Computer issues

We are havin some computer issues at the moment, mainly involving the blue screen of death so im posting this from my phone, (no idea if this will work). Anyway we arrived in lincoln safe and well, hopefully be back soon from a working computer!

Measuring Up

Today we went up to Newbury to the Agility Club show, not to do any agility but to get the dogs measured so that they can start to compete in Kennel Club competitions. All 3 dogs were measured and they are all Large (as we had expected). They were happy to measure Megan even though she is only 9 months as she isn't likely to shrink and was well into the large bracket!

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Heidi is doing much better, her eye has completely healed up, the vet said it wasn't infected, it was just swollen around where the scratch was. He decided not to glue her foot either as he thinks the damaged part of her pad will fall off (I'm trying not to be too graphic!). She has given her antibiotics though to prevent that from becoming infected as it is very deep. She has got it bandaged and needs to keep it like that for 2 weeks, having it changed every 4 days. So far we are on bandage number 2, the first one fell off yesterday when I took her for a walk, it needed to come higher up her leg so it didn't slip down. I'm glad I did that canine first aid course now, it means it wont cost me £20 a time to get the dressing changed as I can do it myself! The picture to the right is her showing off her bandage.

Tomorrow was supposed to be our move day but we have put it back by 1 day as I need to be here for a parcel to be delivered tomorrow and to be honest we are no where near packed! We are going to spend a week up there with just the stuff that fits into the truck and then next week hire a van to come and get the bigger items like the washer and dryer. We have an almost fully furnished house up there anyway so there isn't that much to take and I'm sure we can manage for a week.

Happy Birthday Brian!!

From this...

To this...

Brian is 4 today so Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Heidi is having a really bad week! Last night I noticed her left eye looked swollen, I guessed maybe she had scratched it play fighting with Meg but this morning it looked no better. infact as the day is going on its weeping so I think it could be infected. Anyway she is booked into the vet later today. We went for a walk this morning and when we got home there was blood in the back of the truck. I took the dogs inside and it turned out to be Heidi, she has badly cut her pad! She has done a good job of cleaning it up herself but its still bleeding and she is limping badly so I think it will have to be glued when we go to the vets in a bit! Poor girly, she hasn't been to the vets for anything in the first 17 months of her life, now she has had 3 visits in a week! Hopefully he will patch her up and she will be as good as new.

News Update

Great news is that Heidi's blood tests have come back today and her Liver and Thyroid are working perfectly normally. We are still waiting for her Pancreas results but they will be another week. She has been eating now for about 10 days too and has put on half a kilo so we are really pleased.
Yesterday me and Brian headed off to Worcestershire to see Natalie for him to have another massage treatment. she gave him a good check over and confirmed that he has responded well to his first treatment. She worked some more on his hips and shoulders and she now doesn't need o see him for another treatment until the end of the year. She is going to be at the Bromsgrove show though in September as are we so she said she would do a warm up massage for him then. She is also thinking about making a DVD and wants Brian to be in it as her model so watch this space...

I realised I haven't taken any photos of Megan in ages so here is one and I have added another couple at the bottom so you can see how she is growing, she will be 9 months old tomorrow, where does the time go!

Training in the Rain

Today Heidi and Megan have been for some agility training at Diamond Dog Training in Somerset with Mike and Clare Bacon. Megan went first and me and her had a half an hour lesson with Clare. I was impressed with what Megan had remembered from the few times we had been to Up and Over together. We did the A-Frame and Dog Walk and she did lovely contacts at the end without having to be reminded and we had only done them a few times before! We practiced them and getting her to wait whilst I walked away. We also did channel weaves and we finished with them really close together so Meg was actually doing the weaving motion. We had a go with the V-Weaves too and the tunnel (which Megan loves).

Conor and Heidi had an hour lesson after us with Mike. Mike noticed that Heidi is really focused on Conor and doesn't always watch where she is going and fully commit to going ahead as she is always looking for her dad so today they worked on her going away from him and then Mike delivering her reward so she isn't falling off equipment trying to find her daddy! The video clip below is the two of them doing a small sequence of obstacles and Heidi going ahead to complete the Dog walk without looking for Conor.

