A happy 2009 to you all, may it bring all you wish for. For Rocky it meant he was 18th months old, officially a big boy; but in his heart and his head he remains the eternal child. There is still another year before he officially “matures” and I am interested to see just what that word means for an Otterhound?! I suspect more of the same clown like love of life with the personality of an adorable child, but I guess we shall see!!! 
And they played!!
Notice how, being hound dogs, their preferred arena for play is in the most comfortable place in the house …….. The sofa!!
They may be many things but Otterhounds are not stupid!!
Playtime for our family members is invariably followed by a good sleep …….. How come it doesn’t work like that for us?
“Assuming the position” is definitely one of them ……
We quite understood this with Rocky, as males have a particularly deep chest, so comfort was a natural precursor to “The Otterhound at rest” position. However, Rosie (being a female of the species) doesn’t have the same physical build, yet “the position” remains the same! It is interesting little observations like this that keep me entertained you know; I am a mine of useless information like that!!
Rosie will fuss to be helped up with Rocky ….. And then it starts again!!
Although Rocky looks huge beside her, our beatiful boy is in fact a very gentle giant. The only squeals you will hear from Rosie are when he accidentally sits on her; and then it is just frustration at not being able to get out!!
Then it’s back to some well loved rest.
There are times when playing takes place at ground level; OK; they are not as often but they do happen.
I think Rocky tries to even out the odds a bit by being comfortable on the sofa …… they are more equal in size if he is lying down and Rosie is stood up.
Rocky teases Rosie to get her interested in a game (whereas Rosie will just walk up and bite him on the shins in order to start a chase)!
If we leave them to it Rosie will keep trying and ignore the disadvantage of not being able to get up with him.
“I really want this toy Rocky …… it’s too much fun for you”!
“Go on, let go” …..
Rocky will eventually leave the comfort of the sofa ….
“Nope, don’t think I’ll let you have this one …. It’s mine”
“Otterhounds can be obstinate you know and I am a good example”!!!! And so it goes on!!
There are times they look to each other for comfort; outside the house Rosie will stay close to Rocky. His huge presence seems to help her.
At times they comfort each other!
This picture shows them when the vacuum cleaner is in use; big brave dogs that they are!!!!
Hubby and I now feel our family is complete again. We have 2 cats and 2 dogs and life is full of fun and laughter.
We decided that this would be our total family after discovering that the furniture is now, in effect; at full usage! And yes, we are all very happy ….. And cosy ….. And warm!
“Do you wanna play with this Rocky”?
“Naw, let’s wrestle …… I like wrestling”.
Mij will often go out and join them, but it has been very cold lately and sometimes she prefers to just watch from the warmth of the house (how unlike cats?!).
When deciding that they want to come in, an orderly cue is formed.
Then Rocky, being the oldest, will call for someone to open the door …. And being well trained ….. Right on cue ….. The door is opened and in they come.
What an organised family we are!!
Yet more sleep!
Otterhounds have a great capacity for this and unless Rocky has something particularly fun to do he will happily keep up with Rosie’s sleep routine ….. Lazy hound!
In the last blog I alluded to Rosie’s propensity to plunder Rocky’s toys. I need to amend that … She is, in fact, a kleptomaniac!
Not only has Rocky learned to look in her bed for his favoured toy of the moment, but we tend to find household object missing and relocated to her bed as well! 
Rocky was excited as soon as we arrived at the meeting point, and so happy to meet fellow hounds.
Rosie came too but only as a spectator, I think she wanted to play with the big boys but it would be too much for her. Rosie was born into a working pack and so when she is older she will revel in a day of games. We look forward to the time both she and Rocky can enjoy themselves with this. 
So, as we waited for all to arrive, the two lads had fun and games and revelled in seeing each other again.
Eventually it was time to put our hounds to work. Rocky got very excited ….
As we were new to this, there was some tuition and practice to undertake.
“Daddy” was given instruction on how to lay a trail and Rocky’s first practice was to find “daddy”.
He did well for his first go but tried to use his eyes as well as his nose to find “dad”. But pretty good for a first try.
His next practice was to find someone else. By this time Rocky had clicked on to what the game was and was raring to go.
We thought he would enjoy it but were surprised at the level of joy he showed for the task. This is what Otterhounds are meant to do and he was gaining immense pleasure from being able to use his instincts to their full!
“Daddy” had a job to keep up with him as Rocky followed his nose to find his quarry. Rocky loved it!
He had done much better with his second practice.
Rocky and Morse had a few practice runs, as later in the day they would undertake their assessments.
Otterhounds are extremely amiable dogs and when “daddy” laid the next trail, Rocky was more than happy to let another owner take him while he used his nose.
