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.

TG being himself.

Another picture with his best buddy.

Recently when AF and PL went for a short holiday we decided to leave TG with his wonderful 'friends' in Pets at Home. TG loves to stay with them as they have a large paddock that he can play in with up to five other dogs. TG has an exhausting time and sulks for at least a week when we bring him back home to his life with the 'oldies'. 

TG likes to roll in cow poo. Not sure whether it's the particular shade of green he turns when covered in it or the disguise of the subtle smell. Either way it ends in tears with a bath.

TG has decided that towards the end of his walk with PL or AF it is essential to find a stick to toss, chase, chew or carry. Sometimes this can delay the end of a walk as every time TG drops or loses the stick there is a certain amount of doubling back to find it.  Then more tossing, losing and retracing our steps. TG enjoys the game even PL or AF don't.

PL & AF take a bag of treats on walks with TG. Sometimes cheese or meat scraps but TG was particularly delighted with a liver, egg, flour and garlic mixture that came highly recommended by another dog walker. The house was filled with a delicious aroma during the cooking and TG loves it. His other doggy pals on the fields are equally addicted. Never has the whistle been so effective!!

As an alternative playful ploy to the stick TG will take his lead in his mouth and 'worry' it as he and AF get near the end of the walk. Yet another ploy to delay the end of his walk.

There are lots of large holes in the garden again. The grass is taking a hit and my poor flower beds are being turned into bomb sites. We might have to install a sandpit?

TG needed his regular dose of worming tablets. Given the recommended dose it could be that he is a large horse and not a dog after all.

Minus his 'bits'.

With 'lampshade' after his operation.

AF and PL were not quite sure what difference it would make having TG castrated.

• better behaved? NO!
• walking to heel? NO!
• more obedient? NO!
• coming back when whistled? NO!
• keeping clean? NO!
• changed his character? NO!

• Still the same old TG!!! YES!

 TG is still up to his old, and some new, tricks.

TG has:-

•  taken a liking to eating the crotch out of black lacy knickers sorted ready for washing.
• dug huge holes in the garden as if planning an escape. AF not happy when he digs the flower/vegetable beds; PL very unhappy when he makes holes in the lawn!! (It could be a badger.)
• chased the deer at the top of the hill again resulting in another visit from a VERY ANGRY MAN threatening all sorts of dire punishments.
• learnt to stealthily and delicately extract individual tissues from the box, test them for taste then destroy the empty box.  

 

Joy of joys for TG, AF and PL, our EGs has been to 

stay with us for two weeks.

TG has the best time ever with EGs running, rolling, throwing, catching, cuddling and just being together with a real friend.








It just got better when our ED (mother of EGs) and EGd came for a weekend with TG's best doggy pal. Lots of doggy games including a Tug of War with poor, battered Pheasant. 





TG is having to settle down again with the 'Old Folks' PL and AF until his 'holiday visit' to his special Pets at Home friends. More of that later.

Not making friends and influencing people.

TG continues to wend his merry way through life. He accepts the ups and downs of it all, just enjoying each day as it comes.

AF can make TG tremble by showing him the comb - an essential part of our daily life. PL and AF have an agreement with TG that if he is in his crate then we can't get him so at the first hint of a grooming session he dives in there with a 'na na na na naaa' look. No ill will on his part just a clear statement that he does not want to be 'messed about' with. 


TG has found a new wonderful game. It has all the advantages of being messy, quiet and very annoying to AF and PL as he systematically empties boxes of tissues. He's like a child. Each tissue is a new and wonderful thing that pops up demanding to be plucked delicately from the box, torn up, then hey presto there's another one. Endless fun.


AF and PL are fighting a losing battle with 'THE NOSE' at the moment. 

Up the hill from the house there is a delightful walk through woods, fields, the odd stream and winding paths. The deer like it also. Just the place to hide in until flushed out by a rushing scent hound who has, foolishly, been let off his lead. No amount of whistling will break TG's concentration as he finds the deer and gives chase.

Most of the time when PL or AF takes TG up there we keep him on the lead but occasionally TG looks beseechingly at one and he's away. 

Last weekend there was such an occurrence leading to TG being left on the hill, to all intents and purposes, never to be seen again chasing deer into the sunset. After much to-ing, fro-ing and searching by PL, TG turned up in the garden.

Suddenly there was an angry knocking on the door with a VERY ANGRY, previously friendly, woman demanding that TG be severly beaten and locked away for ever. "Had she had a gun to hand" she said "she would have shot him!!!". Oh dear!!
For her it had been the 'Bambi' memory I guess. When Bambi's mummy is shot, then brought down by a pack of dogs leaving little Bambi all alone. Many, many apologies later she left. Difficult to explain that TG is flushing out the game so that the person with the gun can take a pot shot at the deer helpfully 'scented' out by the scent hound.