They also worked on their weaves too. Heidi has only been taught on upright weaves and she isn't very accurate often missing out a couple so they took her back to doing some channel weaves and then moved onto the V-weaves which were far more effective for her and she was certainly getting it by the end, so guess what I have been shopping for online since we got back...a set of V-weaves. I have found 2 companies at reasonable prices, just waiting to find out the postage costs from each before I decide who to go with. Oh and the majority of our training today was done in the pouring rain so yet again we were soaked through!

EMDAC Agility Show

This weekend we headed off to Melton Mowbray for the EMDAC agility show. We got there on Thursday evening and the weather was terrible, it continued to be bad on Friday, it was nice Saturday and this morning and then started to rain as we left. We were disappointed with this show to be honest, the main reason we had entered it was that there was supposed to be a splash and fetch event and disc busters but neither were there.

On the other hand though Brian had a very successful weekend in his agility getting 6 clears out of 7 runs. Although they didn't do placement rosettes in his classes he did come 1st in 2, one of which was a really horrible steeplechase course this morning that I didn't think we would even make it around. He also got 2 second places, a 4th and a 5th (I think). They didn't mark refusals in his classes, if they had he would have only managed about 3 clears but I was very happy with him, he was much more focused and motivated to run and we had a brilliant time together. The video clip below is Brian's steeplechase run on Friday (in between rain breaks!)

Conor decided not to run Heidi until today and she did a steeplechase run today which she unfortunately got eliminated in. She knocked down 2 poles and then jumped back over a jump. She was very excited though. Her run is below.

Heidi's second run was jumping but she was so focused on the tunnel she just kept running passed the jump to get to it so Conor took her to the last four jumps and let her run them in.

Yesterday afternoon we headed off to visit Stella and Ambrose and to check on our house and all was well, we had a lovely tea at their house and the dogs played in their garden until it was time to head back to the caravan for the evening.

On Friday at the show we saw Jo with Ronny and Zippy (Megan's dad and brother) and her other dogs too. It was good to see Zippy to see how he has grown, he is a bout the same size as Megan, maybe a little bigger. As it was nearly always raining I didn't get my camera out this time. (I have added a few pictures of them all together when we saw them last in April at the bottom) Conor took a liking to Pudsey too and kept trying to walk off with him! Anyway after our busy weekend I think it's time for a relaxing bath as the dogs are fast asleep.

Swimming Videos

I took Brian and Megan swimming this morning and got some video clips of them both, the top one is of Brian, he has been doing it so long now he is really calm and just swims for his ball.

The two video's below are of Megan, they are not great as it was quite dark in the pool today and she splashes so much and gets water on the camera. She hasn't really mastered turning around yet, she grabs onto the side and then pushes off it.

I spoke to Heidi's vet this morning and the lab have advised that she has further tests on her Liver, Thyroid and Pancreas and they need more blood to do them so she is going on Monday morning to have some more taken.

I have just been and packed up the caravan for tomorrow and while I was there I have never seen so much rain! It has made me re think the clothes I have packed for us and I have just checked the weather and it says a chance of rain each day. I hope they are wrong! I think I might need to pack a few more pairs of long trousers.

A Big Move

Last night we had a phone call from the vet about Heidi's blood test. Not as good news as we had hoped. She has raised Liver enzymes and high cholesterol which at this early stage may turn out to be absolutely nothing (we are really hoping this is the case) or she may have a liver or Thyroid problem. Our vet was going to phone the lab today to find out what further tests she needs and also to see if they still have enough blood left to do it, if not she will need some more taken. We are really hoping it is just because of her lack of eating although saying that she has eaten 3 full meals yesterday and today.

Anyway the big move, we have decided after not really knowing what to do with our Lincoln house that we are going to move into it, in 2 weeks time actually! Talk about short notice. It seems silly to leave it sitting there so tomorrow I am going to arrange to get the Internet transferred and get sorting things out as we are going away on Thursday to do Agility at EMDAC show in Melton Mowbray so by the time we get back on Sunday it only leaves us a week!

