Us Humans

We love our pets. They become part of our lives and part of the family. When the day comes to say goodbye the emotions ebb and flow,overcome at times and guide us through what can be a rough time. To my beloved dog ,mate, friend ,companion,I salute you and say goodbye. We went through so much and you helped me survive. You were calm when I was distraught.You cuddled and nuzzled me at times where emotions were most extreme ,judgement was waverig,changes were traumatic. Who could believe you were placed in danger this year when the flood swamped our home, invaded our space and floated your kennel away from its key placement. You woke me up and alerted me of the rising water.All action until we stood on the landing watching the choppers rescue our friends and neighbours. To leave you was devastatig and another part of the trauma. Well you made a new friend in Matt even though he was chocolate! You had some new hard case habits. Never bought you enough apples. I have missed you since the flood and will miss you even more now.I had hoped to bring you back home to once again chase the rats and sniff out the appples in winter. Always with me.

Called in to see some flood friends yesterday. Have to say I was quite shocked myself when I saw them and Mr friend was looking bewildered and stunned some two months down the track. Their house which was a beautiful old two storied house with many lead light windows had had water up to the second floor.The ceiling was plaster and had begun to sink after the soaking. The worst part was that the cowboys that came in to remove the gib linings ,had exceeded their brief.They had removed doors and windows unnecessarily and the bottom story was a nightmare for rebuilding. Silt had accumulated under decking and would be hard to remove. I believe these guys acted under the orders of an insurance company and it is an example of so many approaches from bodies that don't really know what to do.

February 2023. After passing go on the first and entering another year with hope and anticipation things started ,or continued, down the path of La Nina and the weather pattern gave us further cause for worry. We were not prepared for the significant event that hit us .Those living in my local area had never experienced this type of event in a lifetime although Cyclone Bola came close. Gabrielle was something else. It came with persistant rain. Easterlies often hit us with this continual rain but this was different.The rain was heavy and continied for hours. I actually had to go down stairs to sleep.The noise in my room was such that I couldn't lie there and relax or even try to sleep.I was wondering how my mate was getting on in his kennel.I knew he was sheltered from the East but this one had me worried. Maybe it had eased by daylight I can't remember .I had some breakfast about 7 am.Went back to my bed upstairs and went to sleep. About 9 am my mate started a strange bark.I went downstairs and looked outside. The blood started pumping. Water was flowing past Ollies kennel and he was wondering what on earth was happening.So was I. I rushed out and bought him inside.I was wide awake by now.