Lakes in November 2014

Here are my exploits during our annual walking holiday in the Lake District. I did 3 repeat walks and 2 brand new walks. The weather was very mild for the time of year - only t-shirts required by humans! No snow and ice around.

Beacon Tarn and Beacon Fell 14 November 2014 at EveryTrail

A circuit of Devoke Water including Stainton Fell at EveryTrail

Head of Haweswater at EveryTrail

Hardknott and Harter Fell (Eskdale) at EveryTrail

Potter Fell at EveryTrail

Dog tired

Today, I walked my longest ever walk so far. Daddy and his friend walked 14 miles, but I reckon I walked about 3 times that. It is hard work rounding them up and chivvying them along. They are soooo sloooow. We walked to Iron Acton via Rudgeway and back via Latteridge. The walk was very eventful; the highlight was chasing a deer. I am now having a well-earned rest. zzzzzzzz

Walks in Northavon: Walk 6 Alveston - Iron Acton at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

A visit to the vet

I went to see the vet this morning. It was originally going to be for the 'snip' but Daddy has been having a rethink in view of comments from various sources (including here!). So I had my annual innoculation instead and Daddy spoke to the vet further. We saw a different one this morning than before and his view was that it was up to Daddy as to whether to have me 'done' or not - he was not dogmatic about it. There are medical advantages, in particular there are lower chances of prostate and testicular cancer. (However, it is more important to have a bitch spayed.) He also said that the summer would be an appropriate time, as that is when I would be mature. Daddy is therefore going to think about it further over the next few months.

The vet also said that I am now old enough for longer walks - yippee! Most of my growth plates have now closed. Here is an information sheet that Daddy found on the subject: http://www.yourvets.co.uk/html/pdf/Factsheets/Dog/24_265463.pdf.

Lake District for Dogs

Here is an interesting website: Lake District for Dogs which is hosted by Eric Robson and his dog Raq. We have added some of our walks to their walking page. They also appear here on everytrail. Clever stuff; I hope you are impressed - but Daddy does all the work, I have to twiddle my toes (or more likely chew something I shouldn't!).

A lot has happened

A lot has happened since my last entry.

I had my second training class on Wednesday at the Dog Training Club. I disgraced myself because I was so excited and Daddy hadn't walked me long enough after tea! Anyway, the trainers were very understanding and I had a great time. I was taught to walk closely to heel on a lead amidst all sorts of distractions and that is what I will be doing on a lot of my future walks. I think I must be doing quite well because today a neighbour said I was well-trained!

Jeanette says that I need 3 or 4 walks of 20 minutes each per day, maybe one of which can be off the lead. No leaping. My joints will not set until I am 7-9 months old. Swimming will be good for me.

On Thursday, I had a day with Auntie Avril and Uncle Roland while Daddy went gallivanting off to the Malvern Hills. That would have been way too far for me. I got to go to Whale Wharf at Littleton-upon-Severn and I think I was good, but I would say that wouldn't I?

I had a lie-in this morning after some energetic games last night. I love playing chase, sometimes I do the chasing and sometimes I am chased - great fun. I am actually quite tired today.

Advice

Daddy had a conversation with Wendy (see ...busy-weekend.html) over the weekend about food, walks and chewing and gave him some tips.

Food - Daddy said that I had not been eating all my kibble recently until he started adding gravy and 'human food'. She said Daddy was making a 'rod for his own back' whatever that means. Anyway I have been eating the kibble alright with some added water, so Daddy is going to do that. If I don't eat my food in 10 minutes I will have to wait until the next meal time. Maybe I am not a foodie.

Walks - I fear I might be walking too far and too much off the lead - too bad! Wendy agreed with the vet: half an hour at a time and not always allowed to run free. Daddy is going to see what the trainer says tonight - I think I will be starting some proper on the lead training.

Chewing - I do chew and bite a lot and Wendy's advice is to give me alternatives whenever I chew something I shouldn't. Daddy should also shout 'ow!' loudly if I chew his fingers (or ears, etc). I am getting the message but I do get excited when I am playing.

Lovely morning

After a dubious start, the morning turned out to be lovely. We had a good walk on more new paths around the bridle path and the golf links. I am getting rather strong-willed. If I want to go a different way from Daddy, then I go on a sit-down strike.

Sheepcombe Brake

This morning I had my first walk in Sheepcombe Brake, although Daddy has been loads of times before. I don't think it will be my last. (A Google search came up with this page - driving with dogs - which looks very useful.)

I met a very playful Schnauzer. Daddy thinks it was a Standard Schnauzer with a salt and pepper coat as opposed to the Giant Schnauzer that won Crufts. I am now crashed out in a cool spot; I am hot as it is very sunny and warm today and I have been running around a lot.

A great morning

I loved this morning's walk. We went down the bridle path to Lower Hazel and then onto the old golf links for the second time. This is a great place to be. I met several new two-legged and four-legged friends there. I especially liked playing with Basil and Jim and I hope to see more of them. We also learned of more possible walks for the future which we did not know about.

Daddy is off to a wedding this weekend and so I am going to stay with Auntie Avril and Uncle Roland. That should be great fun. I'll try to be good!

Smiles

I've put a smile on some more faces today! I also met a black labrador, Poppy, who I hope to see more of in future. She's got the same name as my Mummy.
I am very interested in leaves blowing in the wind and holes in the ground! Here I am on the old golf links at Old Down.

Bridle path

I'm on my first walk on the bridle path this morning. I saw some more friends - humans and dogs, and I particularly liked playing with Dash. It was raining, but I didn't mind at all. I got a good rub down afterwards.

My first walk

Yesterday I had my first walk in public around the village for the first time, having had my second innoculation on Wednesday. Life is getting even more exciting now I can see and sniff a lot more! I love running even on the end of a lead. I know I've got a big head, but I am getting a lot of admirers!

Second vaccination

I went to see Mel, my doctor, today for my second vaccination and microchip as I am now 10 weeks old. Daddy was very impressed - he didn't even know it was done until afterwards. I was very good there and afterwards when Daddy did some shopping. I am now zonked out.

Daddy talked to the vet about my two bad habits - chewing furniture and climbing stairs. I am afraid he might be putting some advice into practice, darn it. However, I can go out for walks on Sunday - hooray!!! They will have to be short for at least my first year, but Daddy is thinking of carrying me in a rucksack for longer distances. I am not sure what to think about that.

Mel also said my meals can be cut down to 3 a day. So, from today, I am having 3 bigger meals but I do get hungry between times. At the end of March, my food will increase again.