Who Let The Dogs IN?

Tomorrow, Stella Bella, our Carnarvon Special, will have been part of our family for three weeks. She has brought unparalleled joy into Station House. We can now not imagine life without Stella.

Pip had been a sad-sack since the love of his life, Sascha, died during October 2017. Funny, I feel she was with us just the other day. Sascha had been mine, and then Michael's, since 2003 and was, in so many ways, I believed she was immortal. We were all devastated by her death and Pip, particularly so. Ruby, our quirky and exasperating Beagle, tried hard, but she was never a social being and was lacking in demonstrative love for Pip or us. In late June, we had to euthanase Ruby due to dementia and cancer. And so, Pip retreated into himself and rediscovered anxiety, was hampered by his arthritis and destined to be subdued for the rest of his life.

I knew he needed more. I knew we needed more. Which was why, when we unexpectedly found ourselves in Carnarvon, and I checked the Carnarvon SAFE site, we ended up adopting a black puppy named Melu. We felt her name didn't suit her, so we promptly changed her name to Stella. She was on the road with us for three days before we pulled into Station House in Heavenly Beverley.

Pip met Stella with a wagging tail just outside our front door. He has changed beyond expectation. He is bright and animated and agreeable and shows no discomfort and few signs of anxiety. He and his new love, Stella, play and sleep together every day and every night. At twelve years of age, he has had a blast of infectious energy injected into his previously also-ran existence.

We do confine them in the laundry at night, so we know Stella isn't eating anything she shouldn't. We are far more relaxed with her than we have been with puppies in the past. Toilet training is still a bit hit and miss and we are not overly upset by accidents. Having lino planks as our floor also helps as removing puddles is relatively painless. Today has seen a bit of an upsurge in "accidents" as Stella hates going outside in the rain. And Mister Pip is always delighted to cover Stella's widdles with his own to show he is The Man.

Stella is like an enthusiastic and endlessly cheerful flexible strand of spaghetti. She can leap onto our bed to annoy Madame Cat in a single bound. She loves nothing better than to cover us with doggy kisses. She is in our faces, up our noses, in our ears and up our armpits. The world is her oyster. She adores us, Pip, and Madame Cat, much to the cat's endless disdain.

This morning, I went to rouse Michael out of bed at nine o'clock. I had left him and Madame Cat to slumber behind the closed bedroom door. Michael was stirring anyway, but I suggested he leave the bed, otherwise, I'd "set the dogs on him". He agreed immediately, as he understood that opening the door would lead to a full-on frontal attack of happiness by Puppy Power.

Thank you, Stella, for adding so much to our family.

Together, on their dog bed... 

This morning's images -

Fun @ the East End Gallery on Beverley Show Weekend

Sunday afternoon in the East End Gallery. An hour before we close our "working" week. I am quite delighted for a bit of a lull in proceedings as we have just experienced one of those crackerjack weekends when all our patience and enthusiasm and optimism pay off.

Another minor rejig in the main Gallery space. This week, we welcomed new artist Lori Ellen Neuzerling. Lori is a child of the South West Soldier Settlement at Northcliffe, those grindingly difficult bush blocks were offered to migrants at the end of both Wars. Families were literally dumped in thickly forested areas, often with little or no experience and told to create dairy farms. These schemes were dotted all across the country, often in marginal areas, too small to make a decent living and not wanted by the farmers in the know. My grandfather had an orchard on the Murray River at Lake Boga in the 1930s, which was being damaged by salt infestation, even then.

Lori's exquisite paintings are of the flora and fauna of South Western Australia, with a tribute to the courage of her forebears, entitled a "Tale of Two Countries", a combination of the hardy climbing rose and the marri tree, symbols of the grit and determination of her family.

I can feel spring's arrival. We are currently in a warming trend after the last cold front whipped through with wind and rain on Thursday and Friday. We will relish a couple of sunny days before the next storm crosses the Wheatbelt later this week. And so the cycle will continue as we move ever closer towards September and October.

Beverley's world-famous Agricultural Show was also held yesterday. I was proud to act as support for our Visitors' Centre, with a steady stream of guests coming in and out of the East End Gallery. I don't think I sat down or ceased extolling the virtues of our town and the show for about five hours...

