Rocky the Otterhound: Wow that's weather (?) and family ties

I think Rocky has been growing again this week ..............................

He has indulged in his daily walking routine and played a bit; and eaten lots ....................

................ and slept ...............LOTS!

He has also laid claim to one of our sofa's! This is used purely for serious growing which is mainly manifest by very, very serious sleeping.

Due to his self indulgent growing fest, there is not a mass of interesting events to relay this week. However, there are a couple which I would like to share.







On our walks Rocky has experienced the joys of British weather, and early winter weather at that!

He has walked in rain, he has walked in wind, he has walked in the dark (anything after 4pm) and he has had several walks in his favourite type of weather (so far) .................. bright sunshine and hard frost! He still hasn't stopped his bouncy reaction to frost by the way, he is still just like a kid on a trampoline (but without the trampoline)!


This week though, Rocky was initiated into even more variety of weather. Whilst walking in the dark, in the rain, we had a sudden hard, fast, shower of hailstones. Rocky doesn't like hailstones, he doesn't do hailstones ...................... no amount of ressurance would get him to walk any further. We both stood there, me with my knees bent in order to shelter Rocky under my umbrella until the hailstones stopped! Did I feel a plonker?! Well just a bit, but it was either that or end up with a dog intent on strangling himself on his lead as he wound himself round and round my ankles.

The hailstones didn't last for long I'm glad to say. Rocky was enticed out from under the umbrella and we walked home! But of course to get him out on his next walk took some effort!!!

Rocky also went to visit his sister this week ............................. This is Duchess, a real cutie!!Rocky and Duchess got on like a house on fire, they were so happy to see each other. After initial greeting it was time for some serious playing ...........................

They played outside ...............








Ok, you go and hide ...................... I'll count to 30!














Found You!!!




You can come out now ...................... my turn to hide!










This is how you walk when you're an Otterhound ............................... No no, get your tail up lad!!






Look Sis, if do this with my head, my ears take off ......................... if I do it hard enough will I fly?
Then they played indoors .....................







You're right! .................... Your Dad does taste nice!!










That's really funny, I turned round to kiss you just as you turned round to kiss me ..........





Hey, what's that sudden bright light??





Then they went outside to play again!!






















Eventually .............................








They came back in again, and like any younster,
they wanted a snack after using up so much energy .......................








Please Miss, can we have a snack? We are a little peckish!












Synchronised sitting .....................


a favourite game ........................ !!









Finally .......................







Puppyhood and Otterhound (?hood!?) won the day and they both settled down for a well earned rest.











Rocky slept all the way home!!








Last words this week are that some say that Otterhounds are pack animals ............... of course they are, that is not in any doubt. But if you think about it, all dogs are pack animals, its just that now .............................. we are Rocky's pack.


I have yet to find any way that bringing up Rocky has been different from bringing up any other pup, except perhaps the amount of effort you have to put in to entice him off the soffa for a walk! But that may just be Hound (?hood!?). I love it!!

Rocky the Otterhound: Rocky to the Rescue

This week our Rocky is a hero! He has ventured out and found an abandoned orphan who would have died without his help.


Rocky pulled on his lead while out (something he rarely does) and would not be dissuaded from the path he wanted to take ............... he led me straight to this slow, wobbly little might.








Harry the hedgehog (yes its a boy, I checked) was cold and dehydrated, his mummy is probably hibernating and the last litter of the year left to fend for itself. This is common with hedgehogs, but this little fellow was lucky! Rocky wasn't keen on letting him die.










Little Harry was only 6oz in weight and would not have survived the winter, or hibernation.













So we gave him some puppy food, Rocky gave him lots of love and kisses, and took him to our local wildlife hospital. Where he would be hydrated, kept warm and safe and released next spring!







Well done Rocky!!

We knew Rocky was going to grow up to be a large dog ...................... we now know he is going to be one of lifes gentle giants!! That's my boy!!

This week we have also had some wonderful bright sunny days with hard Hore Frost, beautifully cold and bright! Rocky has therefore been introduced to frozen grass .................... have you ever seen a playful baby horse?? All legs and bouncing about like a crazy thing!

