The Diary

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="097d2c03.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#holly" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Holly</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#the_excitement_of_snow_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>The Excitement of Snow</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#the_photo_shoot" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>The Photo Shoot</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#holly_and_the_ram" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Holly and the Ram</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#the_teenage_stage_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>The Teenage Stage?</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#holly_phones_home" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Holly Phones Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#holly_and_max" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Holly and Max</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#little_ceri" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Little Ceri</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#never_a_dull_moment" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Never A Dull Moment</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#a_small_triumph" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>A Small triumph</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46_m.htm#easter_tuesday" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="The Diary"><U><B>Easter Tuesday</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Linda Topliss</B></FONT>    |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Linda Topliss"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training Days"><U>Training Days</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Profiles"><U>Profiles</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id156.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The French Connection"><U>The French Connection</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Demonstrations"><U>Demonstrations</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Otterhound"><U>The Otterhound</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Training Tips"><U>Training Tips</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Top Dogs"><U>Top Dogs</U></A>   |   <B>The Diary</B>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poetry Page"><U>Poetry Page</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Working Trials"><U>Working Trials</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Whats on"><U>What's on</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun"><U>Fun</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Captions"><U>Captions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Notice Board"><U>Notice Board</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letters"><U>Letters</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id157.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Switzerland"><U>Switzerland</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guestbook"><U>Guestbook</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Food 4 Thought"><U>Food 4 Thought</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id154.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ryton on Dunsmore"><U>Ryton on Dunsmore</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Photos"><U>Crufts Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Story"><U>Crufts Story</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crufts Two"><U>Crufts Two</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newark Show"><U>Newark Show</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All About Dogs"><U>All About Dogs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Canine Supporters Charity"><U>Canine Supporters Charity</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Greyhounds"><U>Greyhounds</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Links"><U>My Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LDTC"><U>LDTC</U></A></div> <div> The Diary</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Extracts from Linda's</B></div> <div> <B>Park Lodge Diary</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="holly"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>HOLLY</B></FONT></div> <div> January 2003</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="147a47c0.jpg" border=0 width="164" height="124" ALT="Holly the Collie" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Daughter of Bryn</div> <bR> <div> Ten years ago Andrew and I went to Camarthen (South Wales) specifically to buy a red Merle pup that had been advertised, I was besotted with these ever since seeing one at Jim Witter's, the very well known sheepdog handlers yard. So after conversing on the telephone we set off very early to fetch the pup. </div> <bR> <div> After travelling for several hours and having been given some misleading directions, we finally landed in the farmyard. I'll never forget the sight that met my eyes, two small puppies were romping round the yard and one of them was indeed a gorgeously marked red merle, the other one was red and white. He was pretty, but I only had eyes for the red merle.