ZMR

“ZMR” is an abbreviation for Zeus, Murphy and Ruby (right to left in the drawing), they are my auntie’s three dogs that I have been looking after for two weeks whilst she’s been on holiday. But this is about more than the dogs.

I’ve looked after them countless times before but this is the first time in their new house in the middle of nowhere. I thought that being isolated from everything and everyone would be depressing, but I’ve surprised myself. I normally hate being on my own but the past two weeks have been incredible.

The house is a lovely (and rather large) cottage situated next to the canal, overlooking fast countryside with an amazing 360 garden. Every day the cows and the calves in the field next to us come within reaching distance to the fence, Green Woodpeckers hop around the garden and you can’t hear anything apart from the birds, it’s like a Disney film.

I’ve got into a routine everyday of getting up, feeding the dogs, cat and guinea pigs, walking the dogs, going to work, coming back and repeating the same. I thought it would be tedious but I am going to be really sad to leave.

Recently I had a conversation with a friend about how some people cross metaphorical bridges in their lives and maybe I’ve crossed another one where I am totally a peace with being on my own. I suppose you could argue that I’m not alone because of the dogs, but I could happily do this for the rest of my life.

I am now worried that when I return to my two bedroom dog-less apartment I will feel claustrophobic and bored!

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