Sunday, 26 October 2008

Rocky the Otterhound: The GREAT Outdoors!

This week, outdoors has been a wonderful place for Rocky to be. Despite the occasional wet period, we have had glorious autumn sunshine which has seen Rocky and me making the most of the good weather.

To that end, we took advantage of the late afternoon sunshine to walk down the Butterfly Sanctuary path. I was surprised by the warmth of the sun, when sheltered from the wind, and Rocky was surprised to meet a new friend. This is Willis and he and Rocky had such a marvellous walk (?) together!



The two of them immediately hit it off and after a brief introduction – they were off into full play mode!

They were happy to just romp together …………….



And ambush each other after brief mad fits!


However, Willis’ owner produced a ball and Rocky (eager to have a jolly good run around) worked out that if he snaffled it, he could get Willis to chase him! So he did!!





Willis was no slow coach and would catch up to Rocky - going in for a rugby tackle!





After a brief roll around the two pals were off again - down the track they ran.






Backwards and forwards, they were having such fun. Occasionally they would calm down for a brief rest ……………. But the key word here is …. Brief!





Then it was back into wrestling and rugby tackles in order to gain mastery of the ball. What fun!




Occasionally Willis’ owner would manage to get the ball and give it a jolly good throw – miles it flew (well, nearly). Now Rocky, being an Otterhound, had worked out that if he let Willis do all the running to get the ball he could ambush him on the way back and get it that way. Saves effort you see – Otterhound problem solving that is!!

Problem is that Rocky didn’t factor in the fact that Willis (being of the doggy persuasion) would sometimes get side tracked by interesting smells and other doggy things. On these occasions Rocky had to forgo his cunning plan and do a bit of extra running in order to obtain his goal!




Willis had a plan as well it seemed; problem was it was much the same as Rocky’s! Get ball – Make friend chase you!!





It was soon time for another rest, so the two pals just meandered around and enjoyed being outside and having fun.



As it was their walk we decided to let them make the decision on where they would go ………… So, where the path broadened out into the countryside Willis thought it would make sense to turn around and play their way back to the cars.




Rocky, having agreed with his friends discerning choice, picked up the abandoned ball in order to be first to get his friend chasing him on the return lap.



I was surprised at how much running Rocky was doing, being a hound dog he usually reverted to the energy saving wolf lope as soon as possible! However, not to act totally alien to his nature; he was initiating more and more breaks into the much adored chasing game.


Aren’t dogs wonderful? Willis had the speed advantage and the ability to keep his speeding up for long periods; but knowing his fun was centred on Rocky he followed his lead with apparent pleasure. How nice is that?






Synchronised drinking was another twist in their game plan ………….. And appreciated by them both!






Getting closer to the cars and going home time, the two (and by now – the tired two) lapsed into more sedentary playing.






They continued to have fun right up till the last moment ……….. What a lovely afternoon for an Otterhound!!







Back home again …………. “Aw mum, turn off the camera now ………… I'm going to take a nap” ……….. And nap taking he did!!





In previous blogs I have mentioned that Rocky’s Otter is one of his favourite toys ………. I have also mentioned his cunning plan to get Mij to play with him by holding on to her toys in an effort to get her to chase him. Well ....... Mij (being a cat and therefore being sneakier) has taken to ambushing his toys when he is asleep and running upstairs to play with them before he can stop her! He hasn’t clicked on to this behaviour yet but he does look at us with confusion when we come downstairs with whatever collection of toys Mij has squirreled away that day!!

Mij has also learned that if Rocky has his attention elsewhere (when “dad” is eating, for example) she can slip in and give "full on kitten attack" to his legs - for ages, before he realises and turns to playfully get his legs back! Their behaviour is quite hilarious sometimes and you can really see the reasoning behind what they do! Both pets seem to have such a wonderful sense of humour and seem to have a grand and playful relationship!!



“Hello Rocky! Did you mizz me while I waz upstairz”?








“Rocky, Rocky - Can uz play I'z Spyz”?!
"Mez Firzt - zomezing beginning wiz D"!