</div> <bR> <div> The farmer looked quite uncomfortable when I said straight away I would have the red merle and he said, actually his wife wanted to keep that one herself although he was certain she would lose interest quite quickly. I tried to get them to change their minds but they were adamant, so feeling quite done we came home with Bryn, the red and white, which Andrew said straight away he much preferred anyway. Bryn is a stunning looking dog and even now at ten years old is as fit as a flea, he has never been sick or sorry and has a delightful temperament.</div> <bR> <div> Well to cut a long story short, a few months ago a lady who had  a rescue dog from me many years ago came to see if I knew anyone with a red stud dog as her bitch was in season. At first I couldn't think of anyone local that would have one, ages afterwards I said I have got a red dog but he is ten years old and has never served a bitch. So we tried Bryn and nine weeks later the bitch produced eight beautiful healthy red and white pups. </div> <bR> <div> Holly is one of this litter and is now thirteen weeks old. She is very pretty and also intelligent and willing to learn, at the moment I am using a clicker to teach her what I want her to do and she is responding beautifully. She learned to do touch stick in about three seconds flat. The office looks as though a bomb has hit it most of the time, there are toys, all of which Holly says have to be out at once, shreds of newspaper, empty water bottles,these are ideal for munching loudly on, or for carrying at nine hundred miles an hour round the office with, whilst growling and banging them on the radiator, Holly says for all you other would be trainee thugs out there, do make sure that your mum is busy on the phone first, this means she can't stop you, or hear the caller, thus making the game much more fun.</div> <bR> <div> Holly is very outward going and loves everyone, she is not phased by anything normally, so it was quite amusing when I took her to have her first injection and she turned into a quivering little puppy with nothing to say for herself, however by the time we got back from the vets she had made a full recovery and of course was aiming to make up for lost playing time. I know we are going to have such a lot of fun together.</div> <bR> <div>  I'll let you know how we go on.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="the_excitement_of_snow_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>The Excitement of Snow.</B></div> <div> February 2003.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="14909b00.jpg" border=0 width="265" height="176" ALT="Sheep shelters? Photo by Sheila Tannet" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> Have you ever noticed that well before the weathermen and their clever instruments predict it, your own </div> <div> animals tell you snow is on its way.</div> <bR> <div> My horses become giddy galloping round and seeing monsters lurking in objects they see every day of </div> <div> their lives. They snort and cock their ears whist high stepping with raised tails, even Rosie who is Twenty </div> <div> nine (I have had her since she was two) looks as though she could perform airs above the ground, and the</div> <div> foal, she is funny, Flicka explodes with enormous bucks, followed by a furiously paced gallop (this used </div> <div> to worry Grace, her mother, and she used to gallop everywhere after her until she was quite exhausted. </div> <div> Now she just joins in sometimes. </div> <bR> <div> Crystal, Flicka's aunty, watches stoically on (her mother was a draft mare so she is nothing like as flighty. </div> <div> As for the dogs, Well! Even the geriatrics (and believe me at our house we know geriatrics well) get </div> <div> extremely excited and silly. Dogs that usually take it fairly steady at their great ages are suddenly running </div> <div> about like two year olds.</div> <bR> <div> I like the snow it makes my garden equally as neat and tidy as anyone else's, I also enjoy watching my</div> <div> wonderful doggy family who can hardly keep a paw still between them. Watching them stream down our </div> <div> beautiful parkland, racing and playing, sheeping each other, jumping into the pond so the water splashes </div> <div> high into the air, the droplets shining brighter than the most expensive jewels, in the winter sun, then suddenly </div> <div> returning as fast as their legs will carry them.</div> <bR> <div> Who could doubt that we are blessed with riches beyond compare?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="the_photo_shoot"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>The Photo Shoot</B></div> <div> 20th February 2003</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="14bf79d0.jpg" border=0 width="247" height="157" ALT="Flicka and Bronwyn" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> Friday dawns, it is quite a nice day really, the snow has melted, and so has the ice that was preserving us from the MUD. Anyone with a lot of livestock with free access knows the true meaning of mud, welly clinging gunge that pulls your legs at every step.