Rocky often spends time in the garden - just mooching around and having a jolly good time. When not excavating for gold (or looking for Australia), he is very well behaved in his outdoor heaven and doesn't have a care in the world.
This week though, saw little Mij venture outdoors on her own (well more or less).
Rocky seemed a bit perturbed by the fact that she was out there without me hovering over her like some mother hen!"What's this - the little thing without anyone to watch her!! Rats - I suppose I'm going to have to do it"!!!!
And do it he did ................ very well!!
There was even a brotherly kiss behind the rose bush!
Big brother kept such a careful eye on her that Mij began to feel safe enough to venture a little further into the garden than she had done before.
By the time she had been out for half an hour big brother felt it was safe enough to just hover closeby with one eye on her.Mij felt secure enough to start playing .............."Look at me Rocky .............. I'm an otter ................... bet you can't catch me"!!!
And she was right - as she tore around the lower part of the garden and in and out of Rocky's legs - she was going so fast that Rocky didn't even try! He is learning you know!
Every day Rocky is learning ............ His daily walk across the downs sees him having fun and stretching those long legs!
He happily trots along to the end of the byway looking forward to todays lesson.
Todays lesson (like evey day's) is about safety ....... sit and wait until you are called - at every road!! No matter where the rest of the pack are Rocky waits!
No matter where the road is ............ Rocky waits!
Rocky normally recieves a treat for remembering his lessons, but on a weekend "dad" gives him a special treat for being such a clever Otterhound!
After his weekend walk and treat our clever Otterhound, Rocky, relaxes knowing he has done a good job!
This week Rocky's expedition saw him meeting up with his friends Sparky, Daisy and Ludo!
Rocky was very happy to see them and they were all rather excited at going out to somewhere new!
The four pals met up with other walkers .............. a lot of other walkers!
As Ludo is a Labradoodle we're all going for a walk with the "Labradoodle and friends" group!
Rocky, being an easy natured sort of guy and very friendly, took time out to meet as many new friends as possible.
Then everybody set of for a lovely walk in the New Forest. The weather was beautiful and the autumn colours in the forest were a grand sight!
Rocky gambled about like a spring lamb (click on the photo to see a bouncy Otterhound)!
When "dad" had his back turned our hero was off - looking for his preferred place at the front of the (enormous) pack!
Due to the size of the group we decided to put Rocky back on his lead as we were unable to keep a close eye on him. Rocky didn't mind - he was too busy happily soaking up the new smells, sights and sounds!
There was always someone closeby if he wanted a chat anyway; and of course his three pals too.
Rocky was so good that "dad" gave him a treat .......... then of course "dad" made some new friends too!
Every so often Rocky would get totally engrossed in the scents of the forest ......... his three friends would wait patiently and then we would all move off again to catch up with our new companions.
Our path crossed a small bridge across a refreshing stream .............. most of the group stayed a long time here as the dogs played with the water!
Even our hero went for a paddle!
He didn't seem impressed by the Labradoodles that were running and jumping into the deepest part and having a jolly good swim!!
Sparky joined him in the shallow end.
"Don't worry old man - I don't believe in getting wetter than you have to either"!!!
Gradually all the dogs took thier turn at getting wet - us grown ups spent the time chatting and swapping stories of fun and games with our dogs.
As we moved off from the bridge Rocky took time out to say hello to some of the dogs he hadn't met up with before.
Onwards we walked, through the sunlit autumn colours with a warm breeze on our backs.
Slowly the group spread out, we decided to just take our time and let the four pals have time to explore thier new surroundings.
Labradoodles were running backwards and forwards all the time and Rocky had such fun meeting them ............."Hello" said the Labradoodle, "do you like my new haircut"?
So that's what a Labradoodle looks like with no clothes on (so to speak)!
Our little pack of four kept in close contact as we went along .............
"Hi Rocky, will you play with me later"?
As we reached the longer grass (Rocky's favourite) our hero was feeling play time approaching and looked around for a pal!
"Hey Sparky .......... wanna play"?
Sparky didn't!!!
So Rocky decided to lay down and wait for play to come to him ...............
It did!!!!
Ludo, being the youngest, always wants to play. Which is one of Rocky's favourite things!!
Post play; Rocky considered our suggestion of moving on .....................
Most of the Labradoodles had gone on ahead as our little group were happily tired. We tempted them onward with the promise of treats to come (just like the kids when they were young - nothing changes really)!
Back at the car park Rocky's friends got thier treats ..............
And Rocky did too .......................
It was still such a lovely day we decided to go and find a pub and let the grown ups have a treat too!! So we put the roof down on the car and set off. Rocky was having such a great time he sat in the back with his head thrown back and sang his happiness nearly all the way there!
At the pub we met up with some of the Labradoodles and everyone was so keen to say hello again!"which way will I get to say hello quickest? I know, I'll go through her rather than around - much quicker - what a good idea"!!!
On leaving the pub and heading back to the car for home, Rocky met up with a New Forest pony!"Oh cool - this one isn't as big as the ones at home ...... I can show how brave I am by saying hello"!
No, Rocky isn't usually that brave with the big guys!!
That evening saw Rocky on the downs again, taking in the beautiful sunset! He does often just stand or sit and look - I imagine that he is enjoying the sights and smells of nature in just the same way as we do!
Back at home little sister Mij is cruising for a game .................
"Ha, got you big tail thing"!!
"Ok Mij - that's it - I'm just going to have to pull you over here and ..........
"Groom you to within an inch of your life"
Wel, Ok, he didn't do it to within an inch of her life, but you get the idea!
So tired after such a busy busy day .............
Rocky had a wonderful time and so many events to relive in his mind ...................
Night night Rocky, sweet dreams!
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