Castles in the air...

Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau

Each season I try to rest my dogs for a short time, they have eight weeks or so off to mentally and physically recoup from the strains a working dog can be under. Hoax is now nearing the end of her rest period and is preperation I have been looking at my foundations with her. Boy, how much I have learned since I trained her! Sadly I cant go back in time and fix the bits I did wrong, but I can build on what we have and strengthen our weaknesses. Focus will be on getting back to working flatwork drills, contact final position and weave entries as part of my Olympia prep. She has been to the vets due to a hind lameness but it seemed like a strain, so she is now on rest and anti immflamatories. This will be followed by a visit to my awesome physio on thursday to get some massage and a full check before I start to work here again.

Detour is naughty! Yes I never thought he would be but he is having some wild and crazy moments and I love it! For a dog that worried about so much he has really come out of his shell. Agility wise he really is a pleasure to work, trying so hard to get things right for me but still working with joy and gusto- fab boy! He has made me think so hard over the time since he was born about training and I love what i have learned. While I am getting Hoax Olympia ready, D will soon go on his winter rest. He loves his agility and as we will continue to work to our goal for next season. during rest period we will go back to more flatwork, forward focus and startline games etc.

Boo is still the solid, sweet, driven dog he always has been and I just cant fault him. He is just awesome to live with, work and just be involved with. He really is just the most special boy and I am blessed to own him.

I have finally started training again, no regular classes just private lessons and training days: mostly for other clubs and I am so enjoying it. I love to help if i can, and with jump work, and all the things I have learned about play from the likes of Lauren L and Susan G, I really feel that we can create happier, safer dogs nowdays. I love to learn and teach, trying to make it to others training days and inviting guest instructors. For myself broadening my knowledge about jumping is also paramount. When I started riding again I didnt realise how much it would help my understanding of jumping, physical ability and mental confidence etc. Anyone who has ridden and jumped knows how much easier the whole thing is when the horse meets the jump on the correct stride, tucks front legs neatly under and leads with his head low. Equally how much harder to sit, is that early takeoff and subsequent launch over the jump? We can learn so much through other sporting disciplines: showjumping, obedience, schutzhund and even football etc have things to offer us. Broaden our horizons, forget prejudices and preconceptions, we just might learn something brilliant!

Open your eyes...

Recently we had a few training days that I attended with Hoax & Detour. Both worked well for me and I came away with a ton of tips. One really gave me a kick up the a#se with Detour though.

He was working well and plays ok, tugs when I ask him to and really tugs well after each exercise. Could he tug better? Yes most certainly but I had kind of just let it be thinking this was the best I was gonna get from him. Lauren got on my case a bit about it and I realised how much I was reoffering the tug which encouraged the rebite behaviour instead of a good strong tug. I was trying to encourage- almost beg him to grab and keep the tug. He also wasnt putting his ALL into running, he was going well but he CAN go even faster. My focus for the next few weeks was to up his tug drive and performance and see what happened from there.

So I worked, within a week he had gone from a good tug to a pretty great tug! I had to work damn hard from that point on to win most of the tug games. I did a few different things to get this: A/ actually TRY to win the game! B/ Dont re offer as such. If he lets go: either win the toy and keep it or let him try to get it again but HE has to move into the toy and I make it hard for him to actually grab it. C/ if he lets go, let another dog tug with me instead. D/ do it rough! He loves being ruffed up and smacked as he plays now. There is a notable difference in his agility performance from when he plays ok tug to when he plays GREAT tug, the higher the desire for the toy, the higher the drive for agility... seeemples!

long time no see- Baby D!

Ooops has it been that long???

My dogs are just fab and am loving having my time back to work on them. Detour had his first show (Ajaxs UKA) we did all but one run NFC and that run was a steeplechase that he won! Lovely boy. I also worked his at Thatcham UKA and ran a lot NFC but also did some 'proper' ones and he had another steeplechase win and a jumping win too. Mostly I was proud of other bits though. He managed to queue (albeit slightly out of the line) without stressing too much. He hit 100% of his weave entries which really made me smile- LOVE 2x2s! Startlines were good, I didnt push them too much but did lots of rewarding for them. What I was most delighted about was his jumping. I don't think D is a naturally gifted jumper, I still don't claim he is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but for a young immature boy he is so fab! He chooses his bounce strides really well and will also select when to add a stride. Compression for a turn is harder for him so needs more work. He had some poles down at the lower UKA heights (none when I moved him to Maxi). But overall he is a pretty good proof  that jump training can help. I know it's unessasary, but just had to share this lovely comment from our training forum... "Detour is definitely a credit to you, I was queueing during one of his steeplechase runs and he is stunning to watch, there were actually gasps in the queue as he bounce jumped the straights where every other dog put in at least 2 strides! I can't believe he's so young still"! Well how chuffed am I with that! By no means am I trying to say D is perfect or going to go out and win, but I am totally over the moon with him. I have no lofty aspirations for my little dog, but I do love to see him confident and happy. I am so proud of how far he has come and what a lovely, willing dog he is to work with.