</div> <bR> <div> The horses and dogs don't seem to mind it at all, perhaps the horses tread a little more slowly, scents seem to become even stronger, I can actually smell where Mr Fox has been (believe me this is quite a feat, I am not renowned for my sense of smell).</div> <bR> <div> Of course the mud splashes and clings to the dogs fur, (ideal for a photo shoot) still we want them to look natural.</div> <bR> <div> Has anyone noticed how wet the winters have become? <IMG SRC="150d09c0.jpg" border=0 width="208" height="156" ALT="The Fallen Ash Tree." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> In our parkland we had seven mature trees topple over without warning during the last year or so, </div> <div> the latest casualty being a few days ago. It is alarming when you look at just how little is holding these trees up, and how fast they come down. I must admit the last victim was an Ash, they do</div> <div>  have a reputation for dropping suddenly, as the tree has hit the floor the branches have broken into quite manageable lengths for firewood. We will miss the trees, even planting now I won't see trees like them grown again.</div> <bR> <div> Jacquie came sensibly dressed with wellies and wax jacket, I asked her if she would like to take my dear old dog (Lad) and put the sheep into the pen.</div> <bR> <div> Watching her I thought what a nice quiet handler she will make, I think this lady has hidden talents, and my Lad… Anyone as old as me must remember Black Bob, Lad looks just like him, a large traditionally marked black and white collie who is nearly twelve years old, a sweet loving dog as honest as the day is long, the eyes don't see so well now (I know that feeling) He can't always just hear you, but, he would give his life to do what you want, OH! If only he could be young again, my old family members they bring a lump to your throat and tears to your eyes.</div> <bR> <div> OK, sorry for rambling back to the photo shoot, starting with Holly, in a natural setting (remember the mud that's the important bit) On top of that hillock looks a good place, of course Holly isn't going to co-operate… too much to do, too many people to see. <I>AAH! What's that, a camera! Splat! Lovely…</I> The camera is splattered in mud so too is the cameraman.</div> <bR> <div> Eventually when sanity prevailed and the lens was cleaned, the pup on a lead we got some nice pictures (we couldn't do much about the cameraman he was on a slippery downhill slope anyway… that'll teach him to come here clean in Winter)</div> <bR> <div> Right! Brookie, Jilly, and Murphy, OH! Look! A hula hoop obviously the best toy ever for Murphy and Brookie (doesn't it make a good <IMG SRC="152e9aa0.jpg" border=0 width="233" height="170" ALT="Brookie, Jilly, and Murphy" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">tuggy toy?) Whilst the boys are tugging Jilly is bouncing round them with a large tuft of grass in her mouth, (maybe she has aspirations to become a Beardie) OH NO! Poor cameraman, Murphy won the hoop and - Yes! Splat! Over the camera, trousers and shirt again, Murphy was sure Steve wanted to join in the game too.</div> <bR> <div> Looking across the field I see that Flicka (the foal) is becoming very interested. You know when you get that feeling when something is going to happen.</div> <div>  </div> <div> As Andrew was bringing the Rotts down the field <I>(Ricky and Beefor or better known as Beef Butty, she is not exactly anorexic), </I>Flicka studied them closely, before dancing towards them and swinging round kicking out in fun with both back legs, fortunately Andrew and Rotts were <IMG SRC="157e9b40.jpg" border=0 width="233" height="180" ALT="Murphy and Jilly carrying the tuft of grass" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">moving faster than she was. After sending Flicka away, Ricky and Beefor were relatively easy subjects for the camera.</div> <bR> <div> Bronwyn arrives on the scene, she is a fabulous little terrier type, Bronwyn doesn't care even when Flicka sniffs her bottom, <I>(Is My foal confused as to which species she belongs?)</I>.</div> <bR> <div> Time is running out the Beardies are next, starting with Dillon, the villain (incidentally he does live up to his nickname) Dillon is as high as the proverbial kite, over the scale and back without being asked, would you like a stick? Sendaway? Scale again? Is this what you call hectic drive?</div> <bR> <div> Spy and Sparky next also reasonably high, but, that's only to be expected, they are quite young yet and are so happy with life, an absolute joy to own, with their smiling faces.</div> <bR> <div> Well that was the photo shoot, two people arrived in pristine condition in the morning, and were well plastered by dinnertime, you know the saying where there's muck, there's money… Steve, Jacquie consider yourselves rich.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="holly_and_the_ram"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Holly and the Ram</div> <div> 3rd March 2003</div> <bR> <div> Holly is beginning to shed her teeth at the moment her little mouth is quite sore.