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Awww! They grow so fast.
My mate Buddy from the last few weeks has gone from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary to his trial forever home!!!!! I’m sure he’ll settle in well - he is a nice dog.
This week I took Tucker out again - he has some daft energy at times but he just wants tickles in his life. I ended up sat cuddled up with him on the tailgate of my van as he didn’t really want a walk!
Then took Lola the Staffy/ showgirl out as her previous owner is now incarcerated! I don’t think she’s done much walking in her life as she was soon puffing and panting!
Lastly took Derek out. 2 year old Collie/Staffy cross - lovely playful energy, super eager to learn and please. Will be a lovely dog for someone.
(pictures are the wrong order - Tucker is the grey dog, Del Boy is the black coloured phone licker)
As it was a lovely/non rain-y morning, took the dogs to the "local lido". Fair to say they were very happy to be back there 🙂
Lol, the eyes in the second photo 😂
Two 'big' walks for Sprocket this weekend - 'big' here is 5km, so not that big, but hey, when you're a year old pup, that's quite big enough lots of sniffing and training en route. He's doing great, hasn't eaten any off-lead spaniels for days now, walks nicely on a flat collar and lead, is mostly indifferent to sheep, cows and people including runners and cyclists. He's still a teenage dirt-bag and has the occasional 'day', wind and cold, high scent days can be interesting, but mostly he's great. And despite his working line DNA, he is the sweetest-natured pup.
We're super keen to get him totally reliable off-lead, calm around Peak District sheep and get his whistle stop and recall 100% solid as well, so we're all booked in for a week working with a ninja GWP specialist down in the west country in the spring. I'm properly excited by the prospect of being able to mountain bike with him once he's full grown, plus he apparently also has canicross and agility in his future too. Dogs are ace 🙂
But right now...
Lol, the eyes in the second photo 😂
Normally reserved for when Roxie the Retriever does something to annoy Lola the Lab. Which is pretty much everything 🙂
Then took Lola the Staffy/ showgirl out as her previous owner is now incarcerated! I don’t think she’s done much walking in her life as she was soon puffing and panting!
Must make sure Mrs tnw doesn't see this otherwise we'll soon have two dogs.
Good stuff you're doing there <applauds>
Good stuff you're doing there <applauds>
I'm just filling the dog shaped hole in my heart that Bert left behind. It’s the people at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary that do the good stuff. I’ve not taken a single dog out that has dragged its heals when I’ve taken them back - the dogs love everyone there!
However it’s dogs like Tucker that break my heart - he has occasional daft energy zoomies (literally jumping up to my head height and snapping at his lead - and he’s a big dog) that mean he isn’t going to be anyone’s first choice. He had to have his tail amputated as his ‘happy tail’ wagging split it numerous times.
Took him out again today and he didn’t really want to walk - he just wanted cuddles and tickles, so I sat with him in the back of my Berlingo for ages. I was really saddened to take him back.
Pup-cup whilst I enjoy a nice breakfast bagel and coffee.
It's been 6 months without Charlie and I really miss having a dog . Had nothing on Saturday morning and it was a nice day and all i wanted to do was take Charlie out for a walk .I know we'll have another one at some point but im worried that if we do it too quick we will end up comparing the new dog to Charlie and that wouldn't be fair.
Interested if any other people who've been there have felt a guilt about possibly getting another dog ?
Huey is usually a bit of a plodding, ambly little chap. But when you wave a bag of carrot slices in his line of sight, he livens up a bit sharpish 😀
Fun on the beach for Oscar with his half brother Angus. 
Is that Beadnell? Looks like the right shape for the kilns.
Bruce has been here four weeks now
He's doing OK - his confidence is growing well and last week he decided to start voicing his opinions about situations. Mainly situations where we were leaving the room... he's got quite the voice. We've started working on that...
Two sides of the same hound...
It's been 6 months without Charlie and I really miss having a dog . Had nothing on Saturday morning and it was a nice day and all i wanted to do was take Charlie out for a walk .I know we'll have another one at some point but im worried that if we do it too quick we will end up comparing the new dog to Charlie and that wouldn't be fair.
Interested if any other people who've been there have felt a guilt about possibly getting another dog ?
You aren't replacing Charlie, you're filling a dog-shaped hole in your life and giving another dog a fantastic life with you. You never really compare a new dog with an old one, because dogs are as individual as anything else, and although some have similar traits, they're always just different enough in terms of personality and habits. In fact, if anything, you end up remembering the old one even more fondly. (I'm on my 6th dog now and can't imagine a life without one)
If it's the right time for you, you'll know.
