A new breed of dog? (with Photo's)

I was at it again this evening, taking photos of anything and everything. Because hubby was using the camera, I used my phone. You'd think with the quality showing up to be so bad that I'd learn, but apparently not.

Anyway, I caught a few shots of Pippa looking rather happy and comfy, plus a new breed of dog. Part child, part Dalmatian maybe?

A NEW BREED OF DOG MAYBE?

YOU WANTED SOMETHING?

IT'S A HARD LIFE, I THINK I''LL JUST TAKE A NAP RIGHT HERE!

I know these aren't photo's of Jock, and they really should be, but Pippa has been a faithful companion now for 8 years, and sadly, I doubt we'll get many more years out of her.  Right now she's happy, eating and being mostly normal. If any or all of that changes, and we can't do anything about it, well, we'll make a decision then. Until then, she gets spoilt rotten!

I have a new toy! (With Photo's)

Okay, so we bought Jock a toy ball that drops treats. Apparently he doesn't care about the treats, but the ball is just the best! I ended up having to take it off him because he kept throwing it around and I was scared he was either going to knock me out with it, or break a window!

The photo's aren't great quality because they were taken with my phone, but there's a couple of other photo's in there too.

 Above - Peppa sleeping on the bed (not allowed in this house but she's just soooo cute!

 Above - Jock holding the ball. Yucky photo, but still. He seems to love it, just a little too much.

Above - Jock (Left) Peppa (Right), I'm not sure what she said to him, but he's definitely looking worried.

That blanket is his 'mat'. It's actually the mat that I use for all of the dogs, and can be placed in any room and they'll sit on it.

Pippa (the Boxer) is really good and will get on the mat properly, as will Jock most of the time. Peppa is of the belief that as long as one part of her is touching the mat (even if it's just her tail hairs) that's considered being on the mat.

She's also coming up with some interesting tricks.

Today we had to go out for a couple of hours, so I took her out to go to the toilet. All of our dogs have been taught to pee and pooh on command, so out the back we go, with me saying "Go Pee".

Whether she didn't want to, or need to, I don't know, but she actually faked peeing. She did her 'squat' or should I say 'hover' in a place she never goes to the toilet, and when I said "You done?" she jumps up looking all satisfied. I know she didn't pee, but I've only ever known one dog to do that, and that was a Basenji.

I didn't growl at her, but I did laugh a lot, and she scored a couple of points for effort from me.

They really are funny dogs, and I love them to bits!

I can't believe I forgot! (With Photo's)

I've been so wrapped up in my own misery with my back lately that I forgot it was Jock's birthday yesterday!

My boy has just turned 3 years old!!!!!! (well, yesterday 16th November 2014)

From this:

To this:

He turned into a fantastic farm sheep dog (maybe not a trial dog but that's my fault, not his), and is becoming an even better pet. He doesn't seem to mind not having sheep around any more, he just adores the time we spend together.
This afternoon, he'll come back inside for more training, pats and cuddles, and he might even get a treat or three!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOCK!  (for yesterday).

More photo's from days past

 Above - I'll get those bubbles!

 Above - Nothing like a bath to cool off!

 Above - Don't look at her, I'm much cuter, see?

 Above - If there's water, she'll find it!

 Above - Loki - full litter sister to Pippa, only 18 months younger - now a service dog.

Above - Yes, I have a cow in my mouth, what's the problem?

Some more photo's of our Pippa

Well, it was freezing here today, and because I haven't got anywhere set up for the boy inside, bringing him in for his regular pats/training/cuddles would have been cruel.

Explanation:

Take a dog that is used to the cold into a warm house for a few hours. He warms up, but then has to go back outside for the night. He has to go through the whole warming up process again. I'd hate it, so I don't do it to him.

Instead, I took him out for a run in the paddock. Out there, he peed on everything in sight, chased a couple of rats and birds, found the treat bones I'd scattered everywhere and then came up onto the chair for cuddles. I didn't do any training with him as my back is very touchy, and it was getting colder and sorer the longer I stayed out there, so after his run, he went happily back into his pen.

I found a few more photo's of Pippa today though, a couple that were supplied by my son. You'll notice in one of the photo's that she has ears.  This photo was taken pre May 2011, and she doesn't look impressed about being woken up.

The others are just of her kicking back doing what she does best......... relax!

 (Above) - inside on her chair

 (Above) - Pippa making herself at home.

(Above) - You woke me why?

Going through my photo's and found some old ones to share!

 (Above) - Jock in his basket - sadly the basket was no match for his ripping skills :(

 (Above) - Pippa more than a little comfy in my outside chair.

 (Above) - Jock taking his stick to hide if from Peppa (currently out of view).

(Above) - the Pied Piper of sheep maybe? Photo taken at least 12 months ago

No-longer a sheepdog (with Photo's!)

Hi all,

It's been forever since I posted on this blog, and I promise to do more of it.

In the last 18 months, so much has happened.

1. My training schedule turned flat out as I tried out for the Victoria Police. I almost passed the fitness test on the second attempt, but not quite.  A month later, I seriously upset an old injury in my back, and this has left me on crutches almost permanently as walking becomes more and more difficult.

2. I sold our sheep.  Not only was it becoming impossible for me to do any of the maintenance on them to keep them healthy, but this property became far too soggy and our poor sheep were constantly limping from having thrush.  They all got fantastic homes though, so that made me happy.

3. Jock became a dog without a job.

Although no-longer bed-ridden, I still can't get out much to exercise him the way I used to, so he is having to learn to do without the hours of tearing around the paddock.  He still goes out lots (other family members take him out for exhausting runs regularly), but he has started spending more and more time inside with me, near my computer.  He's beginning to settle into being a house pet, which is fantastic.

He doesn't seem to miss the sheep work, however if I was to take him near sheep again, I'm guessing he'd be itching to get out there and round em up!

Below is a photo of him making use of the cold spot on the floor on the hot day we had a few days ago.  He HATES slippery surfaces, and it took a lot to convince him to stay there, but in the end, I think he figured out the benefits of the cold floor.

Enjoy guys, and I promise to write again soon!