</div> <div> She has a very funny habit of diving into your pockets to see what she can find, especially of course when your attention is taken elsewhere. Tonight she discovered a five pence piece in my pocket, this was gathered like lightning, and she dashed away with her trophy throwing it playfully about all over the office.</div> <bR> <div> She had her first experience of sheep a couple of days ago, we took her to where the sheep were penned, instinctively she started circling the pen, although at first she didn't seem to be actually looking at the sheep. Then I went into the pen and the next moment Holly had squeezed through the bars to help, this time her full focus was firmly on the sheep, she seemed instinctively to want to hold the sheep to me. </div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately for her my sheep have seen a few young upstarts in their long career so they weren't too impressed by her skills, as is always the way I momentarily took my eye off the ram and he suddenly dashed at Holly and gave her a quick tup with his head. </div> <bR> <div> Poor Holly she just lay on the floor she was so surprised. Although as soon as I told her she was a good girl she was back on her feet and circling the sheep again, this time though she kept a weather eye on the ram.</div> <div> I let a few of the sheep out of the pen so Holly could bring them back in again, this she did with much more enthusiasm than skill, she is really fast on her feet for a pup.</div> <div> After a few moments with the sheep we took her a walk round the park which was great fun, then she spotted the horses, you could tell by her expression that she really would have liked to had a go at herding them. At this stage I decided it was time to pick her up out of harms way and thus end her lesson for the day.</div> <bR> <div> My beautiful welsh grey dog Jim who is about ten months old decided that he really liked the foal Flicka, and she stood very patiently whilst he walked under her tummy and back several times, until Jim thought he had made such a good conquest that he could jump up her side, this was the point that Flicka took exception and caught him reasonably gently in the side with her hoof, after that he was a lot more respectful.</div> <bR> <div> Holly is now in her very favourite place, on her back with her feet up on the radiator, don't dogs and kids look angelic when they are asleep.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="the_teenage_stage_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>The Teenage Stage?</div> <bR> <div> Holly is starting to get her adult coat in now, she is developing longer hair in her ears and down the middle of her back, also on the back of her back legs. She is a very fast puppy and loves to learn new things, although she isn't always one hundred per cent co-operative. One of her frustrating, but amusing habits developed when learning to give a paw, suddenly as soon as you reached forwards towards her with your hand, Holly would shake her head, almost laughing at you and go at breakneck speed around the room. Just as suddenly she came back in front only to repeat the performance if you so much as twitched. Another time she will offer either paw with no problems (I guess this is her teenage stage).</div> <bR> <div> Like all the red dogs I have owned Holly is very hyperactive, as soon as you enter the room and sit down, a toy is placed on your knee, it doesn't really matter which one as far as she is concerned, items to be shared are two different balls, Felix a stuffed toy cat, pen tops and other stolen items. She will then parade them whilst making as many crunchy noises as possible… plastic bottles are one of her favourite attention getters.</div> <bR> <div> Holly has managed to dissect a pair of laces, which Andrew was wearing in his trainers at the time. She is an awful pickpocket with great expertise, again this is accomplished when you are sitting down, she doesn't mind whether she raids your trouser pockets, or those of your coat, all items speedily acquired and dispatched for further attention.</div> <bR> <div> The radiator is still her favourite resting place, on the rare occasions she feels the urge to have five minutes sleep. She gets as close to it as is doggily possible and stretches out upside down, as I say this is a rare sight, but, sometimes in a morning, when you pick her up for a cuddle she is positively glowing with warmth. The worktops are certainly not Holly proof any longer, if she thinks you have placed something up there, she jumps enthusiastically up and down banging her front feet on top of the work surfaces, then, if she spots something there, she won't rest until she has acquired it.</div> <bR> <div> Sometimes I wonder how the owners of the other puppies in the litter are coping, still, I try not to dwell on that thought too long, no news is good news.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="holly_phones_home"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Holly Phones Home</div> <div> 24th March 2003</div> <bR> <div> Holly is the most amusing puppy, full of self-confidence; her training is coming on extremely well now. She is beginning to give either of her paws on command and knows the sit and down with only verbal clues, she can also do a twirl on a hand signal and today she proudly brought me a large pair of open scissors (heaven only knows where she had found them or how long she had been playing with them before deciding to share her prize). Fortunately she delivers items to your hand so I managed to take these off her before she hurt herself.