rescuedogdexter

Apparently Beagle wrangling is a thing

I had no idea, I really didn’t. However we have had two exciting walks in two days and now my assistant has one arm longer than the other.

There we were yesterday as I woke up the assistants by being ill on the carpet. I had been worried by something on Wednesday and it affected me. It’s happened before and will probably happen again. I am a somewhat sensitive fella who is unable to relax, according to local sources.

In any case, Lenny and I were taken out onto the field in front of the house yesterday for a quick stroll about. We had seen car keys going into pockets which gave us the clue that we were soon to be exploring further afield. As we came back toward the house we found ourselves loaded into our travel crates and off down the lane we went. Turn right, then left, follow the road, off the slip road, over the road bumps and then right along a lane that a mouse would struggle to navigate but, somehow, we managed it in the car. We parked, the boot was opened and we let anyone who was in earshot, in Ludlow, know that we had arrived. Out and along the lane we went, toward the piggery. It should be noted at this juncture that there were a large number of puddles, muddy field entrances, muddy puddles and “field food” kindly left by the local wildlife. Lenny and I set about grazing on the snacks and our assistants set out trying to stop us. I was also trying to navigate through the dirtiest of the puddles whilst Lenny tried to avoid them. This was a battle of wills eventually won by the assistants who turned us around before we actually arrived at the piggery. This was very disappointing as we spied many, many snacks that we would have enjoyed very much. As a result of our disappointment I made it my job to try and get as filthy as possible on the return journey to Ludlow whilst Lenny made it his job to circumnavigate as many puddles as possible. He got praised, for some reason. I don’t think he’s a beagle sometimes. Anyway, we walked past the car and turned up the hill by the castle and then through the town where there was a very interesting craft market taking place. We strolled, investigated shop doorways and strolled some more until Lenny and I realised that our stomach alarm clocks were ringing very loudly. It was two hours past breakfast and this error had to be rectified. We encouraged our assistants to return to the car by trying to pull them back down the steep hill which, in turn, caused much grumbling from the top end of the leads. Having returned home we had breakfast and settled down for the rest of the day. Due to beagle wrangling there were no pictures of our shenanigans so you’ll have to take my word for our escapades.

Onto this morning and there was no strolling past the car. We were let out into the garden to run around like a couple of fools. We didn’t let anyone down. Duly harnessed up we were loaded again into the car for another adventure. I looked at Lenny who looked at me. Nope, no idea what was going on but two adventures in two days? We aren’t going to complain (too much). Down the lane, turn right, right again for about seven miles, left, across the crossroads and park. We had arrived in Church Stretton at the base camp of the Long Mynd. Unloaded from the boot we proceeded to try and pull our assistants whilst forgetting that we are connected to them and they are stronger than us. Through the gate and up the hill we went. The road snaked to the left, the sheep looked down at us from the bankside and we tried not to look at the sheer drop into Carding Mill Valley. As we climbed further we were back out into the sunshine and the views stretched away for miles both in front and behind us. Past Snailbeach and onward we went.

Past the Ratlinghope road sign and we could see the hill cresting in the distance. Lenny was beginning to flag now so I pushed on regardless. He has no stamina that brother of mine. We got to the next ridge and looked over in Wales. The views were brilliant and we turned round to look back across the top of the hill we had just conquered.

Lenny had avoided walking in puddles on the way up but he seemed intent on walking through the puddles, bracken and grassy paths on the descent. I was in no mood to stop him as I was trying to drag my assistant up and down the grassy banks, whilst whimpering at the sheep and ponies, looking over the vertiginous drop into Carding Mill Valley and making sure that she got a full body workout whilst wrangling me.

Arriving back at the car we noticed our stomach alarm clocks going off again and this time it was over two hours since breakfast should have been served.

We arrived home and had to suffer the ignominy of having a wet wash and wipe down before we could tuck into our breakfast, albeit very late. A quick run around the house followed by a session of bitey face led to an allegation of us being a couple of idiots and we were told to go and find our beds. Lenny went off to one of my snoozing beds so we had more bitey face to sort out that difficulty. Eventually we were able to settle into a routine of snoozing, snoring and circling. A good day was had by all. Well, me and Lenny enjoyed it. So there it is, I learned that beagle wrangling is a thing. Who knew?