When Rocky had tracked his “dad” down he wasn’t really interested in the treat his “dad” had for him. This is one game where enjoyment totally overrides his Otterhound love of food!! A thing we did not know existed!
Rocky was in his element and doing what Otterhounds do best …. Using their scent bones …… And having immense fun into the bargain!
Morse was first to be assessed and all the other hounds and owners waited patiently and wished him well.
On their return Morse had done well and received a congratulatory snuggle from Rocky.
“Well done bro, I heard you did very well! This is great fun isn’t it”?
It was then time for Rocky to be assessed and he and “dad” headed off to the start of their trail.
We waited at a distance as we were careful not to contaminate the trail. 
On our return home you can guess what our hounds did?!
Even a Mij, who wanted a game, couldn’t wake him ……
Night night Rocky …..
Have wonderful dreams of a full and exciting day!
Rocky’s New Year began much as any other day ……. There was the early morning watch for interesting events …..
Followed by a right good playtime with little Rosie …..
So they played …….
And they played!!Notice how, being hound dogs, their preferred arena for play is in the most comfortable place in the house …….. The sofa!!
They may be many things but Otterhounds are not stupid!!
Playtime for our family members is invariably followed by a good sleep …….. How come it doesn’t work like that for us?
In Rocky’s last blog I was able to point out similarities between Rocky and Rosie (the Otterhoundedness (?) if you will) despite differing personalities ……
“Assuming the position” is definitely one of them ……We quite understood this with Rocky, as males have a particularly deep chest, so comfort was a natural precursor to “The Otterhound at rest” position. However, Rosie (being a female of the species) doesn’t have the same physical build, yet “the position” remains the same! It is interesting little observations like this that keep me entertained you know; I am a mine of useless information like that!!
Their daily walks continue …… Rosie has become very business like with these – concentrating on the sights and the smells …. Well it’s all new to her. Our Rocky on the other hand tends to think of them as further opportunities for play, especially as he now has a permanent playmate. Rosie will indulge him a little but much prefers to get on with the job of taking in her new life!
However, having settled in well at home, the post-walk time is another matter ….
However, having settled in well at home, the post-walk time is another matter ….
Rosie will fuss to be helped up with Rocky ….. And then it starts again!!
Although Rocky looks huge beside her, our beatiful boy is in fact a very gentle giant. The only squeals you will hear from Rosie are when he accidentally sits on her; and then it is just frustration at not being able to get out!!
Then it’s back to some well loved rest.
There are times when playing takes place at ground level; OK; they are not as often but they do happen.
I think Rocky tries to even out the odds a bit by being comfortable on the sofa …… they are more equal in size if he is lying down and Rosie is stood up.
Rocky teases Rosie to get her interested in a game (whereas Rosie will just walk up and bite him on the shins in order to start a chase)!
If we leave them to it Rosie will keep trying and ignore the disadvantage of not being able to get up with him.
“I really want this toy Rocky …… it’s too much fun for you”!
“Go on, let go” …..
Rocky will eventually leave the comfort of the sofa ….“Nope, don’t think I’ll let you have this one …. It’s mine”
“Otterhounds can be obstinate you know and I am a good example”!!!! And so it goes on!!
There are times they look to each other for comfort; outside the house Rosie will stay close to Rocky. His huge presence seems to help her.
At times they comfort each other!
This picture shows them when the vacuum cleaner is in use; big brave dogs that they are!!!!
Hubby and I now feel our family is complete again. We have 2 cats and 2 dogs and life is full of fun and laughter.We decided that this would be our total family after discovering that the furniture is now, in effect; at full usage! And yes, we are all very happy ….. And cosy ….. And warm!
We are also aware of how lucky and privileged we are; 2 Otterhounds to share our lives with is an amazing thing. Daily we are amazed and amused by our family and to see the youngest 3 playing together is a treat! We look forward to many happy years of this and the future looks just rosy!
After turning our back garden into a Jurassic mud pit, playing in the garden is confined to the patio for a while (while we wait for the grass to grow again)!
“The kids” as we now call them are quite content and can play as happily as on grass.
After turning our back garden into a Jurassic mud pit, playing in the garden is confined to the patio for a while (while we wait for the grass to grow again)!
“The kids” as we now call them are quite content and can play as happily as on grass.
“Do you wanna play with this Rocky”?
“Naw, let’s wrestle …… I like wrestling”.
He's such a boy!
Mij will often go out and join them, but it has been very cold lately and sometimes she prefers to just watch from the warmth of the house (how unlike cats?!).When deciding that they want to come in, an orderly cue is formed.