The sad and unavaoidable fact, is they don't last forever.
Mine will be 10 this year, I've had him from 9 weeks old, my first 'own' dog, and my best friend...
It's been 6 months without Charlie and I really miss having a dog . Had nothing on Saturday morning and it was a nice day and all i wanted to do was take Charlie out for a walk .I know we'll have another one at some point but im worried that if we do it too quick we will end up comparing the new dog to Charlie and that wouldn't be fair.
Interested if any other people who've been there have felt a guilt about possibly getting another dog ?
I'm going through some of the exact same feelings. A few months after Stanley passed away we were both really missing hound life. It turns out we would actually get quite a lot of our social time from time spent walking him.
We started volunteering at the local(ish) greyhound sanctuary. Come December, which was almost exactly six months after we lost Stanley, we started thinking about filling that house giraffe sized hole in our hearts No plans to do it right away, but just thinking about it. Loads still needed doing around the house and garden, the weather was shite and I couldn't realistically see how we would be ready before spring.
Honestly, I think that was just us talking ourselves out of it because we were worried about how 'replacing' him would feel.
The Bruce barged himself into our hearts when his reservation fell through (after a comedic home check). The guilt emotions were strong for Mrs Rikk and me to an extent. Tears were shed a number of times over this very subject. Logically we knew that Bruce was not a replacement but it didn't make it easier.
You've got to let yourself feel those things, it's natural. But don't miss out on the joy of being servant to another dog because you are worried about how the guilt might feel 🙂
You never replace the hound that passed, but you can heal the heart a little with the help of who comes along next.
You never really compare a new dog with an old one, because dogs are as individual as anything else
The current spotty fool is as set in his ways a Sheldon Cooper Phd, none of the others have been so fixed on the right way to do things. I suspect that I may have influenced this somewhat and he is my dog much to Mrs Sandwich's disgust as she does much of the mid-week walking
Thanks all . We'll get there in the end , my wife feels these things probably stronger than me whereas the kids would grab any dog off the street they could get their hands on and bring it home so we're all at different places but we'll get there at some point definitely. In the meantime I'll enjoy seeing all of your pictures of adventures with your furry pals .
Not sure there is a right time, Oscar was meant to be a friend for Jake our last BT. Sadly we lost Jake a week after we knew were getting Oscar. He healed our hearts but he’s never been a replacement. Jake was the family do when the kids were young so he has a very place in our hearts. Oscar is something of an exceptional dog, been great for what he bought for to help me with my mental health, a walking buddy and pet. He is also very well behaved, friendly, loving and very handsome who gets a lot of attention from people, especially those who know borders. 
Been round to meet my mates 12 week old pup for the first time. Was warned he'd been a "bitey little bastard" today, but he was really good with me, if a little lively to get any decent pics.
Randal's had enough of the pub...
I give up posting photos....imagine a bored looking GWP 🙄
Randal's had enough of the pub...
I give up posting photos....imagine a bored looking GWP 🙄
He sounds faulty. Does he have some sort of warranty? 🙄 And speaking of GWPs, this is our nut-job out playing with his best buddy, Toby the border collie rescue - he was found wandering the fells, no-one ever claimed him, so a friend of ours took him in. Lovely dog, plays like a loon, 100% Sprocket compatible.
And the aftermath... pacing himself is not his strong suit.
Anyone got a sure fire technique for getting tablets inside a dog permanently, rather than just for a few seconds before it gets spat out on the floor?
Used to be ok with them disguised in a bit of soft cheese, or crushed up in food, but he's cottoned onto that too now and avoids it.
Anyone got a sure fire technique for getting tablets inside a dog permanently, rather than just for a few seconds before it gets spat out on the floor?
Used to be ok with them disguised in a bit of soft cheese, or crushed up in food, but he's cottoned onto that too now and avoids it.
Do they have to go in the front end? 🤣
Peanut butter, roll it into a ball and throw it across the room at her
At risk of bringing up politics in an otherwise fun thread*, today is an historic day: long dogs have finally suceeded in achieving positions of real power and influence. It may be a (very) quiet revolution, but it has begun. A 1 day working week and legally mandated naps 6 times a day are just around the corner. Lurchers across the land celebrated today with a lie-in. No, like a really long one.
The Shadow Minister for Snoozing taking her job seriously:
(had a fall earlier in the week and grazed her knee. It's the sort of thing that happens when you get to the ripe old age of thirteen.)
*seriously, if you have political views to air, there are plenty of other threads
*seriously, if you have political views to air, there are plenty of other threads
Says the guy who literally did just that 😉 ☹️
Don't leave me hangin' !
