Honeys first week home

And what a weeks it has been I really don't want to go back to work as we have had such fun, its been 7 years since we've had a pup in the house and you forget how fab it is watching them learn and their confidence build over time. We went to the vets on Mon for first set of vacinations and where told she could go out and about visiting meeting new dogs just to not street walk her yet. Ive tried to get the crate routine sorted first so next week she will be ok when Im back at work she settles within a couple of mins which is great. Ive taken her out to a new place everyday to start off the socialisation visiting family members so she gets used to car journeys (shes a tad melodramtic in the crate in the car howling and sliding down the bars which several drives behind have chuckled about!!) shes starting to realise she need to settle Im sure a few more days and she'll be fine. House training is going super Ive never had a pup pick it up as fast only the odd little accident Im not sure if its because this time I understand more about positive reinforment training as Im sure with Bella we told her off but with Honey I just ignore the accidents and praise like crazy the good ones :D We started a bit of clicker training yesterday shaping for a sit and she seems to have remember this morning and keeps offering a sit its really sweet I do love clicker training I can't wait to keep trying new things with her Bella didn't start until she was 4 so its lovely having a blank canvas wanting to learn. We also can bring back toys (which I didn't teach she just did it lol) and she knows her name and comes when I whistle. Zak and Bella are starting to accept her we did have a little spat yesterday between them both as a cat rudely walked past the fence Zak growled Bella took it to be at her and all hell broke loose with Honey running off screaming as I shouted to part them both. Zak ended up with a couple of nicks to his lip but nothing too serious thank god was noise more than anything first time Ive seen him not back down to Bella too, both of them looked a little suprised by the whole thing and Bella was quickly going to him licking all submissively lol and Honey was back scampering about. Bella has accepted Honey fab better than I ever expected she we've only have one time where Bella rolled her over and Honey ran off screaming but was fine just scared after that they are starting to play nicely. Honey was really biting Bellas nose yesterday and she just took it quite happy with her new little play pal she even plays tug gently too I couldn't be more please as Bella was looking so sad after the loss of Henry I think she really did need her to come along. I also think Bella likes the fact the Honey has all these cool toys to play with lol They are both going to Agility Nuts in a couple of weeks time so will see how they get on in a new place together too.
Heres a couple of pics (I need to take more but she wont stand still for more than 5 seconds!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing Honey

After the last few weeks of bad news finally we have a little ray of sunshine in the shape of , Honey :D

I'd originally been on a breeders waiting list for pups but the two she had where still born which was so sad I wasn't really sure what to do and decided to start looking in Oct with having two camping shows left to go to, then it all changed lol Easignton was cancelled and my stuff is so icky have decided not to got to Hare N Hounds on Thur as the forecast isn't great and I worry about running Bella in the rain as she has no cares lol So I thought I have a look so if we could get a pup sorted in the next couple of weeks and had details of some litters which where avalible a week or two ago not expecting there to be any left. By chance a breeder only 30 mins from us had a dog and a bitch still avalible and they where both the golden colour I really like. The breeder where really nice and I like both pups, got to meet mum, dad and grandma who where all lovely happy confident dogs. I was very tempted by the little boy but I want something smaller for at home as sometimes 3 dogs in the house you get in each others way so stuck to my guns and got the little girl. She's so confident meeting Zak and Bella even playing with them both Im really pleased how they are doing so quickly fingers crossed in a few months it will be like shes always been here. It was good to see Bella asking her to play as she had been missing our Henry. Thats the only thing that makes me sad as Hen was mummy to both prevoious pups but it just wasn't meant to be that they would meet. Shes a cheeky monkey too Im sure her innocent face is going to lead us into no end of trouble!!!

