Neily82

Pegs and the city

If you follow me on twitter (@neily82) then you’ve probably seen me asking about this blogging stuff and debating whether I should give it a go. After positive responses on giving it a try I’ve decided to do exactly that. These first few posts will help me get used to how it works and will cover a short-term topic rather than indicating what my longer term blogs may focus on.

Again twitter folks you may have heard me talking about dog/house sitting for a dear friend. This week I am taking on 2 challenges, 1 of which I feel is going to be significantly more of a challenge…

Challenge 1: Living in the city

Though I work in the city of London I live just outside in Kent, so this experience (albeit short) could as an indicator of how I might adjust to living more centrally.

• Kent = countryside (cow shit), open spaces (horse shit), village pubs, cheaper/bigger properties etc.
• LDN = urban (pollution), enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), tube journey’s (sweaty people), trendy pubs, expensive properties etc

Challenge 2: The dog (aka Peggy/Pegs)

My friend recently took in Pegs from a rescue home. She’s a sweet and loveable Whippet with a nervous disposition from her previous ill treatment. This means she’s ever so slightly anti-social and agoraphobic (at least that’s what they’re telling me, maybe she just hates me).

If it isn’t abundantly clear already, as I blog through the week you’ll see which of these challenges I fear most.

Networking evening

Though I’ve met Pegs previously, tonight was my first full evening with her. A chance for me to get to know her while her folks were still here. No growling this time - progress. She didn’t run away from me - progress. As the evening went on she sniffed my hand twice - progress. I took her out for a walk - progress (discounting her choosing to piss right outside the front door in full public view).

After a couple of hours I realised I was still in my work gear so I went off to change. I returned and upon sighting me Pegs let out a huge bark and scuttled off to hide. Either she didn’t recognise me, mistaken me for an intruder or she just took offence to my ‘white socks/black jeans’ combo I was rocking. #FAIL

She gave me the cold shoulder from that point onwards - back to square one.

Challenge verdicts

Too early to comment on living in the city but no doubt the shorter commute will factor. As for Pegs, I clearly have my work cut out for me but I’m confident we’ll work through our issues, slowly but surely. She’ll be my new BFF before the weeks over #famouslastwords. If, however, I suddenly fall silent this week it may be reasonable to assume that Pegs has mauled me in my sleep, bless her heart.

I’ll be posting updates through the week (subject to surviving aforementioned mauling).