What is he?

He's a DOG!!

• TG and the STRIPPER.

 

After.

We now have a Dog Groomers in the town so I took TG. 
Result!!!
TG looks wonderful and he even let 'the Stripper' sort out his claws. (The vet couldn't get near his paws.) Brilliant!!! 

After.

  

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

•  TG and the RABBIT. 

Do BGV's ever lose their sense of smell? I, AF, ask because a rabbit ran across the grassy path 15 yards in front of AF and TG but TG ignored it. Even as we crossed the place where the rabbit had run TG still didn't react. What luck if TG has lost his ability to smell a deer, rabbit, fox, badger, wild boar etc. from 1/2 mile away - dog walking will become so much easier.

•  TG and the WHITEBAIT

TG is definitely in fashion as the whitebait explosion is really in the news. Last week he not only doused himself in the rotting, black mass of the reed bed but then rolled, rolled and rolled in the mass of dead and smelly whitebait that had been chased onto the beach by the mackerel. Windows down all the way home in the car.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

•    TG and VET

TG has a bit of a problem with his colon at the moment so PL and AF have been taking him to the vet more frequently than usual. TG is happy to go in to the Waiting Room but decidedly unwilling to venture into the consulting room. The 'pull-me' (PL) 'push-me' AF, routine must be a joy to observe by all the other occupants of the Waiting Room. Sometimes the Vet joins in so it takes three adult humans to get one determined dog across the slippy floor for his consultation. TG is improving so all is getting better.

What is he? Three years old.

Now TG is three years old could this mean that, as the the teenage years are over, he'll turn into the well-behaved, walking to heel, not chasing deer dog that we might aspire to live with?  We should be so lucky!! 
AF & PL don't hold out much hope that this paragon will emerge. Maybe when he's 4, 5 or six??? 
However, TG can be very obliging and put up with a lot of disruption without too much complaining.  AF and PL have just taken TG on a magnum opus round Hertfordshire, Yorkshire and Wales. He had a rough 3 weeks out of his comfort zone in the caravan and/or car boot, having short walks on the lead and in the rain!!!  He was not a happy dog.

TG and AF on Rhossili Beach, The Gower, South Wales.

As a special  treat AF and PL took TG to Rhossili Beach on The Gower Peninsular, South Wales. He ran, ran and ran; rolled,rolled and rolled; played and chased with lots of other dogs and got wet from the sea.  
Wow!!! He luxuriated in it all - then cocked his leg over a rock VERY close to a pile of someone's clothes. 
AF left PL apologising.
 

Exhausted TG on Rhosilli Beach, The Gower, South Wales.

TG and his buddy in the garden.

Then joy of joys on our return, to further compensate TG for the deprivations of the previous three weeks, his very favourite dog and boy buddies came to play with him.











TG is well known where we live. PL and TG were out walking the other evening when TG followed his nose and hurtled off out of sight. PL rang home to say he might be longer than anticipated when out of the gloom a voice called "PL, he's here." Hmmm, our TG safely back  on his lead and PL home in time for supper.


Looking forward to the next adventure with our BGV.

"a bigger version of the breed of dog that won Best in Show at Crufts 2013!!!!!"

TG in his 'Meeting and Greeting' mode.

This great success of a BGV at Crufts 2013 not only makes TG almost legitimate, but also saves a lot of explaining to the folk who ask "What is he?" when all AF needs say is "He's a bigger version etc.etc."


They acknowledge that TG is, therefore, a 'proper' dog not a 'designer' or 'mixed up' dog then they want to say how lovely he is.

so it's been WIN, WIN.


PL, AF and TG are frequently accosted by unknown admirers when out and about. He seems to endear himself to complete strangers so:- 
  

• Recently,  surrounded by a 'TG Fan Club', AF was entreated "Not to be cross with him!" when TG misplaced AF and was running away from, rather than returning to, a frantically whistle blowing AF. 

• Only last week when TG and AF were on the beach, two mackerel fishers, weighed down with fishing gear, ran after TG and AF eagerly gasping "Isn't he a lovely dog? What is he?" 

• Today on our walk a huge lorry drew up by the side of TG and AF. "Isn't he a lovely dog! What is he?" pronounced the woman driver in industrial style blue hairnet, peering down from the sky scrapping cab. 