Two days in a row

We awoke to the normality of a Wednesday. Nothing unusual, awry or out of place. As we rubbed our eyes, we saw the opportunity for some early morning bitey face shenanigans so Lenny & I crept stealthily toward each other. At this point a low rumble and growl came from nearby and we looked around to see a dad shaped object glaring at us. We wandered around yawning and stretching noisily instead as this is a safer method of waking our parents from their slumber.

Off across the field in front of the house so we could sniff the creatures who had wandered through here overnight. There was plenty of scent for Lenny and I to bay at thankfully. Back home, clean paws, sit nicely (no chance) and breakfast is provided. Then we were back to our beds to let the food settle as, apparently, prolonged bitey face after eating is not good for the digestive systems of beagles. Suddenly we were being harnessed up and ushered out of the door. We walked past the car which always raises suspicion and off across the field. Over the bridge, turn left along the road and then right into the train station. There are many snacks which people have kindly dropped but which we are not allowed to consume whilst we are waiting for the train. As it pulls in, we are encouraged to board quickly and soon we are whizzing along to, who knows where. It turns out that at the next stop we are disembarked from the train and off we wander up to Ludlow for a stroll about. Along the road, turn right, straight on, turn left and down the hill toward the river Teme. Turn right at the bottom of the road and we find ourselves in the garden centre whilst our assistants decide what they need to make our garden bloom and blossom this year and beyond. Out of the shop and across the bridge we turn right up a set of steps and it was at this point that Lenny realised he was attached to an assistant who hadn’t quite appreciated how muddy the path was.

Sadly for Lenny he was reined in significantly and he was unable to show his assistant the muddiest, slippiest sections of the path. This path is called the Bread Walk and is an old path through the town. Along the path, down the steps, over the bridge and back up into town we went. Through the market which was quiet and then a stroll around the town looking in shop windows. Many of the places are dog friendly which is good but this requires that the dogs in question aren’t naughty and want to mess about all the time, speak with other dogs, meet every human and then not settle. I’m not sure which of me or Lenny this jibe was aimed at but the glances seemed to be in my direction. As it was we strolled down the hill and the assistants took a doleful look at the very inviting Ludlow Brewery building. Then they looked at me, rolled their eyes and made our way to the train station for the return journey. As we got back to our house we were released into the garden. At this point we demonstrated exactly why we don’t go to many places. Lenny and I whizzed around the garden chasing every scent, baying at the top of our lungs and digging holes or eating the currants that the rabbits had kindly left for us. After 30 minutes or so we were herded back indoors and flopped lazily on our beds for a well earned rest.

So we come to part two. Thursday morning broke cold and bright as Lenny and I attempted another round of bitey face shenanigans before 7am. We were rudely interrupted by what I can only describe as a big grizzly bear glaring at us, so we decided it was safest to retreat to our beds. However we were in for a surprise as our morning was commenced soon after with a stroll across the field in front of the house and then back for breakfast. Shortly after breakfast both Lenny and I realised that our harnesses had not been removed so we were to be easily shackled to our respective assistants. This time we did not avoid the car and we were duly loaded into our travel cells for a trip. It was to be a surprise for us apparently and, wow, what a surprise it turned out to be. For some clarity we have a pal who lives close by. We had seen that he had been on an adventure and it had been decided that we would do a “dry run” to see how long it took to get there, what it was like and then we could look at going again in the future. So it was that we turned right out of the lane, left along the main road, right at the food centre and then followed the road for what seemed to be miles and miles and miles (you get the picture). We went past a sign that proudly announced Croeso i Powys. Past the sign, along the road, turning left and right and deeper in Wales we ventured. As we arrived at our destination the boot of the car was opened and we breathed in the fresh country air. We had arrived at Elan Valley.

It was quiet which is apparently the best situation when you have two loud and excitable beagles to wrangle. As we hopped out we made sure everyone knew we had arrived and off we went on our patrol. Up some steep steps alongside a rather forbidding looking wall and we summited to find our view of the reservoir stretching away into the far distance. The wall turned out to be the dam holding back some 8 billion gallons of water! If we had known, we would have taken the path closer to the road instead of the one closest to the dam. Thankfully the path alongside the reservoir is flat and easy for all people to access.

