Rocky the Otterhound: The tall and the short of it and plenty to dream about.

Rocky has had another full and exciting week with lots of interesting and exciting things happening. He has learned a few more of life’s lessons and is putting those lessons to good use in the “getting to know the world and my place in” it stakes.

We were having chips for tea one day; not just chips you understand but they are the important bit in the story. While undertaking my usual slapdash attempt at dishing the food onto the plates, a chip fell to the floor. Like all family dogs Rocky likes to become an immovable object in the kitchen at such times; and seeing his chance at a free tasting session he pounced vigorously onto the chip. He scooped the chip into his mouth without a moment’s hesitation …………. Realised (quite quickly) that it was hot and spat it some distance across the floor.

At this point all attempts at dishing up were abandoned in favour of having a good laugh at watching an Otterhound try to talk a hot chip into submission!! All sorts of funny noises emitted from him as he bounced around this chip and he frequently touched it with his nose (I guess to check the temperature?). Eventually the funny noises stopped, he scooped it into his mouth and trotted through to the front room with his head held high with pride at his victory. Rocky has learned not to take food for granted (as it sometimes bites back) and we have learned that if we want a good laugh, drop some hot food onto the floor!




Daisy came to spend the day with Rocky this week ………. Look at them, two little angels ……….






Two little angels who in their bid to play themselves to sleep set about wrecking the place ……………

They dashed this way and that and despite Daisy’s short stature she could jump up onto the sofa as quickly as Rocky could walk onto it!




Eventually they got bored of the “throw cushions on the floor and tearing around like whirlwind” game and decided to see if anything interesting was going on outside.





By this time we had already decided that a good run on the plain would do them, us and the house the world of good.

So they were both popped into the car (although popping an Otterhound is not as easy as popping a Bassett Hound, I must say), they were strapped into their seatbelts and away we went.






Daisy doesn’t have anywhere near her home that her “mum and dad” can let her off the lead so when we walked a short distance to a secure area and let her off she was a bit stunned at first. Rocky was a little perturbed that his fast little friend was immobile





However, this situation did not last for long and almost before we knew it they were off having a game ……….






Then it was running like a mad thing and playing chase, what happy hounds!

Daisy was a treat off the lead, staying close to Rocky or us depending on how puffed out she was. Rocky was just a happy young Otterhound, running around with a big grin on his face!!




Gradually they both spent more time looking at the wide open spaces than tearing around. Although it was a cloudy day it was quite hot so they settled to walking happily beside us and enjoyed all the interesting smells and sounds.

It was going home time eventually so a quick drink was shared and then it was back in the car.

They were both a bit tired and wanted to lie down, but even a young Otterhound is quite big, so there was a bit of manoeuvring between the two of them. When Rocky got fed up of Daisy standing on his head he relented and gave her some space on the back seat …….. Generous Otterhound?

Back home ……… and full of vigour again after their short rest, they decided that “dad’s” lunch wasn’t really just for him. They kept vigil by his feet and, being a man of great resolve, “dad” gave in and they all shared the food!!

After lunch it was time for a short post food rest. Once again the two little angels were back.

The afternoons fun and games were a bit more sedate and when Daisy’s “mum” arrived to collect her (and while us humans indulged in a cup of tea) Rocky and Daisy had a friendly kiss ………..

………. And a cuddle; before it was time to say bye bye! What a great day they had!

That evening, while Rocky relived his day during his sleep, he came out with many (hilarious) high pitched Otterhound “happy dream” howls. One of them was so long it ended with him raising his head to give full voice – which of course woke him up. Dreamy Otterhound!!

Rocky had one more training session before the big day of his first dog display. He worked hard at remembering all his lessons – with a little time put aside to see if anyone had any dog treats to give him!

He loves the socialising at the training sessions; he now has so many friends. Rocky is also learning a lot and trying to show how clever he is by keeping up with the training between meetings. Of course, being an Otterhound he doesn’t always reward us with the correct response to a command (? – I think the word command is lost on our Otterhound), but he does enjoy showing us how clever he is when he wants to.

An unfortunate side effect of attending training though, seems to be the catching of the scary eye syndrome ……….. Had to happen I suppose, no one likes being the odd one out.

The day of the show finally arrived and it was sunny and hot with just a little breeze to cool you. Rocky (and all his friends) were so excited, they seemed to know this was something different from the outset. Rocky was walked around the showground to socialise him with crowds and noise and all the accompanying sounds and smells of a rural carnival. He was a star and didn’t seem at all phased by any of it.

Eventually it was time for our dogs to shine, so Rocky joined the line and marched off bravely to show what he could do.

They were all brilliant and had such fun ………

They started with the doggy version of formation flying ……… walking in controlled patterns and showing how well they could ignore all the kerfuffle of the carnival and concentrate on their humans.

He performed beautifully for the sit, stand and lay commands (suggestions?) ………

………….. And finished the formation flying having given a good accounting of himself. Well done Rocky, and all your friends!!

Rocky then had a rest while some of the other dogs did their advanced work.

Finally the bit that gets Rocky really excited ………….. Agility! As soon as he spotted the tunnels going up he became very bouncy and excited ……….. Rocky loves racing through tunnels ………

He had the time of his life running through tunnels and jumping over the hurdles ………….. He did all that was required of him and all with a big grin on his face.

The announcer was kind enough to mention that Rocky was an Otterhound and point him out when he was about to go into the tunnels. There were quite a few interested people that day and all got a “business card” to follow Rocky’s progress or follow the links to learn more about Otterhounds if they wanted to. It was a great day.

After their brilliant performance Rocky and his friends formed a queue (well sort of) for a well earned drink ………

……….. Followed by a relax and wind down with friends. All the dogs and owners were happy and Rocky was having a lovely time.

Well done Rocky and all his friends, you did a brilliant job, helped raise money for charity and had jolly good fun!! It was a super day.

After another trip around the carnival Rocky came home for a well earned rest. A little sunbathing was done as Rocky still doesn’t head for shade; perhaps he enjoys catching some rays like the rest of us?

Eventually Rocky headed indoors for some shade and to undertake one of his favourite pastimes ………….

……………… Sleep well Rocky, you’ve had a full, busy and wonderful week.