Birthday Boy

Mum has been busy arranging for us to meet up again with Holly, Milly and Percy (along with their humans of course) for another lovely walk like we did a few weeks ago.  Whilst doing that, she found out that Percy has had a birthday - he was TWO earlier this week, and look .... he had candles!

I'm off now to leave a note for Mum that I want candles next year.

Happy Birthday Percy!

A question

Mum had a nice walk all planned for us this morning as we didn't get out too far yesterday - we had a quick run across the field before breakfast, then  she went to work for a couple of hours and then it poured with rain for the rest of the day.
So this morning we were planning to go across the fields near where we live for a lovely long walk.  It wasn't too sunny.  It wasn't windy or cold either - so perfect weather for a yomp.  Until ... we had been walking for about half an hour and it started to rain and rain.

So here's the question (actually I have two) ....
    why does it always start to rain when you are at the furthest point from home?   and
    why does Murphy never come home looking as wet as me?

So Cute!

We've had an email today from our friend Pickle's Mum.  She is being a foster Mum to two puppies called Belle and Susie who are 12 weeks old and she thinks could be spaniel/retriever/Labrador cross - although she does admit she's not too sure as they are rescue dogs.

Pickle's Mum is looking for a home for the puppies and say that they sleep through the night, are good with cats, very loving and clever.  If anyone out there would be keen to give one of these girls a good home, please contact me and I will forward your details.

This Week's News

A quiet week this week with all the usual stuff going on, you know going for walks, eating, sleeping, that sort of thing.

On Friday Victoria came to see us which was lovely.  She normally takes us for a walk when she comes, but this time Mum took her off for ice cream instead!  Ok, so we had already been for a walk once, but to go for ice cream without us was a little cheeky I thought.

On Saturday I had another lesson at Charlotte's with Holly and Kim.  It was so warm to start with that we did a little bit of hunting and then went for a swim!  It was great fun and although I've never done a proper  water retrieve, everyone was very impressed that I picked the dummy and swam about with it for a bit before dropping it again.
After that we did some recall and stop practice in the long grass.  Mum went so far away from me (she told Dad later it was about 100 yards) I couldn't see her, but I 'performed beautifully' apparently!  Then we did some sit & stay at a similar distance which I found a bit harder but managed to do well.  We finished off with some more hunting and I was brilliant!!  Charlotte said she was really pleased with the way I quartered (that's the technical term for crossing in front of Mum from side to side) and stopped to the whistle every time.

I spent the rest of Saturday resting and avoiding the heavy rain and thunder that arrived around dinner time.  Dad's at home again today and not working, so we are just getting ready to go for a walk with him around the fields.

Day at the beach

We had a fabulous day at our favourite beach at Theddlethorpe yesterday with Auntie Debbie, Uncle Dave and their gang of 5!  We had a great walk along the sand which I especially enjoyed because Dad let me run along off my lead for the whole time, AND I didn't run off ...  well maybe just a little bit once when I chased a seagull, but I headed back to Dad as soon as I realised I wasn't going to catch it because I can't fly.

It was really really hot, but unfortunately the sea was so far away (it looked like it had gone on holiday) that we never made it for a swim.  So after our walk we retired to the shade of the cars, had a big drink and some doggy cheese straws for a snack and then settled down for a nap whilst the humans chatted.

It was a lovely day, but quite a strange one in that we didn't have to pose for a photograph once!  Dad did take his camera, but I think because it was so warm he didn't bother to line up all 7 of us for a group shot.  It was also quite a tiring day, so after a nice dinner when we got home both Murphy and I settled in for an early night!

I'm not sure what our plans are for this week but I'm sure if it stays warm and sunny it will mean early morning walks for us.  I have another lesson on Saturday, so will need to get some practice in before then, especially as I didn't perform very well last week.  Still a boy, and least of all a Welshie, can't be perfect all of the time!

Out and About

Hurrah, we went back to Clumber for our walk today.  It's been ages since we walked through the big fields there with Mum, but today it was lovely - very quiet except for the sheep that are still there - and very sunny and warm...  as you can see from the state of me in this picture taken of us on our favourite bench!

Mum calls this our 'ABBA' pose but I think the one of us taken at Eastnor Castle last year is better.

Back to normal

Now that all the sporty stuff on the telly has finished, we are back to normal here with dad heading off to work very early this morning.  Mum said she wanted to get a few things done at home, so I am still waiting to go out for my daily walk, still both Murphy and I are happy to have a lazy day so far.

I had quite a busy weekend, starting with a lesson with Holly on Saturday morning.  I have to admit, I didn't do my hunting very well - Mum said I looked like I had forgotten how to.  I was very attentive to her whistle though, so I did get some praise.

On Sunday we had a picnic lunch out at Hardwick Hall which is quite near to us.  It was supposed to be a day for Mum to get some practice with her camera, but by the time we had been for a walk through the park and eaten our lunch it had started to rain, so no photos!  She'll have to try harder this week.

Family day out

It's been quite a hectic week here with Mum and Dad going to London 3 times to watch some sporty stuff that's been going on there.  We were fine at home though because we had Nana to look after us.

On Saturday we met up with Tigger for the first time.  Actually, I say 'met' - as it turned out he seemed more interested in what was going on around us than in saying hello, but then again he had never really been to anywhere as exciting as Clumber Park before and there were lots of people about.

Tigger had brought all of his humans with him, so they all had a huge picnic lunch as a belated celebration of Mum's birthday last week - she had a cake and we dogs had a sausage each - before we showed Tigger around the park a bit and took him on one of our favourite walks along Lime Tree Avenue where it was nice and shady.

Murphy, taking a nap from all the excitement!

Me having a peaceful moment

We had a lovely day, sitting in the sunshine and watching all the other groups of humans charging about with footballs and stuff.  I think I heard a suggestion that we should do this every year - sounds good to me, but can we do it for my birthday next year and then we dogs will get cake???