Rocky the Otterhound: Rainy days and Sundays .................

This week has seen a continuation of natures experiment - How much water can we get on this little island before it sinks!!! Yes, we have had rain, more rain and still some more rain - ho hum, isn't this time of year a joy? One of the problems of bad weather is how to keep a teenage Otterhound amused? It's not that he gets destructive if bored, or tries to dig his way out through a wall (we have had dogs that have done this) -it's just the guilt factor. Otterhounds are very adaptable and will relax, sleep or whatever if there is nothing much going on - but Rocky has our number and has developed the "oh woe is me" sigh, gets us every time! You can't get out a jigsaw or paper and crayons for him, so what do you do?!


Well there is always musical instruction ................




There is the how well can you sing game, best played during the day when everyone else living close is at work. Rocky is getting quite good at this and has amazed us with the tunefullness and strength of his singing. It does tend to get him very excited though and always seems to end in some sort of a mad fit. So not the kind of amusement to indulge in if you are not feeling up to a bit of a chase around the room.




So we tried musical instruments - this is Rocky practising for the didgereedoo. We have one up in the loft and once we have perfected the blowing technique with him, intend to let him have a go!! How long will that be do you think?






Then there is the "listen with mother" tactic - find a good adventure story, particularly if it has a dog as the hero (Lassie is always worth a try) and see how long you can keep his attention.




As you can see his attention was grabbed ......................




Difficult photo to get this one, again my kung Foo skills came in handy - how to read a book with one hand and focus a camera and snap a piccy with the other. There are several skills you learn as a youngster that you can't imagine ever using ............... just goes to show!




Admittedly we had several false starts and Rocky seemed more interested in how the book tasted after a while, but it did amuse him for a short while.

As you may remember, Rocky is a budding impressionist - so why not use this skill ..............


How about a game of charades?


Rocky does tend to watch the same sort of films as us, well, as he hasn't learned how to use the remote yet, he has to!


Took me a few minutes but I got this one ..............




Silence of the Lambs" - he's Hannibal Lecter of course!!




During the long dark evenings, there is nothing he likes better than a bit of sparring with Dad.




He does tend to take advantage of his Dad's reluctance to get off the sofa, and we all know that extra height can be an advantage in boxing!




If he keeps this up he may make it professionally ..............






He is of course a "south paw" !!!!!!









Now that Rocky and Biskitt are both aware that escape is not an option .............. we are continuing to bring Biskitt down in the evenings ............... there is always hide and seek!







This week has seen a further reduction in hostilities - really!!







There has been a bit of vague paw waving in Rock's direction but nothing too vengeful.




Biskitt has also had a few cuddles on my lap which she absolutely adores, but only in the evenings. Even before Rocky appeared she was always an evening lap cat. So my fingers remain firmly crossed.


After hide and seek there is generally a bit of manouvering for position -with Biskitt on the high ground of course. Rocky seems to have learned what agitates her and what doesn't, so he will make a few close passes with his head turned away but his eyes firmly on her. He will then settle down comfortably on the sofa and watch proceedings. At times she appears to be more interesting to him than the telly, particularly if she is moving, but he seems to be patiently waiting until she accepts him ............... what a star!




Finally there is always the good old fashioned rainy Sunday afternoon walk!





We have a variety of places to choose to take him, generally for his big weekly run we take him to one of many secure fields closeby.





He is still a bit of a gangly youth who runs like a baby horse (front legs going forward and back legs going out to each side) but he has such fun. His favourite times are if there is another dog or human being to play with. He still doesn't do the tearing about like a lot of his dog mates, but thoroughly enjoys a run alongside with frequent paddy pawing in the vague direction of his playmate .......................... and what a smile he has on his face.








When its time to come home again he does his "wet but Noble" stance.

Always a good idea for a chap to end with a good impression, especially if there's a chance there might be some females in the vacinity!!

Much as we find him comical and get no end of pleasure and laughter from him, you have to admit he is growing up to be a good looking young fella!!