“That'll be Dog then Mij".
"Not fair youz cheeted”!!







They have started to really relax together!
"Why is it that she's so tiny but it's MY head that has to hang off my sofa"?







In the evenings there is always at least one game. But if our Rocky has had a busy day it is sometimes hard work for Mij to get him to play!






And it is usually Mij who falls asleep first after a game …………
"Sigh, back to babysitting duty"!







But Rocky is usually not too far behind her ……….. Aaahh!!

"Scuz me, canz you get your big ed off myz ed pleaz"?





Rocky’s expedition this week saw him back on the plain exploring new ways to get to and from his favourite watering hole.







The sun would peek out from behind the cloud every now and then, it was warm and the autumn colours were beautiful ……….. A perfect day for a walk!






“Come on mum, I think it’s just over this rise …… Yippee”!







Rocky was right. However, the rain we have had this year still doesn’t seem to have filled it back up. There were a lot of cattle tracks around though (which Rocky just had to investigate) – maybe they just drank it all??!!!






So we walked to the nearby watering hole – that was even worse.
“Look mum ……… I can make mud wellies ……… Cool”!






Being not best pleased with the mud wellies I encouraged Rocky to walk in the long grass to try and clean them off ….. It didn’t work!






However realising my distress, Rocky went and stood in a nearby puddle to clean them off ……….. What a thoughtful Otterhound!!







Then it was back to soaking up the pleasures of a romp in the countryside.






Rocky enjoyed all the smells while I enjoyed the colours and the now shining sun! What a Lovely way to spend a morning!!






After being spooked by a pile of stones in the middle of nowhere – Rocky got the courage to go and give them a good sniffing ………What a brave Otterhound!?




Getting closer to the car (and the way home), Rocky is put back on the lead. But he was still enjoying his walk and the huge variety of interesting smells!








Arriving back at the car I realised that with all his sniffing about in the grass he had collected a fair few grass seeds and sticky burrs! He has, in fact, turned into Otterhound Velcro again!!






On our return home Rocky was groomed to within an inch of his life (well, not really but quite a bit)! Our hero then did what he does best …….. Night night Rocky, sleep well and dream sweetly!!

Sunday, 19 October 2008

Rocky the Otterhound: Big brother is watching you!

This week has seen a change of roles for our teenage hero. He has taken on some responsability within his pack (that's us), and seems to enjoy the whole idea. When he doesn't feel the need to undertake this responsability he happily reverts to being the big kid that he is!


Rocky often spends time in the garden - just mooching around and having a jolly good time. When not excavating for gold (or looking for Australia), he is very well behaved in his outdoor heaven and doesn't have a care in the world.







This week though, saw little Mij venture outdoors on her own (well more or less).








Rocky seemed a bit perturbed by the fact that she was out there without me hovering over her like some mother hen!

"What's this - the little thing without anyone to watch her!! Rats - I suppose I'm going to have to do it"!!!!





And do it he did ................ very well!!








There was even a brotherly kiss behind the rose bush!







Big brother kept such a careful eye on her that Mij began to feel safe enough to venture a little further into the garden than she had done before.




By the time she had been out for half an hour big brother felt it was safe enough to just hover closeby with one eye on her.

Mij felt secure enough to start playing .............."Look at me Rocky .............. I'm an otter ................... bet you can't catch me"!!!

And she was right - as she tore around the lower part of the garden and in and out of Rocky's legs - she was going so fast that Rocky didn't even try! He is learning you know!




Every day Rocky is learning ............ His daily walk across the downs sees him having fun and stretching those long legs!







He happily trots along to the end of the byway looking forward to todays lesson.







Todays lesson (like evey day's) is about safety ....... sit and wait until you are called - at every road!! No matter where the rest of the pack are Rocky waits!






No matter where the road is ............ Rocky waits!










Rocky normally recieves a treat for remembering his lessons, but on a weekend "dad" gives him a special treat for being such a clever Otterhound!




After his weekend walk and treat our clever Otterhound, Rocky, relaxes knowing he has done a good job!








This week Rocky's expedition saw him meeting up with his friends Sparky, Daisy and Ludo!







