PET'S CORNER

[Stanley]

I have ditched my account but I accessed it off the topic so it works. The buggers put a dialogue box for you to create an account over the viewing pane so be ready to say no quickly!
Lovely to see the lads outside, mobile and fat as pigs! Notice Dennis scratching for Dr Green.....

[Wendyf]

Not fat Stanley! They are both at their lowest weight ready for spring. They were more than ready to come back inside after a couple of hours out there. Their winter paddock has a big dip through the middle and a couple of steep drops which are filled with drifted snow so I worry that there is a risk to life and limb if I put them out there. As you can see Dennis is all wound up and ready to go! He is a bit crazy.....

[Stanley]

Sorry Wendy, no criticism intended. What I should have said was well-fed and in peak condition, a bit like Colin......

[Stanley]

THIS caught my attention this morning. What surprised me was the figure of 15,000 sheep worried. I didn't realise the problem was as serious as that. I trust Jack but I'd never expose him to this temptation, it's too late when a natural hunting instinct takes over. What owners forget is that sheep dogs have had the hunting instinct modified over many generations and even then there are sometimes accidents, they get a bit too keen.

[Wendyf]

My dogs never show any interest in the sheep that constantly surround us. They will walk through a flock keeping their eyes averted, same with the hens. At the moment our regular morning walk around our neighbour's field takes us past new born lambs and both dogs stick close to us because they are wary of the ewes, both having been head-butted in the past for getting too close.
We trust them but still would never allow them out in the field by themselves or walk through any other farmer's field with them off the lead.

[Stanley]

They will be safe Wendy because of daily exposure, like a working dog. The trouble comes when unfamiliarity breeds curiosity which develops into chasing. The dogs think they are playing but it can be devastating for heavily in lamb ewes and that is what a lot of 'worrying' is. But you knew that.... others may not and might think it's just a game.

[Julie in Norfolk]

I have always been a planner, what I will do in such and such an event. For several years now I have had my eye on a particular breed of dog, mainly for it's nature although it is a looker as well. I would never have introduced a new dog to the family during Sam's last years, it would not have been fair on him especially dealing with his blindness. There are not many of these dogs around but I googled idly after Sam's demise and to my astonishment there was a litter due. To cut a long story short, in just under 4 weeks the dynamics of this house will change radically, I hope Honey's mothering instinct is intact! She will have someone to race down the garden with, she still looks back for Sam and I am a poor substitute. Photos to follow.

[Wendyf]

Great news Julie, I'm the same way inclined and always look forward to the next member of our pet family! Have you plumped for a Munsterlander? My friend adores hers, especially as she is settling down a bit at last.

[Stanley]

Lovely! I look forward to the pics Julie. Good luck with it.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Every time I think of adding an image I forget what I have to do and end up looking at the "smilies" next to the post a reply box laughing at me.

Yes it is a Munsterlander. The photo, could you see it, is adorable.

[Wendyf]

Awww

[Stanley]

Looking very serious! Lots to learn........

[Stanley]

Jack yesterday after his walk. A relaxed and happy dog. I love it when they shove their nose into the fur to recycle carbon dioxide and bring blood up the the surface making them warm. Remember 'what will the Robin do then'? This is why he hid in the barn and shoved his head under his wing. I love dog-watching!

[PanBiker]

Cats have that off to fine art when they curl and cover with their paws.

[Stanley]

[Stanley]

One of the major prices we pay for having a companion who is used to being with us 24X7 is that leaving them on their own for any length of time is stressful and a form of cruelty. We have to make arrangements! My friend Philip and Jack are old mates and he is looking after Jack today while I am away for about ten hours. They will be fine and the bonus is that when I return Jack will be all over me!

[Stanley]

Jack survived the day well, in fact he got more walks than usual because Philip looked after him. He slept like a log last night as did I. We both had a tiring day!

[Tizer]

Photo from front page of The Times today...

[Stanley]

[Julie in Norfolk]

Buster the Large Munsterlander is home and settling down with Honey. He comes running to you when you call his name. He is learning that sitting is polite behaviour. He can fart for Britain so I am feeding him some meals by hand partly to slow his eating down.

I am sad to say that sometimes I get it wrong and say "come on Honey, come on Sam" and have to correct myself. Early days though...

[Stanley]

I only have one dog at a time now and have called the last three 'Jack'. That keeps me straight. I've never heard jack fart.... Bad hearing or good dog?

[Wendyf]

When we first got our rescue dog Bruce he ate so quickly that he would often regurgitate his meal straight after eating. We bought a special slow feeding bowl which cured the problem straight away.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Buster's farts are "SBDs" - silent but deadly! Yup, we are going to the vets for a vaccination this afternoon and I will buy one of those slow feeding bowls then. The big moment of the day was when Buster found his tail! When not hanging onto it for grim death, he is viewing it with suspicion.

[Stanley]

Jack occasionally does the regurgitating trick because he only gets fed once a day. However, I'm not thinking of changing that as he does well under that regime, he is alert, lively and not overweight. I didn't know about 'slow feeding bowls', I shall look into them.

[Julie in Norfolk]

Puppy training (human training) has commenced this week. I paid for some classes but couldn't attend as Buster didn't have his first and consequently his second vaccination on time. The lady holding the sessions offered a couple of solutions including some one to one sessions which is the one I opted for. My honest opinion is that he is great and I am clumsy, verging on the cack-handed and slightly late at everything, I treat when I shouldn't and don't praise when I should. Ah well, I will get the hang of it.

My particular dog whisperer thinks that Buster is great (with exclamation marks even) and has the best eye contact and attention span that she has seen in a long while. If only he understood English and didn't p*ss on the hearth, life would be good.