• However, on one rare occasion a very special stranger called after DG and AF "Is he a BGV?" Success!!! 

Unfortunately AF and PL can't win 'em all. TG still takes to the hills like a rocket when there is a whiff of eau de deer on the breeze but PL and AF are learning to live with that and wait for TG to come back either immediately to the whistle or later on his own.  The disadvantages of walking him off the lead are substantially outweighed by the advantages of living with such an entertaining dog.

The beach is his favourite place with all the space to run and run and lots of other dogs to chase and have fun with. (NO DEER). AF and TG go to a local Iron Age Fort that is surrounded by stock fences and lots of doggy friends to play with. (NO DEER). Two places that are doggy heaven - the 'walkers' are OK as well and welcome TG with tolerance and growing affection. 

Now that AF can start to sort out the garden TG is being a real help!!! 

• He lay down with the strawberries in their special, dog proof, protective tunnel.
• He dug up the newly planted dahlia tubers to make sure they were the correct way up.
• He got the veg. patch ready for planting by digging big holes all over. 
• He rearranged the carefully laid Landscape Bark to help the blackbirds in their search for grubs and worms. 

That's all for now folks!
 

 

He's getting me 'out and about'.

Recently AF has had reason to ask the question "Why do we need a dog?"  

Meeting other dog-owners ploughing their way through the 'welly devouring mud' AF has questioned the sanity of folks who, twice daily, voluntarily, walk for an hour or more, in the foulest of weathers, for the benefit of their four-legged friend???? 


Surely no one in their right mind chooses to venture out of a warm and cosy home to go for a walk in the kind of weather we have experienced in the past 6 - 12 months.  But in rain, hail, fog, wind, snow, gale and flood there is a steady stream of dog-owners who undertake this wet, cold, muddy and messy task. AF usually exchanges a rueful smile and comments that "we must be mad" before continuing this self-imposed foolhardy activity. 

The fun doesn't even end when AF gets home with the foul smelling, drenched and filthy dog - there is then the 'hosing off', bathing, washing down, drying, brushing and feeding ritual to be done before AF dries off and gets her cup of HC. 

AF is no longer amused by the flippant comments of non-dog walkers "he's enjoyed himself", "he looks high maintenance", "he's very muddy/dirty/wet/covered in it" 

YES I KNOW!!!!

'They' say that the rewards of dog ownership outweigh the drawbacks - AF and PL firmly  believe that is a universal truth 

BUT 

Please don't tell AF that on the next wet Monday when, soaked to the skin, with mud over the top of the boots, AF is walking the fields with an equally wet and muddy TG.  

Please don't tell AF that when TG is actively resisting the hosing and bathing process so that most of his wet and muddiness is transferred on to AF.

AF just might not be reaping the rewards at that moment but be reflecting more on the drawbacks!!!!!!

PL having a rewarding moment with TG.

TG has been having fun as usual. PL and AF took him to N.Yorks. in the caravan. Wet dogs and caravans are not a good combination!!! Here he is looking innocent - be pleased it's not smellyvision.

AF, PL and TG stayed in Thirsk where the other holidaymakers, as well as the local residents, did TG proud. Whether TG was waiting outside a shop, walking down the street or  just sitting being good there was a continuous stream of admiring folk asking 'What is he?', taking photographs or talking to PL or AF about him. PL and AF are constantly amazed at the stir he creates. TG is a nice dog and he enjoys the attention as do his owners but one has to ask 'why?' - long may it continue.

TG is now 2 years old and 'they' say that he should be calming down. Bit of a joke that. TG is still presenting AF and PL with interesting and embarrassing situations. 

Back home TG, to my shame, chased some sheep at the top of the hill. (He is still a bit unpredictable off the lead.) Fortunately I managed to get him under control before a very cross Farm Manager and a 'man with a gun on a tractor' arrived so no real damage done. 

Occasionally AF is beginning to recognise the signs of TG getting ready to give chase after deer, rabbit, pheasant or anything else that runs. The nose goes up, he sniffs repeatedly, tasting the air, taking 'readings' of the direction of his potential quarry. Alternatively, if he wants to fool me, he just disappears without a trace or any warning!!! It keeps me on my toes that's for sure.    

