Rocky the Otterhound. Just my depth!

On a recent walk Rocky got himself the first Mud Wellies of the season!  The river was very low and walking along the margins had produced enough wet mud for this mud magnet to sport these fashionable accessories!

Luckily, because the river was so low, our hounds were persuaded to go for a paddle!  You see, despite the webbed feet and double waterproof coat .... Our two hounds generally hate water!!  Paddling is the most we have ever managed to persuade them to do!  Go figure!!?

There must have been some summer warmth left in the water as even Rosie went in the deep (?) bits!!

Fortunately they had settled down to enjoying exploring this area, one they don't normally get to play in.

Extendable leads are great, aren't they?!  Ours are long enough to allow them to explore as far as they want, without giving them the opportunity to catch a scent and disappear off into the wilds!  Having had dogs previously that weren't hounds it took us a while to get used to mainly walking them on the lead.  But if we are honest, on the extendables they get as far away as our other dogs used to without leads!  So we are all happy!

Being Otterhounds, exploring involved a good deal of standing still and just taking things in.  Usually they do this sitting down but there's water under them there bottoms so they won't be doing that here!

Exploration and gentle enjoyment continued for quite some time.

No, they haven't seen something to watch, like a swan or duck.  They are just doing the Otterhound thing .... Taking it all in!  I've never met dogs that seem to want to take in so much of life before.  Other dogs we have had seem to spend all their time living it, but Otterhounds really give the impression of appreciating it!  Maybe that is why they are sometimes called The Wise Hound!?

Anyway, back to exploring and seeing just what's in this wet stuff.

Considering they don't really like water, they spent a good long time in it!

Eventually though. Rocky thought it was time to head for the bank and dry off a bit.

... And where Rocky goes. Rosie follows!

Being Rocky, and having had a great time, he had to take the opportunity to tell us all about his great time in the wet stuff!  Happy barking is such fun to watch and listen to!

Rosie had a good deal to tell us about as well.  Otterhounds like to share the joy!!

How could we doubt that they had had a good time?  Just look at this happy grin!!!!

Rosie though, seemed a bit more thoughtful, I think she would have preferred longer legs so that her tummy didn't get so wet!

Back home our two damp hero's wallowed in the warmth of the house ..... Maybe the water wasn't that warm then?!

New tactic!.... Try and warm up your Otterhound and get to see his eyes too!!  No they weren't shivering it was just that Dan thought he'd look cool .... Really!

The end result though was that for a little while we could actually see Rocky's eyes!  Who'd have thought that such a handsome beast lurked below that fringe??

That evening Rocky decide he just had to have ALL the cushions in the house!  Rosie was cornered and soon had to find somewhere to stretch out!

Mij, finding no free space on the sofa's decided to find herself a nice "roomy" (?) box to relax in!  "Zeez dogz is taking up all zee space ....Againz!!!!!

Anyway, as for our Otterhounds it only remains to say .... Night night Rosie ....

.... And night night Rocky.  Sleep well and dream of walking in the wet stuff and all the memories you have built up from today!  Isn't life great?!!!!