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…

Zoomies

As Bert has been doing so well with his recall, we’ve been experimenting with him being more free-range on his walks. Just for a few minutes to test the water. As a spaniel, he’s driven by his nose, so loves a good sniff. So this way he can sniff without getting caught round a tree!

Today he was in full zoomies mode. He made me laugh as he was tearing back and forth. His ears were flapping so much, he could have taken off!

Just call him Bert the Blur!

As well as he’s doing now, I’m preparing myself for the next phase when he forgets everything he’s learnt…

Pupped out

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!!

Safety

A while back, I got a letter to say that there was a safety recall on The Comedy Car. Apparently the hood striker could fail. Cause it’s not terrifying enough driving the Comedy Car at speed without the risk that the bonnet could fly open…?!?!

Finally got round to booking it in. Well after much discussion about whether the safety recall was on the original part or the replacement part that I had to buy in 2019 when the bonnet wouldn’t close properly. Airing on side of caution, the garage booked it in.

Being a rare breed, there was only one place I could take it locally. Thankfully it wasn’t too far from the chiro’s. So booked it in for a day I was working.

Could I leave it all day? Umm no. It took the chap 10 mins to do it last time. Well we could offer you a courtesy car for £15? Umm that’s not really a courtesy if I have to pay for it.

Finally agreed that I would come at my allocated time and wait while they did it. Hurrah! I arrived to find the paperwork said I was leaving it. Umm nope. I have another meeting to get to. OK you can wait….

An hour and 10 mins it took them!! Still at least it’s done. And this sign made me giggle. I was rather bored by this time I can tell you.