Walky Weekends

Continuing with the walks that we have been doing, today and yesterday have been no exception!! Yesterday brought us over to the forest again, and as it was slightly overcast to start with, there weren't too many people there so us and the dogs had a great time. There were 11 dogs in total - 8 gundogs, a shepherd and two collie-somethings!! We even actually remembered the camera - this group shot was taken at the end of the walk - usually slightly more chance of getting the dogs to sit still as they were belting around having fun!! I do even feel slightly less unfit than before, which is great, a bit of a bonus.

Otherwise we have just been continuing with the wedding plans, the final fitting has been done so everything will be ready for collection the day before 'the big day'...only two weeks away now!!! As much as we are both looking forward to it, I think after the day is over, it will be time for a rest, not that I am wishing it away, but it will be a big stress causer that we no longer have to worry about. Less stressed happy humans!!

Mind you, then anyway it will mean back thinking about agility shows - I've already entered one in March and another in April so it won't be long til they come around and spring is here. Even though they take up a lot of weekends, they are so relaxing and we are quite excited about them again - I even overheard Alex say that he is looking forward to them, not that he will admit it!! The dogs are all good too, Kiah was awesome at training the first week back, Davy has been measured obviously large so is officially allowed to enter competitions, Risk is really getting good at recalls and playing raggy out on a walk too which is great, and Yahoo is over his bug so is back to his old retrievery self and joining us on walks again... Happy and well doggies too :)))

Busy...And Getting Busier

Our celebrations for bringing in the New Year were very enjoyable, but nice and relaxing with a couple of friends and dogs, and watching the spectacular London fireworks from the comfort of a sofa. I guess part of the reason is because it was seeing in the start of the Olympic year so they really did go all out, very impressive and great to watch- but less frightening for the dogs as we were watching on the TV.

That now seems like an age away as we have had SO much to do, and been so busy organising since then!! Aside from the boring bit of having to go back to work, we have got a wedding to finish organising - our own - as it is literally 3 weeks away today, not long at all... Thankfully we are pretty sure that most things are done, just a few last minute bits to sort, and can just look forward to the day, and then a really big party in the evening!!

We have also been on three mega walks with friends and their dogs at the weekends, for fun of course, but to keep the dogs fit, try and get us fit, and to help socialise little Riskles - not that he needs it, confident little puppy!! Of course Risk is carried some of the way, as its a long way for his little legs. Twice we have been to the beach and then once to the forest, fab opportunities for photos - and both times I have forgotten the camera, though we are going again tomorrow so will try to remember it this time.

Today to just continue the busy-ness, Alex and a good friend have been working fantastically re-doing our garden fencing, it is looking really good - it was put up quickly by the previous owners and was becoming brittle. Anyway I've been out in the garden too (supervising?!?!) with the dogs who have been playing on the frosty ground and the sunshine - the perfect opportunity for photos so I thought I'd get the camera out as I haven't in ages. A few good ones came out but the one posted here is my absolute favourite, Kiah and Risk having a fab time playing!!

Boxing Day Walkies

So Christmas day was great fun, after a chilled quiet walk in the morning with the dogs - if then a bit of a challenge trying to make sure everything comes out of the oven at once!! I was lucky enough to get some fantastic presents, a couple of CD's for the car, a new bright purple dressing gown, but also some awesome new Back on Track products, and a 'Springs Things' massage rug for Kiah which is rather cool. The dogs of course shared in the festivities, with their own presents - bones, hooves, pigs ears, beef jerky, some of which they have had, but of course their very own over-indulgent complete Christmas dinner too... even a sprout each, not so sure that was a good idea...

So of course its great to be able to walk the dogs more, and this morning was no exception. We went really early so that we missed all the 'boxing day walkers' as Risk has decided that other walkers (and runners!!!) must fuss him and squeals at them in excitement!! I have a challenge on my hands, but he was a good boy and came back each time on his recall. They all had a fantastic time getting all wet and muddy; Kiah running around like a loon, Davy going on his little adventures, Yahoo on a mission and coming back when he feels like it, and Risk joining in with them all!! All four dogs were pretty good though for appeasing us (and do get a sweetie reward) when we just had a quick 5 minutes to stop for a group photo pose.

