July has seen a change in the weather as "flaming June" fades in memory. It's still warm but now changeable and nowhere near as hot as last month.As a result our Otterhounds have adapted and become more active ......... Something the whole family has taken advantage of!
Mij (the youngest) has taken to wrestling with Rosie again.
This activity, although starting out confined, tends to spill out over the front room .....
Rocky's sofa is one of their favourite play areas ........
As they happily duck and dive around the sofa it is inevitable that ..........
........ Rocky's favourite activity (snoozing) gets disturbed!!
These bouts of play don't last too long though and pretty soon the youngsters pick up on the idea of snoozing too!
Walks continue whether it is wet or dry.
Since the building started on the downs, our hounds have found all sorts of possible playthings on their way to the fields ............ They appear very adaptable as to what constitutes a prize too ........ Today's trophy is a sock (!?????).
Rocky seems to have won the tug of war on that one ..........
....... Er, no, correction; Rosie appears to be the winner!
Rocky is such a soft touch for her!!!
Our walk in the fields don't always go to plan, occasionally WE have to adapt.
This week, on walking up the hill we turned around to find that our two hounds were still at the bottom ......... Having fun digging at bunny holes!!
"Dad goes back to fetch them (well there seems little point in our walking round and leaving them in one place); after all it's not us that needs the exercise! ........ Honest!!!!!
Rosie, reminded that we were there too, happily comes up for a cuddle ......... Rocky on the other hand seemed a little reluctant!
"Is dad cross"? "I don't know ...... I think I'll keep my distance though, just in case" ..........
Rocky doesn't like it when "dad" looks at him and does an "I'm cross" growl at him! That's all it takes .......... A little growl goes a long way with Rocky!
"I don't know if he's going to growl ......... Mum, I want a cuddle!!!
He's so big and brave our Rocky!!
Oblivious to Rocky's uncertainty, Rosie scents the air .........
She spots him laying down after getting a hug and comes over to show him her new trick .........
"Rocky, Rocky, look at me ......... Watch what I can do"!!
"I can get my tongue all the way up here ......... Look ....... Isn't that clever"?!
"Mmmm, very good ........ Shh now, dad's coming ..........
Rocky waits with bated breath (well nearly), as "dad" approaches .........
Well, he should have known better ....... It's very rare that either of them get a good growling from their "dad"!!!
After all, he's usually too busy laughing to do much growling .........
Lucky Otterhounds .........
Yes, Rosie gets a small treat too ....... After all, she's was the first to rejoin the walk!
So ....... content in being all together again .......
We set off ....... Rosie in front this time ........
While Rosie investigated a scent we realised that Rocky was not in view........?
"I'll get him" sighs his "dad"!
"I'm coming too" says Rosie.
Realising he'd been caught trying to sneak back to his digging ........ Rocky made a decision! .......
On hearing his "dad" say "come here Rocky" his decision was ..........
"I'M NOT DOING THAT"!!! ........ He neatly side stepped his "dad" and ..........
"MUM .......... Can I walk home with you please ...... I just know dad's going to growl this time!!
Dogs are supposed to understand the principle of cause and effect ........ Maybe he does (?) but this won't stop Rocky from being obstinate from time to time ...... After all ...... It's in his nature!!!
Not being at all phased by Rocky's occasional stubbourness, we remain amazed at the power of a simple growl of disapproval ......... It's all that's ever needed to discipline him!
How cool it that though!?!!
Rocky and Rosie remain very close we are happy to report ........ Post walk sleeps can be very cuddly in our house .......
Even the need for a change of position can't alter the cuddliness (?) sometimes!
Dan is one of our occasional pack members at present ........ This fact does not seem to daunt our hounds at all ........ They are happy to accept however many or few our pack is at one time ......
... And anyway, Dan means playtime!!!
Remaining with our theme of adaptability ...... Rocky will adapt anything to his need (?) to expell as little energy as possible .........
A knee makes a good seat while playing tug of war with a toy!!!!!
The "double and opposite" tug of war is one of Dan's specialities ....... Great fun!
Time to pick which trophy you want for a good chewing ......
"Look what I've got Mum" ....... They both head my way to show off their winnings!
The cooler weather also means that they play more when out on walks ...... Happy to expend the energy!
Get ready to pounce ..........
...... And the game is on .........
A sneak attack on the elbow!!! Bet he didn't expect that!!
Otterhound adaptability includes allowing yourself to be lead ....... Even by the unlikeliest of lead pullers!
"Got you now Rocky ..... Walk this way" .....
The tables can be reversed quite quickly in this game ....... As Rosie ends up being pulled home by the one she intended to pull.
Being our hounds they have had to adapt to my almost papparazi style photography ......
"Please mum, I didn't have my eyes shut yet ....... Can I go to sleep now please"?
"Thank you and good night"!
Night, night Rosie .....
...... Night, night Rocky ....... Dream of digging and playtimes!
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