You will remember that TG loves to get dirty, muddy and smelly when we're out walking so AF/PL has to either hose him off in the garden with cold water, or take him into the house and lift him into a nice warm bath!! (No brainer really you'd imagine.)  TG has appeared to prefer the 'cold hose' option being a reluctant bather. BUT, today, surprise surprise, TG walked, unresisting, with AF into the bathroom and jumped into the bath all by himself.

Maybe he is growing up and calming down after all. I won't hold my breath!!!

TG again.

Me being 'Mad Dog on the Beach.'

I'm getting no satisfaction from either AF or PL regarding them letting my adoring public hear about my adventures. Well you know what they say "If you want a job doing ..........".

So it's me again - TG. I've got the hang of this 'posting' thing now - nothing to it!!!


Sometimes AF takes me through a small wood where there are rabbits galore. Wowww! Do I make them run. They cheat, of course, by disappearing down a hole but that's the 'game' not playing the 'game' - get it?  Hmm! Need a more level playing field then watch them go!! Pheasants are the same - they fly away before I've had a chance of getting close. This scenting thing that I do so brilliantly is fine as long as 'they' play to the same rules as me. Hey ho! It's all good fun whilst it lasts.

Got away from PL recently to chase some deer. Now they do play nicely. No hole to dive into and they can't fly. I chased them for a good half hour before THE MAN with the gun got a bit threatening so I decided to go back home to PL - he'd already abandoned me!! THE MAN came down to talk to PL and said I am a good hunter, then he offered to send a shot over my head if I chased the deer again. PL wasn't having any of that though. AF thought it would be a good idea to give me a good scare. Now that's not very nice is it???


I think I'm beginning to meet the 'Good Dog' criteria a bit better now. I'm getting quite good at returning to PL and AF when they whistle. Since the woman on the field gave PL her special doggy recipe the treats have definitely improved. Made the whole house smell 'delicious' in my view and really worth being a good dog for. Well we all have our price!!

I do have a complaint, however. When AF and PL have finished their meal there are often super duper bits left over. I rush round to the kitchen and sit waiting for just a little morsel but it all goes into the bin. What a waste!! I could eat that!! However hungry and wistful I look there's no changing AF or PL's mind. "Not good for you." is what I hear.

AF says "There's nowhere to hide on the beach??"

My favourite boy (EGs) and dog team came to play with me at the weekend. We played chase, tug-of-war, throw the ball and laying on top of each other for ages and ages. Happy doggy times.

Doing it myself!!

Is this me in or them out??

TG here. 

AF has been so long between blogs that I had decided to post a blog myself.

I have been so fed up with the lack of attention I've been getting recently what with tennis, motor sport, holiday planning, computing etc. that I chewed through the computer lead and cut her off. Certainly got AF's attention for a while!! PL is too clever by half however and mended it. Back to the drawing board.


I can always go back to chewing knickers and trousers as long as they're black. Well AF will leave piles of dirty washing around to tempt me so what can she expect?


Managed to look innocent on the field and as I was off the lead I took the opportunity to chase a rabbit round and round. Pity I make such a noise and fuss about it - the rabbit heard me coming and dived down it's hole. 


Cows and horses are a different kettle of fish. Not too sure about them. They have four legs and a tail but they're soooo big. I make sure that I drag AF or PL well away. Great fun when it's slippery muddy as I can pull hard enough to cause a 'base over apex' slide for AF. It's a shame that PL doesn't do much walking in the mud he'd really come a cropper.

 


PL and AF took me to the Bath and West Show recently. Great fun. Wherever they took me I caused a great stir. Lots and lots of my admirers coming up to PL asking 'What is he?' and 'Isn't he lovely.' Pity they hadn't entered me into the Dog Show I'd have swept the board.

 
 
AF had me out the other day when a man cutting his hedge said 'If I had a dog I'd want it to look like him.' Nobody can say fairer than that can they? Bring it on!!!


As it's a new vegetable growing season and the soil is freshly dug I'm having great fun digging holes betwixt and between the courgettes, potatoes, beans and peas. It has to do them good letting the air in to the roots but AF makes it harder for me to do my gardening by raising the barriers even higher. I am only trying to be helpful. 


There's too much rain for my taste at the moment as the walks are shorter and not nearly so interesting. The water thing doesn't stop when AF or PL and I get home as they then hose me down in the garden. I could suggest that they wait until the rain stops but it doesn't seem to be happening and any walk is better that no walk.