This afternoon they are all happily chilled out, settled and chewing on their gifts - hooves and bones, and I'm sure we will be sampling a few left overs - there is more turkey, gammon and stuffing, Christmas pudding, mince pies and just a little M&S raspberry and vanilla panna cotta (which is fantastic!!) that might need to be finished, if we have room!!

Happy Christmas!!

Just a quick note from us two and four legged (especially Kiah and Davy, feeling festive - but not very impressed - in their Christmas hats!!), to wish everyone that takes the time to read my blog, a very Happy Christmas!!! We all are looking forward to spending time - together and with our families and loved ones, and hope that any one reading has the opportunity to do the same! In addition we are all thankful for some of the things that we are lucky enough to have - there has been some ups and downs but there are some who simply aren't lucky enough to have what we have. If I don't get a chance in between, then I would also like to send our very best wishes for a Happy New Year, and all your wishes to come true!!

Happy Birthdays!!

Its been another round of birthdays recently - firstly mine when I was hitting the big 30, which is a bit scary as i don't feel that grown up. It was an enjoyable birthday, Alex had arranged for some friends to come around, my favourite meal, and a yummy surprise birthday cake!! I also got spoiled with some fab presents which were lovely, including a shiny new sparkly collar for Kiah - its really difficult to get a picture where it sparkles but see below. I think my favourite gift by far though, has got to be the new style hardwearing 'plastic' agility jumps I received - in my favourite colours purple and white. If the garden ever dries out a bit and is less of a squishy bog, I will hopefully get a chance to do just a few fun practice bits in the garden.

Exactly 15 days later (as he reminds me every year!!) it was Alex's birthday, and he also turned 30, we are the same age. I hope that he enjoyed his birthday meal out, I secretly arranged for 7 of our friends to meet up on the evening before his birthday to help us celebrate, with lots of drinks and balloons and celebrations!! It is nice to be able to spoil Alex too, as he always does so much for me (and for other people) I like to return the sentiment. He received some smaller gifts but his main present had arrived a little bit earlier in the year, so he now has a new toy in the form of an old Landrover Defender.

Last but most certainly not least, it was little Kiah's birthday the day after Alex's, I really can't believe my special girl is six already and she has brought me complete joy throughout every day of her life. Happy Birthday Kiah Pie!! She really is a fantastic little dog, and just perfect enough for me. There was no steak this year as naughty me forgot to buy any, however she did have lots of biscuits, and a complete can of sardines, oil and all with her dinner, smelled horrid, but I think enjoyable in her opinion. She is and always will be spoiled silly, but why not - unfortunately our devoted companions are just not around long enough to NOT treat them as well as we are able and want to!!

Oh and of course a quick update on Risk; he is coming along very well, I have been teaching him a few more tricks, just simple things but its amazing how fast he picks up what he is supposed to do, after literally a few practices. He now knows how to put his back feet on things, loves his balance board, goes 'in his house', left and right, sit, down and stay, and learning roll over... I think thats about it so far! Now that his jabs have been completed too, he has also been on a few walks, some on lead but also one long one with 18 other dogs!! He was carried for about half of it (on and off) by Alex who was fab carrying the back pack, but Risk really just took it all in his stride and recalled fantastically for a piece of frankfurter - every single time what a good boy!!

New Family Member...

Its been a little busy over the last few weeks, doing all sorts and never having quite enough time to do it all; catching up on wedding plans, spending time with the dogs and of course agility training - I am so pleased how Kiah is doing at the moment, really positive and enjoying it. Also we have been trying to get the house in order - I think most of the boxes are now cleared and unused stuff binned, or neatly up in the loft so its now going to be the time to start to make the house our own.

