Rocky the Otterhound: How do we relax in the evenings?

To start this week Rocky wants me to give some information to all the Otterhound families out there in cyber land. The Otterhound Club would like to include some more of the activities that interest and entertain Otterhounds and their families, which is great! ..... So if anyone out there has any ideas get in touch with the club!

We know that Rocky really enjoyed the tracking event he went to last year and I'm sure Rosie would love that too; it also gave the hound's families a good chance to meet up and make new friends. Agility events also seem to get Rocky smiling ..... Especially if there are tunnels, so the fun day is a really good day to attend!!! Dog walking events are always good to take part in, as the hounds and families get to make new friends and everyone likes a nice walk! We love going to local fete's and many people have never seen an Otterhound before ..... You get to enjoy the day as well as introduce new people to Otterhounds ..... Rocky and Rosie love the attention!

Rocky and Rosie would like to attend more of the regional and national events that happen throughout the year ..... Unfortunately we are still waiting for Rosie to get over her travel sickness (yes we've tried lots of different things and although some looked promising .. nothing has really worked for long)! Still we remain hopeful! As you all know Rocky and Rosie love camping (we can mollify a sicky Rosie trip with a rest in between journeys); so a weekend event would be really good!

Personally we get a kick out of almost any Otterhound event as it is so wonderful to see so many hounds together at one time ..... Especially considering how many are left in the world!!

So anyway, on with the blog .....

This week has been the usual round of fun and games for our hounds; in the evenings we like to relax after the rigors of the day!!

After their evening walk Rocky and Rosie have a relax too!

Rosie is a particularly snuggly and cuddly Otterhound ..... So a lot of the time you will find her just where Rocky is ......

..... Rocky has a bit of down time ...... So Rosie will take the opportunity to snuggle up.

And if she can get away with a cuddle too, she's more than happy .....

..... So us owners can then take the opportunity to relax and chill out for the evening!?

Well you'd think so wouldn't you?

However, waking up, our Rocky decides he'd like a bit of a chew ..... Just a hobby you understand!

So without further ado he climbs on the sofa (and anyone who happens to be occupying it) and presents his "dad" with his chewy thing!

Otterhounds have front paws which are a little like a bears ..... they can happily hold things with them (admittedly Rosie is a little better at this than Rocky) .....

..... However, we bought them a hoof each ..... Good idea, as they last much longer than rawhide chews and don't go all soggy and yuk. Unfortunately Rocky finds it hard to hold onto them!!

Well done us then!

Rocky is not shy about letting you know what he wants, so it was ...... "Here dad, hang on to this for me"!

So "dad" hung on!!

Maybe we'll relax again soon when he's had enough?

It obviously tastes nice!

So Rocky chewed ......

..... And he chewed .....

..... And he chewed .....

..... By now Rosie was getting interested!

Eventually, Rocky had had enough, thanked his "dad" and took his chew into the kitchen; dropping it, he proceeded to drink for England!

..... Phew. we thought, now we can relax!

..... Almost immediately .....

Rosie appeared with her hoof and thrust it in the general direction of anyone who would hold it for her!!

..... So we started again .....

..... So she chewed .....

..... And licked .....

..... And chewed some more .....

Rocky, having finished his drink, came to see what she was up to ..... Seemed to approve and wondered off again.

So Rosie made herself comfortable!

Rocky likes to sit on the sofa's with his front legs on the floor .....

..... Just to be different, Rosie prefers her back legs on the floor and her front end on the sofa's ..... Will stay like that for hours she will!!?

Well, she really got stuck in and .....

..... Gnawed and chewed ....

.....And gnawed and chewed .....

.....And gnawed some more ..... Family arm swapping was required as arm muscles got very tired!

When she had finally had enough and wondered off for a lie down ..... We were somewhat tired as well!!!!!!

So, with a sigh of relief we settled down again in an attempt to relax .......

..... Mij took that opportunity to start opening drawers to see what's inside and what was worth playing with and sending across the floor!!!

Sigh, some nights you've just got to give up any idea of relaxing!!

Ah well, at least were not bored!!!!!

So, like two velcro'd book ends .....

It's night night Rosie and night, night Rocky - dream of slurpy chews and very, very obliging family!