Hello! Been taking Argentine Tango lessons!

I am in heels, but they are half as high as yours. So I do get the lift but maintain control for myself. As I have been ill, my core strength is not what it should be and having suffered from dodgy ankles on occasion, I don't want to take risks. But in my prime I could run and hop on one foot in the heels you are wearing and my collection is still in the cupboard waiting for me. Looking at pictures of older couples doing Argentine Tango as a social dance in the street and public ballrooms, the ladies are wearing much lower heels.

It's strange, but although I am a bossy kind of woman, I find it very easy to let go and follow.

Just wanted to squeal again really, because we had the most fabulous class last night - it was Tango Vals and we were doing some fabulous fun, spinny moves - I love Vals classes anyway because they are all about the music, but I felt we had such a vals breakthrough and it was so exhillerating to be spinning round the dancefloor all night! It took me ages to come down as I was buzzing so much!

The power of a good dance class! I still can't believe all these months on that we have such fabulous tango teachers practically on our doorstep. Feel so lucky to have found the perfect dance class for me.

Sounds brilliant Littlebear - you are right, you can't beat the power of a good dance class. Unfortunately I have got a bit out of things of late and really want to get back on the dance floor. I am far more used to dancing on my own (tap,jazz etc) I used to go to a really good sort of jazz/dance movement class which was so uplifting after work, they then changed it to the dreaded Zumba (sorry - don't want to offend anyone, I know that Zumba has its place but I have tried it and it is definitely not for me!). Anyway, I was going to go to a 'Top Hat workshop' at some nearby dance studios this week - it was billed as a fun workshop with a mix of 'simple ballroom and tap steps' followed by a screening of the film.........sounded different, but unfortunately it has been cancelled. Never mind...............I am determined to 'get off my sofa' now after having read this thread.................... 

mauveangel09 wrote:I am determined to 'get off my sofa' now after having read this thread.................... 

Yay! Go for it!

Shame about the workshop - that sounds like it would have been great.

Oh and I know exactly what you mean about zumba - not for me either.

My news we are to hear the patter of tiny feet! Nooo not grandchildren but a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel 8 weeks old.Who will become an SCD fan too!

Sax

That's brilliant Sax! And quite amusing, because I just came on here to squeal about our new kittens which we have got this morning. Two teeny tabbies - they are adorable. We already have a 9 year old boy cat (Mog). The tabbies are in the process of being named. Girl is Myrtle (after Moaning Myrtle) and boy is either Snitch or Peeves. So much fun!

Oh they sound gorgeous! Plenty of fun times ahead! Have you decided on Peeves or Snitch? Love Myrtle! A bundle of fluffy fun.My cats now aged three adopted both brothers together.Its lovely to have two kittens

Snitch it is - just seems to suit him best. They are such fun - distracted me a bit during the dancing tonight though! When are you getting your puppy?

Monday morning we collect Mortimer! We have been trying to make house puppy friendly! I do think its nigh impossible! I recall our kittens chasing each other up the curtains of a night!

Oooh puppies and kittens how lovely!! I love cocker spaniels - one of my babies is a sprocker but in truth she's 99% springer!! My rescue Woody is all springer in all ways- hectic but lovely.   I'm so proud of him, he has made it onto the calendar for the rescue charity we got him from. He's Mr February! I think I might cut his picture out and put it on every month!!!
  

Alls how wonderful! A calendar model be great to see.We researched breeds & decided a cocker would be lovely! Any tips I would welcome

First tip- ENJOY your puppy and expect mayhem  
Go to puppy parties, they're great for socialising, and puppy training- it isn't rocket science but it's good to do it with other people, you get a network of other doggy people and it focuses the mind.
The main thing I picked up from training is make the dog do the work- if you give the signal and say 'sit' for example, only say it once, make them think about it and then treat when they do it!
A really good tip I was given when I first had Bonnie was to let her off the lead early on, when they still want the security of having you near- it's scary but they don't go far and gradually their circles get bigger! Reward them when they come back and bob's your uncle!
Can't wait to hear about your progress!

Ooh good tips Alls ty.We have just got SMA Goldbaby milk (I haven't been down that aisle for years!) as Mortimer has his weetabix with this! Just found our old bowls & washing them! The stairgate is on the kitchen & we are having a calm night!
So far Mortimer uses the vet bed to toilet on & slowly we shall take him out after waking,playing,meals o/s & reward when he tinkles! Vet bed roll knew to me! We have two thou cut to size! The cats bless blissfully unaware withe stairgate they get their meals & a pathway in peace.Will put a photo up in few days!

Sax
little apprehensive & excited

Sounds like you are well prepared Sax! When your little boy is ready to move on to big boy food, I really recommend the Burns dry food-it was recommended to me and I'm so glad I took the advice. Healthy happy dogs!
PS my Bonnie was 'trained' by my 3 cats- she now thinks she's a cat too and sits in the window bay all day watching the world go by!  And I trained her to leave their food until they had finished - they rarely do, but if there's any left, she's allowed to have it- even if it's just licking the bowls clean!

