Rocky the Otterhound: Every day it's different!

This weeks blog (Yes, sorry, late again!! ..... So much to do ... So little time!), is a bit short but I'm sure you will forgive us knowing how busy we are?!

At present, every day brings a different garden for our animal family to explore ..... We are nearing completion, but still lots to do!

Knowing how much Rocky likes new things (?!!!!), we thought we would try and introduce him to his new "doggy loo" ..... As soon as possible!

Yes!!! .... It took several days to convince him that it was nothing to be frightened of! ..... But we did finally get him to investigate and smell it ..... And without running for the comfort of his beloved sofa too!

We will keep you posted about how well Rocky and Rosie take to it ..... To date there have been successes and failures ..... But it's early days!

Rocky does, at least, approve of the (here, nearly completed) water feature ..... Just the right thing for a quick drink in the hot sun!!

Here Mij found the perfect sunny spot in the newly planted herb garden.

While Rocky really liked the new patio in the sunshine! ..... Not like him to sunbathe normally, but it's got to be tiring having to explore a new environment every day; hasn't it?

Rosie and Anika enjoy some affection while watching the work.

Rocky and Mij try out the new path ...... Well, is it comfy enough???

Both Rocky and Rosie seem to like the view from the top level! They can really see what's happening from there!

Once the "dog proof" grass and the "dog proof" gravel went in, our hounds started looking for amusement ..... Seems planting and painting are rather boring to watch!

Rocky found an exceptionally enticing piece of wood chip from the dog loo ..... Time for a chew fest it seems!

Meanwhile Rosie, having given her approval to the planting I was doing, decided that what she really wanted was Rocky's wood chip!!

Rocky had other ideas ......

So Rosie tried the old "Vulture" trick .....

Vulturing didn't work but, just as Rosie was giving up, Rocky's attention was taken by a rather noisy blackbird!

Ever watchful, Rosie tried to "paddy paw" the chip from under his foreleg ......

Totally oblivious, Rocky stopped to nibble an itch before returning to his new toy!

But by the time Rocky looked for it again, Rosie has completed her maneuver and was merrily chewing on the wood chip!!

"Aww, Mum"!!!

"Nothing else for it ...... Just have to snooze on the grass instead"!!

To cut a long story short, our animal family has been having a whale of a time with a different garden almost every day.

Now it's just the planting and bottom level left, they are enjoying the fruits of our labours!

Great!!!

.... And of course ..... What does a good Otterhound do after a day of exploring and having fun??? .....

Night, night Rosie and night, night Rocky ......

..... Sleep well and dream of a finished garden where you can romp and play all day!

Rocky the Otterhound: Facial expressions.

Apologies for the late posting again but the work on dog proofing the garden is continuing at a pace now, we are almost completed! Yippee!! So I have been a little busy, however there will be a few photo's of Rocky and Rosie exploring the almost completed garden and (hopefully soon) some of them enjoying the finished product too, before long.

So, on with this weeks contribution. There have been photo's before showing how much our hounds smile, but this week I have been lucky enough to snap a few different facial expressions that Rocky displays. Many dog owners believe that their dogs experience the same emotions as we do, hopefully a look through this weeks photo's can help you decide for yourself.

This is Rocky's "Love your hand" look.

Here is the "I'm relaxed, bring me a Bud, " look

The "Ignore the telly ..... Love me instead" look.

The "Sharing a joke with a friend" look.

The "I've just been groomed, lovely huh"! Look.

The "Actually, I think this is my best side" look.

And finally the "Just too handsome for my own good" look.

The "I'm watching you, you can't sneak food past me" look.

The "I would check out what you've got Rosie .... But I'm just too tired" look.

And later the "I would move over but I'm just too comfy" look.

The "What in the world can that be?" look.

Then there's the tip-toeing "I've pinched the cat's toy" look.

The "Yipes, you scared me with that chicken" look!

And of course the "Oops, rumbled ..... Yes I've pinched all the cushions" look.

I missed most of Rosie's expressions but did manage to get this "Can't talk, must sleep" look!

And then there is Mij's expressions ...... The "Be gone, ziz iz MY airink cupboard" look.

Followed shortly by the "Oh ziz snoozink iz zo exhaustink" look.

