by Maggie Fogarty | Feb 16, 2016 | Uncategorized |
There’s been a longer than usual gap between this blog and the last – my excuse, it’s been a busy time!
First a trip ‘oop North’ to see family, friends and to meet with my co-author/book collaborator.
Then trying to complete the second of the ‘Dilemma Novella’ series, along with a new short story.
Throw in some work meetings and preparing our cockapoo, Bonnie, for her first visit as a ‘Pets As Therapy’ (PAT) dog- more about that later. Well you get the picture.
Having said all this, various things have happened recently – one involving a close friend – which underlines the truth of the saying ‘health is wealth’.
People often say how an accident or health scare made them appreciate what is really important in life. It’s a shame that it often takes a crisis before those priorities are realised.
So with my friend in mind, hubby and me have decided to stop putting off all those things we’ve been meaning to do. First off is a trip to Madeira, a favourite place and then there’s more travel planned for the rest of the year. Yeh – it’s a case of simply ‘going for it’ and making the other commitments fit in around those trips. Somehow it will all work out.
Meantime, Bonnie dog will have her very own holidays with her lovely minder, Leda. Talking of Leda, she was interviewed recently on a BBC radio phone-in and just happened to mention how she looks after Bonnie from time to time.
Her words were so sweet and it made us appreciate how much they both get out of the relationship. Dogs are brilliant therapy and less expensive than a personal trainer or counsellor.
Which neatly brings us to Bonnie’s latest role as one of the national group of ‘Pets As Therapy’ dogs. It’s a fantastic initiative allowing specially assessed animals to visit care homes, hospitals and even schools. Everyone wins – the animals get great socialisation and bring smiles to the faces of people they are visiting.
Care home residents often have to give up their own pets, so a visiting animal can raise their spirits. Bonnie’s first outing to our local Leonard Cheshire care facility was a real success, with lots of laughter and pats.
One little dog doing some good then. Now over to Bonnie for her own take on things….
‘Hiya folks,
Seems like this Bonnie girl is in demand!
First my visit to the Leonard Cheshire centre where I had an absolute ball. Lots of treats, strokes and banter. What’s not to like?
I think it went down well as I’m booked in for another visit in a few weeks time. Hey ho – can’t wait for that.
As for my little pal Tui, the handsome Havanese, he’s still not been able to come out and play due to his injured back. But he did buy me a box of doggy heart shaped treats for Valentine’s Day – go on, everyone say ‘aah’ – which is all very well but no subsitute for the real thing.
I’m told he’ll be better soon, so I just have to be a patient gal. Hmm. See the little photo below of me and Tui (he’s the looker on the right!) before he hurt his back.
Oh and another bit of news. Apparently I’ve been a bit of a local celebrity with my minder doing a radio interview thingy on the BBC.
Next I’ll be turning up in one of those Cornish TV dramas – you think I’m joking? As I’ve said before, this gal needs an agent!
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jan 10, 2016 | Uncategorized |
The first full week of the New Year is always a weird one.
Trying to get back into work mode after the Christmas celebrations, taking down the decorations and remembering t0 wish people Happy 2016 – usually ad nauseum.
Then there are all those predictable ads for diets and keeping fit, after weeks of being bombarded with images of festive food and sickly sweet drinks. And all this just when your cupboards are still groaning with those giant boxes of chocolates and biscuits left over from – you’ve guessed it – Christmas.
Yikes. It’s enough to drive you to drink but then January is always the time to release those health stories about the effects of alcohol on your poor old liver. Dry January anyone? You know you want it. (Not).
So what to make of this strange annual juxtaposition of excess and detox?
The singer Joe Jackson once wrote that everything gives you cancer and to a large extent this is true. If you lived on a diet of broccoli and seaweed, I’m sure it might add a few years to your life – providing it hasn’t been sprayed with cancer causing chemicals to keep it looking good on the supermarket shelves.
Yes, we could drink nothing but water but then which water? Tap, stream or bottled? Again, watch out for those pesky chemicals.
Nah – that old adage ‘a little of what you fancy…’ makes a lot of sense. That way you can enjoy living rather than ‘existing’ and just look at those long living Greek islanders who down meats. cheeses and wines way over the recommended daily doses for health.