Yep, that was Rocky; he jumped in the air (a lot), twirled around (a lot), tried to bite the grass (a lot) and ran like a thing posessed. He had such fun and, apart from the effort of us oldies trying to keep up with him, so did we. We really hope we get snow this winter, he'll go nuts!! I want to have a snowball fight with him .......... fingers crossed!

Rocky has been very busy this week and as a result has been very tired at times.

It was my week for cleaning windows, especially the patio doors which were covered in muddy nose prints (inside and out). Rocky found this work fascinating, and thought he'd lend a hand.

Everywhere the cloth went (within reach) rocky's nose followed, so I went over it again ................. and so did rocky! Not to be beaten I then decided to wipe with a dry cloth immediately I had gone across an area (before his helpfulness got a look in)! Rocky was so impressed by the clean clear glass he proceeded to wash it himself again, with big doggy licks!! Ah well, at least they're not muddy anymore!

The cold war between Rocky and Biskitt continues, although there have been episodes where they have got reasonably cose to each other ...................

The rules are still the same, she can go where she wants and look as much as she can, poor Rocky on the other hand can stay as long as he doesn't make eye contact. If he should it'd be the hissy fit and paws of claws ........................ he doesn't seem to mind anymore though but I think he gets confused by the whole issue as everyone elso loves him??!!

Lastly, Rocky had a small set back this week which was entirely my fault. Being so keen to socialise him to everything ................... I'd forgotten about the humble lamp post. Whilst out on a walk Rocky decided to go one way round the post while I went the other. Suddenly realising something was wrong when the lead went tight and he could go no further he started to panic. No amount of cajoling would bring him back round the post so I started to follow him.

Big mistake!!! As I turned and travelled round to him, he became concerned that I was going away so pulled forward to follow me. The result was both he and I walking round and round this lamppost like a pair of numpty's! Thank goodness it was dark as we must have looked very odd! Rocky began to get concerned, his ears went down and he started to wimper .................. psychological trauma was averted though as I burst out laughing, his ears went back up, he smiled and relaxed. Eventually after several hand swaps of the lead and managing to move faster than he, we were out of the roundabout and back on our way!

So, any puppy owners out there .................... don't dismiss the importance of good lamppost training!

Rocky the Otterhound: Autumn in England

Autumn mornings are dark and dreary; Otterhounds have a propensity to become couch potatoes as it is, add in dark mornings and this picture shows what you get from Rocky at 7 am! This is he, excited about having breakfast and going for a morning walk??!!

Unlike other dogs we have known we have to show manic enthusiasm over morning food and "walkies" to even get his attention. Picture us jumping up and down saying "walkies" in highly excitable high voices (for a few minutes! ........ Yes, minutes!!) - eventually we are rewarded with a yawny look of tired wisdom that illustrates a "dear dear, poor things" frame of mind. I am beginning to wonder if he is here to help keep us fit or we are needed to keep him fit??

Still, it does result in a relaxed atmosphere in the mornings, you never get the feeling that you need to rush!

Autumn is almost over in this part of the world, the leaves have almost all hit the ground resulting in times when you are ankle deep in the things. Occasional high winds kick them up into a whirling frenzy ............................ this is the time you see real enthusiasm from Rocky. He will somehow pick out one single leaf from the hundreds swirling around, he then single mindedly runs around trying to capture the object of his attention. How he decides is anybodys guess but no other will do and fraudulent attempts to persuade him that the leaf you hold is his one will be met with nonchalant disdain. He always seems to get the one he wants (generally one with prickles on), my living room is sometimes a post modern arty display of the miriad colours of autumn. He gets great pleasure from paddy pawing them, picking them up and running around the room with them. Then, as suddenly as the mood took him to pick and play with his leaf, it is forgotten and left for the housekeeper (me) to clear up. I wonder if I could eventually train him to make collages (?), he could possibly make us both a fortune?

I don't want you to get the idea that Rocky only ever sleeps or chases leaves, far from it ........................... have a cup of tea and a biscuit and you have his undying and complete attention! This is the time that you have got him where you want him. It is where food is involved that Rocky appears to learn the quickest ............... he will now give you his paw on demand, will sit up and beg (we didn't teach him that one - I think he thought he would get his treat quicker if he looked real cute!), will even stay when let off the lead in a safe place .................... and the piece De Resistance ...................... he will walk off the lead and come when he is called!!!! Da Daaa !!!