Friday night IS party night 🙂
Poorly doggo chez tojv; has been squitting and producing very little for nearly 48 hours and has also hoyed up the bit of chicken and rice we've given her, although she also had some probiotic mush the vet recommended on the phone and that's not uncommon for her with worming pills or flea powder, etc.
Not giving the impression of being ill, was mostly herself yesterday nws the squits, has eaten what we have given her with relish, sat by me giving the eyes for some of my bacon sandwich this morning....but def a bit tired, she'd normally be into everything and instead having a long lie in. Vets later because nothing recovers her faster than a thermometer up her arse and a large bill for me.
Anyone got a sure fire technique for getting tablets inside a dog permanently, rather than just for a few seconds before it gets spat out on the floor?
Mashed potatoes works for Oscar anything else he susses it out, even in strong cheese. I don’t care at one time he’d just eat them.
Hope you get sorted JonV, Oscar occasionally has episodes like that. I went down bloods and other tests a few months ago to try and find a cause. Nothing came up, I can only think it’s him drinking dirty water when out or picking food up off the ground from the Saturday night drinkers.
Baby bell/edam/gouda cheese moulded around the tablet or marmite/bovril covering. This last one can be messy for the nursing staff. Needless to say teaspoon dipped in spread not the drugs! Any remaining marmite/bovril on the spoon can be offered as a treat.
Yesterday we went back to the greyhound sanctuary for the first time since Bruce came home. It's a longish day so he had to come too... but he also had to chill in a kennel while we were walking/feeding/helping out.
He didn't love it, but he didn't seem to hate it either. I took a picture that made him look like a smol boi (he isn't).
Back home he was a bit more velcro than normal but largely OK with how his day went.
Yesterday we went back to the greyhound sanctuary for the first time since Bruce came home. It's a longish day so he had to come too... but he also had to chill in a kennel while we were walking/feeding/helping out.
He didn't love it, but he didn't seem to hate it either. I took a picture that made him look like a smol boi (he isn't).
Back home he was a bit more velcro than normal but largely OK with how his day went.
He's such a handsome chap.
Slow start to the lunchtime walk today. We are sick of the rain, the hound even more so.
She found some nice grass to eat. Nice for her, less so for me when I'm pulling it out of her arse later.
Nice weather for nice doggos today!
Took wheezing out of shape Lola for a paddle! I honestly don’t think she’s ever been in water with her original shitty owner - last week she was unsure, this week straight in and paddling!
Then came back and took Derek out again - super nice switched on intelligent dog. Took him to meet my parents and he was a super good boy and enjoyed a little cheese snack!
Finally took Tucker out - I like this dog he is such a nice boy. He is prone to over excitable outbursts so unfortunetly I don’t think he’s going to be rehomed anytime soon.
*wrong order of photos again!
Groomers yesterday.
Comes out looking like a husky.
Finds mud, wades in.
Same again in two months.
had to chill in a kennel while we were walking/feeding/helping out.
He didn't love it, but he didn't seem to hate it either.
Aw, not surprised he was clingy after, probably thought 'Oh no, not this again!'
Thanks for for the tips on pills administration. Wrapping up in food is one of out current tactics, but mainly with treats he's familiar with. Maybe will try something new that he won't know what it SHOULD smell like.
Finally took Tucker out - I like this dog he is such a nice boy. He is prone to over excitable outbursts so unfortunetly I don’t think he’s going to be rehomed anytime soon.
C'mon Rusty, there's an obvious answer to that dilemma!
Thanks for for the tips on pills administration. Wrapping up in food is one of out current tactics, but mainly with treats he's familiar with. Maybe will try something new that he won't know what it SHOULD smell like.
We taught our guy 'catch' with treats, stuff goes down so quickly that he doesn't seem to taste it - or worming pills.
Thought we'd lost this little nutter on Saturday. Took her to the seafront, where the tide goes out revealing acres of mud flats. Little Clips, carrying her throw ring decides to go on a quite literal wild goose chase and runs across the flats barking like a loon. Drops her ring in the shallows, where I couldn't reach it and leaps through the water until she's out of her depth and swimming. Been there loads of times and she's never usually been further than getting muddy. We have no idea whether she's going to get swept away by the tide! Eventually she turns towards where we're calling & whistling and heads straight for the dropped ring. Picks it up, heads back onto the land, shakes off and returns to us like nothing's happened. Still wants to play ring fetch on the way back to the car 🤣
(ps, the dog has perfect return control to her owner (not me), but was just having too much fun! No danger to anyone or anything except herself (but not even that as it turns out) Just in case, "you should keep it on a lead" whiners are reading)