So; on with the blog - This week has been reasonably quiet with the main event being a settling in of our latest family member (Mij).
Rocky and Mij have been learning about each other and with the help of a poor Welsh accent, have learned how to approach each other in order to get the most enjoyment from the experience.
We were amazed at how quickly Rocky picked up how to be quiet in voice and nature when interacting with Mij!! Especially when you consider that we are into our second year of trying to teach him to keep his head out of the dishwasher!!!!! Typically, he consistently chooses which commands he will work with and which he will ignore!
How Otterhound! 
The two new pals now seek each other out
and Mij is as interested in what Rocky does ...................................
As Rocky is with what she does!!
Mij does seem to be the chief manipulator though, as she often lets Rocky run right up to her; shoving his large nose in her face he recieves a clawless and very tiny paw pat to the nose ............. However; if she wants to wind him up she will tear across the room as if her tail was on fire - this of course prompts a likewise following reaction from her adoring playmate - who (unable to move quite so fast) doesn't see where she went, then he stands in the kitchen with his head under the dining table trying to spot her - while she sits atop the table waiting to bop him on the nose!! Works every time!
This particular time though, Mij decided to utilise Rocky as a highway to get across to the sideboard ................
Being so light she walked right across his back without him even noticing ...........
What a cool playmate she has got!
Sometimes Rocky will ask Mij to play with him and ..........................
Sometimes she will request a game from Rocky .......... It is working out really well at the moment and we all couldn't be happier!
They are so relaxed with each other, already, that when Mij had her first supervised jaunt into the big wide world - Rocky was in the garden with one of his bones and didn't bat an eyelid - despite her walking in front of him on many occasions!!
Now that IS a dog with a lovely character!
Oh yes - And I am beginning to think I might need a bigger sofa!!!
Rocky's expedition this week was to the 30th Anniversary show for British Otterhounds!
Rocky isn't a show dog as you know, but he wanted to go in order to meet old and new friends. While we wanted to go to see all the wonderful Otterhounds. There were so many gorgeous hounds there that I would love to show them all to you - But in the interest of not going overboard I have just picked out the photo's that have come out best. So my appologies to any Otterhounds not shown here, it in no way reflects how scrummy you are!!
The moment we walked into the show ground Rocky was met by wonderful hounds ........... All happy to meet a new face!
Talking of faces ................. let's have a look at some of the scrummy ones ...............
There were curious ones .........
Beautifully groomed ones ................ (How do you keep an Otterhound looking like this???) ................
Old and brave ones ..............
And cute and young ones ................. This is Henry with Dexter ...............
Then there were the "I'd die for a cuddle ones" .............
In fact, it was an Otterhound lovers dream - I was as happy as Rocky and am still a bit gaga a day after the event!
Rocky went round to meet as many new pals as possible ....................
There were adorable puppies to meet ...............
"Hey! Who's that? I want to see" .............
"Oh there you are .......... Hello, it's us ............. give us a love"!
Who could resist?
There were big beautiful grown ups in all colours and sizes .................
Some bought thier friends along (spot the Spinone) ...............
There were even beautiful blonde (wheaten) ones ............
And of course, more beautiful and irresistable puppies ....................
What a grand day out!
Rocky happily said hello to as many of them as he could ............ he was beside himself with all the potential friends!
He was also delighted to meet up with some of his siblings ................
His sister Chess was there .............. giving Ralph a big smiley kiss ....................
And joy of joys, his brother Morse was there as well ...............
A brief hello led quickly to some gentle but effective brotherly wrestling ................ Ummm, I think that's an illegal move Rocky!!!
The two lads were oblivious to all around them, they were totally engrossed in the pleasure of being together!
They wrestled and romped .................
And romped and wrestled .................
Then after a very short breather ................. started all over again!
Meanwhile all around were beautiful hounds either in the ring or getting ready to go and show their stuff .................
There were many categories, which I won't go into, but they all looked thier best and did their owners proud.
I still don't know how they their hounds looking so beautiful long enough to get in the ring, let alone during the competition!???
But somehow they do and the dogs love it as much as their owners ............ they get to strutt their stuff ..............
And trot their magic ................
They assume the pose like pro's .......... Speaking purely as an uninitiated, I think that showing must take a lot of training and dedication.
Everyone did a remarkable job!
It reinforced my appreciation of what magnificent hounds they are.
I, frankly, cannot understand why this breed of marvelously tempered, adaptable and beautiful hounds are so endangered?! ...................
But I think that the dedication and endearment that owners so obviously have for thier hounds should make a huge difference to the Otterhounds chances ............
Don't you?
At the end of the day the field was full of happily tired and contented hounds ............. what could be better?!
And Rocky went home to happily dream of wrestling, brothers and sisters and all the lovely people and hounds he had met that day!
Night night Rocky! Sweet dreams!
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