</div> <div> A couple of days ago I had been playing a favourite CD and thought I knew exactly where I had left it in the office, of course it wasn't there. After searching the training hall unsuccessfully, I went back into the office and lo and behold in the middle of the floor is my disc (I am sure she knew what I was looking for).</div> <bR> <div> Andrew needed to make a phone call whilst he was up at the house, when he picked the telephone up there was no dialling tone, just Holly's dulcet barks resounding down from the other end of the line, she had taken the phone of the hook and was barking into it.</div> <bR> <div> Although Holly is a dog and I am not anthropomorphic about her, it is amusing as I sit here updating you about her, when suddenly one of her paws sneaks up and presses on to the keyboard quite deliberately, at the same time her eyes are searching your face, watching for your reaction. Then she will have one of her sloppy moments and climb on to your knee for a cuddle.</div> <div> This may last several seconds, then like lightening she scuttles backwards on to the floor as only a girl on a mission can.</div> <bR> <div> Life is certainly never dull with her about.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="holly_and_max"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Holly and Max</div> <bR> <div>  30th March</div> <bR> <div> Well it's stranger than fiction what my little Holly gets up to, she is very intrigued by Max, a little Jack Russell who came to us for allegedly biting.</div> <bR> <div> Max is about three years old we think and is a tri - colour brown dog with a short coat, small in stature and very high in self-esteem.</div> <bR> <div> When he came he really pined and wouldn't eat or drink properly for three days. However after his self inflicted lean period he plundered and consumed a large family sized apple pie and twenty `Smacko's' as a light dessert after his own dinner, I suppose he had some ground to make up.</div> <bR> <div> He is very vocal and you could be forgiven for thinking he was nasty, in a strange way he is quite obedient i.e. if you tell him to go in to the office he growls and snarls and mutters to himself, (does this remind you of Muttley?) Then as the door closes he throws himself up at the handle (no mean feat) very often successfully opening the door again.</div> <bR> <div> A couple of days ago Andrew and I were playing with the dogs in the park, when we heard really loud barking which sounded like Max, we said “it sounds like he is outside”. And he was, very nearly. Max had climbed on a chair and then onto the worktops, before finally hanging out of the top window to bark. We knew he had been because he had broken the window latch with his efforts.</div> <bR> <div> However I digress, Holly thinks Max is the perfect entertainer, much to Max's disgust, it makes him very cross and of course very vocal when she pesters him. Whilst I was on the telephone to my brother there was so much racket you couldn't hear yourself think. Excusing myself I went to shut Holly up only to find that she had locked me in the office. There is a cage behind the door and Holly had opened the door - successfully wedging the office door closed… my brother seemed to think this was highly amusing!</div> <bR> <div> Well, I thought, Andrew should be down shortly --- he wasn't. Then I had anther bright idea, I'll phone the house! I am sure you have already guessed the outcome; BT informed me that the person I was calling was already on the telephone - AAH! Just as I was thinking I would have to phone my brother and get him to ring the house, Andrew appeared, “You've made a hole in the door”, he said. MEN!!!</div> <bR> <div> I wonder which dog will be the naughtiest between Holly and Max - watch this space.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="little_ceri"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Little Ceri</div> <div> 5th April 2003</div> <bR> <div> Yippee! - At last Little Ceri is showing an interest in sheep. With the wonderful lineage behind her I thought she would probably want to work sheep quite young, indeed when she was quite small I carried her to the sheep to let her look, and she did seem as though she wanted to "do something with them," however it was only a fleeting moment, and after that although we have walked in the field where the sheep are, she has never even glanced at them.</div> <bR> <div> Because she is such a super dog this wasn't really much of a problem, albeit a little disappointing. I really don't know when Ceri changed from being a little horror to being a willing companion. She has always been a beautiful, bright, noisy, talkative, reasonably destructive pup, but can she turn on the charm, she gazes lovingly into your face with her sweet expression, and you find yourself excusing the fact that yet another item of electrical equipment has had it's plug chewed off.