I must clarify the last statment however, in that this has only happened in a secure place with no other distractions, but, I'm dead chuffed with it! He is still very young and I have no intention of trying it anywhere else at them moment, but treats and loads of fusses does work wonders. I am hopefull that by the time he is 18 months or so we can work on this particular behaviour with full attention.

We have had some cold but beautifully sunny days this autumn and Rocky has had new places to visit as a result. He has been taken down to the river walk and introduced to sheep. He was remarkably unmoved by sheep actually, he sat and watched them for some time (a thing he does very often, sitting and watching that is), then walked on as if they didn't even exist. I am not a dog psychologist or whisperer, or whatever, but he does make you think that he is a deep thinker ............... probably find that he is just thinking about bedtime though! A couple of times I did get quite close to one or two of them and tried to generate interest from Rocky but sheep are obviously not his thing, as although being within spitting distance Rocky was oblivious!

As always though, passers by had to stop and fuss him, all asking what breed he was. I have run out of fingers to count the amount of times couples have walked away from him with one or other saying to thier partner ......... "I want one"! Yet we are the lucky ones.

I remember Rocky's breeder saying that she thinks Otterhounds are one of Britains best kept secrets, I do agree as I don't think you can ever meet one without appreciating what they could add to your life!!

Anyway, futher on in our walk we went down to the rivers edge. Otterhounds / water = a match made in heaven you may think? Well, Rocky was interested in the ducks and the swans and the herons but water ............. NO! Throw sticks or stones in the water and you are met with a look of "what on earth are doing that for ..... Silly"! Hubby even tried the "gentle push from the back while making excited noises" trick, all to no avail ............. so, being a man and therefore not to be beaten .............. he picked him up and getly placed him (ankle deep) in the wet stuff! I can honestly say that I have never seen Rocky move so fast ......... he was out of there like a shot and up as close to the nearest tree trunk as he could get. You almost got the feeling that if you had tried to get near enough to him to try again, he would have thrown his front paws around the tree and held on for dear life!!

After a short discussion, it was decided to try again in the spring when the water was a little warmer. In the mean time we would make efforts to talk to him about why he was born with webbed feet!!

Otterhounds love people, as I'm sure I've told you before; they are renowned for prefering to greet a loved one by standing on thier back feet with paws on your shoulder and giving a big sloppy kiss. Well at 4 months old Rocky can't quite reach that high, but it doesn't stop him trying. Hubby can't wait for that time and takes delight in measuring how far Rocky reaches, this week. I must say I'm impressed, but being that bit shorter than my man am expecting Rocky to be able to pat me on the top of my head when he's full grown, just like my kids do!

Things are moving on a pace between Rocky and the cat ................. not a fast pace but a pace none the less!

On the whole they will ignore each other when in the same room, although you can tell Rocky is desperate to play with her. He is a cuddly sort of dog who loves a lap to lounge on and, surprisingly, so does the cat. When Biskitt is on my lap you can usually do almost anything with her and she'll put up with it gladly; Rocky seems to have worked that one out and so takes liberties when the chance presents itself.

Out of character, but Rocky didn't recieve a hissy fit with nose swipe for this infringement, maybe there is hope yet!

Lastly for this week, I have seen animals perform and am aware that they like us have many talents. Some help disabled people, some find victims of natural disasters and some have guarding or law enforcement skills! Rocky, I think, is an entertainer! He not only makes us laugh a lot but has branched out towards mimicry. Last week while playing with his catalogue T shirt he got himself in a bit of a pickle ................ then, while trying to pull various corners of fabric ended up in a worse mess ..................... but I think you'll agree he's done a very good impression of ......................................... Mother Teresa!!

Rocky the Otterhound: Contrariness and Mr Fawkes

Rocky has had another eventful week. After spending most of last week sleeping and growing, he began this week with exuberant energy which manifested itself in considerable mad playing fits and much barking of challenges to "Come and Get Me"!