Bye Bye Babies!

All my puppies have flown the nest and are doing well. I was really sad to see them all go but am incredibly proud of them. They are happy, confident, noisy little girls and I think they will make their new families very happy :)

Here is a stacked photo of Quiz- think she is pretty perfect actually!

----------------------

On the upside I am now emotionally and physically present for my dogs training again. I just couldnt find the energy or drive to train that much when the pups were here and it's great to be back on form.

Detour is working really well, learning so fast and does things sometimes that make me go 'wow, how did you know that'! He is just an angel and I adore working him.

Miss Hoaxey is back whoohoo! I love having my angel back at agility after having the pups, she is really fit and well and as fast as ever I think. She is hard to work as always, such an eye for where she thinks the course goes, but so much fun- I am looking forward to this season with her.

Boo is my angel as ever, he has been working as a schoolmaster for a friend of mine Jules who he loves. It's great for him as he gets to do agility and great for Jules as he is such a nice dog to work. I am still training him too and he is working as well as ever. His physio stuff with Donna Wills is paying off and eve more excitingly I have won him a new coat!

I entered a draw at Crufts and actually won! It is awesome new technology called the Springs Things Canine Massage Rug and does all sorts of nifty things to help warm your dog up. I will hopefully use on Boo mostly but will use it on Hoax too although it might be a bit big! I am so excited to have won something so awesome!

Puppy Progression

The pups continue to thrive. They have had a trip to the stables and seen horses and other dogs and have each been working on individual sessions too. They have all been off to the park with me and Hoax but without siblings for a short time and then brought back to their 'comfort' at home with siblings etc. They all coped absolutely fine with it and I hope this will make their transition to new homes easier for them and new moms!

They have also each done more lead work and are picking up that they need to follow with leads on. If they get static and dont want to move into the tension on lead I just wait keeping gentle tension until they decide to move into it then they get stuffed with treats! They LOVE food so I am just using a good quality kibble for treats etc.

Only three sleeps left before first ones go! :-(

visitors everywhere!

So we have had lots of visitors in and out this week from friends kids to hyper squeaky adults to gruff strange men. The pups havent been bothered by any of it. Each day it seems we have a different pup who is going for the dominant role and a different pup who is the hyper one! They are all total pigs and LOVE food, kibble was introduced as part of their diet and is a more than ample enough reward for them all. I have been doing a little shaping with each pup, just simple things like sit instead of jumping earns reinforcment. I have a lightweight lead that each pup has got used to trailing around, the other pups tug it and step on it and I think all that helps them get used to those odd collar pulls. I also take hold of their lead and do short, gentle and intermittent pulls and  reward them for moving towards the pressure, all pups accept this happily!

Here are a few pics taken by Nik Fowler (Hoax breeder) today in the garden- lovely!

Boobaby: Harry!

The new Boobaby on the block is called Harry. He is just gorgeous. A singleton pup but mum and boy are so very healthy and well. I think he is going to be the most stunning dog when he grows up!

Welcome little Harry!

Harry!



Mum: Ross



Updates

Well the girls are fab! Noisy, piggy (loving food), crazy and very investigative. They are used to the vaccum cleaner, wobble boards, bigger dogs, quiet cuddly children, noisy screaming children. They tug, race and fall over. They all are used to their collars and have now had a lead trailing round behind them. They get hugged, kissed, knocked over. Picked up, put down and rolled over. They are just wicked pups :)

The website has been updated with week five shots- they wouldnt sit still so looks a bit odd.... ah well you get the idea!

Smoketrail Web pUpdate

Introducing Annette Parkers...

Maze!

Inventive Ideas

So I think I have been much more inventive with toys for the pups this time round. Each day I rotate the wobble board, boxes, tins etc and this keeps them interested in the items. I also have a huge box of toys so change toys each day.

So far we have had... cardboard boxes of varying size, toilet roll tubes, wrapping paper, keyboard, various cuddly toys, a plastic bottle filled with rattley things. Baloons, squeaky toys, an empty paper dog food bag. A caravan step which sometimes is covered for them to hide under, rubber toys and things hanging from the sides. Plastic bowls (they like these a lot) and tugenuff furry grab things!

Plus all Ethans stuff that is hanging around each room!

Also the pups have had more exposure to out other dogs, namely Detour and Linx as they are both intrested in but not obsessed with the puppies!