Tomorrow Brian and Megan are going swimming to Stan's, although I have just realised probably for the last time. I'll have to try and get a photo or video clip of Megan doing it, only problem she makes such a splash! I have decided not to swim Heidi as she hated it last time and 1 more time isn't going to make her like it.

This weekend should be one to look forward to, we are camping at the EMDAC show. We have had some slight caravan battery issues, we know it's flat as it ran out last time but the charger keeps saying it's full and I've brought 2 just to check! Hopefully it will work out OK though. Heidi is running on all 4 days but Brian isn't until Friday. The information for the show says that there is a Splash & Fetch event so Brian will definatly be wanting a go at that!

Weekend Away

This weekend we headed off for Somerset as Conor & Heidi were on their Agility Instructors course, taught by Mike Bacon and I am pleased to say Conor passed with flying colours and can now competently teach agility. He still has two more modules to complete in September enabling him to teach to competition level. His first student will be me and Megan.


I think Heidi really enjoyed herself this weekend and it really helped her confidence and socialisation. She made a new friend called Emy (Pictured Left), she is Mike's daughter Claire's dog and is a 14 month old Tervuren. They played together for ages, chasing each other around.

Heidi also got herself a boyfriend, another of Mikes dogs, called Jet. Conor said at one point Heidi was crying to get to him! (there is a picture of him at the bottom.)


Conor really enjoyed the course and was very impressed with Mike's training so he has booked a private lesson for him and Heidi in a few weeks and I am having a lesson with Megan there on the same day, just to get some more pointers on foundation training with her. This afternoon I went to watch them on their course as they were doing practical training so I managed to take a few photos whilst I was there.



On Friday whilst I was entertaining myself I went to Cheddar Gorge, I went as a kid but it was good to go back. Yesterday I took myself off to Bristol Zoo for the day. It wasn't the best Zoo I have ever been too as there were no Tigers, Giraffes or Elephants but there were Lions and my favorite, Penguins!

I also have a close contender to be my favorite. Meercats, they are very cool!

Heidi Update

Just a quick entry to say that Heidi was checked over at the vets this morning and he couldn't find anything physically wrong with her. She has had some blood samples taken which are being sent off for screening and the results should be back in a few days.

Brian's Treat

Me and Brian have had a lovely couple of days away. We have had a few nice walks and Brian managed to find 2 footballs whilst out on walks, one yesterday and one this morning. The picture is of him with the one from yesterday.

Today he went for his massage therapy with Natalie at the Canine Massage Centre. He had a lovely time, she worked on his hips, a problem area she found on his left shoulder and also his neck. He was definatly very relaxed and has slept pretty much since we got home. I have booked him in for another treatment in two weeks time.

This weekend we have a good weekend planned, tomorrow Brian and Megan are off on their holidays to Hazel's. We are dropping them off at midday and collecting them on Sunday as me, Conor and Heidi are off to Somerset. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Conor is on his Agility Instructors course (Modules1-3).He can use Heidi over the weekend but not Friday so me and Heidi will have a nice girls day, just the two of us. We are staying in a very nice hotel and while they are on their course I'm going to do some shipping and maybe go to the beach and take some photos out and about. (Hoping for good weather).

Before we go tomorrow though I have booked Heidi in to see the vet, she still isn't eating properly, she has eaten about 5 full meals in 2 and a half weeks and she is looking thinner than ever so she is booked in for a full check up to make sure she is OK. Fingers crossed, obviously I will update the blog with any news as soon as we know.

Not what we had planned

We seem to have no luck with our weekend plans at the moment and this weekend was no exception. On Friday we set off from home just after midday to go up to Lincoln for the weekend. It usually takes about 4 hours to ge there. The traffic was terrible on the A34 so we got off and did a more scenic route, getting back on about 10 miles further on. It added quite a bit of time to the journey be we carried on. As it was hot we made a few service station stops for the dogs too. We were nearly at the M1 (halfway through our journey) at about 4pm when we heard a loud 'pop'. It sounded as though something had hit the side of the car but we couldn't see anything, then the back drivers side window started to down. The regulator had gone. We had no way of getting the window up and it wouldn't be safe to leave all weekend as it meant you couldn't lock the car or the alarm just goes off so we had to turn around and go home.


