Rocky the Otterhound: Wrong perceptions and loving friends.

Rocky has had another full week. Ties between himself and Mij are getting stronger and each evening sees a game of one sort or another for them both. Rocky still want’s to play doggy games and little Mij wants to play kitten games ……… so at present they tend to play alongside each other (on the whole). It is early days however, so who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Our hero is still trying to interest the newest member of our pack in a game of chase my toys. This week he chose his newest favourite with which to entice her.

He got himself into a good position from which to win any ensuing game and tried to catch her attention. Alas she wasn’t the least bit interested …………..

So “dad” thought he would give a helping hand ………… Mij did appear to be interested ……….. “what’s this then”?

Rocky did appear a bit disappointed when, once placed on his sofa, Mij just strolled off instead of going for a good old fashioned tug of war!!

“Pah, it’s not cheese so you’ve got to be joking mate ………… now, if it was a mouse that would be another thing ……….. Dogs just don’t get it”!!

It’s not all frustrating though, Rocky had a visit this week from little (well not quite so little) Ludo!

Ludo went straight in for full on puppy play ………. Rocky is not (by any means) grown up enough to shun this behaviour and it was a case of step back and let them at it!!

Rocky, being a gentle giant took it all in fun and has tremendous patience with other dogs – who always seem to find his jowls and ears the most fascinating of playthings!!

Moving outside for more room for running around, Ludo ambushed Rocky in a clever side swipe ……….

Rocky, slowly getting canny, ran up to the garden and issued his challenge ………. “Come on Ludo …….. Let’s have some rough and tumble”!!!!

Within no time they were both enjoying a wonderful game of chase.

In and out of the garden pots and tables ……….. Lots of opportunity to duck and dive ………..

When Ludo caught up with Rocky’s tail he was so happy ……… “Ha ha ha – that was fun”!!!

“Take that tickling ….And that ….. And that”!! So much fun!

Ludo was laughing all over his face ……… I think he’s very ticklish!!

“That was fun Rocky ….. Now it’s your turn”!!

“Prepare to be tickled”!!!!

After all that playing Ludo decided it was time for a drink; the wild birds water seemed very inviting! Rocky turned round and spotted him ………..

……… Time for synchronised drinking!

“Ok Rocky, what shall we play next”?

“Mum keeps lots of cool toys up here for me – lets tug of war”!!
Actually the sticks are to encourage insects for the birds (at present they provide a nesting place for our resident hedgehog) ……… but to a young dog any plaything will be full of delight!

“I’ve got it” …………. “No, I’ve got it”!

Eventually it was time to call the kids indoors!!!

Mij introduced herself to our visitor.

Pretty soon though the boys were back into rough and tumble …….. Boys will be boys!!

How did Rocky feel when it was time for Ludo to go home? Tired but very, very happy ……….. He had had great fun …………. Loves it when his friends come to play!!

Not so long ago I had a very surprising and strange conversation with someone. It was suggested to me that as Otterhounds are not so many generations away from working in hunting packs, that they might perhaps have a tendency to see all small furry animals as potential prey ……… I was even asked if we keep our new kitten separated from him!!

This was seen as an opportunity ………. If that were true there may be a problem with keeping Otterhounds as family pets ……….. This is an area where Rocky’s blog can certainly help clear things up ………

Let's see now; well, Rocky had an established place in our family (his pack) and Little Mij is certainly a small furry animal who was introduced without warning ………. Is she seen as a potential snack?

Well, our Rocky tends to groom her more than hunt and try and eat her.

She can sit very close when he is playing with his toys (even ones with food treats in). She just seems to sit and study him and he will carry on regardless – no matter what precious object he has.

In fact while he is occupied she will sneak around behind him and play with her favourite toy ……. His tail!! He has never minded this; at first he was confused, I will admit, and tended to look at her with a rather perturbed look on his face. Now though, he just lets her get on with it and accepts it as part of everyday life! We don’t chaperone them when they are together and I would say he is more interested in trying to work out what type of dog she is and getting her to play with him than anything else.

They have become so comfortable together that Mij has taken to seeking him out in the evenings. Sometimes he appears a little confused by her presence …… “Mum, what does she want? I was having a nice snooze there”! How unusual!!

Rocky rolled over in the end and tried to ignore her ………. Trouble is ………. He is as curious as she is, really!!

Rolling over again to get a better look he seemed to present an opportunity for Mij. “Ha, you are not the only one who can groom; puppy”!! She then set about giving his paw a jolly good grooming.

Now Rocky, being an Otterhound, cannot be said to be terribly interested in his own grooming. So he rolled over (again!) and removed his paw from the offending tongue. Mij seemed to take the hint and strolled across him to sit on the other end of the sofa.

“It’s no good; she has woken me up now! What’s with all this grooming mum? She’s cleaning herself now”!

To our amazement - Rocky seemed so intrigued with this self grooming idea, he joined in!! “If you can’t beat them ….. Join them”.

So just for that person (with little insight into doggy psychology) here is a picture I think you might like to see.

Now how much of a “hunting only” dog does he look to you?????

Otterhounds are known to be amiable, good natured dogs and I think Rocky is a jolly good example of that.

Finally, Rocky’s expedition this week was to his favourite Iron Age Hill Fort.

He had bags of fun running and sniffing around in the woods.

He took time out to enjoy the peace and the view.

The long grass was a little wet and his head (of course) got a bit damp. He didn’t mind though, it was all great fun!

Rocky was off his lead for a play and as it had been a while since he had been up there, he seemed to take particular delight in seeing the trig point again ……… He took a deep breath and sang his joy to the world ………. It’s brilliant when an Otterhound is in full bay, such a wonderful sound!

After a joyous song and going back on his lead to head home, he decided he was big enough (this time) to investigate just what this peculiar object was. I don’t think he was disappointed, as even though there was nothing up there he stood and wagged his tail for a long time. Sometimes I think he is just full of the joy of being alive ………. Isn’t that wonderful!!!

As a special treat he came home in his favourite film star way, with the wind blowing in his hair! It was a warm dry day (unlike most of the summer) and he was having a great time!

………. And what did our hero do when he got home?

Sleep well Rocky!