But all our family look their cutest with their fast asleep look.

So night, night Rosie ......

..... And even if we can't see Rocky's face we generally know when he has his fast asleep look.

So night, night Rocky. Sleep well and dream of playing in your new garden.

Rocky the Otterhound: Cuddles and a smashing walk!

Thank you for your patience and apologies for the slight delay in posting this weeks blog. Life remains very busy but Rocky wanted to wait until today as he knew he was going on a special walk.

So, on with the blog.

Don't let anyone tell you that Otterhounds are not cuddly dogs! Our two are very cuddly ..... Sometimes it is under their terms but they are very open to an impromptu cuddle from you ..... they do love it!

When sleeping on the floor (Yes, they do sometimes), you will find either Rocky or Rosie seeking out the other in order to get all cuddly for snoozes!

Rocky enjoys a cuddle with James, and to be honest .... If you fancy a snooze yourself there is nothing better than an Otterhound to cuddle up to!

They are very warm and always eager to snooze ..... Just so you don't feel alone that is !?

But sometimes they like to cuddle for the sake of it .....

..... Here, Dan gets the bonus of a good grooming as well as a cuddle ..... If you're accepted as a member of the pack (and most living things are), you will find yourself in receipt of all sorts of lovely bonding rituals!

It's not just Rosie that snuggles up to Mij either!

Rocky is rather partial to snuggling into the smallest member of the pack too!

But then Mij thinks she is an Otterhound anyway, so it's only natural!

After all, Mij has perfected the "abandoned Otterhound position"!

Who wouldn't think she was one???

"Oh yes, and another of Rocky's favourites is a good cuddle with the cushions!

Even when chilling out before a walk there is always an opportunity for cuddles and snuggling!

It's great living with Otterhounds .... The house just oozes relaxation and good will!!

Anyway, as I have already mentioned today was the day for a special walk .....

So we turned up at the pre-arranged time ..... At the pub!

Some of Rocky and Rosie's friends were already there but they waited patiently for the rest to turn up!

The day was warm but not hot with a gentle cool breeze ..... Just right for a stroll across the plain ..... and with so many friends it was an Otterhounds dream!

On their extendable leads Rocky and Rosie were able to walk where they liked, while still keeping as close to us as their friends were doing off lead with their owners!

We have found that on lead they seem to feel less need to go into hunt mode and follow scents ..... They certainly act as if the pressure is off and they can enjoy the exercise!

A few stops to check how long a walk everybody was up for .....

..... And we were off again into the big wide open!

The scenery was lovely and all dogs got on like a house on fire ..... having a wonderful time!

Their friends kept popping up to share some time with our two hounds and share any information on interesting scents and the like!

There was even an opportunity for a water break for those who wanted it .....

..... So Rosie had a little drink .....

..... And even Rocky was happy to partake in some of the wet stuff!!

The line of friends and dogs strung out along the track, each going at their own pace and enjoying the day.

We spent sometime in wooded areas and some time out.

It was warm and quiet with the gentle song of the Skylark to listen to ..... It was simply great.

A lovely place was found to stop and wait for some of the stragglers to catch up.

All the dogs would do the rounds and spend sometime with everyone ..... that was nice too!

Stragglers having caught up it was time to move off again.

As "laid back" as ever, Rocky had to be reminded it was time to move off .....

..... But he was, of course, the first to take advantage of another break while others caught up!

Rocky, Rosie and friend enjoy exploring around the track verges.

Back on track again, so to speak, and ALL the dogs noticed an enticingly large puddle along the track ..... Would our (water loving??!) Otterhounds join in the fun?

..... Of course they did ..... No chance of getting out of your depth here you see!!

And just as predictably ..... They came out the other side with mud wellies on!!

A quick break for some more water on the way back ......

Then it was back to the pub where everyone had a nice drink!

While most of the dogs enjoyed a rest in the sunshine Rosie and her friend just couldn't resist a game .....

..... And some kisses too ..... Aaah!

And tonight, after they got home?

Well, Rosie and Mij snuggled up in the Otterhound position .....

.....And later Rocky too found a friend to cuddle up with too!!!

Night, night Rocky ..... Sleep well and dream of cosy cuddles and wonderful walks with friends