Crufts was really great ..I had the best time ,well yes it was tiring ,but worth every effort ..of course this week coming is resting time .

[Twinkly]

Big outings need planning ,food needs to be organised and bursts of energy mixed with short rests ..but don't give up on your interests and hobbis ....

[JediReject]

Ay up Twinkly I totally agree and well done to you for getting through what I can only guess is an extremely challenging and therefore tiring weekend. A labour of love for sure.

Please make sure you take a wee bit of time out this week to recharge your battery. I know I need to after a busy day or two.

Cheers X

[Twinkly in reply to JediReject]

Thank you for your words of wisdom ! I think I ached every inch of my being when I finally made it home ..but I won a first with my Bernese mountain dog ,and a second with my giant Russian ..I want so much to continue my show days ,although my energy levels are failing since the mpn has infiltrated my life but rest and recuperating for a few days ...then as arnie always says " I will be back".......

[JediReject in reply to Twinkly]

Congrats and credit where due say I. It's a coincidence you quoting Arnie as prior to my MF peops used to say it was hard to tell us apart except my diction was a tad more advanced than his. I should think you must have similar muscle tones handling such large breeds as you do. A friend used to have 2 Bernese and I know how strong and bulky they are.

Keep up your showing as long as you are able because if you don't / can't work you can easily lack purpose without active interests as I know only too well. X

[MistyBlue2]

Twinkly - I was there too! Not showing like you, but we were there to see the Burnese Mountain Dogs (that's what my other half wants for his next dog) What a pity I didn't know before!

We came Saturday, and it was sheer madness. I must have walked miles! I think for me, the trick was to just keep moving. I knew if I sat down, that would be it

Anyway, well done with both of your dogs!

[MarilynMPNVoice Fundraising]

You are an inspiration to us all Twinkly. Fantastic about your wonderful dogs doing so well. It's because of all your love and attention that they get!!! Big hugs xxxxx

[Inca]

Congratulations Twinkly,delighted for you.Know how much goes into the showing long before the 'big'day.Well done to have the guts and determination to pursue it all in the face of our debilitating maladie.Watched as much as poss on T V,some very beautiful dogs.....Cheltenham Festival this week,I hope to see some,but know it will be more emotional times from when we raced good horses many times in the winners enclosure,same as Crufts,so emotional when it has been your life and can now only look on.Great,Twinkly,Long may you go on with your very beautiful dogs,proud to know you!!!

Rest up this week,well deserved.xx

[lizzziep]

I watched as much as possible of Crufts on tv, and really enjoyed it. Well done you and your dogs. x

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Good for you Violet! Well done.

I would like to add though, before people out there might be thinking they're the exception because they couldn't possibly rush about as they used to, that it's really important to pace yourself and not overdo it.....

I'm very active as you know, but I think it's important to say to folk out there, absolutely don't give up on hobbies etc but to also accept that if the things that you used to do are also now making you feel overtired, maybe exhausted, then find something else to do that's equally rewarding or just do less of what you used to do.

I certainly couldn't cycle twenty miles anymore, or walk more than 4 miles a day ( used to hike up fells for 13 or more)

Not a problem, I do the same things, but less of them. Same goes for housework.....!

I used to run two businesses whilst bringing up a family, looking after an enormous house and an acre of garden.

Am now fully retired, sit around reading the paper, employ a gardener to do the difficult bits, the house is on the market and we're hopefully going to downsize. I've diverted my energy into cooking lunch for friends, eating lunch with friends, visiting our daughters in the south, walking the dog, doing a bit of decorating here and there, and generally enjoying my slower pace of life.

None of us need the stress in our lives trying to keep up the rigours of our past life!

I certainly don't , and I'm enjoying my sloathfullness to the full.

I think what I'm trying to say is, do what you feel like doing, and don't feel guilty if you give up on a few things.

Louise

x

[nicki2]

make sure you get plenty rest and sleep I am glad you had a great time mind you the dead dog would over shadow the whole competition make sure you get plenty rest