Thursday Thoughts – A Nightmare

I have not been online much this week. The worst scenario happened Monday evening – a pitbull came running towards us, caught Milo and would not let go. The owner of the dog soon turned up, apologizing that he had let the dog slip from him. He tried to break up the jaws of his dog, but those jaws are made for Not letting go.

After a seemingly endless fight, the pitbull finally let go – only to run around us and attack Milo’s hind leg and groin. I don’t know how the owner made the dog stop, but he did. Blood everywhere.

Milo limped with me to the car and we drove to the vet at the town hospital. We stayed until morning broke, and they had operated him. I don’t know how many stiches, but at least in 4-5 places on his body. Shaved clean and a drainage set.

I am still in a state of shock, but Milo is alive – that is the most important thing. I am home alone since two weeks, (my husband in Taiwan) but I do wish I wasn’t…

So, I am writing this now, when Milo is safely asleep beside me. Grateful for his life. Grateful for a responsible owner, who immediately paid all expenses the day after, and – promised to let the pitbull be euthanized. He was badly hurt in arms and fingers himself, and had spent some hours at the hospital too that night.

Why do people buy dogs that are deadly weapons? I know several people, and even friends, who have lost their dogs or got bitten themselves (or their child) after such a meeting. People always say that it is the dog owner’s fault, who cannot handle those breeds correctly. But – there will always be people who ”cannot handle it”. The injuries will not be that disastrous though, if you have an ordinary breed and not one that is trained to kill.

I think Denmark has forbidden those killer breeds, but here – no. How many lives must be spilled before there is a law against breeding and having them?

Thursday Thoughts – Flowers at Summer’s End

We have got three summer months: June, July and August. At least we should have three.

2023 has been a strange year and a strange summer. In my garden nothing has grown as it should, the birds have not succeeded very well in breeding and the butterflies have been few. Insects OK, but flies there used to be many more. I don’t think I have had ten of them in my windows. Less food for the birds…and that is just what scientists have found. A declining number of insects – and other animals. Because we are all depending on each other.

On the last day of summer – in Sweden and the Nordic countries, I am sending you pieces of what is left in my garden this year. After a cold Spring and a hot June and then… wind and rain. The farmers have not been lucky or happy either.

The weather continues to be unpredictable with rain, sunshine, hail, thunder and lightning – and everything at the same time. The weather forecast must be a nightmare to send. Almost every day they say ”it’s impossible, we just have to wait and see.”

So, I am happy we had Some flowers and Some sunny days. Not many days I have gone swimming though…but Milo has, every day. And if I cannot find him when we come back home, he might be in the glass house, waiting for me to join him. And if you find him in the glass house, you will understand it is not very warm outdoors…

I know many of you have had fires, floodings and storms in your countries. We have been lucky enough to have only severe floodings this year. Let’s hope for a sunny and soft Autumn/ Spring for us all.

Thursday Thoughts – Winter Memories

Today we went to the forest again, dreaming of frosty days and snow …

Like it was only two years ago – Milo and I could walk forever…
I cannot tell you how much I miss that crispy air…
… and the powdery snow

Milo was a youngster – I think it must have been a long time ago…