rescuedogdexter

Bonfire night & whizzbangs

I want to woof a blog with no pictures, so please bear with me. I know that some humans like Bonfire Night on 5th November. For those outside the UK who aren’t familiar with the ritual, a man called Guy Fawkes and some of his associates tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament with many people inside. They failed, were killed in a grisly & gruesome manner and now it seems their failure and demise is celebrated with big bonfire and burning effigies.

Anyway, if that was the extent of the matter it wouldn’t be the subject of this missive. Oh no, people started getting fireworks and letting them off. They became bigger, and louder and more colourful. Then they became larger still, even more NOISY with the same amount of colour. If only the “celebration” was for one night only.

I am a dog (you may have noticed!). I don’t like fireworks, or whizzbangs. They scare me and I have to hide from them because they are so loud and so noisy. I know of other furs that actually cannot eat for hours after hearing and seeing fireworks, they are so scared by the things. I can understand, kind of, that for one night each year some people like to celebrate the demise of a potential mass killer. But when the fireworks are used to celebrate someones birthday, graduation, passing their driving test, eating all their dinner or seeing auntie Ethel for the first time in three weeks, I do wonder if it’s a little excessive. And don’t get me started on people who just have them to set them off in their gardens or those who decide its really clever to throw them at each other. I despair at this point.

Once a year, at an organised event, even I can see that. I don’t like them, I will cower and try to hide. However, this seems reasonable so I can live with it. However, selling these pyrotechnics to any Joe who walks off the street into the supermarket, I kind of draw a line in my sandpit.

Get people to organised events, sell toffee apples and hot toddy drinks with some sparklers for the small humans. Any money that people would spend on private fireworks, give to a charity to help homeless people or dogs & cats, so the world is a bit of a better place.

I will get off my soapbox now.

Walkies

Its great to have a human Paw Assistant who is at your beck and call for walks. I am very lucky to live close to woods, fields and parks. So, today I decided that I would take my dad on a walk for 6 miles through the woods.

Chasing squirrels whilst attached to my double lead and to the immovable object (aka Dad) is one of my favourite things to do. Along with chasing pigeons, chasing rabbits and chasing deer.

It was a lovely day for a quick stroll from home, to the next Underground station. Through the woods and past the church, down the lane with Dad in tow. Through the field and into the next woods, past the sheep and along the bridle way. Squirrels squirrels everywhere, come and play.

I wasn’t even tired yet, but I could hear Dad puffing along behind me. This is Beagle Harrier paradise. So many sniffs!

We arrived at the station only to see the train coming into the platform. Quick Dad run, run, run. Safely on the train returning home. This was fun, I liked it, can you tell?

Thanks Dad, I’m very lucky. I wish all furs had the chance to walk for miles like I do.

Dexploring in the Ponds

I was rudely awoken at some un-dogly hour of the morning and was marched around the garden. It was only when I saw that the travel crate was already in the car, that I realised I was going on holidays again.

The miles passed quickly (dad was driving), and we found ourselves in Eskdale after stopping off for a wander around Birker Fell.

I remembered Eskdale from a few months before. I had enjoyed a most excellent week of fun and shenanigans then and I was determined to have another great week. Unsurprisingly we retired to the pub to make sure we were ready for the next day.

We had arranged to meet with some pals from the northwest and Cumbria at a place called Cockermouth on Saturday. We went out for an explore early in the morning around Eskdale and I was taking the air and enjoying the new scenery. I met with Bridie first as she lives in the house we were staying at. She’s an older gentle lady fur and we got on really well. I then met Oscar the black Labrador who I remembered from last time. We spent some time woofing with each other. He’s a cool fur. Off to Cockermouth and we parked, only to see Raffa & her M waving at us. Soon after, we were joined by Betty the BT, Sprocket & Fergus da Brave.

We were quickly on our paws and walking through the fields and alongside the river, woofing as we went. It was great fun meeting up with so many pals on the same day. We were taken to the pub for the humans to have coffee & beer. We even got squeaky toys from Raffa’s M as well as sausages from Sprockets M. We all woofed our thanks. We finished the day with dinner and then saw Raff & auntie J off to their lodgings for the evening.

After our morning constitutional on Sunday we met up with Raffa & auntie J for a stroll around Miterdale. We wandered through the lanes and then up into the forest for a lovely view back across the valley toward Birker Fell. It started raining after a while but our spirits weren’t dampened and Raffa & I strolled along happily woofing. Raffa can’t walk as far as me so we agreed that we would only do 3-4 miles which was fine. We then ended in the Bowerhouse Inn for some lunchtime drinks and nibbles. Sadly Raffa & auntie J had to go home but it was great to see them both again.

