Roll up

Somewhere in there is a lesser spotted Bert! Or more apt, a slightly wild Bert. He’s had so much fun rolling around in the blanket sofa cover. He does make me laugh. It’s also exhausting watching him bounce around the house before he crashes out.

Oh to have that much energy! I do find that the cold makes me tired. Most animals like to hibernate when it’s cold. Horses can get a bit wired by it. Thankfully Buddy was on his best behaviour today.

We had the most magical moment when a red kite flew over the arena and hovered over head. I was so transfixed, I didn’t get my phone out. The red kite is one of my favourite birds. So majestic in the sky. Seeing one always makes me smile.

Humble by nature

This was one of my Christmas presents. I’ve been looking forward to reading it. Today was the day I started it. I took my turn to bask in the sunshine in the conservatory. Just me and the kittens while Bert had a nap after our lovely walk this morning.

It makes me smile whenever I walk out on to Braydeston Hills. I’d lived in the close for over 7 years before I found out there was a footpath at the bottom. It leads out onto the most beautiful countryside. One of the more positive things that came from lockdown!

Taking Bert out there this morning was so lovely. He was such a good boy on the long line. He even sat and waited while a rather nervous dog walked by.

Sitting in the sunshine reading about Kate’s move from London to Wales really struck a chord. I can totally understand why she wanted to move to countryside. I’m definitely a country girl too…

Star chart

If Bert had a star chart, he would have added a lot to it today. Not only did he ace his lorry dog training, he also completed his Puppy Pre-School. What a clever boy.

I had to take a horse to the vets in Newmarket (not Buddy). Bert came along for the outing as we didn’t know how long it would take. He sat on my friend’s lap, watching the road go by, before crashing out on her.

He waited in the lorry while the investigations took place. He went for a nice walk round the grounds. And even sat patiently in the waiting room. Before sleeping most of the way home. He was a very good boy indeed.

Then tonight, he went to his final Puppy Pre-School session. It’s making the difference in from the first session to now. Though he was still running about like Superman with a hi viz cape on. Not quite the exercise. That was to desensitise him to having stuff on. Not sure he even noticed he was wearing it!

I had a chat with one of the ‘new puppy parents’. They took a lot of comfort from hearing Bert’s progression through the weeks. They’re in the ‘we seem to have gotten a piranha that never sleeps’ stage.

Bert starts Puppy School proper on Saturday. He’s got such a good brain on him… well when he’s not distracted or over stimulated. He’s such a darling, he really is.

Ancient woods

I took Bert for a walk through some ancient woods this morning. I’d forgotten how beautiful they are. Even more beautiful in the winter sunshine.

After the grey skies, clouds and fog of the past few weeks, this made a wonderful change.

These woods used to be privately owned, but were bought with donations and put in trust to preserve them. That makes me heart swell. So much of our beautiful woodlands and countryside are being lost. Knowing this will be kept for future generations is great.

These woods were on one of my lockdown walks. It seems such a long time ago that I used to walk miles to keep my head from imploding with it all. Now I have Bert, I can see I will need to rediscover some of the routes again.

Think I might need to invest in some decent walking boots…

Working boy

Super sub was called into action today. The receptionist at the Chiro’s has been poorly, so I went in to cover the desk for her. I didn’t want to leave Bert that long, so he came with me. His first day’s work.

He was a really good boy. There’s a treatment room at the back where one of the other therapists brings her dog in. So was already set up. Bert got lots of visits and a few visitors. Bless him.

He waited patiently in the car afterwards while I got the results of my recent health check. Gold star to me it seems. The nurse was very surprised at how good my results were. For my age. That does make me laugh. She said whatever I’m doing, keep doing it!

Apparently I’m very low risk for diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Can’t say I understand it. But there were lots of positives judging by how excited the nurse was about my results. She said I’m one of the rare ones.

Bert’s crashed out now. Tough gig this working lark. And yes, he got his pay in treats of course.

Dark Destroyer

Someone was very pleased with himself. I swear he’s part-womble! He had a whale of a time ripping this box up. He was tearing round the house too.

I have now nicknamed him ‘The Dark Destroyer’. Judging by the way he was throwing himself about, he clearly sees a future as a WWE star. And now he has the name sorted…

Big coat

In preparation for the ‘big freeze’, I broke out Buddy’s ‘big coat’. Of course, it will now be much milder than they’re forecasting.

My ‘big coat’ was called into action too. First to take Bert for a walk. I did wait till the sleet had stopped. Then again to lunge Buddy over some raised poles. I say over, he nearly fell over them! Poles on the ground or raised are definitely something we need to work on. And when I say we…

Centre Paws

Bert and I headed over to Centre Paws today for coffee and cake with Michaela. First we went for a little walk. Bert got to meet lots of new dogs as they have a huge dog field. He also had his first ‘pupochino’. One of the other dogs didn’t like it. Bert definitely did!

Then I headed back to pop Buddy over a few jumps. All in all a good last day of 2024.

Pub pup

Bert went to the pub for lunch today. Yes, I know he’s underage at a mere 12 weeks. So we kept him away from the hard stuff. He was rather well behaved for his first outing. He didn’t start any fights – even with a rather large pointer shouting at him. He didn’t pee or throw up. Better than some I’ve seen in the pub. He also got lots of fuss and attention.

We had a lovely relaxed lunch. After a lovely long ride out. Then back to the yard for my friends to pop some jumps. While Bert slept off his pub lunch…

Christmas Cheer

This little face has brought some much needed Christmas Cheer to Chez Langley. He was very excited about going to the yard to muck out first thing.

Then he went for a lovely walk. Before heading home to open presents. Can’t say he’s totally got the hang of presents. Like a small child, he was more interested in the wrapping paper than the gifts. But he loved the toys and treats he was given. He was spoilt that’s for sure.

Buddy and the kittens got their fair share of gifts too. Buddy got carrots and parsnips. The kittens got Sheba. And I had my non-conventional Christmas dinner.

Whatever you’ve been up to today, I hope you’ve had a wonderful time. Merry Christmas one and all.