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 think I might have gotten a little carried away when ordering body parts for the Baby Sprocker. The note on the shipping slip made me giggle.
They had a sale on…. Enough said huh?! One thing’s for sure, Bert was very happy with this delivery.
Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.
It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!
I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.
Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.
My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.
All in all a very good outing…
Bert had a puppy play date with another spaniel today. She’s a working cocker like his Dad. She’s soooo pretty and an exceptionally well trained gundog.
We went for a walk round the fields and let them go ‘truffle hunting’ in a local copse. Bert had so much fun. Spaniel mode was definitely activated.
Not sure I should be trusted with two spaniels. I got lots of spangle tips.
Well this has certainly slowed my little piglet down. Bert loves his food and was gulping it down so when I saw this yesterday, I thought I’d give it a whirl.
Honestly, I must be the only person who goes to a horse event and comes back with three things for her dog and nothing for her horse! Buddy will be having words I’m sure.
I’ve tried to find ways to slow Bert’s eating down. He literally inhales the food! Tactics so far have included a treat ball, a snuffle ball, putting it in boxes, hiding it in boxes, scattering it on the floor, splitting it into small portions and a puppy tornado!
I was getting to the point where it was taking me longer to get everything ready than it was taking him to eat it!
The puppy tornado did help to start off with. Till he worked it out (that took about 2 mins). Puppy Tornado is definitely a good description for Storm Bert when it comes to food. Never seen anything like the frenzy. He’s clearly starved poor chap.
Bit like the Oversized Labrador who stamps his feet and demands his food. Then his eyes practically roll up in his head while he’s inhaling it! He can’t eat it fast enough.
There are benefits to having food-orientated animals, that’s for sure. At least Buddy doesn’t try to eat his empty bowl unlike Bert. He just poops in it…
As Bert is getting older, we can go a bit further on our walks. Today we went for a long one. For the first time, I got caught short. Well I guess it was going to happen one day…
My Dad was a Scout Leader when I was a growing up, so I’m no stranger to going alfresco or ‘wild weeing’ as it’s called nowadays. Honestly, we do love to brand everything, don’t we?! Says the woman who works in Marketing. I know, I know.
Anyway, I digress. Picture the scene. I find a secluded spot. I stand on Bert’s long line so he won’t go far. I drop my trousers and do a number one as quickly as I can.
All is good. Till I stand up and see a sign that says I’m being watched. Trust me…
There was definitely something in the air today. Some very odd energy. Not sure if it was the cold wind with the hot sun, but there was definitely something going on.
Both the Baby Sprocker and the Oversized Labrador were on missions! The power walk was on full display for them both.
Took Bert out for a long walk this morning and Buddy out for an even longer walk this afternoon. All in all I covered over 10 miles. No wonder we’re all tired tonight.
OK so I might have to admit that my symptoms might be more than emotional stuff. I woke up at 4am shivering and sweating in equal measures. Sure sign I am with cold! By 7am I had to admit defeat, cancelled my morning plans and very slowly crawled through the day.
I had a very gentle walk with Bert. Thankfully he got up have a runaround to burn off the energy. Mucking out seemed to be a slow process. I had to stop for a breather getting the straw down. Whatever this is, I am with snot and phlegm. Delightful.
As I finished up, I notice this single bit of straw standing tall. It looked a bit like an antenna. Or a lightning bolt. Even with snot, I still have an active imagination.
Normal service will be resumed shortly no doubt.
Bert loves a carrot. He found one on the yard and happily ate it up.
It seems that he might have been channeling his inner rabbit a bit too much though. He’s going through a hormone burst and has become something of a humper.
He’s tried humping me, but that didn’t work. Tonight, we went over to a friend’s for dinner. And to meet her two dogs. One of whom, Bert took quite a shine to. Well judging from the fact he tried him to mount her several times. This was after a rather vigorous play session. Thankfully, Bert hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing (I’ve had a few dates like that).
He was trying to hump her head… At least I got dinner first.
Bert found a stick today on our walk. He was very happy with himself. Until he tried to bring it along…
It was at least three Baby Sprockers long (the new stick measuring scale I have adopted).
Bert loves a stick. He doesn’t chew them. He kinda shreds them. He’s worked out which size he can get through the cat flap. My office looked like Edward Scissorhands had been in there after he’s brought in a particularly old one!
Then he went mad trying to eat the dustpan and brush. He does make me laugh. Even if he does mean that things take bit longer to do.
Bert has had the best day today. He met up with all of his brothers and sisters!
It was a high energy affair. Well what do you expect when a group of Sprockers get together. What is the collective noun for a group of Sprockers?! Maybe an energy…
First up he met his two sisters and two of his brothers at a Puppy meet up in a secure dog field. Honestly, he barely stopped zooming about. They all had such a blast.
As I was nearby, I popped into see his other brother on the way back. More zoomies ensued. How he still had energy is beside me?! Must have been the two rabbits ears he scoffed.
He’s snoring now….
Tales, Tails and Talus 