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

Rocky the Otterhound: Mum's busy!

"Mum" sends her apologies but she is still (yes, still!) busy in the garden. It appears that the garden is going to be "dog proof" when she is finished ...... Whatever that means!

Rosie and me are still waiting to get into the garden, Sigh! And the weather is so nice too!!

We are getting extra walks though, while we wait, but we are a little peeved at only being able to watch from the steps ..... "Mum" says it's too muddy at the moment!

Still, never mind; we will have a whole new garden to explore when she's finished!

Anyway, she has been too busy this weekend to do my blog for me, so I am sorry ..... Hope you can be as patient as me 'cause she says that there will be one next week! Meanwhile, Rosie and me are just sitting around, or wrestling, or chewing our chews, or going out for walks ..... It's a dogs life really!!!

See you next week .....

Rocky.

Rocky the Otterhound: Playful days and endearing ways!

This week has been quite changeable, weather wise, and days have proceeded as usual for our two Otterhounds. There has been a mix of walks, fun and serious sleeping to be done, and our two have got on with it valiantly!

During one of their walks off lead, Rocky and Rosie find a discarded tree cover. The type they put around young tress to protect them through early growth.

There are many teeth marks on it, as various dogs have taken turns to play with this free toy. It therefore smells of lots of interesting things and is a magnet for our scent hounds.

Rocky makes a decision whether to play, or scent, on his walk!

Looks like he may be leaning towards playing!?

And yes, he picks up this free toy and heads for Rosie, aiming to entice her into a game with him!

This is not hard and it's not long before an enjoyable game of tug of war is shared.

Unusually, Rocky wins. Rosie usually takes toys from him (is it a girl thing or a youngest dog thing?), and he is never too worried about letting her have them. However, today is his lucky day and Rocky is a happy boy!

They have a couple of games of chase then it's on to tickling scenting bones.

But part way through scenting heaven, a five month old puppy comes along and gets very excited at meeting two new dogs! After a couple of run arounds with Rocky, she is rather taken with Rosie.

So she gives her loads of kisses .....

..... And lots of hugs .....

..... And Rosie, like all good Otterhounds, is as gentle as a lamb!

Sadly all games and walks must come to an end; but there is always something nice to do ....

Back home, on the post walk snooze, Rosie is joined by our honorary Otterhound, Mij the cat!

See, Mij has even perfected the "Otterhound position"!

Occasionally Mij will behave like a cat, sometimes she sits on the doorstep of her favourite box and watches what's going on in the world.

But more often than not, she thinks she is an Otterhound.

For example, although she has her own water and food upstairs (where hungry hounds can't get it), She prefers to reach up to the dogs water .....

..... And have a good long drink, just like they do!

..... She plays with them like any other dog (see Rocky the Otterhound on YouTube) .....

..... And we are even thinking of getting her a harness and lead so she can join them on walks! The only reason she hasn't got one yet is the fact that we used to have a cat that came on the dog walks ..... Lots of fun but boy wasn't progress short!

So, at present, the jury is still out on that idea!!

Meanwhile, Rocky and Rosie are snuggling together and doing their usual bookends thing!

They often do exactly the same thing at exactly the same time ..... For no other reason than ..... Otterhoundedness???!

For instance, the double Otterhound chest rub .....

..... Results in the double Otterhound "paw on the arm" trick!

We have found that this is the Otterhound way of showing their appreciation ..... Also designed to try and keep your hand there and continue the lovely treat!

This affection is usually so much appreciated, that they lay back down in order to savour the fussing! Lovely!

At other times they will get into positions which almost exactly mirrors each other! No design involved ..... It just happens!

Getting comfy on the sofa appears to be a truly mirror friendly opportunity. Both our hounds seem to particularly enjoy having an arm of the chair to get comfy on!

They will both sit and beg with utter abandon, if they think you have a particularly tasty morsel to share with them ..... For 'particularly tasty' insert our food!

Any tidbits tend to be reserved for times when they have been particularly good ..... Which I suppose (if I'm honest) is most of the time!

Anyway, last but by no means least, there is the utter abandonment of the bedtime snuggle! All attempts at staying alert and ready for instant fun or treats, goes right out the window as our hounds bed down for the night!

So night, night Rocky, dream of winning games and staying true to your endearing nature.