I'm 3 today

Having a mixed day on my birthday today.  I'm now 3!  It started well when I had another walk/play/roll/run/game in the snow (see above).  Then I went for coffee to my favourite friends' house.  I was very excited to see them, but unfortunately I threw up on their nice lounge carpet.  I had been eating the cattle's hay instead of breakfast.  I really hope I am allowed back again!

In the afternoon, I met another flattie called Isla.  I enjoyed our little game and we even posed for a quick photo!  Guess which is which.

Dexter cattle

Someone told me that these are Dexter cattle, so I had to have my picture taken with one.

Snow, snow and more snow

I am waking Daddy up every morning at the moment early because there is lots of snow.  I just love running, playing and rolling in it, and eating it. Here are a few piccies and videoclips.

Afterwards, I relax at home before my next outing!

It's Christmas!

Had a great party on Wednesday night at school. I won a couple of prizes but I don't know what they are yet, as they are going into my stocking. We played games all evening and my favourite was the agility relay race. I just love racing over the gates and into the tunnel - great fun.

A fortnight in the Lakes

Had a very varied fortnight in the Lakes last month - loads of walkies, swims and friends to say hello to!  Here are our main walks:

Easedale & High Raise from Grasmere at EveryTrail
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Great Stickle & Stickle Pike Horseshoe from Broughton Mills at EveryTrail
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Beacon Tarn & Beacon Fell at EveryTrail
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Beacon Fell and Beacon Tarn from Blawith Common at EveryTrail
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Rosthwaite Fell from Seatoller at EveryTrail
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Helvellyn ridge above Thirlmere at EveryTrail
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Yewbarrow and Red Pike from Wastwater at EveryTrail
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Bowfell from Old Dungeon Ghyll at EveryTrail
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Dylan

I made a new friend yesterday, Dylan.  He's just a puppy, but bigger than me.  Anyway, we got on very well after a bit of mutual surveillance.  He's also a flat-coat and has very similar traits to me - handsome, friendly, fit, enthusiastic, etc.  Here we are having a romp in the snow near Monmouth.

Wind

Had a great walk (11 miles) last Friday in the Black Mountains. It was very windy and it made me very 'hyper'. I was haring around like there was no tomorrow. One of our party told Daddy that is what happens to children when it blows a gale. We had not heard that before.

Volvo V60

I hope this is my next car - looks cool.

See Volvo V60 and click on 'Room for pets'.

More walks in the Lakes

Here is a record of my walks in the Lakes in August/September.

Beacon Tarn and Beacon Fell at EveryTrail
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Fairfield from Grasmere at EveryTrail
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Holme Fell and Black Crag at EveryTrail
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Martindale Horseshoe at EveryTrail
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Wansfell and the Tongue from Troutbeck at EveryTrail
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Loughrigg from Clappersgate at EveryTrail
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Another great time in the Lakes

I made some new friends from Germany and they took me swimming in Coniston Water and played with me a lot.  I entered the Lowick Show with them and came 2nd in the 'best condition' section of the dog show. My friends thought I ought to have done well with the 'waggiest tail' and 'the dog the judge would most like to take home' as well, but not to be.

Back to school

I impressed my trainers on my first week back for some time. I started off slowly (recall was not as exciting as seeing my friends again!). However, I managed 'away to bed' with no problem and stunned Daddy. Apparently I have 'improved' whatever that means.

2 weeks with those springer spaniels again!

Had a holiday with my 'minders', Tigger and Amey. Had a great time but it's suggested I don't go to Portishead again! (Suffice to say cliffs, fishermen and bait were involved.)

The Lakes in June

Had a great reunion with some of Daddy's friends he met in India.  They like walking so I like them!  Here are the main walks:

Harter Fell and Green Crag at EveryTrail


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Beacon Tarn and Beacon Fell at EveryTrail


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Another walk up Beacon Fell and swim in Beacon Tarn at EveryTrail


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Blencathra via Sharp Edge at EveryTrail


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Flat-coated retriever security agency here

Daddy said I have now earned my keep.  I disturbed four young intruders last night who had got into our garage.  I scared them off and I haven't seen anyone run quite so fast before. I'm quite chuffed.

Agility Open Day

I tried out an Open Day at http://www.sw-dog-training.com/ with Ann Nash on Monday. Found it very sociable but wasn't able to show myself off with what I am capable of doing. Daddy needs to learn a bit more!

My agility

This is why I want to go to agility classes!

Making Hay while the sun shines

We spent a day around Hay-on-Wye on May 21. In the morning, we did our 7th leg of the Wye Valley walk, had a pint in a nice pub garden and looked around bookshops (yawn!), and in the afternoon we climbed Hay Bluff. Actually we climbed Hay Bluff twice, because Daddy left my lead at the top and didn't remember it until we nearly reached the bottom. I kept him company just to check out what he was up to.

Wye Valley Walk leg 7 at EveryTrail


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Hay Bluff at EveryTrail


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Lake District in May

At last, here are some of my walks I did while I was there.

Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag at EveryTrail


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Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal at EveryTrail


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Beacon Tarn and Beacon Fell at EveryTrail


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Sca Fell from Eskdale at EveryTrail


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Top O'Selside at EveryTrail


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Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Pillar at EveryTrail


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I took my Gold Award last week....

and failed!  Oh well, it was only 2 weeks after I passed the Silver.  Actually, I am quite chuffed because I only failed on the 'away to bed' which I haven't practised much.  I think I may have to do a bit more of that now.

Dog Portraits

I went to Countrywide for my portrait to be taken by The Dog Portrait Company before I went away.  Here are the results.  I have entered the first one into the competition.

 

 

Silver Award

I passed!!!!! Second time lucky. There was a great cheer that went around the hall on Wednesday night when I controlled my greeting. I did not jump up or bite her arm this time. It must have been the 17 mountains I climbed the previous fortnight which slowed me down just a tad. (More about my visit to the Lakes later....)

I'm poorly!

I've got a poorly paw. I had to go to the vets in Newbury while I was at Grannie's as one of my paws swelled up and I couldn't put any weight on it. I did feel out of sorts. Anyway, it is getting better very quickly as Daddy is hiding the medication in my food and I am taking it!

A day in the Black Mountains

Llanthony circuit from Cwmyoy

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Training

Training is going well.  I have been improving at my away/bed and recall/stay commands.  I think I am doing better at not jumping up as well.  Daddy and I have been working on my walks.  Bring on the examiner!

National Petrait Gallery

Some of my best photos have now been posted in the National Petrait Gallery.  Search for Dexter!

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Another photo competition

I've entered the Country Walking magazine photographic competition.  I thought I would show you the entries so you can vote for which you think is the best.  See right hand side.

1

2

3

4

5

Notice the common theme?!

The snow has gone!

The snow was melting fast yesterday when we did this walk.  Great fun, but it's all gone today.  I think we will have to wait another year before any more.

Wye Valley Walk leg 5

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Yippee, more snow!

I couldn't wait to get outside this morning. I was very excited. I just love playing in the snow as you can see. The downside is that school has been cancelled tonight.

What a great start to the New Year

A walk in the Brecon Beacons

Snowy Brecon Beacons from the Storey Arms

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