109. Burgess Hill - UK - House and Pet Sitting - Episode 33

The owners came home at 2am on the morning we were to leave Grangecon at 5.30am. At one Paul rolled over and out bed, landing hard on the floor. (They were downstairs and would have wondered what the heck was going on.) It's weird leaving a place, knowing the family sleeps as we tiptoe out without saying goodbye. Of course, we debriefed later that day.  All was well, though Tilly was apparently a little lost and looking depressed for a couple of days!

We arrived at Rosslare at 7am and caught the ferry back to Fishguard, Wales. Our next sit was in Burgess Hill on the following day so we stayed a night near Bournemouth, a lovely room where the bathroom was bigger than the rest of the space. We met a guy called Flat Earth Dave that night. 

The next day, we caught up with another Paul from the Sunshine Coast, an English guy who lives in the New Forest area. We had a pleasant lunch with him and his two children and then ventured on to Burgess Hill to meet the owners of another 'Archie' (a huskypom or huskypoo) at our next sit.

It was a 35 degree day and we realised the air con wasn't working as we'd had no need for it previously. Not being used to such warm temperatures and getting stuck in traffic, we were worn out upon our arrival at the house. We were warmly welcomed by the family and had a lovely home-cooked Indian dinner. 

They were leaving for Bali early the next morning and we got the brief on Archie and the house. Being Indian, my first instruction was how to switch the TV on and find the cricket channel. Then we were advised on which TV subscription would give us the best coverage of all international cricket matches.  'Reddy' (the short version of a very long Indian name) apologised and left to go and help his youngest with cricket training, as you do, before flying half way round the world! Curious, I followed, and out came the electric bowling machine, two buckets of balls, the green mat, the net and his son, fully kitted up. Reddy asked me if I liked cricket and having said yes, was then besieged with details on his 12-year-old's approach to batting who, I must say, had a better technique than I ever had.  

It was a hot night we were in a small double bed, naked, uncovered and trying hard not to touch each other. At 5am Reddy barreled into our room, apologized and started rummaging through his wardrobe looking for a pair of jeans (Jeans?  In 32 degrees and travelling to Bali?) while Max tried to disappear under the sheets as fast as was humanly possible. We heard the taxi leave and opened up the house. 

Archie's house.

Tasteful statue in the backyard.

The UK elections are on this week. One of the more credible candidates.

We were surprised with the lack of life in town. Many shops were permanently closed and there were very few people around. Considering the quality and prices of real estate here, we expected a more upbeat and up-market demographic.

Houses in the street.

Early in our stay, I put Archie's harness on and took him out. After about 10 minutes, he suddenly jumped in the air, did an aerial twist and shot out of his harness, bolting across a very busy main road. I panicked and ran after him. 

He took off down a side street and stopped about 50 metres ahead. I pulled out the 'never fail' treats and called, to no avail. He bolted again and I lost sight of him. I phoned Max, distraught, and the hunt was on. 

After what seemed like an eternity, but was only 20 minutes, Max could hear a high pitched dog's bark and followed the sound. She returned to the property and found Archie in the backyard, demanding to be let in the house. The backyard is secure so we were confounded as to how he'd got in. 

Twice that afternoon, we had people dropping by to see if Archie was back home. We were told that someone heard me calling him and posted a lost dog notice on the community's Facebook page, where someone who knew him grabbed him, brought him home and put him in the garden. How they caught him is still a mystery.  Thank you to whichever angels were on duty that afternoon!

That was the longest, most breathless 20 minutes of my life.  We were devastated at the thought of having to tell the owners that their dog was dead/missing/disemboweled by infuriated sitters.

You'd think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. §#/[ HEAD!

We came to the conclusion that Archie is spoilt rotten, completely untrained, and has been fed by hand all his life AND will try to bite you if he doesn't want to do something, like get his bum out from behind the bushes to go for a walk. He wouldn't eat his food or anything Max cooked (WTH??) and decided he'd quite like some fettuccine if I hand fed him one strand at a time! 

The mum, Vijaya, from Bali, ordered a new Kevlar harness, which strapped him in tight and contained him, and we resumed normal life.  Having said that he's completely bonded with us and will miss us, I think, (Max says he won't give a toss) when we're gone.  What a complicated little unit! I will miss those eyes...

When the family returned we were told we could come back and stay any time. Thanks guys. 

He was the most frustrating, self-absorbed little dog we'd ever met - until Jinks! But that's for later...