Author Archives: rsmalley

Christmas Day 2020

We’re in Tier 4 lockdown so shouldn’t leave Kent. It has been a lovely day, cold and sunny. As tomorrow there is a weather warning for wind we decided to head out today instead. We went to Haysden Country Park. Last visited about 6 years ago.

The parking fee is fine but I’m not sure how you pay without coins. Who has coins in these pandemic days! We both tried paying via the phone or via the app and we both failed. Matthew first tried the app a couple of times then when he tried the phone number was told his account had been suspended. So I tried the phone first but it didn’t like the way I said the car reg so the voice told me to text the details in response to a text I then received. Of course my text wouldn’t go through! I then got a text of the website details of my new account. I logged in and yes my personal details were there but whe I tried to add my car details I got an error message:

So we tried! I used to get all KCC parks for free as a Shorne Wood volunteer but I don’t know if that still applies. If we get a fine I will appeal.

We just went round Barden Lake this time. Couscous is 11 now so a lot slower and we don’t explore as much as we used to. No chasing of trains this time. There were a few people about. All the phone calls I overheard were about what people were having for Christmas dinner.

New car

We just got an electric car and the boot’s a lot bigger than I expected…

Sleeping

Walkies could become the law for German dog owners

Taking your dog for walks twice a day for at least an hour in total could soon become the law in Germany.

Image from GETTY. “Dachshunds would be among those benefiting from the legislation”
(Not sure why Dachshunds specifically will benefit but always good to see a sausage in the snow!)

There could also be a ban on keeping dogs chained for long periods.

Rules are also being devised to crack down on “puppy farms” by banning breeders from looking after more than three litters at any one time.

“Pets are not cuddly toys, their needs have to be taken into account,” Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner said about the planned changes.

Under the planned rules, dog owners:

  • will have to take their dogs for walks twice a day for a minimum of one hour in total
  • will not be allowed to keep their dogs chained for long periods of time
  • will not be allowed to leave dogs alone the whole day

Breeders will be restricted to looking after a maximum of three litters and puppies will have to spend a minimum of four hours a day in human company to ensure they get socialised.

Ms Klöckner said the changes were based on expert advice to ensure animal protection and welfare.

For the full article click here to go to the BBC News website.

More Lockdown

Lockdown snaps

Just some snaps of Couscous during the (first) Covid-19 lockdown. I promise you we’ve taken her for a walk most days.

Westminster Dog of the Year

Dogs at polling stations, again

Sausage dog lost in bushfire has emotional reunion with owner

He’s less than a foot tall but the little sausage dog has survived getting lost in a dangerous Australian bushfire.

Wilbur’s story captivated animal lovers with news channels appealing for help to reunite him with his owner.

Firefighters found him wandering alone on Wednesday near Termeil in New South Wales as fires burnt around him.

They looked after the frightened Dachshund overnight and put out a call to try and find his home.

The bushfires in New South Wales have been raging for weeks and are some of the worst on record.

Six people have died there in the state’s north since October.

Luckily, Wilbur’s owner quickly came forward to claim him and revealed he was still searching for Wilbur’s “brother”.

For the full article click here for BBC News.

Day at the beach