We have however been stopped in these immediate plans - for all good reasons - due to another new small addition to our furry family!! I must remind myself to not look on the Many Tears rescue site http://manytearsrescue.webs.com/ cause they have some stunning dogs - and just do amazing work with the hundreds of dogs they rescue and not just that, but take the time to rehabilitate and really find the perfect homes, which is just fab.

Risk's mum is a small but very beautiful collie cross kelpie (we think) who is completely black with white socks, and has the sweetest personality. I saw Risk on the MT website when he was 4 weeks old, and thought he had something special about him then - plus his markings are just lovely, completely black on top, with white socks and one white leg and a few naughty spots showing through. I do have a love for black dogs and I can never see why they are so often overlooked... and this one wasn't, as we were lucky enough to be trusted with our little boy, now called Risk - who came home a week and a half ago.

Risk is a very confident little boy so far, and though we are socialising him as much as possible - to work, to the garden centre, in the Christmas grotto, people on bikes, men, women, kids, people with hats, hi-viz jackets, busy town centre, in shops, to the vet, other dogs, chickens, all sorts - he seems to take it all in his stride so far!! He is quite a good boy overnight, and is generally clean which is great, and usually sleeps through til about 5.30 when he needs to go and do his business bless him. In the daytimes when we are about he is also starting to tell us by waiting by the back door when he needs to go, which is great too.

There is definitely a stubborn streak in him and he is only just starting to get into his food so he has been learning a few tricks that way, he is very much a thinker and so though he knows a few things like sit, down, 'house' for in his crate, and starting to do left and right, and a little bit of balance board work, it takes a while for him to properly get the hang of it. Short and exciting training bites seem to be the way forward which is good for me too, as it stops me getting frustrated as well, but we are getting better!

Our other three dogs are a bit indifferent about Risk being here so far; Kiah has decided in the last 24 hours that she actually quite likes him and they play nicely for a good few minutes; Davy on the other hand is really not a fan and would rather he left him alone - though hopefully he will come around in a few weeks with time, however Yahoo is the best though, he is like puppy uncle and puts up with a lot of terrorising which is actually quite funny. To be honest though, Risk is a good boy he has learned from the older dogs' signals and does know the boundaries. He is settling in well so far, though I had forgotten quite how much hard work a puppy is!!!

House Stuff and Other Plans

We have been doing lots of domestic type things over the past few weeks, and preparing to a certain extent for winter... as much as hibernation would be nice it doesn't pay the bills!! Sooner or later I think we will probably need to replace some or if not all of the windows as some are a bit draughty, but first things first... Alex kindly insulated our loft, and we are having the cavities completely insulated as well, it made a huge difference to the old place, plus there seems to be government grants available at the moment - it cost us £20 to do the loft so I would definitely recommend it.

We have also had our shiny, new, lovely leather bed with the new orthopaedic mattress delivered, and it is sooooo comfortable, I mean it is a world away from sleeping on the mattress on the floor anyway, but from my point of view the softer the better, even though we went for medium-firm as its better for (mainly) Alex's back. I just love the new bed though, and it seems that Kiah likes it too, she loves evening time - or prefers the morning at silly o clock after I've got up - snuggles with daddy.

Otherwise we have been continuing with our training over the last few weeks, even Davy has been on a couple of training days and he and Alex are both coming on fantastically well!! Davy loves his contacts, is very nearly on full height jumps, getting the hang of his channel weaves - and they are both successfully putting sequences of all the equipment together, so next season may be a good one!!

For Kiah and I, it doesn't do either of us any good to give up completely over winter, firstly as it blows her brain if we 'suddenly' come back to it, and secondly as I think their stamina falters. However we certainly don't go all out or push it, just like to keep her active, and she is very much more than just a dog - they are athletes at the end of the day. However, there is plenty of time for R&R, playtime (see picture!) and spoiling too of course, the most important thing to be able to come back afresh. To be honest I do think that the autumn/winter is very much about reviewing what we've done, learning and only then, starting to plan for the following year, so that's what we're going to do, and we have a couple of training days coming up to help us learn.