Rocky was very happy to see them and they were all rather excited at going out to somewhere new!





The four pals met up with other walkers .............. a lot of other walkers!
As Ludo is a Labradoodle we're all going for a walk with the "Labradoodle and friends" group!





Rocky, being an easy natured sort of guy and very friendly, took time out to meet as many new friends as possible.




Then everybody set of for a lovely walk in the New Forest. The weather was beautiful and the autumn colours in the forest were a grand sight!







Rocky gambled about like a spring lamb (click on the photo to see a bouncy Otterhound)!






When "dad" had his back turned our hero was off - looking for his preferred place at the front of the (enormous) pack!





Due to the size of the group we decided to put Rocky back on his lead as we were unable to keep a close eye on him. Rocky didn't mind - he was too busy happily soaking up the new smells, sights and sounds!





There was always someone closeby if he wanted a chat anyway; and of course his three pals too.







Rocky was so good that "dad" gave him a treat .......... then of course "dad" made some new friends too!




Every so often Rocky would get totally engrossed in the scents of the forest ......... his three friends would wait patiently and then we would all move off again to catch up with our new companions.





Our path crossed a small bridge across a refreshing stream .............. most of the group stayed a long time here as the dogs played with the water!



Even our hero went for a paddle!
He didn't seem impressed by the Labradoodles that were running and jumping into the deepest part and having a jolly good swim!!


Sparky joined him in the shallow end.
"Don't worry old man - I don't believe in getting wetter than you have to either"!!!





Gradually all the dogs took thier turn at getting wet - us grown ups spent the time chatting and swapping stories of fun and games with our dogs.






As we moved off from the bridge Rocky took time out to say hello to some of the dogs he hadn't met up with before.






Onwards we walked, through the sunlit autumn colours with a warm breeze on our backs.









Slowly the group spread out, we decided to just take our time and let the four pals have time to explore thier new surroundings.




Labradoodles were running backwards and forwards all the time and Rocky had such fun meeting them .............
"Hello" said the Labradoodle, "do you like my new haircut"?
So that's what a Labradoodle looks like with no clothes on (so to speak)!

Our little pack of four kept in close contact as we went along .............
"Hi Rocky, will you play with me later"?





As we reached the longer grass (Rocky's favourite) our hero was feeling play time approaching and looked around for a pal!






"Hey Sparky .......... wanna play"?
Sparky didn't!!!



So Rocky decided to lay down and wait for play to come to him ...............
It did!!!!




Ludo, being the youngest, always wants to play. Which is one of Rocky's favourite things!!






Post play; Rocky considered our suggestion of moving on .....................





Most of the Labradoodles had gone on ahead as our little group were happily tired. We tempted them onward with the promise of treats to come (just like the kids when they were young - nothing changes really)!




Back at the car park Rocky's friends got thier treats ..............





And Rocky did too .......................
It was still such a lovely day we decided to go and find a pub and let the grown ups have a treat too!! So we put the roof down on the car and set off. Rocky was having such a great time he sat in the back with his head thrown back and sang his happiness nearly all the way there!

At the pub we met up with some of the Labradoodles and everyone was so keen to say hello again!
"which way will I get to say hello quickest? I know, I'll go through her rather than around - much quicker - what a good idea"!!!

On leaving the pub and heading back to the car for home, Rocky met up with a New Forest pony!

"Oh cool - this one isn't as big as the ones at home ...... I can show how brave I am by saying hello"!
No, Rocky isn't usually that brave with the big guys!!


That evening saw Rocky on the downs again, taking in the beautiful sunset! He does often just stand or sit and look - I imagine that he is enjoying the sights and smells of nature in just the same way as we do!





Back at home little sister Mij is cruising for a game .................




"Ha, got you big tail thing"!!
"Ok Mij - that's it - I'm just going to have to pull you over here and ..........






"Groom you to within an inch of your life"
Wel, Ok, he didn't do it to within an inch of her life, but you get the idea!



So tired after such a busy busy day .............
Rocky had a wonderful time and so many events to relive in his mind ...................
Night night Rocky, sweet dreams!