Rocky the Otterhound: Summer Break

Rocky and Rosie are back from their summer break, so here is a flavour of the fun they had.

Please excuse the quality of some of the photo's but occasionally I forgot the camera and phone camera's had to be used instead!

Anyway, while the truck was being packed "Me" and "Mini Me" had an idea that something was afoot!?

By the time we reached our "Rosie traveling distance" camp site, the excitement had worn our hero's out ......

....... So they stopped to recoup some energy while us grown ups put the tent up.

Our temporary home erected to everyone's satisfaction, we decided to re-acquaint ourselves with the area.

The weather was grand and the walking opportunities immense .........

......... So we exploited these to the full.

The scenery had changed slightly since our last visit as the crops were all harvested, so our hero's took the opportunity to scent out some game!

Their scenting bones were exceedingly tickled!

There were inevitable trips to the local village pubs .........

"Ooh, dad's got some crisps"!

"Did you know we love you dad"?!

Post crisps and it was time for a cuddle in the shade under the table.

Not all walks went our

way though! ........

"No dad ........ I WANT TO GO THIS WAY"!!!!!!

It also seemed imperative that all long grass was investigated; and then played in!

In fact (and talking about playing) every day provided opportunities to tear about like mad things .....

....... Play ..........

....... And generally act like happily indulged dogs!

So, each day was spent exploring and having as much fun as possible.

It didn't seem to matter to Rocky and Rosie what sort of environment they were in ........ It always meant having fun!

There were cuddly wrestling matches .......

......... Ankle biting to get a game going ........

.........Wrestling, which would inevitably give way to ........

........ A game

of chase .........

....... Giving way to some mouth wrestling ..........

......... And more chasing .......

.......... So much fun!

Then there were the interesting walks along the edge of the lagoon.

"Ooh, come here Rosie ..... Look at this"!

"What is it Rocky"?

"I dunno, but it smells great"!

Aha! Synchronised wading!

Still haven't got them swimming but we remain hopeful!

Rosie plays crafty tricks ...... She waits and let's Rocky fetch the stick or plastic bottle that is thrown in .........

........ Then walks right up and takes it from him ....... Clever girl (less effort) ......... Soft boy (again, less effort).

Well, you've heard the phrase "Lazy Hound" haven't you?

But, despite being a lazy hound, Rocky enjoyed carrying the doggy refreshments on our walks, made him feel all growd up.

He seemed quite proud to have a proper job.

"Oh yes, here sits Rocky - the pack wouldn't last long without his efforts ...... I'm so necessary"!!

Another day by the lagoon and Rosie has some cuddles after scuba diving for pebbles.

So much here to interest an Otterhound ......

"What in the world could that be"?????

"Mmm, now that does smell good, is it food Rocky"?

"Not sure, a bit fishy if you ask me '!

"Do you think that if we sit here long enough we'll spot an Otter"?

"What's one of those then, what does it look like"?

"Dunno, never seen one"!

"How will we know if we've spotted one then"?

"Dunno".

"Mmm. I don't think this is going to work"!

Our hounds enjoyed late evening walks as well.

And enjoyed evening paddles .......

........ And late evening boat investigations.

If it was a cold night (lets face it, it was only the end of August!), They would snuggle up in their bed.

On warmer nights their blankets served as comfy head supports ....... Sigh, such a hard life!

Our hounds just loved their daily paddles, so much so that they were going into the water several times a day ........ And having just as much fun each time!

Familiarity has done Rocky so much good, look, he even went in past his tummy ....... Now there's progress!

After paddles and splashes a lay down in the grass was the order of the day.

There was nothing Rocky liked better than a roll in the grass to make himself all handsome again.

Ah, the water does so much for me ...... I look so pretty now, particularly with the wind in my hair!

Hmm, I think you'll find that a roll in the grass does more for your looks ....... After all ...... I am now the prettiest one here, don't you think!!!

Our last evening; and we a had glorious golden evening sun to light up the landscape .....

...... Picture postcard beauty!

Rosie agreed to have the sticky burrs groomed from her coat and discovered she actually likes the feeling of being groomed ......

She is miles ahead of Rocky on that one; he still thinks he's under attack when groomed and tries to chew the brush!

Anyway, the next morning we packed up and headed home after our summer break.

The first thing they did as they got through the front door was jump up on their beloved (and obviously missed) sofa and fall fast asleep!

Anyone would think they had been active for some days and were rather tired!?

That evening Mij showed our hounds how much she had missed them ......

...... Night night Mij and Rosie .......

..... And night night Rocky, dream of sun, water, fun and games and generally having a great time!