Rocky the Otterhound: Show's, hobbies and interesting walks

This week has seen a very busy Rocky enjoying many of his favourite things. The weather has mainly been wet but warm, however the odd occasional sunny spell has been used to full advantage.

You all know by now that Rocky occasionally takes part in shows to help raise funds for good causes; but are you aware of his hobbies?

One of his favourite hobbies is ................... FOOD!!
Although he has been taught not to beg at meal times, occasionally his expert smelling ability gets the better of him and he just can't help himself!!

"Hi dad, remember I'm here .................... And you love me"!!





"Sorry Rocky ....................... You're just going to have to wait"!!









"Doh! And I thought I was the apple of your eye"!!






Later that day was his opportunity to shine ............. Another show!

He met up with all his friends before they were due to display.





They had time for a quick practice - of the doggy "formation flying" at least.











Then it was time to make thier way to the show ring.











Despite the weather there was a large crowd, all looking forward to seeing the dogs do thier thing!








Our hero and his friends marched out to give thier public a good show!








They all got into line ................. Ready ................ Steady ................... Go!






And they were off ...........

Doggy formation flying first ...................







All thier performance is taken from the disciplines of good scialisation ................. these exercises enable the dogs to walk past and through humans and other dogs .................. without distraction or any fuss.

Then there is the sit (unattended) and recall.

Rocky is good at this (on show days) but does tend to get a bit distracted if watching his mates!

He still gets a big well done and lots of fuss though!

He is, after all, still a baby really!!

This time he also took part in the long jump

.............................

Look at him go!!

Well done Rocky!!!

After the clever advanced trained dogs do thier thing - Rocky gets to come back in to do his favourite bit ...................... TUNNELS!!!

"Dad" could hardly keep up with him he was so excited!!

He likes going through the soft tunnels every bit as much as the rigid ones.

He also like to jump over the hurdles ............

They are not really a challenge for him but he gets a lot of fun out of it ..............

And who knows where it might lead in the future!?

"Ok dad, now we've just about finished this - what's next? I want to keep playing"!!

When it was time to leave the show ring Rocky was still full of beans and eager for more excitement!

So we took him around the show field.

As the show was raising funds for the local "Dogs Trust" the field was full of dogs! Big ones and little ones and all the others in between!!

These were some of the big ones he met - Great Danes.

He even met a wolf!!!!

Ok, it's not a real one but he really looks like it don't you think?

He also met a Spinone, many people mistake him for one of these but as we know he is English, not Italian!

Even though this one had had a haircut you can see why some people get confused!

As a present for doing so well in the display we let him take his pick of fluffy toys on offer ................

He chose a big fat Marmalade Cat .........

And he loves it!!

He also got to play with one of his friends from the training club .................... Yipee!!

They roughed and tumbled and had a great time.

"Get off, you're tickling me ....................."

Well done to Rocky and all the dogs taking part in the show, it was really good and a lot of people got a lot of pleasure out of it. They also helped to raise funds for a very good cause!

Another hobby is playing with his toys ................

He seems to get very attached to one or two of them ..........

He loves squeeky toys and he loves fluffy toys - put them together and you have a winner!!

Here he is with his birthday present - his Otter ...........

Loves it!!

Curiosity can't be described as a hobby I suppose, but he certainly wants to make sure he doesn't miss anything .................... "Was that a food bag I heard you rustle"?

Then there's the "Did I hear you talk about food"?

"For me"?

Put it all together ....................

"Aha, a TV dinner ............... it looks and smells delicious ............. is it for me"?

Then, of course, there are lovely long walks.

This weeks expidition saw us explore one of the many Bridleways around us.

This is a lovely one ................

The air was warm and there were butterflies and bees all around.

This bridleway narrows down as you venture though it and then there are some lovely surprises around the corner ..................

Here we go ....................... The start of the tree tunnels!!!

Rocky makes sure we are following on behind.

Then its off towards the coolness of the tunnels.

What a picture perfect place to go for a walk!!

So much to sniff at and explore, Rocky had to run to catch us up!!

And what does a happy dog do at the end of a long and very pleasant week?

That's right .................... sleep well Rocky!