The joys of installing new flooring!
In a number of the rooms here at home we still have down on the floor the carpeting that was in the house when we moved in 5 years ago. As you might imagine that carpet, being slept on daily by cats and dogs, is also home to a range of uninvited ‘guests’. That song title comes to mind: “The hills are alive ….”.
A while ago we replaced the carpet in our main living-room with oak flooring and now we are replacing just about all the rest of the carpet in our house with laminate boarding that is a very good match with the oak flooring.
One of the rooms that is affected is my office and although the installers will only be working for the three days of the 16th to the 18th August, the rooms will need to be emptied out of all furniture a few days before the 16th.
Ergo, I expect to be ‘off air’ for about a week. Probably from Sunday, 13th August through to Sunday, 20th August.
During those days I won’t be able to respond to your replies to posts. But I will put up posts for each of those days well ahead of the 13th.
What I will post is something that Suzann emailed Jean the other day. It’s the wonderful story of a Belgian Shepherd dog befriending an owl. This is what was included in Suzann’s email:
ooOOoo
For years, photographer Tanja Brandt has made it her mission to capture magnificent photos of animals and wildlife. Recently, the German artist found a new challenge when she photographed the unique bond between two unlikely friends: Ingo, a Belgian shepherd, and Poldi (Napoleon), a one-year-old owlet.
The owlet and canine have a special “protector-protected” relationship and that their affection towards each other couldn’t be any more evident. Ingo lovingly guards Poldi, who apparently “doesn’t know how to live free.”
The owlet, hatched two days after his six brothers and sisters, therefore, has always been very vulnerable due to his small size. Comparatively, Ingo was raised by a family of strong, and oftentimes ruthless, police dogs.
“They respect each other and they can read each other,” says the photographer.
ooOOoo
There are many photographs of Ingo and Poldi and they will make up the posts for you all for that week of the 14th August.
Learning from Dogs 
This relationship works better than some human relationships. What sweet pictures. It is clear they share a deep bond. Wonderful share, Paul!
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I might be so bold as to amend your view that this relationship works a damn sight better than many human relationships! 😉 Can’t wait to share other pictures with you.
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I concur.
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Good luck with the reflooring 😄
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Thanks Colette!
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Ray has redesigned our furniture layout as a result of hardwood flooring…. and 80lbs of moving dog hitting various pieces due to lack of traction! However, the main purpose of commenting was to say I loved those Shepherd/Owl pics! 🙂
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😍 Yes, we know the problem! Hopefully, a few rugs here and there might lessen the issue. We will see!
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Good luck with the rugs. Ours ended up all over the place! 🙂
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🙂
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So sweet, what lovely photos. Can’t wait to see the other photos. Hope all the renovating goes to plan.
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Thank you so much!
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I will still be working with this tiny tablet until the new laptop arrives. Not fun. Wood is easier to clean. Enjoy your down time.
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Will try to! Uncertain as to how I will find it in practice! Bit hooked on this blogging lark!
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From the practical to the sublime. Such is life. The connection between different species is uncanny and so inspiring. Putting in new floors … not so much 😉
Thanks Paul.💕
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Love that response, Val. When I am on my knees with frustration I’ll keep repeating to myself “Remember Val’s advice – from the practical to the sublime!”
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Ha ha! Give your knees a break too!
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The photos are darling or precious or sweet. I think the dog and the little owl are perfect pets and perfect partners. So unusual. I have a book titled “unlikely Friendships” and I am so entertained every time I look at the photos. Looking forward to your pics when ever you can post them.
About your flooring. I had all the carpet yanked up that my husband wanted and had tile installed. The rest of my old house is the original oak flooring that now needs refinishing, You will love getting rid of the carpet. It is a nuisance and can cause one so many problems if one has pets.
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Very kind and supportive thoughts! Thank you! 😍
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So sweet! Good luck with your new flooring, Paul. I can only imagine how carpeting and all those dogs have posed some issues over the years. I’m sure you will enjoy the new ‘look.’ Aloha.
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“posed some issues” is a very polite way of describing it! 😀
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Hahaha – yes. I’m usually not the master of understatement, but in this case … 😉
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😊
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Such a wonderful connection, showing how love transcends all manner of obstacles and how fur and feathers truly can bond.. 🙂 Fantastic share Paul.. and wishing you well with the furniture moving.. 🙂 It will be well worth it in the end.. 🙂
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It better be worth it in the end! 😉
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Have Faith.. it will be.. 🙂
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All best wishes during the renovations. They always fall in the “this too shall pass” category if it’s any consolation. The results will, no doubt, be worth it. 😍
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Tee, hee! Jean and I sincerely hope so! 😍
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Is that a mal? I can only see half the picture hha
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