The Naked Princess

Well. Not really.

But it feels a bit like it.

Yesterday I was this cute, shaggy and okay I acknowledge it, slightly knotted Tibetan.

Portrait of a shaggy dog

Then I went to the spa. They bathed me, cut me and combed me and I think they went a little too far!

I feel so naked!

And not only do I have to deal with the sudden loss of my long hair (on the one hand it’s easier to run around, on the other I feel strange) but on my return I had to cope with the ministrations of Raffles who was very concerned about where I had been and why I looked different on my return.

‘So then I had a bath and they got out the big dryer……’

To my embarrassment the cut revealed that I have been enjoying a few too many puppy treats lately and for the first time in my life I have a little more belly than I should. I am mortified.

Then, to add insult to injury it was a little cold this morning and The Help thought that maybe the short cut might be too much of a shock for me so I had to go out looking like this.

Oh the shame! If looks could kill…….

At least it’s purple – the royal colour. See my skinny little legs. I did hear The Help say to keep the leg hair longer. Sigh. It’s always the same when you go to get a haircut. They get carried away and you spend the next few months growing it again. The Help complains about her hair being cut too. It must be a family thing 🙂

For those of you who saw the pictures of our garden yesterday and were so kind about it, we thought we’d show you pictures of what it was like before the big trees came down and they made a big lawn for us to run on.

This was the back garden when Zac & I moved here

The garden until last year

The Boss worked hard and had it looking pretty. We had a little patch of grass and then we went through the arch and behind that shed you can just see three really big trees. They began to lean rather badly and threaten neighbours. That’s when The Help and The Boss decided that they couldn’t leave them up any more.

Before

That before picture looks great. Zac and I loved exploring the different parts of the garden but nothing would grow down where the shed is because of those big trees. The other problem was that the garden took a lot of water. Not good in a country like Australia where there is so little rain.

The in-between stage.

The Boss spent ages moving the plants, then he got someone in to take the trees down and move the sheds and then he had to put down turf. And all this time I couldn’t use the garden.

It was cute before but I guess it was worth it because this is what we have now and as you have all mentioned, it is a great garden for us to run around in – when I feel like running!

A Pergola stands where the big trees used to be so we can sit in the shade and watch the pup playing on the lawn.

What a difference? Do you prefer the before or after? We’re hoping this one won’t use as much water as well as giving us space to run.

Have a good day.

Love from Zena, the plump Princess 😦

The Princess Shows You Hers

Yesterday. At least I think it was yesterday. All the days are rushing into one at the moment.

Where was I?

Oh yes. Yesterday, Mollie over at Mollie Dog Treats gave us a tour of her garden and asked us how our gardens are growing. So this morning when we came back from our romp at the park The Help took some pictures. They are not very good, but they give you an idea.

We are in Australia in case you hadn’t realised. So it is not summer here, it is Autumn, the end of Autumn. Nevertheless some of the plants don’t seem to realise it.

These roses have been flowering off and on since Spring!

These Petunias on the back fence seem to be enjoying the cooler temperatures.

The Potato Vine clambering over the shed is one of The Help’s favourite thing in the garden. It flowers all the time and even though it has invaded the shed she loves it!

The climbing roses are still climbing and rosing!

The Boss’ geraniums are still adding some colour too.

And our grass is green again after the summer.

Just in case you don’t believe me when I say it’s Autumn, this is our maple tree in the front garden.

And the leaves?

Here they are – waiting for a strong wind to blow them around the garden again!

So that is my autumn garden.

Then this morning I went to Doggy’s Style and he alerted us to the importance of having a good photograph on hand for emergencies. This has brought to a head my long hair debate. If I went missing would this photograph do me justice?

Is this the stunning Princess Zena?

Cute and Cuddly – yes

All that combing, bathing and hard work and this is as good as The Help can do? My hair can get three times as long as this but we’ve had a chat. I’ve had enough of the comb. The Help’s had enough of my wriggling so today I go for a pampering at the local spa. Nails done, hair washed and cut and tomorrow a new Princess Zena will emerge – one with eyes you can see!

Have a great day everyone.

With love from Zena, the knotty Princess!