The sun shone and reflected off the surface of the water, the hills towered all around us, the information boards told us facts about the place and, all in all, we were loving walking along having a great time.

As we followed the path to the right of the water we decided not to cross the bridge but to carry on along the waters edge. The path got muddier, the tree roots more slippery and the muttering from Lenny’s assistant grew louder. We walked through the wooded path, listening to the birds in the trees and I was looking out for Nessie in the water. Stopping for some water, Lenny and I were noticeably flagging in our efforts to pull and sniff on our leads to try and scent every aroma. As I am an elderly fellow, and yet incorrigible in my inability to act my age, it was decided for us that we would turn around and head back to the start.

After some further considerable pulling on our respective leads we found ourselves back at the car. We had some emergency biscuits which had, inexplicably, been left in the car and we were loaded in for the return journey. Apparently we feel asleep within a few minutes of starting on the way home. We have no idea as me and Lenny were looking at the insides of our eyelids. Having arrived home we strangely didn’t fancy a whizz around the garden preferring instead to wander quietly to our respective beds for a short snooze.

We are going again as, according to our assistants, the trip had the desired effect of quietening us down for the rest of the day and indeed I am still a little sluggish whilst I dictate this article. If you have the chance to go to Elan Valley and walk along the reservoir, do it. The people are very friendly as we found out when announcing ourselves in the visitors centre and then as we pulled eagerly along the path. The sun shone, the paths were easy, the scenery was spectacular and best of all we were tired (my assistant wrote that last bit).

January ramblings

I’ve done it again. After my early January trip to the vet for my persistent ear infection, I have reverted to my thought process of considering nothing has happened that is worthy of publication. No doubt this will be judged by anyone who reads this blog as an effort at a catch up.

My ears seem to have become better in that I am not scratching them beyond the odd itch. I am still being watched constantly to ensure that I do not have any repeat trips to the vet. I suppose it’s for the best that I am surveilled permanently. The assistants seem pleased.

Snow came and went within the space of two days on 5th January so we enjoyed ourselves trying to eat as much snow as possible, which caused concern amongst the assistants that I was going to give myself an upset dietary system. Thankfully I managed to avoid the midnight trips to the garden accompanied by an adult.

The log burner has been running for a while now and it is lovely to toast our toes (metaphorically of course) once we have completed our walk and daily shenanigans. Lenny seems to have taken to the log burner quite easily, although I think it has shown his Cypriot heritage in that he also likes a blanket to snooze beneath.

His inability to keep his extremities under the blanket do correspond with being a beagle as I also seem to be unable to tuck myself in fully with all limbs duly withdrawn from the outside.

We took a stroll to Lady Halton near Ludlow and walked along the road and farm tracks for quite a way. The scenes in the bright morning January sunshine were a tonic for the normal cloudy, foggy days we seem to be having recently. We are promised that the gloom will lift so we will look forward to that happening.

In between times it has rained, been foggy, misty and generally drab. We have got wet and dirty and been washed more times that we would ordinarily care to be cleaned. Lenny has become champion at sleeping for extended periods of the day and I am happy to see that he is feeling so comfortable not only in the house, but in his own fur.

So there you have it, an update of rambling stuff which can either be read or not. However if you have got to this point, then you’ve read it and that’s two minutes of your life you’ll never get back. 😀

Back to the vet.

This is becoming a sadly recurring theme.

Apologies I nearly forgot, I should wish you all a Happy New Year for 2025 firstly.

For a first blog of the year I was hoping it would be a bit more upbeat and fun, however it seems that my ear problems have continued. After Christmas it was noticed that my ears were itchy and the eczema type problem had returned. Not wishing to take any chances with an infection getting worse I was carted off to the vet on New Years Eve so they could examine me. Having arrived I made my presence known to the kind ladies on reception and then galloped joyfully in to see the vet lady. She checked my ears, sniffed them and then put an otoscope into my ears. It felt like she was looking at my brain. I managed to ignore the parent who accompanied me and was making jokes about the light shining through from one ear to the other. It was confirmed that my condition had returned and I was given a different potion to be administered twice a day for a week or so.

