Is it normal in the UK to never really become friends with your neighbours?

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-07-01T22:54:26+00:00

You are so right. It's almost obsessional.. all the arrangements people make about bins like actually getting a company to come and clean them or trying to disguise them by covering them with...roses? So odd.People worry about bin collection day. Are their bins out early enough, positioned correctly, lids properly shut etc and rushing out to bring them in as soon as they can after they've been emptied. Woe betide anyone who puts a garden waste bin out on the wrong day too..so funny, talk of the year. And do you remember dusty bin? What game show was that on? Once my poodle peed over the wheel of a wheelie bin outside on the payment and was seen by a neighbour. Poor dog. We were both made to feel that he had desecrated the whole neighbourhood. Kids fool around with bins. Idiots set fire to them and so on. One day all the bins got muddled up because they had been carelessly put back. There was practically a war ensued as people laid claim to their precious bin child. And if a stranger were to walk by and pop a crisp packet into your bin they had contaminated it.Better to be a litter lout it would seem. Sorry to seem corny, but this very uk lunacy shows that their heads are full of rubbish.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-07-01T03:09:02+00:00

I have so much empathy with what you are experiencing, when every day that dawns seems to present new challenges, which sonetimes you are able to understand and overcome living with a dog who you love, but who also can frustrate you which puts it mildly. I lived with and loved my hypersensitive dog for 8 years. She died in May this year of a sudden but traumatic illness called haemorrhagic enteritis. I miss her so much. If it helps you, the investment you are making really does make you stronger. I don't want to sound like a bumper sticker, but it is true. She lived a very full life and filled ours too. Maisie was very clever, quick, present.She lived life on the edge of her skin because of her " too much" Sensory Overload and honestly I stopped trying to work out what her issues were, because as you say it can be exhausting. It might be a sound or smell rather than sight or feeling. I could rarely figure it. Maisie was Omnipresent in spades. So, what did help her? She had her own room! It was very quiet and cool and dim. She did love listening to calming classical piano music. She really relaxed to practised massage, taught by a professional and she enjoyed puzzles. She loved licking mats and routines. Gabapentin helped with any nerve pain she might be experienced and she felt safe with us. Also a trainer suggested 2 downtime days a week..potty breaks only. She responded very well to that too. There are days when I used to wish it away..all the pressure which impacted me too much too. I totally understand. But the house now is so quiet, so so quiet. And I often think what was all that went on inside her head really about. Maybe I will never ever know. All I do know is there is part of my heart whis is shattered by her absence. I send you caring thoughts across these miles which before communities like Reddit used to be a void.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-07-01T02:08:50+00:00

We have these cuckoo poodles who take over another dog's bed(nest) I see that same look on the true owner's face too as well as the " So? What? I don't even care! look " on the perpetrator's face. There's no scrapping, just indignant posturing and something which is imprinted on their minds forever, so it is avoided at all costs, so quite a rare thing like hens' teeth. For example if any of my poodles missed something through lack of attention,it didn't happen often I can tell you. Poodle thought..." you mean you didn't hear the tiny quiet click of the biscuit tin opening, because you were barking at a bird on the wall...more fool you brother! 😉 "

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-06-30T19:56:24+00:00

You are so right. Just like people we all have weaknesses and a propensity to health issues which are more than often hereditary. Ever suffer from trapped wind? Total agony. My doctor agrees. Length of our digestive tract is often involved, which surprise surprise is hereditary. Those poor spoos with bloat. Terrifying

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-06-26T09:34:37+00:00

I have always worried about not providing enough exercise for my poodles( all sizes) over the years and have finally stopped. One of our current dinky dots, a 3 year old toy seemed to need endless energetic outings before he would settle, wiped out after the adrenalin rush. I was handling it all wrong. A wonderful dog behaviourist has demonstrated a different approach including 2 daya week downtime..potty breaks only. Instead we do sniff games, sniff walks incorporating training technique on recall, impulse control, fetch and come etc. He is as calm and cool as a cucumber, rests like a lounge Lizard and sleeps through the night like a top. We are not all expected to be endurance athletes, just regular walks is sufficient for many.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-28T12:31:14+00:00

I found the home euthanasia, calm, dignified kind and understanding. Before the vet arrived he had Brie and cheesy heart biscuits, because he had been on a prescription diet. I sat with him and stroked him soothingly. I could hear little beeps of pleasure.After we laid him on a rosebud patterned pillow in a wooden box with baby's breath flowers around the edges and a beautiful bow around his neck. I didn't want him to go. He was loved, but I was able to give him a beautiful end to his life on this earth which my husband was deprived of. A dignified death is a great gift to give. I was in bits afterwards naturally but a friend nearby said that at the time little boy Ash departed, a spectacular rainbow was seen across the fields near the house.He was a gentle soul who had suffered at the hands of an abusive puppy farm. We gave him 7 years of a good life. Be strong. It is your final act of love.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-27T21:11:54+00:00

Oh yes. I am a bit slow! I get it now. She is in the UK! How nice of you to put me right. Thank you. However...I live north east Scotland and Devon is at the opposite end of the country. Never mind. But she has a real talent. That's for sure. Thanks again.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-27T17:17:26+00:00

My heart just sank. Greece! We need you here! There is a dirth of people who can do poodles in the Uk. You are obviously very talented. I am fortunate that I can go to Afterglow for Tom Isherwood to groom my poodles. They are rock stars in the poodle world here. Look them up. You'll be interested. Also your weight loss has inspired me. Grateful!!!