That all sounds very exciting Sax/Alls!

KIttens are settling in well. Myrtle has been a bit sleepy today but probably just tired froma very exciting day yesterday - she's eating well and using the litter tray properly - and being adorable. Snitch is such a bundle of mischief! He's gorgeous but a bit cheeky - keeps trying to playfight with his sleeping sister and also gets very excited when he sees Mog and purrs loudly in his face which makes mog freak out a bit.

I get the feeling that if I re-read this thread at the end of December I will get very weepy. It encapsulates much about why 2013 has been such an important year for us. I was so ill and miserable for so long and the new year this year really signified a change. Last year I was battling to stay out of a wheelchair, and this year has been about learning to dance, going on holiday abroad (a big deal for the person who couldn't sit 40 mins distance in the car without tears 2 years ago), learning to make macarons (yay!) and getting on top of life enough to be able to get kittens - and getting those kittens and loving them!

You have really come forwards littlebear & what a difference 12 months has made.I bet its been a rollercoaster of a year yet now you have turned that corner!

Snitch sounds a bundle of mischief already & I can visualise him purring at Mog! How lovely they have an elder brothet! So far one cat wary of stairgate the other just sat by it! However Ive twice forgot its there & bumped knees.Im trying to remember to use it.
Well tomorrow 11am we collect!

Sax

saxonsiren wrote:Well tomorrow 11am we collect!

Sax

    

Littlebear wrote:
Last year I was battling to stay out of a wheelchair, and this year has been about learning to dance.......

Hi Littlebear
So sorry to hear that you've been so ill. A member of my family has muscular dystrophy and is also battling against needing a wheelchair. Dancing is such a wonderful thing. I hope each new dance step takes you to a happy place.

Hi sax
We still have a wooden solid gate at the top of our stairs to keep the dog out of the bedrooms. It's been there since my first puppy arrived over 20 years ago. The stairs wouldn't look right now without it. Vet bedding is brilliant. You can walk a square of it nearer to the back door then outside. Our pup used to have a treat if he managed to hit the target. He learned pretty quick. We also used to practice retrieves along the towpath. That way, we knew the dog was either in front or at the back of us. This worked particularly well for my deaf pup who passed away in May at the grand age of 15 and half.

Puppy has landed! Mortimer so far eaten,played & 3 successful trip o/s toiletting! The cats are aloof to him but least no hissing yet!Hopefully tonight he will settle & sleep well.
Hugs to Snitch & Myrtle too

Ah that's brilliant news Sax - three successful toilet trips is a great start! Have fun with him. I have had a nap with a sleeping Myrtle this afternoon. Now I am getting a Mog cuddle. Just need a Snitch nap and then I'll feel complete.

Great news all round, hello Morts!! How did he sleep last night?
LB so pleased that you have turned a corner this year. The power of dance  
I am sat on sofa with 4/5 pets, just one missing upstairs on absent son's bed! My substitute babies!  

Hi Alls just hoping for day all my three pets are in the house! My one cat seems ok will come in give wide berth the scared one I cannot tempt in even to eat! I do when I scoop,collect & sut with cat while he eats! Morph slpet first night Id slept downstairs! Last night in bed 7:30pm woke find oh asleep on sofa Morts in basket! Tonight its going to ne all in proper beds!

 
Haha I don't have this trouble, everyone sleeps where they want in my house- too soft! One dog sleeps at end of bed, other on bed in spare room, cats wherever!!  

Hi Sax. Hope all is going well with your new puppy. Our two are now 7 and 6 ( with exactly 8 months between them). Both were relatively easy to train, once they got the hang of what was expected of them. However, we were a bit luckier than you time wise as we got them when the the weather was warmer and the nights were lighter - at least we did not have to rush around looking for shoes, coats and light switches when they decided that they just HAD to go out at that exact minute!!

Both of ours slept in a cage for their first few months and they loved it. They felt safe in their own space, I knew that they were safe and the house was also safe. Vet bed had to be washed most mornings for a while but it was easier than checking all the carpets and standing in something nasty! The only time they were in their cage was overnight or when I left them for a little while to go shopping - a few toys and a little biscuit and they were quite happy.

However, although there are only 8 months between them I managed to forget in that short time just how much hard work the first two or three weeks are!! But it is all worth it!.

Thanks Lualen! The breeder slept withe the mom & puppies for 7 weeks! & didn't leave them alone! Third night of one us downstairs with Morts! We are in a debate re cages! With our own dogs we didn't when we puppy walked for the Police we did! We left Morts yesterday for 30 mins he kept yapping & had made himself sick! No wee or poo thou.
So he has really bonded with me & everywhere I go he follows! Im reading up re Cockers re isolation issues! Tonight determined OH & me are in the same bed.
Toilet training going well have the vetbed nothing apparently beats sleeping on my foot!
Any tips greatly appreciated