It will be some time before TG is let loose again on that particularly stretch of local countryside. Shame it's a lovely walk.

TG is committed to digging holes in the flower beds, veggie patch and precious lawn at the moment. AG has re-barked large areas of flower bed and pathway in the vain hope that TG will be deterred. LOL as they say.

Enough complaining already. TG is great fun and we enjoy having him around the place. He has been  hors de combat  recently as we have had him castrated. A week later, with the lampshade round his head removed, he appears to be the same old TG. AF hopes it will stop TG chasing  women, PL and our neighbour are rather more sympathetic. 
 

A scent hound!!

• TG is officially a fully fledged scent hound now. He carefully followed the scent of another dog round four sides of the field to end up back with me as I chatted with the other dog's owner. What a clever boy.
• Taking him into the surrounding woods can be a bit of trial as his special 'scenting skill' takes him far, far away. Sometimes it's a long wait until he comes back.
• TG went on his holidays again last week. He disgraced himself a bit by stealing a yoghurt off his 'carers' worktop. Probably my fault as I give him my empty yoghurt pot to lick out every morning.Oooops!!
• YGd(Youngest Granddaughter) has discovered TG's weak spot that can send him into his crate jolly quick smart. YGd just blows a raspberry at him and he melts away. Clever her I think.
• AF has purchased a new, larger, halti for TG. Now we have less of a struggle to get it on his nose for his walk.
• TG is not a fan of the brush and comb. An expensive solution was to buy a new vacum cleaner to pick up the dirt and spare hair left on the carpet. 
• TG has the unfortunate attribute of spreading 'dog gob' up the walls when he shakes his head, beard and ears. Not good!!!
• TG still doesn't understand why getting muddy on the fields deserves a hosing down in the garden when he gets back home.
• TG finds 'big dogs' (horses) quite intimidating soTG and AF often take an unexpected detour when TG prefers to flee from, rather than pass by, the big, brown beasties.

One year old!!!

Recently a friend asked if we would have taken on TG if we had known how big he was going to get. Who can tell? When you buy a dog as a puppy you're not quite sure how big their going to become but you have the opportunity to train them in your ways from the start. On the other hand when buying a dog from a Rescue Centre size is less unpredictable but behaviour is very uncertain.

We knew that TG was going to be bigger than breed standard and had some idea of his potential size. He is bigger than any dog we've had before but we have had the opportunity to train him from the start. His training has gone OK, he is great fun, really good and we wouldn't change him or anything about him. He is the happy, fun-loving, amusing, thoroughly nice dog that it said on the tin.

There are inevitably hiccoughs. Recently we have lost him four times up in the hills near the house. He just sneaks off, then you see the deer running across the field, then you see TG following in hot pursuit. No amount of whistling or calling can break his concentration - it's his nature as a scent hound to follow the scent of large game. I have left him behind, come home, then walked back to meet him coming down the hill when he has either lost the scent or the deer has gone to ground. We have had the telephone call. "We have your dog. He's in the front garden looking lost." and have gone to collect him. 

The dog is quite unrepentant however so we have stopped taking him on that particular walk at the moment until the deer go higher up into the hills. 

He loves to cuddle and despite his size will climb onto a convenient lap given half a chance.

Sometimes his habit of eating the junk mail can be useful but recently he ate one side of a Christmas Lunch menu that a colleague had ordered. It was really embarrassing for PL to have to ring the person and explain the situation - made even worse as the person had forgotten what he had ordered!!!

TG also ate the 'don't want it' side from a Boden order causing the use of lots of sellotape. The Boden staff must have had a laugh at the explanation for the state of the returned form.
We hope that TG's mum would be as proud of him as he is of her with her exceptional winning ways in the show ring that we read about. TG has a lot to live up to and, one year on, he is doing very nicely thank you.

Full of Testosterone.

Let me tell you the tale as PL told it to me.

"I (PL) was walking on the usual round and let TG off at the top of the hill. TG ran on ahead but disappeared behind the lake. I went looking for TG but he crossed the stream at the back of the lake and went into the garden of M.&L. I (PL) ran round into the garden of M.&L. only to see TG leave said garden, cross the stream, go round the lake to 'visit' with some doggy buddies. I caught up with them but TG ran off again before I could collar him."

Pause for breath.

"TG ran into the field adjacent to the one I (PL) and TG were aiming for. I called and whistled TG but when TG came back he couldn't get through the gate. I (PL) had to put down the umbrella and lead so that I could climb the gate. I caught TG and threw him back over, fortunately TG waited so we (PL and TG) went straight back home."

