Rocky and Rosie love their expeditions, not only do they provide lovely walks but also new experiences. Rocky is still young enough to find something new each time and Rosie is finding that there are just so many new things to learn.
"Rosie, meet goats - goats meet Rosie".
"Um, err, no thanks dad. Maybe another time"!
This expedition found Rocky and Rosie meeting up with friends from dog training to go for a lovely walk through the English countryside.
The weather was still hot but with some cloud every now and then to keep things a little cooler.
Some of our journey would involve roads where a few cars will travel so it wasn't all off lead.
This didn't dampen the spirits of our intrepid explorers as they can walk and sniff their way through the day, on or off lead.
Getting a little ahead of the company, Rocky and "dad" wait for us to catch up.
Rocky and Rosie like to be out in front where the scents are not contaminated.
However, this can be hot work!
So Rocky decides to teach Rosie some of his "grown up" knowledge.
"Now, what you do is get far enough ahead so that you can relax in the cool long grass while everyone else catches up"!
Rosie tries this but seems to tire of it quite quickly, so she is eager to be up and at it as soon as everyone gets close .........
Rocky, on the other hand, well ........
....... He just likes to bide his time until we are a little ahead, then he can trot past, into the lead, and then rest again.
Clever eh?
Rosie meets her first horse and trap and is none too impressed!
It makes a little too much noise and smells a little too odd for her liking!
Dogs still on the leads we all set off again ........
Time for another quick break before heading down the last road before our lunch stop.
Rosie seems to have forgotten that it's the long grass that's cool though?!
Rocky heads for the front again while Rosie gets a little distracted by all the new sights and smells.
She works herself hard to catch up with him though and spends a short while in amiable silence; walking side by side.
With the end in sight, Rosie takes an unscheduled break .......... Perhaps she really hasn't got the hang of the long cool grass bit after all?!
The group gets it together for the last little effort to round the corner .......
And there it is ..... Lunch break! Yes it's another pub, yes it's got a beer garden and yes, that is where we were heading!
This one is called "The Bustard Inn"- named after the large bird that used to inhabit these plains, but which is now extinct here.
Recently though, a few have been re-introduced and we are all holding our breath to see if this will be a success.
As well as supplying us owners with food and ale, our dogs get a nice cool drink of water ......
...... And some cool shade to rest in (here with their friend Poppy).
They also get to greet the "pub dog" who is friendly and eager to know what they are getting up to!
After all have had a refreshing break we head back.
We all set off together but it won't be long before the dogs sort out which order they want to walk in.
In the mean time Rocky decides to give Rosie an extra lesson.
"You see Rosie, this stuff is long and cool (even in hot weather); so if you're going to do any laying down this is the stuff to lay down on"!
Can dogs recognise sarcasm? Anyway; Rosie tried to look nonchalant.
We rounded the corner and were able to let the leads off again.
Hang on Rocky's facing the wrong way!?
Aha; nipped back round the corner to check out a particularly interesting smell!
"Come on Rocky, we're moving on".
"Wait up chaps, I'm coming"!!
Altogether for a while but it's not long before Rocky and Rosie steam on ahead!
The other dogs race on to find our two hounds ....
....... And there they are, side by side and Rosie seems to have got the idea!
Quite a kodac moment don't you think?
Back out in front and Rocky and Rosie make a last ditch effort to get everybody home.
"OK chaps; it's this way. Well be home soon".
Continuing to keep a weather eye on the others our hounds ambled on (trotting had ceased by now)
How does an Otterhound find it's way home?
By following it's nose of course!!!
The end of a smashing walk and Rocky luxuriates in the grass for a final time before going home.
Back at the house Rosie chills out with a cool lay down on the patio .........
....... While Rocky ........ Well, Err ......
"Can't talk now, must be all abandoned on my sofa"!!!!
By bed time Rocky had, of course, assumed the position ......Night night Rocky .......
Dream of sunny days and dog-full expeditions!
1 comment:
holy cow that was some adventure you two! i have added your blog to my reader list so i don't miss updates anymore. is Rosie done growing? i am sure females are naturally smaller than males but perhaps Rocky is just an extra big male. great post guys--some fantastic shots of awesome otterhounds
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