We have had singles, couples and families through. A few Aspiring Artists at the Kids' Table producing masterpieces. Kath Whiteside's beautifully decorated mosaic pot - SOLD. John Kaye's startlingly bright "Canola at Mt Barker" - SOLD. A stunning Mulberry champagne wooden stopper by Mick Cotter - SOLD. Another Coptic bound book by Dize Designs with the sensational botanic oils printed pages - SOLD. A further payment off Neil Elliott's hilarious "Salvador the Rabbit", the purchaser a quite sensible lass who came in to buy a landscape... A new layby on Barry Mackie's "Wheatbelt Echo".

Our last guests in the Gallery were James, Kayla and their two-year-old dynamo, Cooper. Kayla is a promising photographer whom James has encouraged to place some of her images into the Gallery. Cooper was an absolute delight and tearaway, as only toddlers are. He reminded me immediately of our own four-footed fur kid resident at Station House, probably causing her own variety of havoc.

We eventually closed the East End Gallery with Kayla coming on board as our latest artist. A wonderful weekend for us and another great show. Although we didn't get there this year, the lines of parked cars, the reports from locals and visitors alike and the photographs already posted depict a day of triumph.

And next Sunday will be Fathers' Day and the official start of spring...

Thursdays' Play Days @ the East End Gallery - artists Sharon Williams and Jan George

Jan with the first of her one thousand origami cranes...

Lori and Michael...

Giftshop images -

Gallery images - 

Giftshop...

Lori's art works...

Beverley Show images -

When Graeme Met Stella...

Today I travelled solo to Northam with only Stella for company. The day had come for her stitches to be removed, vaccinations to be given, check-up to be undertaken and ongoing hypothesising as to her breed(s).

The fine weather of the last few days had come to an abrupt halt. Big puffed rain-filled clouds were scuttling across the sky, with short and sharp showers interspaced with the sun peeking out from behind the heavy grey curtains.

Stella is taking car travel completely in her stride. No more woebegone Beagle misery in the car. Not a hint of carsickness. This is such a change. We had been unable to take Ruby anywhere, due to her discomfort. Suddenly, I was partnered with a joyful and utterly chilled black puppy who snoozed most of the way en route to meet the vet.

We arrived in Northam just a trifle late. I led Stella into the waiting room after the failure to induce widdling. By Stella, not me. Liam, vet nurse and ultra courteous reception staffer was immediately concerned for Stella's wellbeing...apparently Parvo is so infectious, she should have been carried into the surgery.

Huge pang of guilt at this moment. I confessed we'd been walking Stella to our local oval. In the nicest possible way, I was firmly told this was Not On and Stella should have no further outings until a full week after her vaccinations.

Thoroughly put in my place, Stella then charmed the pants off everybody in the hospital. Rachael, the vet student was entranced. Renee, no-nonsense vet nurse was putty in Stella's paw. Liam, once he had finished with his Parvo lecture, then proceeded to make sure that I had Stella's best interests at heart. Ingrid, who had already met Stella, blew copious kisses down the hallway, as she was not seeing people due to a nasty virus. And then Graeme met Stella...

Graeme Penno would have to be one of this world's nicest human beings. Graeme is a vet in the mould of a gentle and thorough and somewhat accident-prone James Herriott. He has suffered a variety of injuries thanks to his patients. On their first meeting, Pip chose to use diarrhoea as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. Since then, Pip has mellowed to at least allowing both Graeme and Ingrid to examine him without too much angst.

Stella was a completely different kettle of fish. Our Carnarvon Special showed every bit of her beautiful nature. For a puppy whose pedigree might include Kelpie, Staffy, Labrador and probably Banana, given her birthplace, she just is, after Anh Do, the happiest refugee.

And Graeme was smitten. The consultation passed with all the elements of a mutual admiration society. Stella behaved in an exemplary nature. She sat with grace for her injections, worming tablets, examination, temperature taking and nail clipping. Graeme fell in love with Stella in a nanosecond.

We waved goodbye after a very agreeable hour and headed for home.

Stella's only challenge is her love/hate relationship with Madame Cat. She loves Ruby. Stella's affection is not reciprocated. In any way, shape or form. Stella can't understand the antipathy. She keeps trying to engage the cat. Her Feline Majesty reiterates her desire for Stella to F*#k  Off. Detente is tenuous. Stay tuned for further updates in hostilities.

