Rocky the Otterhound, an endangered breed: Rocky the Otterhound: Rocky's Philosophy on life!!!

So what have our two favourite Otterhounds been up to while we have been so busy?

Well, Rocky appears to have developed his own philosophy on life ........ Whatever you do ........ Do it to the max!!!!!!

For instance ....... Rocky's sofa is to be used to the fullest extent ......... Including the arms!!!

Nowadays, as she is growing up, Rosie is developing her own personality .......... She appears to be the "Yang" to Rocky's "Ying".

Whereas he is more laid back (usually horizontal!), she is more active and bouncy!

That said though; they show many of the same Otterhound traits and she has quite happily taken on his philosophy of living too!

This wonderful view of life extends to their outside activities too.

Daily life is met with renewed excitement and maximum enjoyment.

Which, for our two, means having as much fun as caninely possible!

Why run in to the bottom of the long grass in the flood catcher and do nothing?

Why not howl to the world how much fun it is? .......

........ Then enjoy the feeling of long cool grass rubbing along you as you wade out into the short grass again.

It's the simple pleasures that make life fun!!

If you are off the lead ...... Why walk when you can run?!

If dad calls you for a treat (and if there is nothing more exciting to do) trot up quickly ....... And smile!

"Hi dad, treat please ........ yes treat ....... Look how good we are"!!!

"OK ........ Now lets play"!

"Yippee"!!!

Playtime often includes checking if there is any more treats ....... Or just popping back for a quick love and cuddle.

Yes, even the big fella likes his cuddles!!

You don't have to guess if an Otterhound is having fun ........

......... They can't help but smile if they are happy!!

........ So Rocky smiles .......

........ And Rosie smiles .........

....... And Rocky sings!!!!! ....

Something he loves to do, particularly outside of home.

Rosie doesn't do it so much when she is awake but, like Rocky, she does occasionally sing in her sleep .........

Happy dreams you see!!

After some loves, some runs, and some games, Rocky enjoys a roll in the grass.

"Rocky, what shall we do now"?

"OK Rosie, I'll hide my eyes while you go and hide".

"Goody - hide and seek"!!

"Err ....... I don't think this is going to work Rocky ......... The grass here is only long enough to hide my nose"!!

"Let's play something else ...... I know"!

A great game of face wrestling ...... One of their favourites!!

Wrestling over ....... "Dad" says it's time to go home ...........

Living life to the max, for Rocky, sometimes means not wanting to go home (Yes, that is him sitting under the street lamp!)!

When faced with the legendary Otterhound stubborness ........ As in "I'm not going anywhere at the moment thank you" ....... We have found the only thing to do is sit and wait!

Still, at least we know that if it's horrible weather (raining and the like) we have a harder job keeping him out rather than getting him home!!

No matter where they walk longer grass seems to be favourite.

Or perhaps it is just that the best "bunny" smells are around the outsides of the fields?

Sitting down and relaxing while your hounds explore is lovely this time of year .......

But if they spot you you're probably in for a bit of a cuddle and love yourself!

Rocky will get distracted from this purpose quite easily ......... Rosie, however, may slow to sniff some scent on passing but will invariably come up to you and give you a huge love ..... Aaaah!

Even just passing you in the house will get you a love from Rosie, she tends to be very gregarious!

Rocky tends to be less so and is quieter about his affection!

Either way we get plenty of satisfaction from owning these two great hounds!!!!

When out for a walk, if it's not playtime it tends to be hunting practice.

In this, Rocky always takes the lead .....

And where Rocky leads ...........

........ Rosie will follow!

A meeting of Otterhound minds as they savour the many interesting scents wafting down from the next field!!

Rosie, in general does not seem as committed to scent hunting as Rocky .......

......... And will sometimes wander off in order to do something else or find a scent she finds more interesting than the one Rocky is following.

Living life to the max doesn't always mean playing or practicing hunting. Sometimes it means checking out what everyone else is doing ....... Just incase it looks like more fun, you understand!