Upon arriving home I was entombed once more in the Cone of Shame and strolled about wondering what was happening. The potion has been applied morning and evening now for a few days and my ears are cleaned regularly. One advantage of the potion is that it makes me feel deaf so I have an excellent excuse for not listening to the parents, apart from being called for breakfast, dinner and walks. I still fool around and try to start bitey face games with Lenny but it’s getting a bit much now, having to wear the Cone of Shame so regularly. I am allowed to sleep without wearing it although, to be honest, its quite comfy and keeps my face and ears warm.

I suppose the moral is that I am getting toward fifteen years old, I am going to have some issues and need to just get on with life. I have a home, beds, food, walks, tickles, a brother and pals who like me. It could be worse. I shall soldier on and, in the meantime, adventures need to be attended to.

What a cracker, second part

I would like to continue my run down of our year 2024. Lenny and I had so many fun things to do and see. Here are some of them and I apologise if I have left any out.

July

Lenny and I ensured that people behaved themselves whilst performing their civic duty at the polls. We managed not to mess about for around five to ten minutes.

We went for a climb up onto the hill at Flounders Folly and welcomed our friend River to our house. Griff came along to join in the fun too, which is always good.

Our fruit trees were starting to produce fruit which needed to grow further. We helped water them.

We were so tired after all our July exertions, we needed a lie down to recuperate.

August

The weather was warm and trips were planned. We went for a walk up to Wart Hill and we went almost into Wales when we visited Clun.

The Victoria Plums ripened on our tree and they were devoured greedily by our assistants.

We finished our month with a polite and quiet stroll around Town Brook on the Long Mynd which was great fun, if somewhat tiring for me.

September

The month started with Lenny needing to go to the vet for a blood test. They wanted to make sure he didn’t have a nasty disease so he had a blood sample taken. I felt sad for him but there was a lull in bitey face games for around 30 minutes.

We went to Llangollen to meet up with Sasha, Griff, Smudgey and Ted in the hope of going for an interesting walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Unfortunately Lenny kept on trying to get through the railings when we were high up so we turned around and strolled along the canal itself. It was lovely, despite being somewhat soggy under paws.

Lenny and I decided we would take the assistants for a walk from Bromfield to Ludlow but we had planned it badly as the cinnamon bun cafe wasn’t open. There was much disappointment all around.

It rained, rained some more and then poured down. The flood plain did its job thankfully and the river took the flood waters away.

October

The days became cooler and the mists began to rise more often, shrouding our area in a cloak of secrecy. Lenny needed the Fingerposts to be able to navigate some days.

It rained even more than it had done in September so the flood plain and river were called into action once more. It was like a giant duck pond.

The fields in the valley stretching away toward Bromfield and Ludlow became misty and mysterious. And muddy, very muddy.

November

We decided on a trip to Carding Mill Valley in early November, just to stretch our legs and explore a new place. It was great fun.

My ear trouble flared again so I was forced to go and see the nice vet ladies who looked after me admirably. They still made me wear the Cone of Shame though.

The sun was lowering in the sky but it still managed to shine over Norton Camp whilst I was out on my walk.

And then if rain wasn’t enough it decided to snow, turning our meadow into a snow filled playground for Lenny and I. We love the snow albeit it disappeared within a few days.

December

Just to prove our assistants wrong, we proved that we could snooze together without antagonising one another. Maybe it was a brief lull in shenanigans but it was a lull. We were being watched as my time in the Cone of Shame continued.

We met with Griff for a pre-Christmas stroll from Bromfield to Ludlow and this time the cinnamon bun cafe was open. We returned via a slightly longer and different route which gave us some lovely views over the hills.

Lenny got the chance to explore slightly off-piste on Christmas Eve and he dragged his handler up onto the top of the hill so he could survey all that we would like to wander across.

And to finish we had a Christmas morning walk up onto the top of the Long Mynd. It was a wonderful quiet stroll and we enjoyed ourselves very much.

To sum up then. Wow, what a year it has been for us. Moving home again (apparently it is the last time we are moving) and having some lovely places on our doorstep is a huge bonus. We are closer to one of our best buddies who is happy to show us the places we don’t yet know about, as well as accompany us to the places we do know of. We will explore further to see what else lies beyond our current horizons. One thing is for sure though, we will try our best to enjoy ourselves.