Monday arrived with the threat of rain. Dad & I went out for a stroll around the Eskdale valley and then we were into the car for a trip to Keswick. Of course the first place to go was Podgy Paws and I managed to leave with 2 new harnesses. Strolling around, greeting as many people as I could, I enjoyed my day shopping. We left and then decided we would go to the pub for the evening. I met with most of my new human pals and one lovely lady gave me gravy bones, which were very welcomed.

Tuesday dawned and I saw a red squirrel on my walk. I aroooed and aroooed until most of the valley must have known I was there. The weather was still a bit drizzly so we decided that we would walk along the riverside path to Dalegarth. It brightened up a little and we were enjoying ourselves through the forests and along the river.

I was getting really muddy and wet but for some reason, mum & dad kept on rolling their eyes at me.

The weather was better on Wednesday so we agreed that we would walk up Miterdale towards Burnmoor Tarn. I had never been to Burnmoor Tarn. It was a journey full of squirrel and deer smells.

We took the forest road and I had to be lifted over 2 cattle grids which was interesting.

We even met some cows on the way and had a great day, all finished off in the Bowerhouse Inn.

For our last full day in Eskdale, we knew it would be raining so we took the Esk Trail which goes to Muncaster Castle. It started to rain, and then it just poured and we were getting very wet, but having great fun. Mum & dad saw a deer before I could so my fun was spoiled. I was doing my best to try and spot squirrels and deer but for some reason they didn’t want to come out and play.

We returned and dried off ready for our last night in the Bowerhouse. I was just starting to settle into the week, and suddenly we were having to go home.

I had a great week of Dexploring in Eskdale and everyone was kind and friendly and lovely. It was so much fun that I didn’t want it to end.

The nagging doubt

As a Beagle Harrier rescued at at early age, I missed out on a large chunk of my formative years both socially and in puppy training. This proved to be quite disruptive when I first arrived in my forever home. No one really knew what to expect of each other, so it was almost like a stand off. I knew it was warm, I knew it wasn’t draughty and I knew that I got walks, food and some play time. Oh and my beds, I knew all about those. But there was this nagging doubt; was this permanent or was I just in another temporary home whilst these 2 gave up on me after a few months or so.

After the initial efforts at Dog Training School it was clear that it wasn’t for us. I was confused, I was skittish, I was directionless I suppose. I needed a purpose, some regimentation. I did not need to be dominated, shouted at and told off which was the routine at Training School.

The walks in the early days were very helpful in getting some energy out of my paws and allowing me to rest a while when we returned home. However I was still anxious to know what was going on and where. Every time a door was opened or someone left a room, I wanted to know where they were going and why it didnt involve me. Settling was clearly a problem. Play time was great but when it finished, I wanted more and didn’t understand that it was down time. Toys were shredded in frustration quite regularly. While this may have been funny to see the dismembered soft toy stuffing strewn like a crime scene across the rug, it probably hid an underlying feeling of anxiety that I had to make the best of this house, whilst it lasted. I was trying to find my way through life, I had been in a home, as well as the rescue centre twice, and I didn’t want this one to be just be another home on an ever growing list.

I could see these two people wanted to succeed in getting me to settle down and they were learning at the same time as myself. They clearly wanted to work with me, and when the training came along I took to it well. They were very canny however, as the treat based training didn’t go over board. There was significant use of praise to show me what was good, bad or indifferent. My mind wasn’t really occupied at first. Walks, tearing toys and sleeping remained the primary objects in the early stages. However when the training was increased and became more varied, it gave me something to actually think about. And to do something right, getting praise for it, was good as I could see the happiness for the humans too. I could feel my life changing. I was occupied with all sorts of activities and I was settling. When people left the room, now and again I stayed where I was. Sometimes I would get up and follow, but mostly I would stay where I was. The over riding fear of being moved on again was going, almost imperceptibly as I relaxed into my forever home.

I knew I wasn’t going anywhere without these two. Doubts? What doubts?

Adopt dont shop

When I see the dogs & cats all waiting for a new home, it makes me wonder sometimes if people really do care about us.

We watch tv programs and see articles on the internet and in the printed news about cruelty, starvation and abandonment amongst other fearful acts. Dogs being abused, beaten, tested upon, left for dead having been shot, garrotted or had their muzzles taped closed with duct tape. There are stories of cats being beaten and abused, also being tested on and deliberately tortured. All truly horrible things to see and hear.

Then you see designer dogs and cats being promoted by the popular press as being the “next accessory”, the “must have” in your house. Dogs & cats being bred for their looks or size to make someone happy or so they can show off to their friends. What happens when they aren’t in fashion any more?