A low-key evening in Station House. The Cat is perched on her stool, blowing invisible raspberries at the Enemy. Stella is still attempting to forge a friendship. Pip is exhausted from the evening's play and has retired to bed. The Pirate Parrot is covered and silent.

All is well in our world.

Being Very Beverley (Hillbillies Style)

We have been home in Station House for one week after our Northern Jaunt winter escape.

We have opened the East End Gallery for the usual hours and days. I have just about finished paying those lucky artists who sold pieces whilst we were away. I have rejigged the Giftshop and undertaken a minor reshuffle of the Galley. On Sunday evening, I vacuumed the entire space, only to watch Michael and the wheelbarrow track in fresh mud across my clean floor today.

All in a good cause. Michael longs to begin the process that will lead to " A Stitch In Time" becoming a finished sculpture. As a perfectionist and a procrastinator, he often finds the beginning of a new work utterly daunting. He has removed the experimental and playful bits and pieces, the base and the trestles into the workshop. His great first step has been taken. "A Stitch In Time" has begun.

Station House is ours again. I have caught up on the washing, the dusting and cleaning the floors. We have almost finished the unpacking and repacking Digger, the caravan. We hope to take a trip away after Christmas, in a southern direction, so we need to make sure that Digger is ready for our next expedition. Needless to say, we are already planning our escape in winter 2020.

Stella, our Carnarvon Special, has well and truly been integrated into our home. Pip has not stopped smiling since Stella entered his world. He has grasped a new lease of life with all four paws. Not to mention that all his sexual fantasies have come true in the last week...

Madame Cat has resigned herself to another Canine Clown within her orbit. Days of hissing, along with the occasional left and right hook have reduced to disapproving scowls, alternating with the disdainful ignoring of the pesky pup.

Stella is still wearing her bucket of shame. This will come off on Friday along with her stitches from her sterilisation. Plus, her next lot of vaccinations, a puppy check and worming treatment. What will not change is her unbridled joy of living, which over one short week, has added so much to us all.

Even Ruby the Cat would have issues grumbling about the addition of Stella to our lives and our home.

Our current menagerie...

Puppy Pandemonium! (And A Side Dish of Humble Pie)

Sunday evening in Station House. The entire East End Galley has been dusted and tidied, the Giftshop turned upsidedown and thoroughly reworked and the Gallery has also received a minor shakeup. I finished the vacuuming of the entire space has also been completed. My feet have ceased throbbing with the application of a glass of vino and I have retired to my laptop to attend to an entire week without posting on my blog.

We have been home for all of five days. Digger is almost unpacked. The house is relatively tidy with clothes washing becoming an urgent proposition tomorrow. We have been eating quite well at dinner time, albeit a bit later due to an additional challenge in the form of a joyful, energetic and razor-sharp puppy named Stella.

Ruby's deterioration and demise had left us all shattered. Our quirky little Beagle had undergone a savage loss of personality and self-esteem in the weeks before her death. The diagnosis of her bladder cancer was the last straw. Without realising until after the event, Ruby had been reduced to a shell of her former self. And so, we made the difficult decision to euthanase her.

Pip's face was a portrait of confusion and misery as we guiltily left him with our excellent and competent housesitters, Liz and Patrick. I was desperately anxious about him for a couple of weeks. Then, our kind-hearted carers took pity on me and sent a photograph of Pip and Ruby the cat contentedly sunbathing in the winter daylight. I let out a sigh of relief.

And yet, I knew that we all needed a boost. Pip, at twelve years old was enjoying his daily walks with Patrick and would need stimulus to keep him active when we returned. Michael had to manufacture an excuse to walk for control of his diabetes. I was just missing that spark of silliness, of tomfoolery, of happy unpredictability.

And so, in Carnarvon, we adopted Stella.

The last three days of our trip, Stella was so well behaved, considering her age. She was faultless inside Lily, was not carsick and was obviously eager to please. Michael was slower to warm to her, because, frankly, he had not wanted to acquire a dog, let alone a young puppy. In the last week, he has also fallen in love with Stella. However, he was right on so many levels...and now I have to eat a large helping of Humble Pie.

