Rocky the Otterhound: Spring has sprung, the grass is ris, no-one knows where the birdies is!!

Well spring is here at last and somehow our hounds seem to know it?! Rocky has had a smashing week and if it wasn’t for Rosie’s travel sickness (yes she is bad and yes we are working on it), we would have travelled further afield. But as it is, there is still plenty to do nearer home …….. So we did it.

Our thanks go once again to Kathy for her kindness in taking pictures during Rocky’s training evenings.

Here are our two little angels (?!) asking to go out to play on a lovely sunny day.

So off they went to their Jurassic mud pit to play ……

“Come on Rocky ……. Chase me”!

So they played …….

…… And they played ……

…… And they played some more.

“Aha Rosie …. I’ve got you now”!

“No, stop ……. It tickles”!!!

“Now what shall we do”?

“I know ……. Quick while Mum’s not looking” ……..

Ever had an idea why your grass hasn’t ris this spring?

Well we do ……… So they dug ……

…… And they dug ……

…… And they dug ……

In perfect unison!!

That’s how you become the proud owner of a Jurassic mud pit!!!

Our “angels with dirty faces”!!!!!!!

Bless?!

And …….. No one knows where the birdies is! But I think we know why they went there?!

What fun it is to have three young mischief makers!! Sigh!

Mind you, with all the fun they have had this week Rocky has certainly been snoozy in the evenings!!

Rocky also had his usual “bone day”.

Our Otterhounds love this day …..

…….. It keeps them occupied for hours …..

…… And they don’t get up to mischief!!

They don’t seem to expel so much energy on bone days though ……

……. So they tend to be more playful in the evenings …..

….. This is the time they practice their face wrestling skills …..

…… Somehow I think they have probably got as good as they can at this by now!

After all that effort they sleep well …..

……. The “double Otterhound” position!!

Rocky still goes to his training evenings, he loves the opportunity to meet all his club friends.

Rosie’s training is suspended until we get her travel sickness under control, poor love.

Rocky waits patiently while the owners are instructed in which practice they are going to undertake.

Rocky listens carefully to what “dad” wants him to do. Then, being an Otterhound, he decides if he wants to do it!!!!

“OK Rocky, the leads coming off “……

“Let’s get ready for recall practice” …….

“Tremendous effort Rocky …….. Well done”!

Rocky likes it when you tell him how clever he is!!!

Then there is a little display practice …..

The evening finishes with some “down” practice.

Rocky is always the last one down …….. Not because he is obstinate ….. But just because he is a laid back hound who doesn’t rush at anything.

It’s kinda cool to own such a laid back dog ……. If Rocky was a human he’d probably be a hippy!!!

This week’s expedition had to be close to home so we headed for the lovely butterfly path.

Rocky and Rosie get a treat each for being good hounds

Then it’s round the corner and head for the butterfly path.

This is my favourite part of the walk …… the buds on the trees are just beginning to bloom and the tree tunnel has a wonderfully fresh feel to it.

Just past the tunnel Rocky gets interested in what’s on the other side of the fence.

“Come on Rosie …… Let’s check this out ……. Looks fun”!

So the dynamic duo did some exploring of their own! Lovely wide open spaces!!

Before long we had reached the butterfly path and we all had a lovely stroll in the spring sunshine ……. Smashing!

Later that night everyone had a contented and restful sleep ……

…….. Nught night Rocky ……..

……. Dream of the long sunny days ahead that are going to be full of fun!!!