They must be doing something right and I suspect it’s all about limiting stress, enjoying the here and now, while not obsessing too much about supposedly good and bad food or drinks.
So here’s to the Mediterranean diet which consistently proves to be the healthiest one around. Basically it’s a bit of everything with lots of fresh veg and – wait for it – a few glasses of wine.
Mind you, they also have a good bit of sun which always helps. Hang on though. That gives you cancer too.
Perhaps the only January solution is hibernation – now there’s a new health craze. Sleep and slim. No don’t laugh, in this crazy faddy world it really could catch on.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on things….
“Hi ya folks,
Before you ask – yes, I did have a belter of a Christmas.
Plenty of visitors and loads of pressies. My favourite is a smart Cornish tartan collar. (Black yellow white and blue for those not in the know).
Apparently I got that ‘cos I’m the only Cornish one in the house. There was also a big box of biccies from my boyfriend, the handsome Havanese Tui.
He’s still laid up by the way but apparently well on the mend.
I’ve been dreaming about our re-union. A run around the beach, a game of seaweed tug and then seeing who can dig the deepest holes in the sand.
Afterwards we’re back at the house, sharing a bowl of chicken and my favourite ‘smart bone’ chews. Followed by a lovely snooze in front of the wood burner.
Well a girl can always live in hope. Come on Tui, get yourself better soon.
I’ve also got some exciting news to share in my next blog but for now I’m under strict instructions not to say anything until some paper work thingies come through.
Bet that’s got you all wondering – so watch this space. I’ve put a copy of my ‘passport photo’ which I had done specially and it took several takes. Come on, who likes having to look straight into that camera and being told to sit still? Oh, and I keep hearing peeps saying ‘Happy New Year’ so I’d better do the same. No idea what it means though.
Woof and out…”
by Maggie Fogarty | Dec 11, 2015 | Uncategorized |
“I haven’t got time to do voluntary work” I heard someone say recently.
Hmm. Maybe they should have replaced those words with “I don’t want to do…” Which is absolutely fine.
That’s the whole point. It’s voluntary.
Yet some of the busiest people around do find time and that’s because they get huge satisfaction from it.
Usually it’s about giving something back and in doing so, they enrich their own lives. A classic ‘win win’ then.
My own preference is to offer up some time to a couple of groups or causes rather than trying to juggle it across too many organisations. Spreading yourself thinly can mean disappointing one or another, so better to opt for quality rather than quantity.
Taking on a voluntary role can be hugely rewarding and humbling. It might be only an hour or so of your time but to someone else it can make a huge difference.
For people who can no longer look after a pet, bringing along your own pooch or moggie makes for happiness all round.
Which neatly gets me to Bonnie, our very own Cornish cockapoo. Quite simply Bonnie makes people smile – which is no bad thing to do in life.
So when she joined a group of Leonard Cheshire Disability volunteers at our local Morrisons supermarket, there were big grins everywhere and (as if by magic) the collection box got heavier.
Anyway, here’s a suggestion. Rather than just making the usual New Year resolutions to get fitter, travel more etc – still good things by the way – how about setting aside an hour or so a week to volunteer?
Give it a whirl and see what a difference it makes. No just to an individual or group but to another major beneficiary. Yourself.
Now over to Bonnie dog for her latest take on things…
‘ Hi ya folks,
You’ll see from the photo that I’ve been strutting my stuff for a good cause.
Lots of pats from passing peeps with the odd treat thrown in. Of course I wagged my tail and fluttered my long eyelashes which usually works wonders.
The rents seemed pleased with the amount of dosh going into that box thingy they were holding and there was an extra helping of my favourite Smart Bone snacks when I got back. Yeh, life is good!
Shame that my play mate Tui, the handsome Havanese, couldn’t join me for my debut charity collection. He’s still recovering from his prolapsed disc and is confined to his pad. I think I’d better visit him soon to clap eyes on that gorgeous face.
Maybe I’ll get the rents to buy him a Christmas present to cheer him up.
I know they’ve already got me some pressies and more importantly, I know exactly where they’re hidden.
Think you can keep something like that from super sleuth Bonnie? I’ll let the rents believe that they’ve pulled the wool over my eyes and then I’ll pounce when they’re off guard.
Just watch this space.