Stella is a blast of extremes. Energy, enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and pure unadulterated joy for living. She is bright and smart and positive.

She also needs stimulation and training. We have mastered  "sit" and "come" and she responds to her name. Toilet training has been a rollercoaster ride of hit and miss. She is easily distracted and bored. The TV magazine, the bathroom bin, Pip's revoltingly snotty couch and her puppy training pads have all be assaulted. The couch cushion was utterly annihilated. Michael's dark brown ponytail from forty-two years ago has been discovered and chomped. Pigs ears are too rich for her tummy, leading to a bout of projectile spewing and diarrhoea.

And in eight short days, Stella has transformed all our lives. In our living room, we are surrounded by the latest debris. A ripped page of the TV magazine, a toilet roll from the bathroom bin and a tuft of Michael's hair. She and Pip are sound asleep on the resurrected dog bed. Pip hasn't stopped grinning from ear to ear since Stella arrived in his world. He has attempted to bonk her from every angle, every position and at every opportunity. Ruby the cat has taken Stella firmly In Hand and has dished out a few clips around the earhole. Stella is still in total adoration of the Fickle Fairweather Feline and Ruby has certainly become less aggressive in the puppy's presence. In time, Ruby may allow Stella the privilege of sniffing her bottom.

I think it's safe to say that Michael and I are now both besotted. Stella adores him with every gram of her puppy being. He has responded with gusto. Stella has become a hit in Station House.

However, the time has come to eat Humble Pie. Michael was right. There, I have admitted the bleeding obvious. Stella is a puppy bull in a china shop, a doggy whirling dervish and a cyclonic canine clown. I had a foolish, romantically simple vision of a new puppy in our household. Stella has blown that idealistic picture out of the water.

How wonderful!

Homeward Bound

We are in Dalwallinu tonight, two hundred and thirty kilometres from Station House in Heavenly Beverley. We are eating our last dinner on the road. Stella was in her crate, now out of her crate so we are certainly looking forward to the space of our home. In spite of minor annoyances, all in well with our world.

Time for reflections. Seven weeks, we have decided is too long away. Five weeks is too short. Six weeks will be just about right. We are already planning for winter 2020. The dogs will be with us. Madame Ruby, if still on this plane of existence, will be fed and medicated. We hope the Pirate Parrot can be farmed out to best friends Jan and Greg (asking in advance!)

A bit of homesickness and lack of space aside, we have had the most marvellous trip. Cue delivered, as per usual. Newman was utilitarian and sensible, a place to stop whilst Michael was recovering from a chest infection. Nullagine surprised beyond all expectations. Marble Bar was the first place we would like to return to in 2020 for an extended period. Port Hedland blew our socks off. Roebourne was rediscovering its destiny. Onslow, Old Onslow and Three Mile Pool captivated us. Carnarvon was brilliant, plus we acquired Stella. Geraldton was hip and cruisy, despite appalling pizza. Dalwallinu is a perfect last stopover before home. Lovely caravan park, beautiful amenities and an easy last day's drive.

Honourable mention must go to Cheela Plains Station for providing adventure, relaxation, wonderful staff - Les, Louise and Maurice - and a night sky beyond description. Tom Price for being possibly the most beautiful and easy-going town in the Pilbara. No power but a lovely stay - Dales camping area at Karijini. As we will have the dogs with us in 2020, all national parks will be out. What will be will be. We have missed our fur baby (ies) too much.

So tomorrow we will be home with truckloads of memories. Our fantastic housesitters, Patrick and Liz have kept the home fires burning for the last forty-nine days. We wish them well as they dash to another job back in New South Wales! Pip has apparently forgotten how to limp and is enjoying walks again. Ruby the cat is still, well, a cat...

And Stella is about to become the third stooge once more.

Stella with Michael this morning - he is the red lump...

Stella's beautiful face...

Wind turbines near Walkaway...

Wheatbelt roads - surprisingly scenic...

Interesting landscapes...

The wide, open road...

Blue Tree (signifying support for mental health) Morawa...

A covered dam in the Wheatbelt - at Caron...

Michael with Stella at Caron Dam...

Pink everlastings at Caron Dam...

Stella in her crate this evening.