Tali's Tails

Thursday, 12 November 2026

When I Was 18 ...

When I was 15, I started a part-time job, my boss was a man called Gary, he was the one in a position of authority. When I was 18 we had a bit of a thing. Totally consensual. Gary was 10 years older than me, I have never looked back and thought I was groomed. I was 18, old enough to make my own decisions. I found him again online during covid, we chatted a bit, my only regret is that I never got the chance to tell him that I was besotted with him back in the day. Gary died in 2022 of a smoking-related cancer. I'm so glad I had the chance to make contact with him again. I will never look back at that time with regret; in my opinion I was old enough to make my own decisions and choices.

I met John when I was 20 - he was 6 years older than me. Until I met Steve; he was the love of my life, but he broke my heart. Mind you, I saw him in Bangor about 10 years ago, no regrets! LOL

In 1991, Ian was a rebound. I have regrets. I look back and think, why did I ever get involved with him? But they were my decisions, my choices, he was not to blame, he didn't take advantage of my vulnerability at the time ... I was the ruler of my own life.

Then of course there was Don - let's not go there!
I'm not sure when I first met Steve, but we started seeing each other in 1997, 18 months after my divorce. Steve is 15.5 years older than me. Is that wrong? Hell not in my world.
Anyway, my blog has always been mainly about my dogs and cats, and this short post is not to cause unrest, it's simply me trying to make sense of what is currently going on in the world. I'd like to say more, but I fear reprisals, so I'll move on!

Chilly Today

Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Walking Words

My day was thrown into confusion again with my morning call to Mum, so a change of plans was necessary again.

A lovely walk with Orin and Siska on the path between Fron and Rhosgadfan. We saw a gentleman was an adorable blue lurcher puppy. He really made me smile, the dog I mean of course! On my way back I could see someone in pink walking towards me. Though they were on their long leads, to be heard, I called out .."Orin wait." Sadly it was to no avail and what looked like a small black Lab came tearing towards us. I screamed "No" a couple of times and the dog stopped. The lady whistled, and the dog went back to her. As she approached me, I considered whether to say something or not, but she got close and said in Welsh, "Good morning, what a beautiful day, your dogs are so cute!" I found myself smiling politely and exchanging pleasantries, but as she walked past me she let her dog go right into Siska's face.

I just said "No," but she seemed oblivious to the situation. Ok, no harm, all three dogs behaved impecably, but they may not have done!

Our second walk was in the same place, Beti back with Zavi for the first time. They had great fun, though he did get spooked by a horse rider. Strange he's seen horses before, but I don't think he's seen one being ridden. So yeah, another work in progress then!

Because of Mum's newly made appointment, I had less limited time for the next two walks so I went up onto the mountain for walks 3 and 4, but firstly, I got to meet one of my new neighbours. She seemed a very nice lady, lets hope eh!

A happy Sammi off the lead is maybe a little bit more clingy these days. Maybe her changing senses makes her need to stay closer to me .. but she still likes her freedom. It seems Zeus has missed the memo that Beti has finished her season and is still sexually harassing his mother. If he doesn't behave himself, maybe he'll end up in prison next to some celebrity or other!!!

Another walk on the mountain with the pair of brown clowns. Meerah was quite loud, she's got a good teacher! Shorter walks, but time off the lead so I felt they had a great time.

What is going on with this weather, eh? It was just so sunny and warm that I didn't need a coat again today. I know it's going to change but let's be grateful for the fantastic November weather.

Not Complaining But ...

... This weather is just nuts.

Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Accidents Happen

Beti is now coming to the end of her season; within a few days the group of 4 will be back together. This morning I took advantage of the weather and left Meerah and Zavi in the big pen till we were ready to leave for Tremadog. (Around 11am) I spent the early part of the morning cleaning out the dog bedroom, moving crates to hoover behind them and changing beds. I was really happy that the room was fresh and clean by the time all the guys were going back to bed so we could go out!

It was not the best visit to Mum's, as usual there were things to moan about, and my tongue is so sore from biting it that one day I may just explode. It was easier today to just cut the visit short so we could get home to light the fire!

Home, dogs out, and shopping away. As I've said, I feed the dogs in their crates, so I find myself sorting the beds out before they come in, and tonight I was shocked to discover that Zavi's bed was piss wet through. How? Why? We'd only been out about 3 hours in total. Well, I guess coming straight in from the pen and to the crate hadn't given him time to pee, though there are no rules against peeing in the pen! LOL. So yeah, I was disappointed, but human error ... as it nearly always is!

It's weird isn't it, we make our dogs who they are. Of course genetics play a part but if you do wonder why every dog you've had makes the same mistakes? Then look beyond the dog at the other end of the lead!

Monday, 9 November 2026

The Sun Keeps Shining

With the cattle spread all over the mountain in Fron, I drove down and parked at the top of Carmel. Just a short walk across the road and I was on the bottom of Cilgwyn Mountain, walking towards the village of Cilgwyn. With no one in sight I let Sammi off, but I was well aware of the signs everywhere: "Know The Law."

A super walk with these two loonies, I went further and found a nice circuit with only a couple of steep areas and one muddy incline. Who cares when you've got wellies?

Having enjoyed the previous walks I went back to the same place and timed the circuit with Orin and Siska to see if it was Ok for Zavi - and at 30 mins, it was!

A narrow area of the track, about a foot wide through the gorse, but it was OK.

We have had such lovely weather, and I have to make the most of it. The last few days it's really hard to believe that we are heading for winter – as my Nain (grandmother) used to say "We'll pay for this!"