Digigran

Tales from the kitchen cabinet
Have been listening to tales from the other grans about the frustrations of being grandparent. It's a bit like when you are pregnant and people begin to tell you all about their birthing experiences -and these are never good. Same for grand-parenting, here's an example.
Jane has a new granddaughter and is eager to see her as much of her as possible. Well I can relate to that- it's natural isn't it? She lives quite near her and has offered to babysit whenever. Her son thinks this is a good idea , but the family needs two kinds of baby -sitting and Jane always draws the short straw. She gets the dog!
The dog's name is Wilson and he is a Basset Hound.



















Jane is not very fond of Basset hounds. This one's called Wilson. She says he's just a big lump of useless meat that won't do anything she says, just stares at her mournfully. He slobbers continually and gets the stuff on his ears. His paws, which are the size of a young lion's, leave huge dirty prints on her kitchen floor. He is too big to shift when he decides not to move too.
And it gets worse- Wilson finds it really hard to settle at night and howls or whimpers at the least hint of movement or noise. Jane has even found herself tip-toeing past him hiding behind a sheet, trying not to wake him- but of course he is a Basset and always does detect her movements and greets them with howls. He also has a habit of leaving nasty, slobbery, wet nose tracks up and down the kichen as he follows her scent to- the fridge!
Poor Jane, she likes most dogs - but not Wilson and yet she never gets offered the baby, it always stays with her daughter-in-law's mum.
She puts it down to a careless remark she madewhen the first grandchild was born. She had three months colic and cried most of the time. At a family gathering- a barbeque in the garden - the babe was howling and Jane remarked (humorously, she thought) "If it were mine, I'd put it in the gagarge". Her d-in-l did not find this at all amusing and refused to bring the baby for a long while after.
Jane has offered to pay for Wilson to stay here.

It is a top dog hotel, boasting

Our Accommodation
To ensure the comfort and security of your dog during their stay at Dunston Lodge:
Each room is generously proportioned, with an inner sleeping area, leading out to a covered, outer play area.
All rooms are heated and have access to natural daylight, with each room also having an individual heater lamp, to provide additional warmth and light.
Raised beds, with plenty of bedding and blankets are provided, although you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer, as well as any other toys or accessories that may add to your dog's comfort and enjoyment.

A most luxurious establishment which Edward loves. When I leave him he makes loads of friends with both the kennel maids other dogs of all shapes and sizes. He comes home frisky and perfectly groomed like this:
Jane's d-in-l can't be convinced. Wilson she says is already psychologically disturbed (i.e. very jealous of the baby) and she thinks sending him to a dog hotel, however good , would make him suicidal. Has anyone ever hear of dogs committing hari-kari? Would that be canicide? No that would only be applicable if Jane were to do in Wilson! But if you have heard of any dog wiflfully self-harming, please write and tell me, also let me have your own stories of grandparenting traumas- told from either point of view.
And so to marking!