Yesterday was my birthday and obviously we were supposed to be at dogs unleashed but instead we were at the BMW garage getting the window fixed. (Not impressed). I did have a good birthday though and me and Conor went shopping for the morning and I got some new trainers!


Today the dogs have been for a good walk in the woods and now the weather has cooled, got to play fetch for a while. Anyway this clip is of them playing in the puddles earlier, the question is, would you let them sit on your sofa after this?

Tomorrow me and Brian are off to my mum and dads as we are getting the tow bar fitted on the truck on Tuesday (near to where they live). We have got to go all the way to Great Wyrley to get it done as there are not many place that will fit them on and X5. On wednesday Brian is booked in for a massage at the K9 Massage therapy Centre in Worcestershire with his favourite lady, Natalie. He loved her when we went on the workshop a few weeks back so as a treat I have booked him in for a massage.

Another Hot Day

Today is another boiling hot day here. I took the dogs out for a short walk this morning before it got too hot and then got their pool out for them again. It took about half an hour to patch up the holes, I think they will need a new one after this time. I started filling it wit the hose pipe about 2 hours ago and it's still filling up as they keep standing on the sides letting all the water out! They have all just decided to come indoors for a nap, probably best as its now the hottest bit of the day.

Tomorrow we are off to Lincoln as we are going to Dogs Unleashed at Newark on Saturday. Brian and Heidi are entered into the agility but if its too hot we will just let them have a go at some of the activities instead. There is supposed to be a dog paddling pool, canine weight pulling, have a go flyball and a few other activities and displays so it should be a good day out.

Swimming Sucess

I managed to get all 3 doggies in for a swim today. Brian went first as he is easy to sort out, he would do it himself if he could. He did 15 minutes in the pool before I made him get out. He usually does longer but I was conscious that it was a hot day and the girls were in the car.


After Brian it was Meg's turn, she put on her little blue jacket and I lifted her in. I didn't use any jets for either of the girls as it was their first real go. Meg wasn't too sure at first but once she realised what she needed to do I couldn't get her out! In the picture of Brian you can see a ramp at the back, she would sit on there to get her breath back and when I tried to get her to go up it to get out she was jumping off and having another go!

Heidi didn't enjoy her swim at all, I think she thought I was trying to drown her. I held her by her jacket and she splashed around getting me soaked. I realised she was calmer when facing the ramp so I moved her to the other end and let her swim to the ramp on her own a couple of times but she really didn't like it! Strangely though, she didn't want to get out of the shower afterwards.


Sorry for the moan in advance but today our neighbours have really annoyed me. Unfortunately for us we live in a married quarter. We only have neighbours on one side who are generally OK but people who live around us are not. Last night me and Conor went to the Cinema for the first time in ages, we left home at 7.45pm and arrived back just after 11. The dogs had been walked and were sleeping when we left and when we got back they barked as we opened the door.


Anyway when Conor got to work this morning someone had complained to our housing officer about the noise our dogs make at night. For a start if we go out anywhere at night they come with us as it's usually something for them that we are leaving the house for! Last night, other than when we went to see the wizard of oz two weeks ago was the only time they have been left in at night all year I think. They don't bark all night any other night as we are in! If the bark when someone knocks the door or there is a noise outside they are told to stop and they do. It has really annoyed me that whoever made the complaint didn't even have the guts to come round and speak to us this morning, they were just all sneaky about it. I don't think it was our neighbours who are attached to us as they usually come round if the dogs are loud, generally to let us know rather than complain and its not like they are loud in the day either as I am home all day!!


As you can tell it has really annoyed me, we were supposed to be staying here until October and then we had planned to rent out our Lincoln house and rent a house in Reading area as that's where I will be working but we are now looking at moving sooner. We hate living here at the best of times and its not like I complain about their kids hanging round my house being noisy. Well I will from now on I'll tell you. Again sorry for the moan.