There are thousands of dogs and cats out there, all waiting for a home, all wanting a stroke of the neck, a tickle on the tummy, a walk, some food and a bed. We don’t ask for much, but pay back your love and kindness in spades. I’m lucky. Very, very lucky. I have found my forever home. I’m safe warm and very much loved.

You could make this much of a difference to a stray or abandoned animal. From this…

To this…

Rescue, stray & abandoned animals aren’t vicious and scary in the main. We are missing love, affection and the kindly human interaction of friendship. We have the paw of friendship, waiting for someone to take it.

A dog may not be around for all your life, but you will be around for the dogs life. Imagine the pride you could have from helping a stray or abandoned animal get back to feeling some love.

Thank you.

Dexter

Sleep

One of the most important things for a Beagle Harrier is sleep. It lets me recover from my walks and supervising in my grounds.

When I am sleeping it allows me to dream and wonder what my life might have been like if I hadn’t had the fortune to chose my human M&D.

I know I wouldn’t be as comfortable and looked after as much as I am here. I have six beds so I have enough places to sleep and think about how lucky I am.

Sleep is very important, I need plenty of it. And I intend to get as much sleep as possible. I have many shenanigans to do, So I’m off to bed.

Friends

Its good to surprise friends sometimes. I’m a very lucky Beagle Harrier, you might have heard me mention this before. I have so much in my life to be happy about, what with a warm and safe home, beds, tickles, fields to roam and love from my 2 human Paw Assistants and my pals, both human and furry. And my garden, I mustn’t forget my garden.

My life without my friends would be much less exciting, I think. And I love to surprise them sometimes. When we found out that there was a Beagle Welfare Fun day in Cirencester, we decided we would go along and see who was there. We got there and all jumped out in the lovely sunshine on a warm Sunday afternoon. Within 2 minutes I had announced my arrival with an almighty aroooo as I fairly bounded onto the premises to see my friend Raffa and her mum, auntie & one of my favourite aunties from my twitter account. They all seemed very pleased to see me. I got tickles and some biscuits. I showed Auntie K that I did paw and she looked very impressed ears.

I watched Raffa try to arooo as loud as she could, which made me laugh.

We met another rescue beagle called Daisy, and we woofed for hours before I was told we had to go home again.

I enjoyed my day so much, I love seeing friends and I love knowing I have friends who I can rely on. And best of all they know they can rely on me.

In this world, we all need friends.

An Eskdale Tail – the last day

The day dawned in Eskdale and I began to realise that this was my last full day here. I had sad ears, as the sun was shining again, the birds were singing in the trees and I was falling for this valley and the surrounding area. I woke mum & dad up and went out with dad for what was to be my last patrol around Eskdale Green. We were all a little tired after our week of fun and wanderings. We decided that we would go around the valley to a place called Nether Wasdale. There seemed to be quite a few paths there and they weren’t too hilly. A gentle days walking was ahead.

We arrived and parked quickly to get out and about on adventures. We strolled through the village and onto some farm land. Sadly I was a bit lively and still had some zooms in my paws, so the field with cows and a bull was definitely out of bounds to me. Not that it mattered, as the detour took us through a farm yard and out onto another road with spectacular views to the head of the Wasdale valley.

I was drinking in the views as I walked, as I had been listening to mum & dad say that they would miss these views from tomorrow. We went on a circular walk, and got back in the car to drive to the Wasdale Head.

On the way to Wasdale Head, we stopped again by Wastwater itself, to take in the views and the fresh air. It was brilliant to see the water stretching away toward the hills in the distance.

When we got to Wasdale Head, we strolled past the church of St Olaf, which was small enough that even I think I would have to duck to get in the doorway. Sadly, there were cows & bulls in fields through which we were going to walk and it wasn’t really a good idea to take me close by. I would have to come here more often so I can get less excited around them.

We ended our visit to Wastwater and retreated to the cottage. Mum & dad started packing things away and tidying the place. I went and lazed in my bed, so I could think about what I could write in my blog when I got back home. My ears were becoming sadder as the day went on, as I didn’t want to leave.

We went to the Bowerhouse Inn for the last time, they had some food and drink and i had gravy bones and a laze on my settle mat. Tomorrow was going to be an adventure, but I wondered if it was going to be as exciting as the last 6 days.

Early in the morning we left in the car. The motorways went past us like a blur as we headed south. No one wanted to go home, all of us had enjoyed the time.

Eskdale in Cumbria, in the words of Arnie, I’ll be back.