They (PL & TG) arrived back home soaked to the skin. PL dried himself and TG, who was  banished to the kitchen. TG and PL both then had their evening meal. 

The next day TG and PL went to the Town Centre to undertake various 'errands'. At the Post Office PL tied TG up to a sturdy, wooden bench. After a couple of minutes waiting in the queue a man rushed in to the PO.

 "Is that your dog outside?" "He's pulled the bench across the road!!!"

TG had single-handedly (or quad-pawdly) dragged the bench across the road, fortunately without causing an accident. It took the collective strength of PL and another man to carry the bench back. The story is reaching legend proportions in the town already.

 TG is having a lot of fun at the moment which means not a lot of fun for AF and PL. AF had to leave him on the hill alone again. TG decided that as he had had such fun before he would disappear at the same spot again. AF once again whistled and called him for 10 - 15 minutes but to no avail. PL once again went up the field to rescue him and bring him home!! Since then TG has not disappeared again but watch this space.

At the moment he is sick and bad again after eating 'goodness knows what' on the field. TG decided that a little piece of cooked chicken and rice would be just about right for his tummy.

Note to self. Make a vet's appointment for TG to be .....................



Disappearing dog.



Back for a treat.

Having good days and bad days.

Good Days.

Consistently coming back to AF when the whistle is blown.

Not jumping up on people.
Just being a dog.
Playing with other dogs but coming back to AF when called.

Bad Days.
Disappearing into the woods and not returning when whistle blown.
Throwing new plants and earth all over the garden.

Digging huge holes in the garden.

A 'sort of' sorry TG drying off in his crate.

Today is a really bad day. AF has had to come home without him.

TG was being very good. He was chasing various scents, as is his wont, but always coming back for a treat. Coming down the hill TG decided to follow a particularly delicious scent and he just vanished. AF stood for 10 minutes calling and whistling but of TG there was no sign.

It's a difficult decision to leave a dog behind but there was no choice so here I am, at home, without TG. Oh Dear!!

PL has gone to look for him and it's raining!!

TG is now back home only a little bit chastened after waiting at the top of the hill for someone to rescue him!!!

Earlier in the week TG was sick, diarrhea-y and feeling bad. A visit to the vet and £50 later he had perked up and was back to normal. How do dogs manage to do that?

Going on long walks!!!

I have been quite impressed at TG's behaviour this week. Twice he has managed to ignore a group of cows in a field leaving them alone to peacefully graze. (Pity he didn't do the same with a group of sheep that he did investigate a little bit - but as he wasn't with AF it doesn't count?)

AND THEN

as AF and TG went through another field that had two big, round, pink pigs in I did anticipate a bit of trouble - they are rather attractive to an innocent puppy. However, to TG's credit, he only showed a mild interest by dancing in front of them both and running round in circles for a little while before prancing off with a nonchalant air. (AF was jumping up and down whistling, at the end of the field, at the time!). So good dog!!!

By the end of the week however, he had had enough of being good and naughtiness took him over.

Part of the reason was the late hour that he gets his walk at the weekend. PL takes him at 11 am  rather than 9 am, so the devil makes work for idle (doggy) hands (paws) whilst TG is waiting.

As usual AF was multi-tasking so as well as gardening on Saturday she was also knitting an upside-down Cinderella Doll for the Youngest Granddaughter (YGdd). TG was out and about - doing a bit of gardening - in and out of the house - minding his own business - you get the picture?? After a while PL came into the garden to say to AF "When you have tidied up out here I suggest you go inside and sort out your knitting."

Shock, shock horror. TG had had a wonderful time tossing balls of wool about, weaving multi-coloured spiders' webs all around the house and unravelling the precious knitting. Needless to say AF was not happy and spent the rest of the day sorting it all out and rewinding wool.

The wool and knitting is now 'up high'.

What a bad dog? What a careless AF? 

AF was not really paying him back but she did skim the fur on his bottom a bit close with the shears tonight. It was very matted (!) and he wouldn't let me brush or comb it (!) so I attacked it a bit with the doggy grooming kit. Ooops!

TG won't come anywhere near AF at the moment so lots of bribing is going on to persuade TG to like AF again!!!

Catching up.

TG is convinced that he needs to catch up with all the dirty, messy, exciting 'stuff' that he would have done if he hadn't been enjoying himself on his holidays.

AF took him to the beach on Friday. Whilst my back was turned clearing up poo TG took off. He was out of sight. No amount of whistling and/or calling his name brought him back. AF eventually spied him down on the beach. TG, however, was not to be caught. So a bit of a chase ensued in which AF got close enough to call TG so TG ran further down the path. He was having a great time and was uncatchable until we met another dog. I know, I know that  the doggy books tell you not to chase as it becomes a game and it did, for 15 minutes, after which time he settled down and became an examplary dog. Coming when called, chasing a stick, running from the waves, digging in the pebbles, eating seaweed and whatever else dogs do on the beach.

