This is my favorite view of The Alliance, a pub not too far from us, seen across Mill Lane from Gondar Gardens. You'll notice that the windows are covered with sheet metal. That's because once again, The Alliance is under threat from developers. This seems to happen every few years to a pub that has been officially branded an Asset of Community Value (ACV). It closed in June and was briefly occupied by squatters before being secured against further intrusion.
Who knows what will happen next. I don't think the building is under threat -- it already contains several flats -- just the pub itself. I've only been there a handful of times, but I enjoyed it when I went and I hope it can be saved.
Here's an odd garden anomaly. This rose grew up from the base of the plant, on a thick stem about ten inches high, and promptly bloomed! (The bush above it still seems healthy.) I was surprised to see a flower form on a stalk so low to the ground. I wonder if this is some kind of drought response. Maybe if there'd been water that new stalk would have been much taller.
I took Bailey out for a walk to the cemetery yesterday. While we were walking I got a call from the dog charity where we adopted her -- they've set up an appointment for Bailey to be spayed tomorrow. No time like the present! The poor girl has a rude awakening coming, but after that she may be even calmer. Fortunately the vet doing the procedure is right around the corner -- not far from The Alliance, actually -- so getting there won't be difficult. I'll be curious to see how she does at the vet's, given how reactive to other dogs she can be.
She is not going to be happy about this.
I was so sorry to read about Dolly Parton. She was truly a uniter and a good-hearted person, and we needed her to live forever.
Good luck for Bailey's op. Do you pay for that or is it covered by the charity you got her from?
ReplyDeleteThe charity covers it, but we pay an adoption fee which helps offset the cost.
DeleteEven with flats, which are needed.. And a vain hope that they won't be too unaffordable.. A community needs focal points.
ReplyDeleteThe rose is interesting. Springing from lower down you'd usually assume that is coming from below the graft... If it is grafted... it is lovely.
Bailey... I wonder if she has had bad experiences with other dogs because she is not spayed?
Well, the shelter said she'd had at least one litter before they got her, and perhaps more (and she's only one and a half years old!). So yeah, I think she's had bad experiences.
DeleteI had the same thought about Dolly Parton: Here’s someone who should be around forever.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Alliance isn’t still serving. Will be thinking of you and Bailey tomorrow.
I hope someone reopens The Alliance. We'll see!
DeleteI wonder what Dolly privately thought of the orange blob in The White House. Her kindness, genuine love of people and her generous charitable donations suggest to me that she was probably a Democrat though of course when it came to politics she sensibly kept her cards close to her ample chest.
ReplyDeletePoor Bailey! What if human parents took their unwary daughters to sterilisation clinics to be spayed?
I'd be willing to bet she was not a fan, but wisely, she kept that to herself.
DeleteIt's handy that the vets is so close for you. I hope Bailey does well after her spaying, it's an important thing to do for her. It was a shock to hear about Dolly Parton, she was one of a kind, a very special kind. 🌹
ReplyDeleteThere's something to be said for someone who remains so relentlessly positive and full of good humor, while not being afraid to speak out on issues (in a good-hearted way).
DeletePerhaps after her procedure, Bailey will be friendlier towards other canines and hope all goes well for both of you. The rose is a lovely survivor. Dolly Parton was a treasure for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think it's possible that Bailey will be "milder" after her procedure.
DeleteHope Bailey is ok with vet and procedure. I wish Dolly could have lived forever one of life's greats. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteShe was a role model for all of us (maybe not the plastic surgery, but at least she laughed about it).
DeleteYes I had been meaning to ask you how you got Bailey.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read about her 💛 Hoping everything goes well.
The rose - how wonderful 🌹 Like a gift to nice people who love gardens.
What an extraordinary building. I looked to see what the pub looked like, in the link you put here. What will the future hold for that watering hole? 😛
Yeah, who knows?! I imagine they'll try to turn it into flats. That seems to be what happens to many old pubs.
DeleteI hope they save it, too, it's a beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteThe building itself will probably survive, but perhaps not as a pub.
DeleteWe needed her to be around forever.
ReplyDeleteSimple and true.
Good luck to Bailey!
It's a shame we don't have more celebrity role models like her -- positive and generous and uniting.
DeleteThat rose is lovely! And yes, I was pretty sad to hear about Dolly :(
ReplyDeleteA rose for Dolly!
