Nostalgia – a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.
Do you remember when I first met Raffles and I thought he was big?
Raffles at the beginning
We used to play in the garden together and have fun.
We would share sniffs and interesting things.
We would run and play in the woods nearby.
And afterwards we would share my special little bed (before someone broke down the edges!!).
And remember when THEY decided that you weren’t allowed on the settee?
Those were the good old days.
They are gone forever.
Now, I have a hard time finding room on MY settee – so much for THEIR good intentions.
I creep into the garden hope to get away without being ‘spotted’. But, I fail.
Can you see me? Raffles can 
On my way back in I have to run the gauntlet of an almost seven month who thinks if I’m outside I must want to play but who is three times my weight and size.
Where’s the fun with tug-of-war with those odds?
Once spotted I have no choice but to make a run for the house hoping I can make it before I get savaged.
Today, due to a sore paw (note the right leg is being held up so I am hobbling) I didn’t make it.
Having made it plain that I was in no mood for a game I am ‘escorted’ into the house.
To add insult to injury he even eclipses me in the photographs – I barely get a look in.
Remember when Raffles first came to live with us and I thought he was huge?
Well I was wrong.
Now he is huge!
Keeping cool in the OZ heat and remembering the good old days of three months ago!
Love from Zena, the thoughful Princess
Wow, Raffles has grown so much! I hope you guys are coping with the heat over the ditch – we are having a heatwave/drought in my part of NZ and Zak is not enjoying it at all!
We are sitting in the air-conditioning as we speak! Walks are early in the morning or late at night when it cools down and there are no walks to the village for coffee! Poor Zak, I hope it cools down for him soon.
Yes, Raffles is growing. He is not quite the tallest of the Standards at the park but is close and he is certainly the biggest re: body mass. The breeder wasn’t kidding when she said he was going to be big!
Oh Zena, it sounds like you may need to come up with some evasion tactics so you can have some peace. I spose it’s flattering in a way, that Raffles wants to spend so much time with you but sometimes, it’s better to have some ‘quiet time’ isn’t it?? And the settee situation is not good at all – I would be well peeved.
I can relate to the heat – last week, it was so warm that I was longing for Winter!
Woof
Groucho
Hi Groucho. You so understand
I think you are right. I will work on the evasion tactics this week
Thank you. I’ve lost a nail in sympathy with Easy
Actually what they think I have is Symmetric Lupoid Onychodystrophy which is an auto-immune problem – Zac and I really drew the short straw with our genes!
Every now and again I lose some of my nails from all or any of my feet. It can be painful, but as long as I don’t get an infection it passes. I am very brave……. as you can imagine!
Oh my word Zena, I’m sorry to hear that. Must be really painful sometimes and yes, you are very, very brave. Is it something you can take meds for?
Not really. The vet will give antibiotics to prevent infection and you can try an anti-fungal but because of my past flirtation with ingesting things I shouldn’t, they are hesitant to give me too many medications! Omega 3 oils are good so I get supplements and on the whole it isn’t as bad as some dogs have it. I get problems a couple of times a year usually with one of my front paws.
On the plus side because my nails are a little twisted and stunted I can’t scratch my tummy properly which means that although I itch with my mild allergy I can’t break the skin.
So every cloud……
I had to look that up – sorry to hear that your paws have been bothering you. Can you wear paw covers to protect your paws? Although Raffles is quite large, I’m hoping that he remembers your lessons so he can protect you. If anything, he looks big enough to be used as a pillow : )
The Help did order some once and was going to use them to stop me damaging myself when I scratched, but the problem is with the nail so they just break off by themselves. I don’t think the paw covers could prevent that. The nails will come off even if I spent my life lying down! The main thing is to prevent infection and for The Help to be gentle.
I could use his tail as a pillow but I’d get a crick in my neck using his body! I could lie on top of him though. Maybe when the cooler weather comes
Princess, it has its benefits to be smaller than Raffles.. you’ll always look younger
What a cool thought! You’re right. Next to the behemoth I will always appear the puppy. Thank you
Little brothers, eh? The only consolation is they do grow up mentally too and start to afford respect to their elders and betters eventually… Hope the paw recovers quickly.