At the weekend PL walks TG and he also had a lot of fun playing chase for a while until TG decided that he had had enough and was ready to be a good dog. It's very tiresome and time consuming. Hope he stops doing it soon.

He's back!!

The Dog (TG) has been on 4 weeks holiday. We took him to a Pets at Home establishment where the dogs, up to four, live with the people and play with the other dogs all the time. He has had a large paddock and garden to run in and has come home exhausted.

The Pets at Home family thought he was lovely and every one who visited or dropped off their dog asked the inevitable question "What is he?"

Anyway back home with his boring owners he decided to liven things up a bit. Unfortunately for TG he doesn't cover his tracks very well so the chewed slipper on the grass, the hole dug in the flower bed and the chewed and empty sand filled door stop do rather give the game away. It was definitely a 'getting his own back' day.

PL took him out for a walk as usual. TG decided that as someone had picked up their dog's poo in a bag but had left it hanging, like a christmas bauble, in the hedge that he would do the honours and clear it up. Unfortunately this meant TG running round the field with it in his mouth with PL in hot pursuit. What's new??

TG had not forgotten about rolling in cowpats either so he came back dirty and smelly - just like old times - for a hose down and bath - just like old times!! It's as though we've/he's never been away.

At the moment TG is in the garden doing his 'meet and greet' routine. He sticks his through the fence and all his doggy buddies come and have a chat. He's a funny dog!!!

AF met a neighbour this morning and we discussed the merits of TG. He's a 'nice chap' said E. and I think that about sums TG up. He's a 'nice chap'.

All alone again!!

"Let me in!"

TG's best buddies the LS (Lovely Staffie) and the EGs (Eldest Grandson) have now left so we have had a very miserable dog all week. TG hasn't been really bad just a bit grumpy and upset.

EGs had been coverting three last pieces of special chocolate all week and looking forward to eating them on the journey back home. TG found them first, however, so only the empty wrapper was left. OH dear!! Unfortunately TG didn't suffer any ill effects from so much human chocolate.

This week TG has had 'the treatment'. Not only the worming tablets but also the anti tic and flea drops. AF skimmed off some of his coat and spent some time cleaning out his ears so no excuse when he ignores me on the field!!

Waiting for a chat with his mates.

TG has regular doggy callers at the garden that he has a chat with. Usually TG puts his head right through the fence whilst lying across my vegetable patch and the other dog pulls his/her owner over to meet and greet TG.

There's a delightful brown and white spaniel who has been a friend for a long time, a stunning flat haired retriever that is learning to like TG better as time goes by, a beautiful golden retriever with a devoted owner who also likes TG. TG's newest friend is an interesting lurcher who couldn't get on with our previous dog but likes TG a lot. TG has various other more casual callers too numerous to mention but they all have a quick chat through the fence before being hurried off by less than understanding owners.

The garden is once again taking on the appearance of a rather untidy and unloved public park. TG likes to chew, chase, run with and destroy empty plastic bottles. As fast as I clear them up he finds more to spread liberally around. AF feels a 'tip run' coming up for PL.

This morning we (AF and TG) had the beach to ourselves once again as the Summer visitors have all flown away. We had a splendid time - wind, rain and a rough sea. TG got wet and muddy as usual in the reed bed but he was very good at coming back to the whistle even when tempted by other dogs and stuff to roll in. He also really liked the treats I had - left over roast potatoes. Yummy.

Just like any other GBGV.

TG has a short term memory problem. He forgets that if he rolls in squishy mud, cow pats, fox/badger poo or any other delicious glutenous 'stuff' he gets the resulting indignity of baths, soapings and/or hosing down with cold water. Not a virtuous circle!

TG asleep with EGs.

The week for AF has been a bit of a blur. For TG it has been heaven as, not only his favourite friend EGs (Eldest Grandson) has come to visit, but also TG's favourite doggy buddy, an LS (Lovely Staffie), leading to lots of rollicking, rolling and chasing fun in the garden and house.

Watching TV.

.

On Sunday both TG and the LS competed in the local Dog Show leading to rosettes all round. What super dogs.

TG with his rosette.

TG really proud of the LS.

We met another Long Legged GBGV (Grand Bassett Griffon Vendeen) at the Dog Show so instead of the usual discussion around 'What is he?' we compared notes and discussed  the various 'attributes and foibles' of the breed and our dogs in particular. It was good to learn that their dog has the same naughty habits as ours but that, like TG, their dog is living up to the 'happy breed' tag.