Gallop strip

I was peopling again today, so I promised Bert a good run when we were finished. So I took him out on the gallop strip for the first time. We walked down it and came back on the outside. I say we walked. I walked in a straight line down and up. Bert did the classic Spaniel zig zag. Flitting here and there, back and forth. He definitely did more steps than me.

They’d freshly ploughed one of the fields. He thought that was the best thing ever. Happily running along the margins. Zig zagging away.

Thankfully when I take Buddy on the gallop strip, it’s less zig zag and more speed demon. Though he has been known to zig and zag too!

Sunbather

So it seems Bert is a bit of a sun worshipper too. He and the kittens have been laid out sunbathing today.

He was a rather hot pupster after our walk this morning. But insisted on a bit more sunbathing over lunch. We met a lovely couple on our walk today. The wife was gardening and Bert wanted to say hello. Ended up talking to her and her husband for a long time. She even got Bert a bowl of water while we chatted. They were telling me some of the history of Strumpshaw village. They’ve both lived there all their lives. In fact the husband was born in the house they live in. 81 years ago. She was born down the lane.

I love it when I have random meetings like that. It’s really cool to find out stuff about the area I live in.

Solar powered

Day 157: solar powered. When the phone rang early this morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully it was a friend asking us out for a puppy play date. We took the dogs over a local dog park. Bert had a blast. We had coffee and a good catch up.

I am clearly solar powered! Bit of sun and I’m back to boundless energy. So when I got back, the horse hoover was deployed and cleaned out my lorry. I’d brought it home yesterday after Newmarket.

Then Bert had Puppy College. He was a little tired from his morning exertions. No bad thing for Storm Bert. He was definitely ready for his afternoon nap. So I left him home while I went to the yard to muck out and popped Buddy over a couple of jumps.

What a lovely day!

Back again

After a very long time, today saw our return to Blickling. Honestly, it’s been months since we were last there. It was also Bert’s first visit! It was so good to catch up with Katie and Archie too. We talked the whole way round.

It was glorious weather too. This photo made me laugh, it looks like Archie and Buddy have had words.

Having ridden for nearly 1.5 hours, I took Bert for a run around. We had our first recall fail when Bert decided that another spaniel was far more fun than Mummy. Thankfully, said spaniel was very happy to play and the owners were incredibly understanding. They said they remembered those moments well.

There were lots of positives though. Bert waited in the lorry while I rode. He ignored several other dogs. And he did come back after he’d played. He clearly has the same love of Blickling that I have…

Snout

Bert had a proper treat today. A pig snout! He was so funny with it. He didn’t know what to make of it to start off. He played with it. He barked at it. He threw it about. Eventually he chewed it.

Once he’d gotten the hang of it, he made quick work of it!

I had to go and get him some more food. And a few bags of body parts. I made the man in the shop laugh when I said I was going to browse the body parts section. He said he was going to refer to it as that from now on. I do love a rebrand…

Babysitter

I got to have cuddles with this little cherub today. He’s 14 weeks old and scrumptious. I was babysitting while his Mum was being adjusted. A lovely little perk to peopling on a Monday.

Babies have a certain smell. My Mum loved babies. She always used to comment on their smell. I get what she meant.

I’ve had people assume that I don’t like children because I didn’t have them. It’s not true. I like other people’s. Just never wanted them myself. I’m much happier having animals instead.

Bert came with me today as I was doing a longer day. He was very content sleeping in the sunshine. We went for a little walk at lunchtime. The crocuses were in full bloom in the nearby churchyard. So pretty. I love crosses. They’re such happy flowers.

Lustre

Oh my goodness, what a difference a bit of sunshine makes! It’s been a beautiful day. So I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could.

First I took Bert out for his Sunday long walk. He loves having a run around the fields. His recall is getting so good now. There were lots of runners around today. So perfect opportunity to work on keeping him focussed on me. And not jumping at them.

Then it was Buddy’s turn for his Sunday long walk. He loves having a run around the fields too. My Oversized Labrador and my Baby Sprocker are quite similar in that respect.

Buddy and I were out for nearly 1.5 hours. Bert can’t do that much yet, won’t be long before he can! I may need more hours in the day. Thank goodness the days are drawing out. And I love being outdoors.

Common sense

I have suspected for a while now that common sense is a rarity in this wonderful world we live in. But this made me laugh. Also make you wonder how many people ignored the cooking instructions on the back. The first one is remove lid.

I’m very partial to a Fray Bentos pie. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of my guilty pleasures. There’s something about a pie in a tin that does it for me. Make of that what you will.

For me, it’s proper comfort food. And on a rather wet day, it was much needed. I also needed something to warm me up after getting a tad soggy.

Thankfully it stayed dry for our pony play date this morning. Bert gained more gold stars for his ‘Lorry Dog in training’ chart. I’d parked the Buddymobile facing the arena. Bert was like a little meerkat popping his head up when I rode past. So cute!

In fact, he was so happy in the lorry that when we got back, he didn’t want to leave. Or it might have been he didn’t want to get wet in the rain…

Dog-tired

Oh dear, I think we broke Bert. Puppy College was very tiring. It was his first session and Bert loved it though. When we got home, he crashed on the sofa.

He did rally enough to come and help me clear up the aftermath of the new fences. But soon crashed again during the rugby. And is snoring now. He’s clearly dog-tired.

Breakthrough

This is the face of a little puppy who’s had two breakthroughs today. Firstly, he took himself off to his crate several times while I was on video calls. He curled up on his bed and slept.

He did it for the first time yesterday. But I didn’t want to count any chickens. Before, I’d had to put him in there. So the fact he’s now choosing it is huge.

Secondly, he’s worked out how to use the cat flap. Admittedly, he kinda fell through it the first time. But after that, he had a lot of fun going in and out. Out was much easier for him than coming back in. Much more of a scramble. He was most pleased with himself.

Unfortunately this has meant that he’s been in and out like a yo-yo. Most times bringing me a piece of old fence.

Speaking of fences, I took some flowers round to my neighbour to thank her for replacing my fence. She said it was a very last minute decision. But is really pleased that I’m pleased.