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Fran and Flo on the SW coast path, west of Ilfracombe.
We're all much happier now we're out of the tick infested hell of the Exmoor woods. Taking 100+ ticks off each dog everyday was horrible.
I'd like to do a good long linear few days walk with Henry. Having said that, he's an proper sniffer, so when I say long, I reckon 15 miles in a week would be his preference. 😁 Random dog photo because...
Our guy Sprocket - aka Mr Sprock, Sprockety Sprock Sprock Sprock, Sprock-a-Doodle-Do - is five months now and has somehow managed to top 20 kilos. People regularly note the size of his paws and tell us how big he's going to be 🙂
He spent heatwave Monday at our local doggy day care, which sticks up daily photos on FB. Tragically the highlight of our day, other than picking the little chaos demon up afterward, is scrolling through the pics looking for him and his doggy mate. Still a total goofball 😜
Gratuitous dog pics follow:
And... Huey has the run of Lower Largo beach again for the next couple of weeks. Lucky boy.
I discussed ticks with our vet. Independent cheap Peebles vet covering all animals.
He's anti topical due to affecting watercourses. Bravecto was their suggestion.
I also live in the Borders and our 9 year old Sprocket has had Bravecto each year since she first came home. One dose at the start of the season, usually after we find her first tick, sees her through to the end of season. It's been 100% effective, not a single tick after getting Bravecto, really remarkable stuff.
Oscar went to his Nana’s yesterday while we were out, seems he had a good day.
Photos are back so here’s Oscar waiting in my daughter going in to bat, he loves cricket as he was introduced to it at 8 weeks old. 
Waiting and dribbling
Cleaning the recycling
Ball and shadow
The local dog rescue centre was featured on ITV Wales last night - can be seen here :
https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/articles/tails-from-the-shelter-episode-1
Pup cup at a local bar. 
The one and only Sprocket, still growing, still awesome. He seems to have a made a friend at doggy day care and appears to be using them as a pillow while sprawling insouciantly for the camera 🙂
A word I've always wanted to use on STW...
My first image post, probably ever, this is Tricks(Trickster) she's the best and worst thing ever. She's on her way to 5 years with us, Bosnian rescue of mixed heritage.
Re-try, Trickster, the floof.
https://imgur.com/a/gNLfVZp#gdKdVez
This muppet has been accepted to a group dog walk.
Taken 4 years but she is now fairly happy around other dogs.
Well Lola back from the Vets having had the Op she was due to have before ingesting that grass seed and having a major op to sort that out. Poor bugger has really been through it this year. Now she has a "bionic leg" (ripped ACL didn't repair itself even after months of rest/lead walking), so she's had a "Z" replacement put in. Still a pretty big op but not as bad as how it used to be done which involved breaking bones!
Back on very light duties for two weeks, then lead walks for a few more but hopefully that'll be her sorted and back to running around like an idiot in the woods every day. Although not till September at the earliest. She's taking it like a trooper and already starting to put weight on that leg, but it's clearly pretty painful 🙁
Some North Norfolk action.
Wells-next-the-Sea beach, tide was out.
Holkham beach where there was a bit of a tussle as someone wanted to head off on his own and the lead had to be used until we were below the high water mark in case of ground nesting.
Another day, another cricket ground for Oscar. 
Glad you are getting the hang of that retirement thing Drac 👍 🙃
11year old Bert diagnosed with BPH (swollen prostate) which then lead to castration the following day. Seems okay apart from not being happy having to wear his blue post op suit for a week or so!
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The beach visit had a casualty, current ball lifespan is around 1 month!
On a ferry to Northern Ireland today. Dog accommodation options are cages in a dark outside cabin or left in the van for 8 hours! Decided to wing it in the lounge to see how long before we got kicked out. 5 hours of being quiet before the barman noticed and made us leave. 😁
Nala's time with us is nearly over, she's ready to be matched with a blind person.
Congratulations to Nala and @Ransos !
Harley arrived last Saturday - it's been a week of disturbed sleep and very loud barks ! Poor Herbert has been taking himself off to her crate for a bit of peace and quiet.