What a cracker

Not Christmas but the year in general for Lenny and I. Until I sat down a short time ago, I didn’t realise that we had packed so much into it. So here goes for a year in which we moved house, got a new house, lost dear friends, gained new acquaintances, found new places, left old areas, when it rained, rained some more, was sunny and our fruit trees were prolific. All the time we were surrounded by love and friendship despite having a few vet visits thrown in for good (or bad) measure. First part of the review will be today and the second part tomorrow.

January

It all started so badly when a great friend to so many made his way over the rainbow bridge. Our wonderful pal Hamish told his mum that he was ready and she took the bravest decision to allow him to run free.

Beyond the sadness of his passing we realised that we still had shenanigans to perform. Lenny and I took our cue from one another and continued the long tradition of silliness.

February

We knew something was afoot as there was far too much activity in the house that didn’t involve this “work” thing that we are continually told about. Lenny hid in his cave bed and we enjoyed the sun when it finally showed itself.

March

The day arrived mid way through the month when we found ourselves standing in an empty house as all our belongings had been packed and stolen by removals men. Lenny and I were transported to another house, hours away up the motorway amid much huffing and puffing from the driver.

We started to explore our new manor and we found Ludlow too. Lenny was still intent on being silly.

April

We had a visitor from the US who bought us gifts. We played nicely of course, as you would expect from well behaved beagles.

We explored more whilst the sun was out and the area became greener and warmer.

May

May arrived and we were finding our paws more. We went out with our neighbour and extremely good pal Griff who showed us some of the local sights.

Our fruit trees started to show signs of life and then we had a visitor all the way from Yorkshire. Hector came to see us and brought his parents. We weren’t allowed in the garden due to his bad paw but we still had a chat.

June

June started with Lenny and I being taken on a long walk around a place called Wart Hill via a hamlet called Cheney Longville. Apparently it’s in the Domesday Book. We were tired afterwards for ages, so we think it was a cunning plan.

We explored at every chance we could get and it rained. Quite a bit. Which will become a recurring theme.

That’s it for the first half of the year. I am sure I have missed out some of the things we got up to and I apologise. There were so many things happened that it is too much for an old beagle to remember them all. Part two to follow.

Ludlow calling

Last weekend it was decided on our behalf that we would take a little trip to Ludlow. It appears that our assistants had heard about some festive cinnamon buns that were being sold at the local cafe near Ludlow Castle and unless we went to sample the fayre, they may sell out and we would miss out. I hesitate at this point regarding the use of the word “we” as it would be made plainly obvious that particular pronoun was not alluding to beagles.

As we were loaded into our travel crates for the short hop to Bromfield, there was some chatter from the front of the car in relation to the conditions of the lane, whether the correct footwear was used and if a certain beagle would behave himself. I am not sure who this last part is referring to! Down the lane, turn right, turn left, follow the road and turn right at the church. Upon our arrival our pal Griff was being released from his carriage and we made sure he was aware that we had arrived. In fact I think those people in the nearby half mile radius were aware of our presence. Once shackled to an unwilling parent we leapt salmon like from our cells and proceeded to try and walk to Ludlow as quickly as possible all the while forgetting that we were attached to said parent. Initial greetings with Griff were dispensed. We strolled along the lane, over the river, past the gate house, around the next gate and then through the piggery. As happened previously our leads were significantly shortened and we were warned to behave and not eat the treats that were kindly left for us by the resident porcine pals. Parents are no fun sometimes. Lenny also avoided puddles. We continued along the winding lane until we could see the castle and St Laurence church looming on the horizon. Around the bend, over the bridge and four festive pastries were bought, along with coffee to keep the chill at bay. Us beagles sat and waited in a manner in which you expect us to behave, all the while without sampling these delightful festive buns. Lenny and I have a sneaking suspicion that Griff may have got a little corner of bun, but he didn’t let on.

It was decided, again on our behalf, that we would take a more circuitous route for the return journey. So it was that we found ourselves pulling our parents up the steps to Whitcliffe Common and onto the road. Turn right, down the slope and then up onto the No Through Road. This all seemed new and exciting, with plenty of puddles, rivulets coming off the wooded banks and muddy patches to splosh through. Lenny maintained his ability to avoid most of the really dirty areas, which continues to worry both myself and Griff. We were both determined to make up for his cleanliness. As we strolled along the lane a vista opened though a field gate and the Clee Hills showed themselves in the distance. A fine view.