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="44663840.jpg" border=0 width="99" height="132" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Ceri yodels to you and discusses the possibility of being allowed the run of the house again, swearing this time she will behave, if you decide to ignore her, the yodelling gets louder and louder, whilst her eyes are boring into your face willing you to give in. Of course she is hard to resist and eventually you let her out and she is so effusive with her thanks, jumping all over you, kissing all the other dogs, much to their disgust and then very often she settles down and is quite happy to just be close to you, BUT, pity help you if you forget and walk out the room. First port of call is onto the table just to check for edibles (this can even include food) Andrew has lost a few of the books he has been reading, by forgetting just where she can reach, talk about shredding, she can very quickly destroy a book. Incidentally she usually starts at the back, so you have no hope of discovering the plot.</div> <bR> <div> Still, today whist I was taking her a walk, she suddenly left my side and started to outrun the sheep, then she spotted the ram at the pen and ran him round it a couple of times. I decided to pick her up this time, before the ram took exception or one of the ewes with lambs decided to flatten her. Putting her back on the lead we proceeded back to the house when she spotted the cat (normally she would just ignore her), not today, her head went down and she really wanted to work her.</div> <bR> <div> It will be interesting to see how Ceri develops now she has made a start.</div> <bR> <div> Linda</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="never_a_dull_moment"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Never A Dull Moment</div> <div> 12th April 2003</div> <bR> <div> Well we are at that time of year again, for the eighth time, getting ready for Coventry - the eighth National Pedigree Advance Heelwork To Music and Freestyle Competition.</div> <bR> <div> Our trauma's started on Thursday with the CD player giving up the ghost, utterly refusing to play anything. So the van decided it might as well join in, having a real sense of humour it waited till I was driving back from Sheffield, then the exhaust started to make such a lot of noise that tractors were envious, and people coming out from the pubs were looking round to see where this awesome noise was emanating from. I tried to pretend it was an enviable throaty roar, but I was fooling no one.</div> <div> What a long and noisy journey home that was.</div> <bR> <div> First thing Friday morning found us ringing around to find someone to put a new exhaust on for us. Having taken the van, which by now was gargling and struggling to move, to the garage, and walked back home, the whole morning had gone… Of course we had to then fetch the van back, so the afternoon had vanished too. Still at least the transport is ready for tomorrow, I thought, and I can practice tonight. Seven o' clock, plenty of time to have a run through all three routines, except that the CD which had two of the numbers that I was using also decided it was time to depart to Rainbow Bridge. Ah well I thought, now is precisely the right time to have a panic attack (pure self indulgence really). Then I rang Steve who started to look for a new disc for me (Bless Him). By this time it is actually Saturday morning and I wonder if I will manage to get to the competition? Will I have my music? Will the dogs be ready? - OR shall I just curl up in a corner somewhere and sulk? I will let you know.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <A NAME="a_small_triumph"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>A Small triumph</div> <div> 22nd April 2003</div> <bR> <div> Easter Sunday, there is a gymkhana as usual only yards away from our house.</div> <div> We thought we would go and have a look at it. Also it was a fine opportunity to widen Holly's experience. Horses, children, other dogs, clapping, tannoy's, lorries and cars, what a fine venue for socialising a puppy.</div> <bR> <div> There was no need to worry about Holly, apart from a few barking sessions when she first arrived (distracting her from barking at the horses with sausages worked very well) She loved the attention; one lady said, “If she vanishes I will have pinched her”.</div> <bR> <div> Then of course there was the food stall, people were willing to share with an enchanting little red girl (Holly), who offered behaviours, such as sit, down, stand, paw, foot, high and twirl, who could resist her?</div> <bR> <div> As we looked round we found a stall selling equipment for horses. I had bought a halter for Flicka a few months ago, but she has already outgrown it. After talking for a while with a very knowledgeable young man, I ended up buying a <I>Pirelli</I> halter and rope (not without some trepidation I might add). I was assured that they worked superbly, even if they only look like a piece of knotted rope.</div> <bR> <div> Having made our purchases it was back home to try them out. It is said with some shame that Flicka has only had a halter on once before and that was on Christmas Day, so, armed with Meadow Treats off I went down the park to see her.