Tyser and the V.E.T.'s

Tyser, our lovable 10 year plus collie cross had a trip to the vets today. The first in along time apart from his yearly vaccinations the only other time he needed to go was when he first adopted us and ended up having ehrlichosis, that awful disease from ticks.

But for a while now he has been walking slower, looking a bit stiffer, panting a lot and just slowing down a bit. He had a hair cut a while back which showed up a bit of excess weight he has put on since not going for such longer walks now Franklin is declining. He has had his food changed and restricted in the hope he could loose a few pounds but the weight hasn't really shifted yet.

So today he was booked in for a health check to see if there was any underlying problems which come with old age. His hearts good, ears clear and after a blood test, where we waited 20 minutes for the results, (when we have blood test from the doctors here they take couple of days so next time I may just go to the vets!) he got the all clear but his middle age spread was noted. He hopped, well was encouraged to step on the scales behind him in the photo and weigh in resulted in him now having to go on a serious diet. He has to loose 5 kilos. We discussed the Hill's science diet food but after looking at the ingredients in it and the price I am on the search for an alternative grain free food low in carbs and a fat club to join. Failing that we may well make our own weight loss chart with stars and find a tread mill for dogs. Just as well Freya gave him another hair cut yesterday as the extra hair may of put a few more grammes on.

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Happy cattle

For five months the cattle have been eating hay twice a day but today was their time to go back to pasture, they were more than ready. With two loads in the trailer going to La Contie the rest, the naughty but nice ones stayed at La Singlarie. Calves are on green grass for the first time following the herds around. Now for Spring time jobs to get started - so much free time for farmer J. Fencing, tidying around the farm, getting machines ready for hay cutting, getting the gites gardens ready for Summer and a new bathroom to fit, his feet won't be touching the ground.

Rabbit proof fence

In the hope of not loosing anymore greenery in the veggie patch today was spent today taking down an old fence which was put up around eight years ago. As it had a few holes in it this could be where the rabbits are getting through. On the other side of the fence a chicken run was constructed were table chickens grew to a really good weight until we got a batch that had been, what we think were contagious with Mareks disease. Subsequently we stopped using it for chickens putting a litter of pigs in the area to get them use to electric fencing (which they did). It has been left empty for around 18months now with Gorgon and the girls have made break trough's through it last year gaining access into the veggie patch but now there's a lot of weeds. On the other side of the veggie patch is another old holey fence which has now got the recycled one that was taken down put in front of it, new posts and a trench dug to lower the wire in, earthed up and stones put on top

Parisot lake

As it is a holiday today here in France (Bastille Day) we took the afternoon off an popped over to Parisot lake for a walk with Sorrel. It has all changed, since the lake was emptied and cleaned up this year you can now swim in it, as well as inflatable toys to play on, a life guard, bikes to hire, a new fenced in play area for small people and a total spruce up. But there is a price we were charged! 3 euros an adult, which I guess is OK if you are using the facilities but Sorrel didn't fancy a dip. The cafe is still open but that would of been too much for Sorrel to cope with being so close to people and music so we opted for a bench to sit on in the shade before walking around the lake. Sorrel opted for being Billy no mates and laying by herself, if be it for a short period of time before bikes and people went by. We are now waiting for the free firework celebrations over the chateau tonight - if we can stay up that late.😃

The English Paysanne

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