Rural Dog-Sitting!

We're dog-sitting.

Only 20 minutes drive from central Byron Bay, yet feel as though in middle of outback – in perfectly rural setting – can actually see a cow from where am writing at dining table. Screen doors closed to keep snakes out; is early in morning but am guessing it's around 24 degrees out there.

There is no internet.
(Blog updated later at internet cafe)

NO INTERNET! Palpable feelings of light panic.

Then realise this is good. Brought trusty laptop anyway. Going to make great start on novel.* Nothing to distract me. Not sure where radio is. Obviously will not watch telly in middle of day, what will the dogs think.

Went through usual mad rush in morning (Sunday) to get organised for what feels almost like a weeks holiday. Because going away to rural setting, not being home, and all that.

Commodore packed to the max. Bird, bird's accessories, yoga stuff, a million towels just in case (you never know when you might need a couple of clean towels), clothes for warm weather, clothes for cold weather, bikini, pyjamas and FOOD. Packed up entire fridge. Would under no circumstances like to run out of food.

Have two strange obsessive-compulsive behaviours that hubby reckons must have inherited from Mother:

One -
Am terrified of running out of food. Always ensure am stocked up, in case world economy collapses I know we will be alright for a couple of weeks.

Two -
Am terrified of running out of toilet-paper. Always have been. Mother let me grow up thinking it was normal to keep entire cupboards full of supermarket mega-packs of toilet-rolls. This led to a few conflicts whilst hubby and I were still in share-house situations. Imagine it, toilet-paper was not a priority for anybody else but me – would discover once again down to last roll (between five people) and have absolute mental breakdown until someone packed themselves off to the shops if it was their turn. Amazingly, they would mostly return with a four-pack. A FOUR-pack. Enough for a day in my books.

Sorry, didn't mean to go off on tangent about toilet-paper.

The dogs are very depressed at the moment (Sunday).
Owner has just left. Dogs remaining close by door just in case Owner returns unexpectedly. Top Dog experiencing certain stomach troubles as result of stress caused by Owner's departure. But I have been very kind and given Top Dog a shower. Three times.

Hubby, of course, has very important Wires course about baby-birds to attend – so he will return later when dogs are settled and everything back to normal.
Men. You can count on them in times of need.

For the purposes of giving dogs the best and safest of care – we have divided them between us. Decision about who watches who was made by me, based on personality-type analysis.
When out on beach or other walks, I will be responsible for Top Dog. Top Dog is calm, contemplative and will do what asked (like myself). Hubby will be responsible for Young Dog - which is wild, impulsive and will do what she feels like doing (like hubby).

Cannot name dogs, need to protect their identity.

*Regarding novel: It seems to me I have been meaning to write one all my life. Yet, opportunity presents itself – and cannot even come up with vague storyline. Definitely not something based on own life.