Our rescue dog Barnie is now over six years old and I suppose is heading towards middle age although he dashes up the garden like an Olympic sprinter when let out for a tiddle and is now playing with the new poodle puppy Zola which may be where he damaged his back when trying to turn on a sixpence like the younger dog.
We took him to the vet for a check up and they gave him some painkillers and anti inflammatory pills with the suggestion he may benifit from hydrotherapy which he has had a couple of times and he seems to be getting on quite well with his back problem, however, yesterday he started scratching himself, so much so that he drew blood.
He has quite a few allergies which at first made us think it was to do with hay fever and the pollen, but we then wondered if it was due to his allergy to wheat and grain but we try to keep him off any wheat and grain in his diet so were somewhat stumpted as to what caused his violent reaction?
In the true tradition of Sherlock Holmes and the use of a process of elimination it dawned on us that the new poodle was not on a wheat and grain free diet and Barnie must have crept up after she had eaten and wolfed down what was left in the bowl causing the problem.
We now have a plan of action to make sure Barnie is kept well away from Zola’s dinner in future so we don’t get a repeat of the situation and just to prove he is on the road to recovery, the following is a photo of Barnie looking a little forelorn but very relaxed as the itching has subsided and is now considerably better.
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Not the cone again, Dad, please!
Surprisingly enough he is fairly relaxed in it, I think he’s just glad the itching is subsiding and getting back to normal.