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Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.
Pet Vets and Groomers Go Mobile: What It Means for You
In the digital era, there are some pet services whose online optimization is obvious. The ease of ordering food online has opened up every home to top-quality brands and ingredients not available in their neighborhood, for example, and mobile booking for dog walkers is as intuitive as using an online service to find a babysitter.
Recommended site: Mobile Pet Grooming Phoenix
Like the home-visiting doctors of old, mobile veterinarians offer comfort for your pet without the distress of an office visit. There’s no need for a waiting room crowded with other animals, unfamiliar bright lights and tile floors, or the whole new array of smells the vet’s office has to offer.
The New York Times refers to these home visits as “fear-free” veterinary care. It’s a name taken after the company, Fear Free, who first began certifying veterinarians, technicians, and staff for these low-stress, at-home visits. The approach takes advantage of your animal’s tie to their natural environment and allows them the respect of undergoing stressful veterinary care without the additional demands of a road trip.
Recommended article: Fear-Free Pets Make for Happier Pets, and Owners
Respecting our pets and their comfort allows them to be at their best. Often, an animal will be reported to have behavioral problems, when the real problem is rooted in their own boundaries being crossed. At-home visits prevent high anxiety, rapid adjustments to new environments, and, some would argue, trauma.
And allowing your animal to be at their best isn’t just beneficial to them. A calm, at-home pet is an easier client for vets and groomers to work with and reduces your chances of being responsible for an injury or bite. Lowered anxiety levels may even have long-term impacts on your pet’s health. Much like with humans, an animal’s anxiety levels can worsen their health over the broad course of their lifespan. Findings reported by Dr. Gary Landsberg suggest lowered anxiety can help curb preventable gastrointestinal problems, respiratory problems, immune system problems, inhibited wound healing, and even rapid aging.
Mobile pet services are rapidly expanding. According to a report by Spot Pet Insurance, those services now include:
Wellness exams
Vaccinations
Spay & Neuter Services
Skin & Ear Problems
Allergies
Fecal & Heartworm Tests
Blood Profiles
Minor Injuries
Health Certificates
Diagnostic Testing
Much like with veterinary care, we ask a lot of our pets on visits to the groomers. Good behavior is competing with new environments, new smells, other animals passed on the way in and out, and the stress of a car trip there. In fact, many of the stressors that arise from a visit to the groomer’s are identical to those surrounding a vet visit.
Suggested site: Mobile Pet Grooming Tucson
Some stressors can’t be removed. In the case of both medical care and grooming, your pet will need to tolerate a minimally invasive, but still invasive, treatment of their body. A good vet and a good groomer alike have respect for your animal and their boundaries, while still doing what they need to do to provide the best standard of care.
But we, the owners, have the power to keep our pet’s stress to a minimum.
A quick online search will turn up thousands of articles for helping young children through transition time, doctor’s visits, and first haircuts. Discussions dive deep into issues of consent, respect, and understanding the sheer number of sensory demands on the child at any given time. It’s time we gave our pets the same respect, and mobile visits—limiting that stress too, at least, the comfort of their own home—are a massive stride forward.