On we journeyed until Griff took a sharp right along a farm track heading back toward the piggery. Once at the piggery our leads were shortened and the now usual instruction was given regarding our scavenging abilities. Through the gate, down the dip, up past the Lady Halton turning and across the river to the car. Five and a half miles of fun, scenting and adventures were over. We were forced to say our goodbyes to Griff who was being towelled down after having had a “dip” in the small stream flowing a way back up the road. Lenny and I then suffered the ignominy of being towelled down to get some of the dirt off of our paws. We slept in the car on the return home and it was as much as we could manage to eat our breakfast once we had been washed and cleaned down. This time we noticed that shampoo was used on us. For the remainder of the day and into the next day we slept soundly and dreamed of our adventures.

We are finding our paws much more now we have been here a while. It is a great walk from Bromfield to Ludlow and we have been promised that we will be shown the longer version of the walk in the new year, once the weather has dried up and the fields and lanes don’t resemble quagmires in places.

It is clear that Lenny has no stamina and I am getting older. That’s my excuse for sleeping long and soundly, and I am sticking to it. 😀

Eleven years and counting

Today is the anniversary of my arrival in my rescue home. Eleven years ago I strolled into a house which had two people who would spend their days running around after me to make sure I remain comfortable, safe and loved. And fed of course, very important is the food aspect.

I have managed two house moves, welcomed a new brother and kept everything running smoothly for twelve Christmases now. Little wonder that I have aged and feel a bit wobblier on my paws. Will I make it to next Christmas? Who knows as I am fourteen after all. I am going to try and be around then. In the meantime I suppose I should thank my assistants for looking after me, as well as be grateful to Lenny for being a good pal and brother.

Gotcha Days as they are known in the canine rescue community are special days as we can finally get the chance to feel safer, have a roof over our heads, food in our bowls and be able to say

“I am home, this is good”.

Don’t scratch your ears they said

Having never taken much notice of my servants, I continued to ignore their requests for me to stop scratching my ears with my back paws. I argued that the ears in question were, after all, mine to do with as I wished. Sadly my scratching made my ears raw, they itched more and I scratched more.

So it was that a couple of weeks ago I was loaded into my travel crate and we set off for some exotic and far flung destination. I realised after a short time that Lenny wasn’t in the car with me and this could only mean one thing, that I was off to somewhere neither far flung or exotic. Duly arriving at the vet, I dismounted from my travel crate and found I was expected. The vet was pleased that I had my Cone of Shame already around my neck as this appeared to stop me scratching and making the ears worse. I was thoroughly checked, prodded and poked. Discharged with some new potions and lotions as well as recommendations to my mum I returned home where even Lenny looked at me like I was foolish to keep on scratching my ears without considering the veterinary consequences.

Fast forward a week or so and my life was still blighted by the Cone of Shame. When I had been released from its grip I had immediately started scratching again. So on the orders of the vet I was returned to their custody to be examined. This time however it was with my other parent. I knew I was in trouble as he would tell the vet everything that I had got up to. Right on cue my inner secrets were divulged and the vet gave me some serious side eye which I would have been quite proud of to be honest. The vet looked in my ear with her otoscope (is that not a great word for a beagle vocabulary) and I was told there was an infection which needed to be cleared up. And NO scratching, so the Cone of Shame was to stay in place. Once again I returned home to Lenny smirking at my alleged foolishness.

For the last week I have been captured once a day by my parents who have administered the drops to my ears so I can try to have a life without the Cone. The last two days or so I have been a “Cone free zone” albeit whilst being watched permanently by two humans and my younger brother (who’s not actually my brother but…). Don’t tell anyone however I feel free and I haven’t tried to scratch my ears as they don’t itch anywhere near as much. Whisper it quietly as it is hard to accept that my parents are right and I should listen to them. Maybe! 🤭

A lifetime has passed.

The uncle I will never meet

Today I will be giving my dad some special leg leans. I will try to be a good boy and not mess him about too much, for fifty years ago today his older brother took his longest journey over the rainbow bridge. He has since been joined by both sets of my grandparents and far far too many of my friends.

Hug those you love and tell them you love them. Please. ❤️