Yes, we have had a hyper-playfull dog that has trashed the place with chewed up toys, plastic bottles and cardboard. Mind you, we have had to bandage our sides as a consequence of them splitting from so much laughter!!
If you can imagine a pup his size (still not quite able to control all four legs at the same time), trying to reach light speed whilst going round and round the coffee table and ALWAYS ending up in a heap on the floor wondering how that happened?!!!!



You see, Otterhounds are like kids with expensive new shoes - you are always telling them to pick thier feet up and stop scuffing them along the ground, but Otterhounds will never stop - it's what they do. Consequently, light speed inevitably leads to the body outrunning the legs, while the feet barely lifting off the ground produces a cause and effect syndrome ....................... the result is a meeting of Otterhound with ground - combined with an inability to give sympathy due to the tears of laughter running down your face!! I'm worn out!!




Do you remember the blog about how much of a poser Rocky is? Even if he does request some help from his friends ......................................

Well, it does appear that contrariness is not the sole privilege of small children. Both Rocky and the cat have decided that they will totally change thier behaviour (dammitt!). If I'd known they would both be reading this, I would have been more careful about what I included!!

Alongside turning into a canine dynamo, Rocky has suddenly decided to become camera shy!!!

Pointing the camera in his general direction, expecting a sudden "Canine Catalogue Model" pose to issue forth; I was thwarted by an instant and incomprehensible change of position - he produced a "run and hide" pose??!! Ok thinks I, let him sniff the camera, give lots of fuss and reassurance and we'll get down to business as usual ................. Nope, little toady has decided that this is the modus operandi for the moment! I say for the moment, as I'm hopeful that after reading this weeks blog Rocky will decide that he looks much better when able to undertake his catalogue model pose of choice.

The cat meantime, has chosen to accompany us in the living room (yes, she's downstairs!!!!!) most evenings!!!! I could have guessed a cat would try and show you up! I have a feeling Mr Fawkes had a little hand in it, around here people seem to have started celebrations (Guy Fawkes NIGHT?! Lots of fireworks and things) about Wednesday last week, and will probably continue until Tuesday of this. Biskitt (being a cat of well camoflaged bravery) has therefore decided that downstairs, with company, is the place to be when things are whizzing and banging outside your window.

Rocky has "appeared" to have learned not to investigate this round, strange smelling, member of the pack; in order to avoid a hissing fit combined with a bop on the nose. However, he does participate in the doggy sport of approaching whilst stolidly looking at something else - and taking sneaky peeps at the cat out of the sides of his eyes. With this rouse he can get quite close to his nemisis, yet is still far enough away to avoid the lashing of the "paw with sheathed claws"!! I told you Otterhounds were problem solvers ............................. I am awaiting, with baited breath, to see how he solves the problem of how to get the "Hissy Thing" to actually play with him?!

Another thing to thank Mr Fawkes for is the opportunity he has given us to try and socialise Rocky with lots of whizzy and bangy noises. He has his post teatime walk around 5.30 (ish) and, due to the proverbial changing of the clock syndrome, that we suffer from in this part of the world, it is generally quite dark by then. So of course since Wednesday last week we have been walking whilst enjoying other peoples firework displays. Rocky did begin his exposure with a few startled turns and several cuddlings of my legs, but after reassurance and fusses has settled to gentle disdain of all noisy fireworks. Well, I say all, he does still get confused by those ones that go up with a bang and then sizzle out lots of small lights (if you know what I mean?). Apart from that I can honestly say he seems easy to socialise with all sorts of things!


Rocky is also the least destructive puppy I have ever known! Sure he will destroy favourite toys like his flower pot (memo to self - find another flower pot), but he hasn't touched any furniture or furnishings. Shame, I was hoping for at least a new dining table and chair set out of him (I wonder which way he will act after reading this - to fulfill my wish or thwart me?)!!


To conclude; in desperation I tried to reignite his passion for modeling yesterday, by giving him something from the catalogue to model for me ..........................


In true contrary fashion he did decide to pose ............... but with his back to me ............................... the ultimate insult!!

Maybe he's just holding out for David Bailey?!!