Easington 18th and 19th Sept

Sal & I drove up to Witton Castle on Friday but things didn't look good as they where towing people onto the camping, everyone had fingers crossed it would be better in the morning but the rain just didn't stop all night, poor tent started to leak (not suprising with how much rain its had to deal with this year lol) after we where told the show had been cancelled (which was the right decision as it was just to slippery) we decided to head off back home as I didn't want to sit around in the mud lol Glad we decided to go as later was announced Sunday was also cancelled. So decided to keep myself busy with other things at home :D

Agility Nuts 10th & 11th September

I wasn't sure if I should go with saying goodbye to Hen on Thurs but there was nothing for me to do at home so I thought I'd be better off going and keeping busy and having company of friends is good too.

Bella had a great weekend she really does love these more working courses as I wasn't on top form I got us a few faults pulling her off jumps and hesitation going into tunnels but was really pleased with some bits as they felt so smooth I know we aren't real contenders in speed alone but with a bit of speed and acuracey we can sneak in. I was very suprised with our clear on Saturday I thought we had a refusal part way round it wasn't until I'd spoken to Sal I realised we'd gone clear. Didn't think we'd have a chance of a placing as we had a naff bit in the middle wasting time so I didn't bother to go over for the presentaions, oppsie Kenny gave me a good telling off as I ran over hahaha Much to my suprise we where the only grade 4 clear so just goes to show speed aint everything ;) It didn't feel quite the same as our other win outs as Im still a bit numb from our Hen but I am super proud of her, we are just going to get even more funny looks in the grade 5 queues lol
Sunday we managed another lovely clear in combined 4-5 agility coming 6th just 1 outside the placings really pleased as was a much smoother run than Sat. She did however embarrasement totally as she scooted on her bum all the way into a jumping ring I could have hidden lol norty Bella ;)
Heres a pic of her Trophy and rossie and a clip of both run (its fab having someone taking vids :D thank you Pen)

Bella's winning grade 4 round


Clear in combined 4-5 aglity

8th Sept such a sad sad day :(

Just when the boys had been doing so well and I thought we where going to have them both around for a good while longer to meet the new puppie, Henny started with a bit of a limp on his front leg. We'd put them both on metacam regularly a few weeks ago instead of as and when but it only takes the edge off and he was started to struggle hobbling about. We've always said we'd not let them suffer and as soon as they start having difficulty getting up it was time, everyone said I'd know but do you really having never lost a dog before I wasn't so sure. On Thur Hen just couldn't get up I helpped him up he took a few step and laid down. I managed to get him into the kitchen where he just laid and looked at me with those lovely eyes and I knew. I made the call to book him in for the end of evening surgery as Dave wanted time for his mum to come and say goodbye as he was her dog originally. I went to work but got sent home (I wouldn't have been much use any ways) mum, dad, Helen and Lisa all came to see him he had cake and a cuppa which he loved and was very fussy to see everyone and I kept thinking I'd made the wrong decision. But once they'd all gone home he couldn't get comfortable and I knew it was all just a show he'd put on for everyone, that's our Hen. We drove him to the vets and he looked so happy and content it made me want to start crying there and then but have to be brave for him. The vet was really good, he didn't go as peacefully as I'd of liked but he did always have to have the last word the little bugger. Zak was outside howling when we got home its scary how they know these things. I just can't quite put into words how Im feeling feeling its as if part of you is missing the house seems so quiet without him here I miss his annoying barking when I go to pack the car or empty it or finding him asleep in every doorway, his barking for fun but having to bounce at the same time basically I just miss everything about him. We certainly won't forget his naughty antics ripping a hole in the middle of the living room carpet one night (after we'd only had it 6 months), removing bottle top lids without a mark on them and drinking the contents, eating a tube of tomato puree, opening a sealed tin of soup with his teeth the list just goes on and on. He could also be so very gentle going to my grandad's care home to visit the residents where he'd just sit calmly for a stroke or playing with children so gently. I just hope hes off running free somewhere without any more pain. Thank you for being a wonderful part of my life I wont ever forget you love you always my naughty cheeky boy XXXXXXX

Henry April 1998 - Sept 2011