Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
I felt like I needed to press the reset button today. I overslept (clearly needed it) so felt like I was chasing my tail (something Bert is rather good at).
So l thought I’d take the oversized Labrador out for a walk in the February sunshine. Well makes a change from the compact Sprocker.
I did one of my favourite rides. It definitely helped to reset my brain as I was getting a bit discombobulated with life.
Bert was all pupped out earlier. He’d had a lovely day though. First up was Puppy School. We were working on sit and down again. Then loose lead walking. And finished with some recall practise.
He aced them all! Each week I am seeing improvements in him. He was so excited to be at Puppy School that he jumped out of the car and dragged me across to the door. Not quite the control I’d hoped for… Made me giggle as he was so keen to get to school. Reminded me of those kids who leave their Mum’s for dust in their haste.
He had a quick nap in the car on our way to Centre Paws. He was meeting Oreo there (and his owners). Oreo is a Sprocker too. He’s 3 and not that much bigger than Bert!
It was very busy in the field, so the perfect setting to check my recall. Gold star for my baby boy. He came back each time. Even when he was distracted by other dogs.
Getting him away from the Alpaca wool was a bit more of a challenge! He loved eating it! He loved eating his first ‘pup cake’ more though.
Next time I think he’s going to want a ‘puppuccino’ too. He has more of a social life than I do!!
Bert met up with his two sisters today. He was meant to meet up with some of his brothers too, but sadly that didn’t happen. To be honest, three Sprockers was enough!
He met his match in Olive. It was so funny watching them roughhouse and tear round the dog field. Tilly was a bit more reserved to start off with. But soon came out of her shell and joined in the fun.
They were having a lot of fun going through the tunnels they have there. That’s where Olive met her match as she wasn’t a fan. Bert and Tilly were loving it!
Bert slept the whole way back. And again after his much needed shower. He was rather muddy! In fact, he’s spent most of evening asleep too! He was one tired puppy…
Bert learned a valuable life lesson today. Sometimes electric fencing hurts! We were walking past the sheep and he got a bit too close to the fencing. Next thing I knew he was howling like a banshee. Poor boy got a zap. Needless to say, he stayed further away from the fencing after that.
In fact, he learnt a lot today. It was week 3 of Puppy School and I’m seeing huge improvements each week. It’s lovely to hear the trainer comment that he’s changing and improving week on week too. She’s first met him as at 9 weeks. He’s now 16 weeks. Maybe Storm Bert is calming…
Today we worked on ‘settle’. He carried the good work when he got home, sitting happily in the conservatory while I had my lunch. Well until he turned into a guard dog. Still not a clue what he was growling and barking at. Whatever it was, he show it…
I took Bert out for his constitutional this morning. It was a very grey and gloomy affair that’s for sure.
I’m getting rather fed up of the gloom. I’m craving sunshine and moaning I’m too hot. Still there were glimmers of hope. I saw daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops starting to push through the soil. Spring is on its way.
Things do look quite green at the moment, but that’s cause there’s so much moss about! A byproduct of the damp conditions I’m guessing.
I’m really enjoying taking Bert out for his little walks. He’s 16 weeks old now, but still can’t do too much. He doesn’t seem to get he has a limit, so I’m being very careful with my baby boy.
I do look like a Michelin Man with all my layers, but at least I’m kinda warm. Most walks I come back and I can’t feel my face! Good job I’m used to spending a lot of time outdoors.
Bert did his bit for Carleton Riding Club today. He helped us sort out the jumps we have stored at a local venue. We marked them too so it’s clear which ones are ours.
He was very helpful and definitely didn’t get himself wrapped round them. Or round a table. Or chair. He started ‘free range’ but a pony came into the arena, so he went back on the long line. Then became a bit of a trip hazard…
We’re all volunteers on the club Committee. We give our time willingly to support the club we love. It supports many people to do the things they love as well. All we ask is that our members do a little bit of volunteering too. Think Bert is setting a very good example already.
I’m looking forward to our next clinic where Buddy will be the one jumping them.
This delivery today sent Bert into a bit of a frenzy. It also turned my stomach somewhat. I’m not the best with animal body parts. Bert’s delight outweighs my squeamishness.
I may have used tongs to pick up a chicken foot though. Bert made short work of it. His little happy chirrups would melt even the hardest of hearts.
Sometimes it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing something new. But I’m still not ready to face rabbit ears…
You’d think Bert would be tired after his second Puppy School session. Clearly not as he’s having a lot of fun with a bucket of all things. I popped a treat under it so he has to work for it.
He was a lot calmer at Puppy School today. He was much more focussed on me, rather than on all of the other puppies. So much better for training.
Today we were working on ‘sit, down and stand’, recall and tips for helping with biting. Bert is still in his piranha stage. He loves playing with his toys. Unfortunately, he’s accidentally caught my hands too. Man, puppy teeth are sharp!
I’m trying to get ahead of it before he starts teething. He’s now 15 weeks so he’s heading towards that.
He crashed out when we got home, so I left him sleeping while I went to pop Buddy over a few jumps. It’s been a little while since we jumped, so nothing big or fancy. But felt very good to leave the ground again.
I was a bit scratchy today. It’s Tax Return time. Enough said huh?!
Honestly, I’m nearly 55. I should be able to do my return without a borderline panic attack. The joys of 30 years of PAYE and someone doing it for me. I think it’s the way the questions are written. I haven’t got a clue what they’re asking most of the time.
Anyway I did as much as I could (yes I phoned a friend who’s helping tomorrow) and headed to the yard for some much needed Buddy time. Bert has had to take centre stage so Buddy and the kittens have been supporting players recently. It felt good to get out on Buddy.
On my way back, I stopped at the garage to get my headlight sorted. I let them know that Bert was in the car. He had 5 people wanting to meet him and have cuddles. See, centre stage.
They all commented on how handsome he is and how calm. He wasn’t so calm this evening as he was tearing round my office and chewing my blanket. The former makes me laugh, the later made me cry.
It’s not damaged but it is the blanket I was given by my Nanna. It belonged to my Grampy. The man Bert is named after. I know it’s just a blanket, but the connection to my Mum kinda hit me. Lots of tears from me. I guess it’s going to happen. Grief is a very tricky path to navigate sometimes. But like HMRC!
After lunging Buddy this afternoon, I thought I’d let Bert have a runaround in the indoor school too.
One of the yard dogs, Thor, came to join the fun too. There’s a considerable size difference between then and I’m not sure Thor totally knew what to make of Bert.
Bert was submissive when needed. He also jumped all over Thor. But they were so cute together. It’s a very good start to Bert’s yard induction.
When I take him out on the long line, it’s a bit like lunging a horse. He’s getting the hang of it. But Buddy is definitely easier to lunge. He doesn’t randomly change direction when he gets a good sniff…
Tales, Tails and Talus 