Rocky the Otterhound: Rocky finds a competitive streak!!!

Rocky and Rosie have had a smashing expedition this week.

We went to somewhere close by (in the New Forest) as we are still (Yes .... STILL) working on Rosie's traveling problem.

Believe it or not, we went to a Labradoodle fun day!

There were all sorts of dogs there and Rosie set about meeting as many of them as possible .......

........ Searching for someone to play with ........ As always!

"Hi there - do you wanna play"?

This one was more interested in the scenting game ........ But it's all fun for Rosie.

Having some amazingly cute traits and being rather pretty, it wasn't long before Rosie was making many cross species friends too!!

Rocky, being rather more grown up these days, concentrated on his manners ........

"How do you do ........ My name is Rocky"!

We soon met up with our friends; which was how we came to attend a Labradoodle fun day.

There was Ludo (the Labradoodle), Daisy and their newest foster brother Bertie ........ and Sparky was close by too!

Was Rocky pleased to meet up with his friends?

Well, you've just got to look at his face to see how pleased he was! What a lovely surprise for him!!!

We then went for a quick look around the show ground ...... There were all sorts of stalls there .......

Rocky became perturbed by a collie demonstrating how quickly he could retrieve a ball from a paddling pool.

When asked if he would like to try he balked rather ...... 'WATER! No thank you, I'd rather not"!

What a surprise??!!!

The show ground was so large that there was masses of room for walkies.

Rosie was having a smashing time ......

Rocky was somewhat pleased too!!

As it was just a fun day, we entered our two lovely hounds for a couple of the fun shows.

Rocky was first; he entered for the "Most Handsome Dog" category.

However, once he realised that it mostly consisted of waiting round until the judge came to you ....

...... He lost interest ...... A bit!

..... Well ......... A lot!!

Ensuring that no time is wasted time ....... He then proceeded to ....... Snooze!!

Well, he is a hound dog after all!

Eventually, the judge made it around to Rocky ....

..... "Err hello, my name is Rocky and I am rather handsome don't you know"?!

What's this? Rocky is getting his photograph taken!

He won a place!!!!

"Well, what do you think big fella"? .........

"You won ........ SEVENTH place"!

"I was robbed"!!!!! Sniff!!

Meanwhile, Rosie was trying out every playmate that passed by .......

One of her favourites was a little doodle, the same age as her ......

...... A meeting of minds ........ So they played .....

..... Right up until they were so tired that they had to take a nap together ..... Aaahhh!

The proceedings were interspersed with opportunity to practice their "I look so appealing you just have to feed me" faces!

Then little Rosie entered the first of her two categories.

It was the "cutest puppy" category .....

She was up against some stiff opposition .......

....Mainly very tiny pups (only a couple of months old) ....... Which won it hands down ......

.....Can't argue with that really ........ They were, of course, adorable!

Rocky spent some of his time making more friends ........ "Yipes! You're how old"? "How come you haven't grown"?

Despite not winning a place, Rosie stayed in the ring for her second show ....... "The most expressive eyes"!

We stood next to her friends, Ludo and Daisy.

Daisy decided she didn't want to play .... But Rosie and Ludo prepared to do their best.

Rosie did good ..... Looking directly at the judge in her usual curious way.

Rosie did well enough to get short listed ......

..... But then blew it when she couldn't keep concentration and wanted to know what was going on with the others!

Never mind, good try Rosie!

Rocky's second category was "Best Labradoodle friend". So he and Ludo went forth to do battle!

Rocky was determined to do better than last time and gave Ludo some hints on how they would charm the judge!

This time it was Ludo who lost interest while they were waiting ...... 'What are you doing ....... This is no time to play"!!!!!!!

We were right over the other side of the show field, Rosie started singing good luck to Rocky ......

Not only did she get their attention but Rocky started singing back ..........

Now that was something to hear!! .... Certainly got the crowd talking and smiling!

Whether it was being impressed by his singing ....... Or not! ...... The judge picked Rocky out for a place!

"What did we get dad"?

"Well done chaps, you got second ...... Now smile for the camera"!

"Hello, what did you get"? ....... "First"! ...... "I can be your friend too you know"!!!!

'Stop now Rocky ....... The judging is over now .... You did really well"!

"Oh alright dad, I like the colour of that one better anyway"!!

His competitive streak calmed, Rocky proudly displayed his prize!

Towards the end of the day everyone was tired ...... So much playing and excitement ....... Time for some quiet time.

Rosie, still full of puppy energy, tried to interest Bertie in a game ......

Although Bertie was showing no interest, she kept trying ........ Such sociable dogs these Otterhounds!

Even on the way back to the car and home, Rosie was busy making friends ........

........ So many dogs and so little time!!!!

On arriving home our two hounds had a lovely meal ........ Then we asked if either of them would like to go for a walk .......

"Go away ...... We're tired ........ Must snooze ......"!

Ah well, night night Rosie ........

Night night Rocky, sweet dreams of lots and lots of new friends and all the fun you had!