Rocky the Otterhound: Presents and Christmas walks

Rocky has celebrated his first Christmas as a member of our family!

He became a little impatient on Christmas morning, when we all insisted on getting up and dressed before we opened the presents around the Christmas tree!

He wouldn't take his eyes off of them and his nose crept ever nearer to the chocolate Santa's!!

But he was a star, apart fom knocking one chocolate Christmas Santa on the floor (repeatedly), he waited until we were all ready to dive in and see what Santa had bought us!!

Rocky was as polite as ever when accepting the gifts secreted under the tree ................... If he had woken during the night, I'm sure he would have been the one to offer Santa a cup of tea and biscuit.

But as things were Rocky had been well remembered this Christmas; so he must have been a good boy!!

There are some who like to carefully unwrap presents in order to preserve the paper for prosperity, there are some who like to rip open the wrapping in as fast a time as possible .................... then there is Rocky!!

Rocky liked to ensure that he had everyones attention before beginning his investigation into the contents of a present. He would proudly display his gift to all, parade it around the room for a while until he was sure that all attention was on him ................... then set about ripping the wrapping to shreds. Where possible he also liked to spend time chewing the paper, in order to identify how expensive it is Perhaps??!

Eventually, like the rest of the family, all his presents were opened. He had squeeky toys, treats to eat, decorations to wear and a posh new dog towel .................... all in all he did very well this year!

The present which seemed to get the most attention from him though appeared to be his fluffy, "quacking" duck.

This may have been because it resembled Sparky's favourite toy (he had been drawn to it the moment Sparky came to stay), or it may have been the fluffy body and different noise it made when chomped?! Whatever the reason, it has remained a firm favourite so a big well done to Santa for finding it for him.

Rocky had a good day with all the family together, our neighbours (who have been part of the family for many years) were also able to take part in the gift giving and revieving.

So, with visitors, good neighbours and family members Rocky's pack has become extended. Like any good and loyal pack member, he has taken it all in his stride and enjoyed everyones company and attention for as long as they cared to give it.

Also like the rest of us, he was able to take a good long nap after a very enjoyable Christmas feast!

Traditionally, after the excesses of Christmas day comes the fresh air walk, a biggy, in order to try and reduce the waistline to its pre-Christmas levels.

So we took Rocky to a local common. Loads of enclosed space, loads of other people with the same idea and a chance for fun and games.

Rocky was so happy to run and play, we wished he had recieved a red cape for Christmas as he could well have become "Super Dog" on the common!!

I don't remember seeing him without a smile on his face during that trip out.

The fact that the common had become home to "Super Mole" (note ALL the mole hills), did not detract from our enjoyment. In fact Rocky found that mole hills make digging very easy!

We happened upon a small ancient burial mound surrounded by a fence ..................... of what interest could this be to a young Otterhound you may think??

Well if you are going to play "Chase me - ring a roses" what better place than around a circular fence .................. equals out the odds you see, as no one (not even an Otterhound), can cut through the middle!

But as we are learning, you can't outsmart an Otterhound ......................



Rocky would run no more than half way round, at which point he would stop and gauge which way his opponent (Hubby) would go. He would then run the opposite way and ensure that Hubby was the only one who ran all the way around the fence!

After several rounds of this game the less intelligent (?) of the two decided he was just too tired to carry on; despite the fun that the onlookers were having!

Then it was a case of all taking a seat where ever possible while Hubby got his breath back!!

Rocky (the clown) although sat with the rest of us, didn't seem to be at all out of breath!

How do you outsmart one of these dogs??

Answers on a postcard please ....................

Lastly, can you guess which of Santa's presents Hubby really, really liked?

A clue ?........................

Hubby likes to collect T shirts!!