DeleteIsn't it a flowering stem from the root stock rather than the main rose plant itself? Cut it off back to main stem.
ReplyDeleteThe Alliance is a very nice building.
I don't know that it's a grafted rose. This blossom looks just like the ones that appear higher up, so I think it's the same.
DeleteGiver her lots of love and positive vibes, she can read your apprehension.
ReplyDeleteYeah, dogs are good at perceiving what "their people" are feeling. I try to keep that in mind when I'm walking her and another dog approaches. Don't get too tense!
DeleteI suppose Asset of Community Value is similar to our Historic Building designation? It is a very beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteI hope Bailey does well tomorrow. I've never had a dog go through it but have seen a few cats and it is a fairly big surgery.
I think ACV was specifically established to protect pubs -- at least, that's where I've seen it often employed. It's supposed to somewhat insulate them from the vagaries of the real estate and restaurant market. (It's hard to maintain these old Victorian buildings just by selling pints of beer!) It doesn't come with money but it adds a layer of review to any redevelopment plans.
DeleteThe Alliance was once a beautiful building. It is sad to see it go into disrepair.
ReplyDeleteSpay done laparoscopically is a much less invasive procedure and the healing process is faster. This seems to be the latest in spay procedures.
The thing is, the building isn't in disrepair, at least not that I ever saw. It's just boarded up at the moment. I don't know whether laparascopic spaying is done here -- I'll have to ask!
DeleteHope the surgery goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI think Dolly was so great and such a good person.
Exactly -- a good person. It's as simple as that.
DeleteThe news of Dolly hit me as hard as the death of Princess Diana did! I just heard she had a short battle with cancer! She was/is so loved! 🥹💔
ReplyDeleteBailey will sail through the surgery ... you'll have to keep her activity low key for a day or so!
It seems like the cancer battle was so short that it took even her by surprise. She was scheduled for a performing residency in Vegas earlier this year.
DeleteI'm surprised Bailey wasn't already spayed when you got her. I wonder why The Alliance closed. Seems like it would have been doing good business.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about Dolly last night. She was 80. That's only 4 years older than me.
I think running a pub is difficult business, and who knows what the landlords were demanding in terms of rent and maintenance.
DeleteIf anyone were to be allowed to live forever, it would have been Dolly Parton. 😢😢
ReplyDeleteLike Ellen, I am surprised Bailey was adopted out without first being spayed. In Australia all pets are spayed, neutered before being put up for adoption form the shelters. Apparently it is the law here.
Is that rose growing from below the graft? If so it is a water shoot and should be removed, though it is pretty.
The shelter will pay for her spaying, but we have to take care of it. In a way I think that's better because she can come home to recover. I don't think that rose is grafted, though I don't know for sure.
DeleteGood luck to Bailey. She'll recover quicker than you will.😉
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's true. Dogs never seem that fazed by medical stuff. They're born survivors!
DeleteThat was sad news about Dolly Parton. She was an American icon and wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Bailey. I'm sure she'll come through with flying colors.
I like your surprise rose.
I loved how buildings all over the world lit themselves up in pink to celebrate her life. How often does that happen when a celebrity dies?
DeleteI was so sad about Dolly. For some reason, I expected her to live a lot longer although I knew she was having some health issues. Now they're saying a quick cancer was the cause of death. I hope Bailey's surgery goes well! That's a beautiful building; there are so many historic ones there.
ReplyDeleteI know -- 80 seems relatively young these days!
DeleteI prefer girl dogs, but boy neuters are so much easier than spays. It'll be nice to have that behind you.
ReplyDeleteI thought Dolly was wonderful. She was a genuinely kind person who practiced what she preached. My youngest grandson was a "graduate" of her Imagination Library program.
Oh, nice! A personal Dolly connection! :)
DeleteIt's going to be interesting keeping her from leaping and running after the surgery.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure how we'll manage that!
DeleteI never thought of Dolly Parton dying. She was a smart, strong, talented woman who lived her life how she thought was best. I admired her very much.
ReplyDeleteShe seems like she should have had many years left.
DeleteI think everyone loved Dolly -- she seemed like she'd live forever and she will, in her music. She did so much good for people. I hope the spaying helps Bailey chill a bit. Could be interesting tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteIn her music and in her philanthropy she will live on!
DeleteDolly was a wonderful person ... may she RIP
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Agreed!
Delete