A New Large Dog Run


	A New Large Dog Run

By Reporter & Construction Engineer Extraordinaire, John Gilchrist

The shout went out for help to build a new dog pen, and the response whispered back.

However, between the rain showers, work progressed and the new run has been put up... and down... and up... and down! It is aesthetic, it is scenic... well, the dogs like it. The call to arms was accepted; “Challenge Anneka” had nothing on us, the “Angie & Carole Construction Associates Inc. plc” (company logo: crossed spades. company motto: we may not do it well, but at least we’ll do it) began work. Assisted by their staff, Julie and Antonia, the ladies began work on a trench loosely following a string - it was loose string, OK?

There followed spadework, block carrying, cement mixing, wheel-barrowing, block laying, and mud-puddling. Also assisting were the Dad’s Army of Geoff and John.

Work progressed well through the day, hampered only by very frequent coffee breaks (thanks Pat), and continued a day or so later after the rains, and again later in the week.

Dave stirred the concrete beautifully; with that machine we could make Christmas puddings for everyone.

Doug, who was clearing brambles, kept us warm with his bonfire over by the cattery.

Sunday evening was celebration time - the electricity was finally connected to the house, so Pat and her catering assistant. Milly, had prepared a Sunday roast for us all: magic, it was, and complete with home-made apple and rhubarb pies! A real homely old-English atmosphere pervaded the proceedings, as did the smell of smoke from the open fire (must get that chimney fixed!).

Now it may be argued from the pictures, that we were working with a bent spirit level: I can only respond with the sure knowledge that other major structures on the planet, such as the Great Wall of China, Hadrian’s Wall, and the Mycenaean Wall at Razata, also follow the earth’s contours - who are we to go against convention? Some day, men may look down from the space station and say “Who the f*$! built that?”. At least it’s earthquake proof - well OK, it looks like it’s already been through one, and survived.

The vertical iron works (pole to you) were placed and positioned to an accuracy of +/- one dog, and as for the enclosing mesh, San Quentin would be proud (no, not the prison, the Spanish waiter we met on holiday).

People may come from as far away as Peratata to view and marvel at it; whatever they may remark, no offence will be taken (on second thoughts, a fence will be taken).

Anyway, the dogs are happy that they now have somewhere safe to play, and none of them has criticised the workmanship at all!

www.kefalonia-animal-trust.org

Kefalonia Animal Trust is a Registered Greek Charity. No: 73221102003