#1094 theoldmortuary ponders.

The Tamar near Cotehele. November 2021

We did autumnal things yesterday in less-than-ideal autumnal settings. Hugo is restricted to 10 to 15 minute walks for the next 4 weeks, also  the light levels and dampness underfoot meant that the colours  and crunch of fallen autumn leaves were missing from our park walk. My photographs were disappointing. I have about ten years of autumn photographs stored on my phone so I picked a couple of favourites to brighten  this blog. Nobody loves a dull brown leaf.Our walks yesterday were at the pace of a poorly dog and a two year old. We had time to observe the leaf drop at a granular level. We were also hunting for acorns to be stored in a small person’s pocket. The squirrels in this particular park have been very efficient so our small person was disappointed. She turned her attention to Hugo who was attempting his first post surgery poo. I’m sure he would have preferred less scrutiny, but she was only trying to be helpful, and thoughtfully offered him a demo in case he had forgotten his technique.

You can see what I mean about the dullness of yesterday’s leaf fall. The demo must have helped, Hugo was able to be a successful eliminator moments later.

Luckily to counter the brownness of Devonport Park, I can share a picture of beach huts in November near Swanage in Dorset. Autumn colors in a different format

Beach Huts, Knoll Beach, November 2021

Doing our favourite walks at an even slower pace than normal and for much shorter times for the next 4 weeks is going to be a challenge for us all. My 12 year archive of random photographs may be plundered more often, the blogs may get even more repetitive. Let’s see what happens.

Stonehouse, November 2023

#1093 theoldmortuary ponders.

The sun sets on the first of November an infinitely better day than 31st October. As an update, Hugo is recovering well from his trauma.  Far braver than us, he boldly walked the streets of our local area with never a backward glance. We were on high alert. Despite his  injuries he had responsibilities. Overnight care of one of his small people.

She in turn is offering him quiet time watching Trolls with her.

It seems to work for both of them.

#1092 theoldmortuary ponders

The sun rises on November. October said farewell with a violent attack on our little family, by an enormous black dog, unleashed and intent on knocking over an adult in order to make a feast of poor Hugo. Over in seconds it left him with a broken jaw, a squeezed and infected eye and multiple piercing injuries. The dog was able to take his whole head into its mouth. The owner knew serious harm had been done and still chose to walk away.  The care of the vet, police and our community has lifted us from the despair  of this brutal attack to a place where we feel comfortably nurtured. As I write this Hugo rests in a sunbeam, his jaw wired up and his wounds cleaned. Events like this show the dark side of one random human’s  nature. But as we woke up in November we realised that for many many reasons we are extraordinarily lucky to live in a community that cares and makes that care obvious by acts of kindness. November has started as a bright and beautiful month. Long may it continue on this setting.

Long ago Hugo, when he was a puppy, was a model for neckerchiefs for a local, coastal clothing brand. After this event he is not quite the attractive chap he once was. He has a good side and a very bad side. For the time being he is only available for bookings in profile.