"Hot Thug" and "Thr-Paw" - I know the lawn looks terrible. Blame two dogs and no rain 😉
Lola thinks she's fixed already although Vet has said no walking/jumping for at least 2 weeks and preferably 4. Not sure how we're going to manage that (again, after doing it once already this year)
Roxie also things Lola is fixed and doesn't understand why she's not interested in playing the "The Hat Game" where 30+kg of retriever sits on your head!
I think I forgot to post this a couple of months ago. Huey on the right, with his half brother Dexter behind and the loosely-related Dustie nearest the camera. Basically the request was "We neeeeeeed some of that Chinese takeaway, we'll die without it"
(Apologies of it has been seen already, I'm only scrolling through on the phone and didnt spot it)
Home-made snuffle box for Mr Sprocket yesterday - there's nothing he likes more than tearing apart cardboard boxes, paper bags, old tee-shirts, rolled-up towels etc in search of hidden treats, see also scent games, training and anything else that taps into his basic drives - he's 50% goofball and 50% machine 🙂
I think I forgot to post this a couple of months ago. Huey on the right, with his half brother Dexter behind and the loosely-related Dustie nearest the camera. Basically the request was "We neeeeeeed some of that Chinese takeaway, we'll die without it"
(Apologies of it has been seen already, I'm only scrolling through on the phone and didnt spot it)
You have.
Its absolutely not a problem to repost cute doggos
They say dogs take after their owners
I couldn't possibly comment, however there do appear to be similarities...
Dan and Fran enjoying freedom on the stubble fields.
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Just had to take my mate Charlie to the vet one last time . It's been a few years since she was able to come out with me on the bike but I used to love our days out together.
She was the best dog you could ever hope to have and absolutely brilliant with our kids .
Do me a favour and give your furry pals an extra meaty treat and a good tummy rub today.
There's been a few celebrations around us recently, the fireworks aren't great for anyone's sleep.
When I thought a greyhound couldn't get any lazier, she takes it to another level.
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Just had to take my mate Charlie to the vet one last time . It's been a few years since she was able to come out with me on the bike but I used to love our days out together.
She was the best dog you could ever hope to have and absolutely brilliant with our kids .
Do me a favour and give your furry pals an extra meaty treat and a good tummy rub today.
Ah man, I'm sorry. Big love to you and yours. Charlie looks like the best good girl.
Worst part about dog ownership, they leave such a massive paw print on your life,but it’s a final act of love and gratitude for all they’ve given. Hugs all round.
Quick Islay update! She spent the first week or so with a very loose tummy, which was diagnosed as giardia. Once that was sorted she’s come on in absolute leaps and bounds.
Things are thawing slowly with Willow, who still warns her off when she tries to bite her ears! 
Our puppy Mason had Giardia and it absolutely wrecked his desire to eat. He did eventually (we're talking 4 weeks) eat again after having a stay with another dog but his appetite never recovered. Utmost respect to his guide dog trainer who still managed to train him !
Islay was weaned onto VetSpec kibble when we got her. It was going through her alarmingly fast, and after a week she was passing blood and mucus and was starting to dehydrate. Four-pronged attack of probiotics, rice and chicken, antibiotics in case it was an infection and Panacur wormer in case it was giardia and she was sorted in about three days. Since then she’s been on raw tripe or chicken plus a few vegetables and hasn’t looked back.
She was under average weight but tall for her breed, but has since caught up.
Took both out at the same time yesterday for the first time . Willow proving a good role model for heel work AND saving the family from next door’s cat :
Last month we became a houndless household as we had to say goodbye to my best friend.
Shared pretty much every part of life except mountain biking with Stanley. He was such a massive well natured weirdo and and absolute joy to be around. Miss you mate.
Last month we became a houndless household as we had to say goodbye to my best friend.
Shared pretty much every part of life except mountain biking with Stanley. He was such a massive well natured weirdo and and absolute joy to be around. Miss you mate.
Oh mate, that such sad news. Big love to you and yours from a fellow longdog botherer.
Oh mate, that such sad news. Big love to you and yours from a fellow longdog botherer.
Thanks, appreciate it. I like to think he had a pretty good life.