head at?

I haven’t even been able to sleep properly – it’s hard to sleep when your bed won’t keep still – so my trips to the dream world of Storyland have been interrupted, and I haven’t been able to help Annabelle with her writing.

Pearl is being her usual unhelpful self – she says I’m going ‘ga-ga’. I’m not sure exactly what she means by that, but I don’t think it’s meant as a compliment. She’s in no position to criticise, considering how disgracefully she behaved on our visit to the family at Christmas. As soon as we arrived she stole the remains of a roast chicken from the kitchen bin, and growled rudely when it was taken away from her. She stole food off people’s plates and trashed the furniture, removing the dog-proof covers and burrowing into the cushions. Worst of all, she ran away from us while we were out on a walk and very nearly got herself killed on the main road. She was lucky to escape with a few scratches and scrapes.

At least she can still go for long walks, which is more than I can do at the moment. The other day she took great pleasure in telling me she’d heard a blackbird when Annabelle took her out. As if!! No blackbird would be singing this early in the year. Would it?

Altogether, it hasn’t been a very happy New Year for us so far. I hope it’s better for all of you!