Yes, I am looking forward to that time when he shows me that respect!
O princess – your poor paw. I hope this nail will grow back fast … now we can hobble together ;o) I remember the early days with Raffles… and I remember what he did with your bed….now he is a white giant… and I must admit he looks great … but you are the most beautiful Princess – that’s for sure ;o)
Thank you Easy. Yes, we can do a great six legged race together
He is a white giant and very handsome so he is a very fitting consort for me, or he will be when he is a little more dignified! He still lacks rather a lot in the grace department, I have him beaten hands down there
Oh Zena, tears were rolling of laughter, he is ginormous BOL You look so dinky compared to him, are you sure he’s not from a different planet.Bawaahhaaaa. Such wonderful photo’s
hope your paw is OK darlin 
xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
Getting there with the paw thanks but I can’t supervise like I should at the dog park
A different planet – you might be onto something there. And yes, he is ginormous, but I still get to eat any dinner he leaves unless The Help is quick and picks it up! And he has to beg very loudly and long if I have a toy he wants, I make him work
Your not going to be able to out-physical him. You have to outsmart him.
You’re right Kyla. I will have to make plans……..
hoping your paw heals soon! We look at it totally differently….we think you are blessed to have such a good friend who loves you soooooooooooo much!
Happy Sunday!
Thanks Dakota
After being alone briefly after Zac crossed over the rainbow bridge I am indeed very fortunate to have a pal. I do not do the lone dog thing very well at all and with Raffles I do not feel afraid of anything.
Oh my goodness, Raffles really has grown into quite a big pup! But I love how beautifully you two get along and how much fun you have together. That picture of you both on the settee is so funny! Raffles has really taken it over!
Zena, Raffles almost fills that settee! You need to put an order in for one of your own. He has grown a lot.
I know…… He is taking up way too much space. He should have stayed on the floor and left the settee to me.
Could you put a book on his head or somefing to stop im growing?? BOL I fink you need a bigger settee!
Dalton, what a wonderful idea and so much nicer than cutting his legs off!
And I so agree, I think I will put in a request for a three seater for Christmas
Perhaps you need to adopt some camouflage? Maybe paint yourself green so you blend into the grass and then maybe he won’t be able to spot you??
You no what would happen if I painted myself green don’t you? The Help would come along with a bath and spoil everything!
Oh Zena,
My heart bleeds for yous! Is Raffles turning into a horse?
Kisses
Nellie
BOL! I’ll have to hitch him to a cart and get him to take me to the dog park
Alas poor Princess Raffles truly is a Giant among Pups. Yep – I think the “hitching him to a cart” thing is a grand idea. Might as well put all that size (and energy) to work for ya!! You’re still WAY prettier than he will ever be though…I promise!
Kitty Hugs, Sammy
Thank you Sammy – sometimes I am in his shadow a little bit, metaphorically and physically! But I think I’m the cute one
Oh Zena, you poor pup
Just think of how much better Raffles will be at bodyguarding now? Maybe that will help. And I hope your paw feels better soon!!
PS: You are the star of every picture, no matter how many giant pups might be in the background
Thank you
I do try to work my angles with the photography but sometimes my colour is against me and Raffles shines. And yes, you are right, he is already beginning to be a little protective of me and that means when THEY bath me he is there licking and comforting me and when he’s been out without me he runs straight in to me to tell me all about it, quite cute really – as if I care? So I think he will shape up to be a good bodyguard when he is a little more mature and a little less anxious about the world. 
Zena, you as the monkey might have been the cutest creature I haveeverseen no lie! Raffles trying to steal your spotlight! How dare he!
Well The Help often calls me a monkey so I thought it would fit! Raffles is rather flash I’m afraid and being so big it’s hard to miss him! I however am a star and that’s that!
that is right! Don’t let Raffles think he can push you out of the spotlight just because he’s bigger!
So true Kirby – size isn’t everything