The Cost Of The Blaniks

Well I'm back on my winter timetable, getting up at 7am, letting everyone out and feeding them before snuggling back into bed with a hot cup of tea around 7.30am. Even Zavi is happy to have a lie in when his belly is full! Sadly the last few days have been shit weather wise, and today is no better. With the strength of the wind increasing to 62 miles an hour by this afternoon, I guess I'll be staying home again! At least I can start sorting out Xmas, a list and some online shopping at least. This Xmas we really have to cut back, the van has bled us dry, but honestly no regrets. It was more important to get the van than to spend silly money on silly gifts at Xmas. Of course we will be "doing" Xmas, I want to buy gifts for the people that mean a lot in my life, just that this year, a little more care will have to be taken.

Following the shock of the answer to the frequently asked question of how many dogs we have. The next statement or question is usually something like, 'Well, that must cost you a fortune!' Well yeah probably, we'd be financially richer without dogs, but our lives would be so poor in every other way. I've given up counting how much it costs, even if I knew it wouldn't change things, would it? Dog food isn't ridiculously expensive; the treats cost me about as much as the food. If I had to cut back or go cheaper on treats then I could, after all, nothing pleases 6 out of the 8 any more than a carrot! It's the "NAW" natural dog treats, and their like that really knock up the costs. I also buy yogurt, sardines and butchers' tripe for them, as well as 12kg boxes of bonios, theoretically all that could be dropped to gain £££, but would I? I doubt it, I'd sooner go without myself!