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | Nov 11, 2015 | Uncategorized |
As someone who has a birthday in early December, I’ve always linked this personal milestone with the build-up to Christmas.
Not any more though. Increasingly the run-up to Christmas starts in September and by November it’s in full throttle. That’s a whopping three month creep towards the big day and there’s something weird about seeing Christmas produce on shop shelves in early autumn.
Of course Christmas is a big deal for companies trying to maximise their profits, but there is a danger of over doing the product push. You’re just getting used to the transition from summer to autumn and then – bang. Christmas is on it’s way.
Mid November seems a more natural place to start. That way you have a month to ease into the festive spirit, with a chance to catch your breath before launching into the round of parties and present buying.
Hang on though. What about Halloween? That’s another event getting a push in early September. As for Bonfire Night – well that has now been eclipsed by the Americanised Halloween rituals. Trick or treat? Wham bam thank you mam.
Hey ho. The autumn Halloween/Bonfire/Festive frenzy gets the tills ringing but I still hanker for the days when a birthday meant Christmas was really on its way.
That isn’t going to happen though – not when tills rather than bells are competing for the sound track to Christmas. Those pesky cash machines win every time.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest update…
“Hi ya folks,
I’m still pining for my play pal Tui. In case you don’t remember, he’s the well handsome Havanese I’ve had my eyes on for some time and he’s laid up at the moment.
Poor Tui is still confined to his pad while he recovers from a prolapsed disc. Ouch. Just saying that makes me wince.
The good news is that he is on the mend. Meanwhile I’ve got to be a patient girly and be content with staring at his photo on my rents’ computer screen.
Come on Tui. Get better soon so we can chase those rabbits together and see off the seagulls on the beach. (Sigh).
Talking of beaches, I’ve been taking to the sands at a new place called Praa Sands.
While my rents get a break from little ol’ me – although why they don’t want to be in my company 24/7 I’ll never know – I get to stay with the lovely Leda at her great home in Praa.
The local beach is to die for and Leda is my new part-time sitter. (Not that we do too much sitting!).
It’s always great to see my rents again but I’m enjoying my time at Leda’s place too.
A sandy beach and cosy Cornish stone cottage – what’s not to like for this lucky mutt?
Only thing missing is my lovely Tui. Just saying.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Oct 17, 2015 | Uncategorized |
There’s been a bit of a gap since my last blog and to put it mildly, the last few weeks have been hectic.
A new university role, working on the book collaboration and trying to finish my follow-up to the novella ‘Dear Mr DJ’ – and that’s before fitting in the rest of everyday life!
Time management is the key but even I’m beginning to think ‘whoa’. There are only so many hours in a day and it’s important to have time out to catch your breath and take stock.
With that in mind – and having read Ruby Wax’s book ‘Sane New World’ – I’ve decided to be stricter about factoring in rest time. Ruby’s book deals with slowing down, pacing yourself and practising ‘mindfulness’, a fancy term for appreciating the moment.
After experiencing her own mental health problems, Ruby decided to study neuro-science and learn how the brain works. The message is simple: taking time out to rest the mind and focusing on the here and now actually improves brain functioning. Yes, sometimes less really can mean more.
Time then to factor in things that temporarily take you out of the world of work and multi tasking. Little things like walking, watching a great film or cooking something simple from scratch – all of these encourage you to be in the moment.
It explains the huge success if those adult colouring books that have taken the publishing world by storm. And who would have have thought they’d be so popular in our hi tech gadget laden world?
Now over to the ‘living in the moment’ expert, Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo….
‘Hi ya folks,
I’m missing my boyfriend Tui, the handsome Havanese. The poor thing has been laid up with something called a ‘prolapsed disc’ whatever that is. Sounds horrible and apparently is it.
He’s had to go for a scan at a place hundreds of miles away and is now confined to his house. So no play dates for a while – boo hoo.
Get well soon Tui cos this gal’s keen to clap eyes on you again.
My rent Paul and me have been having fun chasing rabbits from our garden. They look cute but have no right to be on my patch, pooping everywhere and making holes. That’s my job – tee hee.
Then there are those TV programmes featuring poor mutts needing a home. They are my favourites along with Channel 4 news – I’m a brainy ‘part poodle’ afterall.
Woof and out….’
