Good morning new month.

[Ally]

You're spot on there Jo - you just don't know how others feel about dogs.

I have a lifelong fear of them and have had to really 'train' myself to not fall to bits if I see one when I'm out running.

I've probably ran 1000 extra miles in my life avoiding dogs.

The thing is - once I get to know a dog I'm ok (ish) with it. Olly was lovely that I looked after last year as was Jeff & John's dog Oscar.

My friend Eva has a dog the size of a pit pony and when I go to her house he's all over me whilst I stand there frozen.
And then Eva tells me he's lovely and just pleased to see me.
Whatever.

I will always have that little fear thing going on.

[JoM]

We've had Billy for nearly two and a half years now and there are times when I can tell that Joe's still a little wary of him, he still won't hand feed him for instance. He'll get him to sit, give paw and then he'll throw the treat for him to catch in his mouth. I think you're right, the fear will never fully go away.

Joe's started when we were walking home from school one day, he'd be about 7 - it was actually his birthday when I think about it - and a great big bouncy Boxer dog ran out of a house and jumped up him, paws on shoulders and Joe was only tiny then. It scared the life out of him

[Ally]

That is exactly what happened to me! And the same kind of dog too!

I was about 5 and my aunt Marion's big Boxer dog (I can still see it now!) pinned me against the door and was trying to lick my face.

I was hysterical - even though mum and dad were telling me the dog was only being friendly and wouldn't have bitten me it frightened me so much and has obviously stayed with me throughout my life.

[JoM]

They're very strong and boisterous dogs though aren't they. Our neighbours have two, and they're crazy and oh so very slobbery. If we run into them on the common you can guarantee Billy comes back covered in slobber. Makes me heave! That's one thing about Bill, he doesn't slobber

He was actually complimented by the postman last week - he said he wished all dogs on his round were as calm and well behaved as he is.

[Kaz]

I'm not keen on slobbery dogs either, neither of mine slobber

[Gal]

God Jo having had similar recently happen to us I can only sympathise with you - it's horrible to know that people are not breaking the law in regard to not having their dogs on a lead when in public places, happened to us a couple of times now, hence we pop our two in the car and take them to an enclosed field to run them, when possible, rather than walk them on the estate Hope Billy recovers from the ordeal soon xx

I have a lovely clean conservatory Supposed to be Tom's 'thing' to keep on top of it in there but he really doesn't do it properly - a quick swish of the duster and wipe of the floor and he's done, but he forgets the windowsills and the corners, and they are thick with cobwebs and dead insects Not my favourite task but it's done now - in his defence he washed both cars last night and jet washed a very smelly bin, so fair dos

Popped to our local Sainsburys to return my new hand hoover - I bought it the other week but there was no charger in the box! Would have exchanged it but I don't think the local one had any....it's a lot smaller branch but I didn't want to trail over 20 minutes drive just for that. I'll get it next time I go.

Been a very wet day today, managed to dodge the showers to walk our dogs but other than that I've been pootling around the house all day doing little jobs here and there. Quite enjoyed it tbh

Have a good Friday all