An Eskdale Tail – Part 6

Or the riverside stroll

Another lovely day dawned in Eskdale. I nosed around the curtain and saw the sun shining and heard the birds twittering in the trees. I wondered what the day would hold for me. I was a bit tired and I needed some extra yoga stretches before I could get going. I took dad out for our normal stroll around the village and I double checked that Raffa wasn’t at the Bowerhouse Inn. Sadly she wasn’t. Back to the cottage, breakfast was eaten by us all and mum suggested we take a gentle stroll along the river to Dalegarth and Boot. This sounded like fun as the words “gentle stroll” and “Beagle Harrier” aren’t usually found in the same county as each other.

I was shackled to my dad and off we went.

It was a lovely warm early summers day for a “gentle” stroll. We went through gates, fields, pastures and woods to get to Dalegarth, via Stanley Ghyll Fall, which is also known as Dalegarth Falls.

We wandered along the footpath and I got so many scents that I was in Beagle Harrier heaven again. I was really liking Eskdale valley, the longer I stayed the more I liked it. I was allowed to wade in the rivers, which was good for my warm paws.

We even went to the Boot Inn where I had to apologise to numerous people as dad had decided to wear shorts due to it being nice and warm. It was such a lovely walk that we even took our time wandering back towards the cottage in the afternoon.

It was quite some walk and I flopped onto my bed for a snooze. Whilst I was asleep, mum & dad decided to continue their age old traditional of sending postcards to people. I woke up and I realised that my paw had cramp and I hobbled around like a tripod hound, looking very sorry for myself. It worked as I then had 2 servants (aka mum & dad) gently massaging my paw to make it feel better. And then I got some extra food and water to rehydrate me and to help me snooze a little more easily.

Eventually we all decided to go to the pub for some food and drinks. I got to snooze on my settle mat again, just to rest my weary paws, and make myself ready for the final days shenanigans tomorrow.

I could definitely get used to this.

An Eskdale Tail – Part 5

Or The Drigg Dash

Tuesday morning started with the sun shining and birds singing in the trees. Pretty much the same as for the last 3 days so I was beginning to like this place very much. Once dad had decided to get out of bed, we went out for our morning patrol around the village, via the railway line and around the base of Muncaster Fell. I wondered to myself if I would ever get to the summit? Maybe one day.

I was feeling a bit weary by now. I am used to walking 5-7 miles a day back home in posh Bucks, but here there are mountains, sheep, ferns, becks, red squirrels and so many other sights and sounds to assault my senses. I checked to see if Raffa was still here, I aroooed at the pub but there was no answer. I had sad ears, I was going to miss her & auntie J for the rest of my holibob. Having returned to the lovely cottage, we were about to go to a place called St Bees as they had a proper beach there, and mum & dad had never been to this strange sounding place. When I heard the name it got me wondering what bees had done to be sainted, despite making honey and making good targets for me to chase at home in my grounds? In any case, that would have to wait as the nice man who owned the Cottage told us about a place called Drigg which was much closer and he said was great for letting “the dog run around”. This sounded ideal to me but there is a slight problem with it. I never go off lead. I have escaped 3 times already and worried mum & dad senseless so I am permanently shackled to one or the other of them. Anyway, off we went and found this place called Drigg. Wow!! It is indeed great.

The tide was out and my eyes couldn’t believe how much room I had to pull and sniff and wander about, singing the song of the Beagle as much as possible. We walked to the edge of the sea, I remembered not to drink the horrid water, and then we strolled further along the beach.

This was awesome. I tried to get to the top of the sand dunes, however a combination of very loose sand and an immovable object called dad, meant I was thwarted in my efforts. It didn’t matter though, as we all had fun. I even found a jellyfish but I was quickly told not to touch.

Returning to Eskdale later in the day, it appeared I still had some zooms in my paws. So mum & dad found a circular route through some forest paths and tracks and off we went. I was walking gently as I could feel my tiredness coming back. We strolled through a place called Giggle Alley which had a Japanese Garden on a side path. It is a bit overgrown but is being looked after by the local people. It was fun seeing some of the plants and shrubs that I have in my garden in posh Bucks too.

When we got to the forest track, I immediately got the scent of my mortal enemy, the squirrel. I was reined in significantly as the tress have red squirrels in them and I am not allowed to try and get them. In fact I wouldn’t try to nom them anyway, as they are protected and I quite like them. Unlike their grey cousins. We took in the sights and smells of the forest track for a few miles. Returning to the cottage, we all felt a bit tired.

We managed to drag ourselves to the pub in the evening and I laid under the table watching the world go by. I took up my now usual place under the table. The gravy bones appeared and I snoozed a while, before returning to the Cottage to complete another great day in Eskdale.

I could get used to this..