Month: June 2009

It was an okay day, as far as Saturdays are concerned, everyone was fed and watered, it was the emails that needed some attention before I descended into R&R mode.

The car pulled in to the drive, and out he stepped. I could see the brown face looking at me and his owner, from the back seat, pleading with his big brown eyes, ” I thought you said we were going shopping this morning not coming up here, this wasn’t part of the deal”.

We continued to chat, about everything possible, from the war in Korea in the 1950’s, to the current fleet of “Flyer” buses, that are now making more frequent trips to the airport.

He finally, made his way out to the car, with the  treat in one hand. Bruiser was watching his every move, and licking his lips, tasting it, even though he could only visualise the taste.

Then I heard the loud “oh no”.

The dog was in the car, the keys were in the ignition, all of the windows were shut tight, and so were all the door locks, driver, passenger, and also the  boot.

It must have been Bruiser, Brian spluttered. I did not see how it could be, until, so pleased that they were going to be on their way, he greeted Brian through the window, and jumped on the door lock.

We agreed, unanimously, it was the pup, who had, inadvertantly  locked the door, oblivious to the bedlam he would cause.

A quick phone call to the AA , and with the promise that relief was close at hand, we resorted to tea and chocolate biscuits, the only method, guaranteed to calm a frustrated mind. 

Poor Bruiser, now he was only able to stare at us, and ask with his eyes, why his mate was not getting in the car, and why was he taking so long. What was he doing , talking with the lady who took care of him, when he came here to stay?

No amount of gesticulating from the both of us to the pup, could persuade him to “unlock” the door. He honestly, must have thought we were stupid, waving our arms around at him, and talking to him, with words that he could not readily decipher.

To make matters worse, Lukis, the Cornish Rex , jumped on to the bonnet of the car, and decided to sniff the treat that was balancing there, waiting for Bruiser to take a chunk from it. It was all he could do to contain himself, Bruiser did however, prove to have nerves of steel, and stared at the cat without making a sound. Lukis soon became tired of that game, and jumped down to explore another of his favourite routes, around the property.

At last, up the driveway it came with the two AA emblazoned along the side.

Five minutes, a screwdriver and bent wire, and the waiting was over. Brian hurriedly grabbed the keys from the ignition, before any thing else unfortunate could occur.

The treat firmly clenched between his teeth, Bruiser settled down in his bed, as they were now off to do the shopping, a bit late, but it did not really matter, did it?  If it poured with rain, or was freezing cold, he did not care, one iota,  he was safe and warm , with his mate behind the wheel.

What more could a pup wish for in life?

The call came out of the blue, on a cold, and what had been, until lunchtime, a wet day. Would we like to go for a walk?

See you at the gate in fifteen.

It was a rush, to get dogs hitched, water bottle filled, walking gear on, cell phone in pocket, then out the door, we flew.

Down the road, and there they were, tails standing tall and waving, like bicycle safety flags, straining on their leads. Quick introductions all round, and it seemed that Chelsea the Weimaraner was the hit of the day.

It did not take long before everyone was in their stride, Fortnum and Mason both trying to keep up with the big dog. This frenetic pace continued for quite some time, until they figured that the faster they ran, the more tired they would become. However, no one wanted to be last in the line.

They tried to engage Chelsea in play, and were doing exceptionally well, when it was decided between the two of them, that a quick bout of barking at her, was the order of the day. This was carried out, while running, and also tugging at the big dogs ears. A short yelp was heard shortly thereafter. Chelsea was unfazed by the ear contact, and continued on with her business, while two bassets ran after her.

Horse poop was found and sampled, huge muddy puddles were walked in, and of course, the sniffing continued. Not a pine needle, or blade of grass, when we found some, was left unsniffed by the bassets. This breed is renowned for its scenting ability, and is second only to the American Bloodhound.

At one stage, due to his curiosity, Mason was awol in the bushes. A quick whistle and shout from Julie, and he was back with the crowd.

They did well in their quest to finish in the top three, of the race around the Loop Track. However, as my three dogs walked off, down the road to home, Fortnum, was sitting at the edge of his driveway, refusing to move, willing us to come back, for some more fun adventures.

Perhaps next week.

The peanut butter balls, two packets of two, sitting on my desk, looking at me every time I sit down to the laptop.

What better opportunity could there be, on a cold wet day, with a stir crazy spaniel, than to play “fetch”.

Bryson does not play a normal game of fetch, he runs as fast as he can and is at the destination before the ball, running back to me, dropping it at my feet, and then barking at me to hurl it again. I don’t do this by hand, as my overarm is not that great, and obviously, the resulting distance is not either. So, we rely on a launch-a-ball. The distance, the ball is thrown, is limited, only by the ability of the operator.

Backwards and forwards we go, the ball rolls off the side of the drive and down the bank, and without a second thought, he is away after it. I can see the bushes moving as he ferrets around for the ball, before he pops out, ball in mouth, ready for another round.

I can see that he is tiring, he takes a diversion along the fence line and then drops the ball at my feet. I tell him that this is the last throw. Yeah Right. His face is animated with delight as he returns again and again.

The water stop is usually the last sign that defeat is not far off. He hurriedly gulps from the puddle by the old water tank, thinking that if he finishes quickly, I will still be there with the launcher.

Sadly, I have taken the hint, and we head indoors, where the peanut butter ball is still being strenuously defended from the jaws of  his brother spaniel and his sister weimaraner.