Farm Girl has two town appointments this week; today was the orthodontist, tomorrow the ophthalmologist. Not wanting to spend more time than absolutely necessary barrelling up and down State Highway 73, the two of us have opted to spend the night at the City Campus. Well, that’s not strictly true. The Homestead Hounds didn’t want to miss out on any fun (and it beats spending two whole working days in their kennel) so they’ve come along for the ride which does require fair amount of logistical planning. Things that are utterly acceptable on five acres of land in rural Darfield

don’t always translate well to in-town living.

Farm Girl’s orthodontist is a very easy 1.5 kilometre walk from the City Campus so we decided get there via Wai-Wai Express, exercising both the dogs and ourselves. Shirley can be a little over zealous when it comes to – well, anything really – but along with exercising her legs her manners also got a work out. In truth, there was a lot of lead hauling but she listened really hard, didn’t attempt to chase one single cyclist even though they are just so tempting, and even sat (quivering) to be patted by a lovely lady with a walking stick and a worryingly wobbly gait.

Tomorrows appointment is expected to be a little more involved as it is at hospital outpatients so tonight Colin, who isn’t great at being left unattended for too long, will be picked up by The Farmer after he finishes his work shift and spend tomorrow at Casa Kimberley. Shirley is happy to chill in her crate for as long as it takes provided she gets a walk beforehand and Alexa is tuned to Fleetwood Mac. She’s a girl who knows her own mind.

All these balancing act logistics of in-town appointments verses Homestead obligations can be tricky but, similar to parenting preschoolers, there is a secret to coping with it. It’s all about recognising and celebrating the victories. Currently, the room is resounding to the buzz snuffle snort of duo-Labrador snoring.

Victory!