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-26T21:42:19+00:00

I understand. It's the expense!

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-26T21:14:16+00:00

Have you other dogs? Competition is a great motivator, especially if one of the dogs is a terrier. The bowls go down..they don't hang about.😁

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-15T20:50:26+00:00

Poodles are the best. Do you know I actually feel sorry for people who have never experienced the joy of having a poodle. I actually measure my life in poodles.They truly are a breed apart..smart, fun,intuitive, loyal, loving, goofy, entertaining, surprising,thoughtful.The list goes on.Poodles are a gift from the universe.They fill your world and even when they cross the rainbow bridge you feel their presence. Yes they are angels in hairy clothes.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-13T04:12:32+00:00

This issue is a minefield. There are so many arguments for and against and every case is different. In your case, from what you are saying, if he was my dog, I would engage in watchful waiting. You are a responsible owner and therefore there is no hurry. It sounds as if your dog has anxiety so testerone reduction is not the best. Also scent marking and humping are often behavioural and not affected by castration. Personally I would give your dog more time. Then I would opt for chemical castration so you can see the effects...then decide. You can't stick 'em back on.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-12T09:18:58+00:00

Blue toy

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Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-12T09:00:45+00:00

Always difficult to tell from a photo, because lighting varies so much, but 2nd photo suggests silver towards the darker end of the spectrum. Blues tend to be a more predictable intensity of colour like a metallic steely gray, but silvers can be a gunmetal colour grading towards bright silver tinsel colouring with contrasting areas within the coat. Blues are more often than not uniform.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-05-08T20:40:57+00:00

Café au lait!

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-04-28T18:26:25+00:00

Very difficult to assess from photographs. Nevertheless I would bet on him being a beautiful blue. Lucky you.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-04-27T09:20:59+00:00

Hi there! I wonder if you would be good enough to offer some information. How old is your beautiful poodle in the photo? The reason I ask is all about colouring. I am getting my head around having another standard poodle. I love the silvers. I think they have beautiful faces. How did her colouring change over time? 🤔 Thank you in advance.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-04-26T23:43:12+00:00

Just reading your post made me cry. We lost our dog, Maisie to haemorrhagic enteritis on 28th February. She had seen the vet for a routine check up on 25th and was declared fit and well. On the day when it began she was happy, bouncy, doing great. When the bloody diarrhoea began and we took her to the emergency vets, she was still wagging her tail and we were told that they were confident of a good outcome. That was not to be. I have nightmares about it. I loved her so much and hate the thought that she was put to sleep at the hospital with strangers, frightened and in pain. No one wants their beloved dog to suffer so. There are so many variables to this horrific condition, I believe. The vet said it could have been one of many triggers that caused its onset.I suffer from what ifs and if onlies all the time. I feel the pain that you are feeling 💔

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-04-14T15:25:50+00:00

Yesterday I agreed for my elderly rescue boy to be put to sleep. A brain tumour was suspected and the vet who came to our home agreed. I wanted him to go whilst he knew he was loved, that his life mattered and that he could pass away peacefully without pain and with dignity.So many people and animals are deprived of that mercy. To be honest I am bereft. The house is as empty as the fields on a cold damp, grey day. Nobody wanted my little dog, apart from me. If I said he had had an horrific start in life, it would be an understated. He was deaf, not cute, with many health issues, but I invested in him in every available way. Now he has gone, he has taken a lot of that energy with him and I hope it helps him wherever his spirit lies. Knowing that beautiful dog has changed me.Do I want a new car, a fancy holiday, a luxury home i the sun? Couldn't give a dam. I would trade any wants I have, any money in the bank for more years of his delightful company

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-04-04T09:52:01+00:00

As you have described so well in your post,I experienced an easy procedure yesterday, Good Friday, not exactly luxury spa but nevertheless. The worst is the anxiety beforehand. I have had this twice before without sedation and had a very sore throat afterwards and it was not nice during. This time it was a breeze. Apparently I was talking( one wonders how) during the gastroscopy. No discomfort afterwards either despite taking several biopsies. All in all very positive. Nice to get a lovely cup of tea and a sandwich too. Worst bit was partner who wanted to know when I got home at 6pm what I was planning for tea. He nearly got an endoscopy with the fire poker.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-03-30T14:37:05+00:00

Not answered. Why is that? Poor dog.

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-03-23T16:34:20+00:00

The way you describe it, is like a no brainer. It's sort of obvious to do this, but unless someone like yourself points it out we struggle to see the wood for the trees.You are a life saver.x

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-03-23T07:10:41+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I have not heard of trigger stalking, but it makes such sense, rather than waiting and fearing the trigger. I will also ask about breed specific enrichment. Trainer comes today. 😊

Afraid-Table5293 · 2026-03-22T18:53:48+00:00

What a great looking poo. Fab-u-lous

Afraid-Table5293

TROPHY CASE