</div> <bR> <div> In her usual fashion with something new, Flicka backed up sharply and went, Oh Well!</div> <bR> <div> Accepting the halter with her usual sweet temperament I attached the rope, which she didn't seem to mind.</div> <div> Suddenly Grace <I>(Filcka's mother)</I> charged through between Flicka and me, obviously taking her maternal duties very seriously, fortunately this didn't upset Flicka at all.</div> <div> The next step was to persuade Flicka to walk forward with me, which, after she had a little lean back on the halter to test it, she did. I rewarded her with a treat and actually led her quite a long way.</div> <bR> <div> Next on the list was a foot trim, apart from one back hoof she stood like a little saint (all the time munching treats of course) From Flicka's point of view the jackpot came next - halter off and a thorough grooming, this is the love of her life, the only snag being she will not allow you to groom any of the others. Again I put the halter on her and led her several hundred yards, by now she was fed up with the treats, but, she came anyway, in spite of her mother aunty and grandma whinnying and fussing round her.</div> <bR> <div> She is such a cool customer, I feel very privileged to have her. Today Flicka, Holly, and I have had a big learning curve.</div> <bR> <div> Happy Easter.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b093590.gif" border=0 width="659" height="89" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="easter_tuesday"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Easter Tuesday</B></div> <bR> <div> I had been working all morning, training working trials and obedience. So the afternoon was designated to catching up at the bank, shopping etc. The day was still pleasant by six o' clock, so, making a flask for tea, Andrew and I with Ricky, Max, Tango and Corrie set off for Beeley moor. When we arrived there was an ice cream van selling Cornish ices - well what can you do?</div> <div> We did - nice large cornets with a chocolate flake in - MMMM! The lady even gave us an ice cream for the dogs - Tango ate that because she snatched it out my hand.</div> <bR> <div> Where we had stopped to buy an ice cream was as good a place as any for a walk - there was a tantalising path, walled on both sides and winding its way through the moors. Notices warning not to disturb the nesting birds and the lambs were in evidence; they also showed the direction to access the moors.</div> <bR> <div> After a few minutes walk I came to an opening with a message which stated that the landowner had given his permission for people to walk through his woods. I took advantage of this and was so glad I had, the scenery was breathtaking, and everywhere was so quiet, except for the singing of the birds. Down the right hand side was a steep drop, when you looked across the view was magnificent. Across the path in front of us was a stream with slabs of stones laid in the water to enable you to across to the other side. To say the least these stone slabs were rickety.</div> <bR> <div> At this point the pathway split into several directions, one way almost level, one a very steep drop, and of course the one I wanted which was steeply uphill. After climbing for a few minutes (stopping occasionally to admire the view and catch our breath) the dogs and I arrived back at the van.</div> <div> It was still quite light, so we decided to carry on down the hill to Chatsworth Park, first we drove through the park, lambs were playing on the road and a magnificent herd of red deer grazed amongst the sheep, only yards away from the edge of the road. Pheasants were dotted about here and cars pulled up to photograph the animals.</div> <bR> <div> Thinking it too good an opportunity to miss we turned round and went back to <I>Carlton Lees</I> car park, this time I only took Ricky and Tango with me, Andrew was going to give Corrie and Max a short walk.</div> <div> As we left the van we were walking through clumps of cowslips, passing unconcerned ducks, before making our way across the road and down to the river. The river flowed swiftly over the weir; water hens were on the bank. On the far side of the river grazed a different herd of deer, not being an expert, but these deer looked very different to the first herd, they had spotted coats and seemed much finer in build, more sheep and lambs, ducks flying over the weir and landing on the water. Lambs playing king of the castle on some of the steep banks while anxious mothers shout for them. At last the time had come to start to return to the van, somehow, as usual, I had accumulated an enormous swarm of flying insects above my head, Fortunately they seemed content just to hover and not bite, I was thankful for this as I am allergic to insect bites.</div> <bR> <div> Thanks to Mother Nature where else could one enjoy such an abundance of beauty, freedom and pleasure, than good old Derbyshire?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <script language="JavaScript">  </script>  </div> <div>  <script language="JavaScript1.2">  </script> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="-2"> DHTML script provided by<br> <a href="http://www.dvproductions.co.uk">Fullforce</a></font></p>  </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>