Apartment Hunting

As I've mentioned, we have been hunting for a new place to live.

I am an out and proud culchie, oh yes! I even have a membership card somewhere..

Himself has lived in the city before, so paired with his insider's knowledge and my enthusiasm and love of property websites, off we went!

We didn't have a kajillion* euro to spend on a big swanky pad, but we just wanted somewhere safe and clean for just us two.

It has been.. eventful!

One place we went to was about the size of shed, had holes in the ceiling and the landlord did the electrics himself. To quote, "Snip here and snip there, sure it was all grand!" OK, no.

After searching for a few weeks and coming up against a few dead ends, we found somewhere! It's not big, but not tiny! We even have a little balcony and a BATH! Oh it's the simple things in life like having the choice between a bath or a shower that can make my day!

Yet we came away from the apartment hunt with a few lessons learned, so here are my tips:

1. Photographs can be ridiculously deceptive, seriously. With the art of lenses and angles, a cupboard can look 'spacious and modern'.

OK, so maybe not this bad, but you get the idea!

2. In Dublin, (and in other cities too I'd imagine) you have to move fast. Very fast!

3. You have a lot more stuff than you think you do. Uh-huh, you see those cupboards and those bookcases? They all hold stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Think you have enough boxes? Get more! And plenty of bin bags. But don't cheap out on them! One of the worst first impressions you can give is letting your new neighbours see you pick clothes up off the road and stuffing them into a torn black bag... Trust me.

4. Go with your gut, if you don't like it and you can't put your finger on why then leave it.

5. Accept help from family and friends. They'll forgive you if the place looks like a tip, understand that you can't find anything. They accept that you'll probably be chaos personified, wearing a bin bag and crying because you can't find the kettle or the Christmas tree ornaments. If they didn't care, they wouldn't be there. Hm.. that rhymes. Could put that on a t-shirt.

6. Remain calm. Even if there is a flat tyre, or something goes missing. You'll get there. Rome wasn't built in a day, and some moves take more than one trip!

*Might not be real amount

Goodnight Sweet Prince

It's taken a bit of time for me to write this particular post, as it's not one bringing good tidings.

Our beautiful dog Bruno has been put to sleep after contracting bone cancer.

Yes, the same cheeky lad who made off with my sweets and tried to hide the evidence!

For anyone who has had to put a pet to sleep, you will probably understand the pain and emotions. The decisions you have to make. The uncertainty behind them.

The one consolation that we have is that we had the time with him to get to know him, spoil him and completely enjoy his personality and the love he gave us. 

When people ask us "Would you not just get another dog?" We have to just say "No." Maybe time will change this, but for now the answer is no.

For there will never be another Bruno. The same lad who chased snowballs, watched TV (even having favourite ads and movies), his distinctive howl, the way his tongue would stick out when he was relaxed. All those little quirks that made him unique and, at times, completely hilarious!

For all those who have pets, hold them close and cherish them. Enjoy all the moments with them, even if they piddle on the carpet or chew on the table legs, they're yours and you're theirs. Don't hold grudges against them for silly things, just love them.

On the last days that we had Bruno, we made extra time for him, doing silly things and letting him eat whatever he wanted! But even if we had weeks, months or even years, we would always have wanted more time.