Then Rocky, being the oldest, will call for someone to open the door …. And being well trained ….. Right on cue ….. The door is opened and in they come.
What an organised family we are!!
Yet more sleep!
Otterhounds have a great capacity for this and unless Rocky has something particularly fun to do he will happily keep up with Rosie’s sleep routine ….. Lazy hound!
In the last blog I alluded to Rosie’s propensity to plunder Rocky’s toys. I need to amend that … She is, in fact, a kleptomaniac!Not only has Rocky learned to look in her bed for his favoured toy of the moment, but we tend to find household object missing and relocated to her bed as well!
Still, adds interest to your day don’t you think?
This week’s expedition saw a great treat for Rocky. A trip to the New Forest to try his hand (so to speak) at Tracking and Trailing! We knew he would enjoy it but were to be surprised at how much!
The Otterhound club have started a league table where dogs are tried and ranked according to their ability, you can then challenge those ranked above you to try and climb the ladder. Great fun, great idea and a smashing way to meet up with other hounds and their owners!
This week’s expedition saw a great treat for Rocky. A trip to the New Forest to try his hand (so to speak) at Tracking and Trailing! We knew he would enjoy it but were to be surprised at how much!
The Otterhound club have started a league table where dogs are tried and ranked according to their ability, you can then challenge those ranked above you to try and climb the ladder. Great fun, great idea and a smashing way to meet up with other hounds and their owners!
Rocky was excited as soon as we arrived at the meeting point, and so happy to meet fellow hounds.
Rosie came too but only as a spectator, I think she wanted to play with the big boys but it would be too much for her. Rosie was born into a working pack and so when she is older she will revel in a day of games. We look forward to the time both she and Rocky can enjoy themselves with this. Rosie did however; enjoy the people, the hounds and the new place to visit.
Rocky was delighted to meet up with his brother Morse who like him was attending for the first time. As usual the two brothers got straight down to wrestling, something they both love, especially with each other ….. What fun!
So, as we waited for all to arrive, the two lads had fun and games and revelled in seeing each other again.
Eventually it was time to put our hounds to work. Rocky got very excited ….
As we were new to this, there was some tuition and practice to undertake.
“Daddy” was given instruction on how to lay a trail and Rocky’s first practice was to find “daddy”.He did well for his first go but tried to use his eyes as well as his nose to find “dad”. But pretty good for a first try.
His next practice was to find someone else. By this time Rocky had clicked on to what the game was and was raring to go.We thought he would enjoy it but were surprised at the level of joy he showed for the task. This is what Otterhounds are meant to do and he was gaining immense pleasure from being able to use his instincts to their full!
“Daddy” had a job to keep up with him as Rocky followed his nose to find his quarry. Rocky loved it!
He had done much better with his second practice.
Rocky and Morse had a few practice runs, as later in the day they would undertake their assessments.
Otterhounds are extremely amiable dogs and when “daddy” laid the next trail, Rocky was more than happy to let another owner take him while he used his nose.
When Rocky had tracked his “dad” down he wasn’t really interested in the treat his “dad” had for him. This is one game where enjoyment totally overrides his Otterhound love of food!! A thing we did not know existed!
Rocky was in his element and doing what Otterhounds do best …. Using their scent bones …… And having immense fun into the bargain!
Morse was first to be assessed and all the other hounds and owners waited patiently and wished him well.
On their return Morse had done well and received a congratulatory snuggle from Rocky.
“Well done bro, I heard you did very well! This is great fun isn’t it”?
It was then time for Rocky to be assessed and he and “dad” headed off to the start of their trail.
We waited at a distance as we were careful not to contaminate the trail.
Rocky did very, very well and his “dad” was surprised and amazed at how he had taken to it and how well he had done!
Rocky was extremely happy and loved every minute of it; we had had a smashing day and met some great hounds and owners! In fact a good day was had by all; even Rosie who spent the second part of the day asleep in the car had had a super time.
We await Rocky and Morse’s rankings and an opportunity to have another day like this. Congratulations to the organisers for a marvellous and well organised day and our thanks for total family enjoyment.
Rocky was extremely happy and loved every minute of it; we had had a smashing day and met some great hounds and owners! In fact a good day was had by all; even Rosie who spent the second part of the day asleep in the car had had a super time.
We await Rocky and Morse’s rankings and an opportunity to have another day like this. Congratulations to the organisers for a marvellous and well organised day and our thanks for total family enjoyment.
On our return home you can guess what our hounds did?!
Even a Mij, who wanted a game, couldn’t wake him ……
Night night Rocky …..
Have wonderful dreams of a full and exciting day!
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