Summer is Here

Our summer routine has started now. I have classes this year every morning except Sunday although I only have two hours each on Friday and Saturday. I can’t combine them as I have more younger students and they don’t like coming after 12 to avoid wasting precious swimming pool time.  Annoyingly I also seem to have quite a few single students this year, two of my original students have asked for classes independently as they are at different levels now, so I said yes, because it’s true they are. But it means that I’ve effectively halved my hourly rate.  At least I don’t need to prepare for them.

I have my first (certified) special needs child starting tomorrow. His sister has been coming to classes for a year now and she is 6, the boy is 12 and his mum says he is at the same development level. He is coming to class with his sister. I sent the mum a message to tell her what we would do tomorrow so the lad will know what to expect, however I have seen him around and he seems very nice, just a bit slow, so I don’t think he will find it too scary.

I had three pupils go into the bilingual course in October. That’s three out of four. The fourth I didn’t expect to get in, however he was a late developer and could have been in with a (very) outside chance. I’ve only had two students not get into the bilingual course.

The special needs boy is the grandson of our neighbour. He has nine grandchildren, of which 8 come to classes (one is a baby so he is exempted) and he pays for their classes with me. I think now he is the single largest contributor of students. There’s also a lot of cousins that come, however given that one child’s parents both have eight siblings, that’s hardly surprising!

Bobbins continues to settle in well, she really is a very well behaved little pup, but goodness me, she doesn’t half bump into things. She is like a little bumper car finding her way around. She is very sweet and likes to play, the trouble is that she’s not very good at it!

I have come to the conclusion that’s there’s something echoey about our house which confused blind dogs when they come. I have noticed with all of them that they do hear when we call them, but they often head off in the wrong direction or walk round in circles. Dumpling used to – and so did Millie – and we wondered about the hearing of both of them. Bobbins does the same, and I really don’t think it is anything to do with their hearing I think it is difficult for them to get their bearings. At least we always know where Bobbins is – just listen out for the bumps!

The vet said there was nothing to worry about with Alfie’s chest x-ray or air-gun pellet. His heart and lungs look normal for an old dog and the pellet could have been in him for many many years and won’t be causing him any discomfort.