Here is the puppy room as it stands tonight. PS Daisy Duke and Coco arent sleeping they are rolling around with a pink and blue ball respectively!

Introducing Heidi Clellands...

Quiz!

Introducing Neill Collins's...

'Daisy-Duke' (KC name not yet decided)

Learning and Moving

Back from a long weekend at Bowerlands and what a weekend it was!

On the Saturday I helped Lauren and Matt as a dogsbody at their Awesome Handling seminar. My buddies had working spots and really had their eyes opened. Lauren truly thinks outside the box and games of keepy- uppy and grab the ball made everyone giggle and also were totally relevant. Jules and Neill walked awy from that seminar feeling motivated and enthusiastic. We followed that with a long walk with Lauren, Jo and the three of us: devon countryside, collies everywhere= bliss! Quick change and off to the pub, dog friendly and cheap, my food was good too. Lauren & Matt were great company and it was fabulous to have the puppies Ripple & Fiji to play with.

Sunday and we shared an hours lesson with Lauren for Detour, Lillie & Chewie. Fab fab! Lauren gave me some great tips for Detour and Neill and Jules went away with plans to help withtheir dogs confidence and focus. We were really on a high after that! Bar a few complications with car breakdowns, getting lost etc etc we made it to our hack for Sunday afternoon. Myself, Neill and Lauren went off accross Dartmoor with our guide (who was so lovely). We started off with a nice calm walk but quickly off for a trot, then straight off for long, long canters up hills and accross the rocky land. Pretty much walk down hills, canter anytime it was possible, oh and I only fell off once ha ha! We were all shattered afterwards and myself and Neill had the most chilled night in- lovely!

The next morning was followed by another private lesson and it was great again. Anyone who hasn't trained with Lauren is missing out, G1 or G7, especially with young dogs. Swallow your pride if thats whats stopping you and get down there for a session, open your mind. You WILL learn a lot! The thought and science that goes into Laurens training is second to none. Our drive home was filled with positive chat and plans for our way forward with our dogs. Brilliant!

Bowerlands was a lovely setting, the menage is fab for agility and the training lovely. Lauren and her family really make you feel welcome and with the cottages nearly booked out for the year, all workshops that are run get full, the proof really is in the pudding :)

before set off at Cholwell Riding Stables, Devon

Puppy Development Week Five (Days 29-35)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Group activities and sexual play will begin
Dominance order starts
Rapid growth/development

Moving so fast

Well time is passing way too fast with these puppies, they are all desperate to escape from the whelping box and explore... so explore they now can. The whelping box is left open so pups have free access in and out. With this, a whole new level of chaos begins. Newspaper is down in the puppy pen and the area is littered with boxes to hide in, pots to climb in/ on. Raggy toys, chew toys etc.

The girls are adorable and already I am sad that I will have to say goodbye to them all. Little Coco is little miss attitude, strutting around with her tail over her back. Gucci is brave and inquisitive, taking life in her stride and Dior is full of love, sweetness and food!!!

Food is going down very well, they are currently having rusks and milk for breakfast then two small helpings of NaturesMenu raw nuggets soaked in a little boiled water/ veg water. They are constantly caked in their food :)

I am trying to enjoy each and every day with them- they are so very prescious x

First Meal- 3 weeks 1 day old

Yesterday the puppies had their first meal, rusks and milk. They all did really well although Dior decided that to stay clean it was easier just to lick the food off the other pups faces :o)

They all have needle sharp little teeth now and although I would have prefered to hold off weaning for a few more days they are feeding lots and for a long time now, they seem to be taking a lot from Hoaxey and they are defintely ready.

Weights are all good with Gucci still leading the pack at 1.5kgs.

They are walking really well now and are playing, cuddling and just being lovely. Ethan is also great with them, cuddling and kissing them lots.

Website Update

Three week old photos at Smoketrail Web here are some more :)

 

Puppy Development Week Four (Days 22-28)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Begin to eat food
Begin to bark, wag tails, bite, paw, bare teeth, growl and chase
Use legs well
Tire easily
Depth perception starts

What a view

Now all eyes are open, I changed the view in and around the whelping box. The 'cave' is gone and toys have been scattered around. I have added a cardboard box with breathing holes for them to cuddle up in.

They are all toddling now and I saw the first play mouthing and pawing today. The extra slats will have to go into the box entrance as they are very nearly climbing out.

Hoax continues to care for them extremely well but is also happy to leave them alone for periods of time.

I will keep rotating toys and will add some overhead for them to look up at and soon will split the whelping box into sleeping/ toilet areas... now it all gets fun!

two in the box!

Puppy Development Week Three (Days 15-21)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Teeth begin to erupt
Puppies stand up and start walking
Begin to lap liquids
Defecate/urinate without stimulation
Start becoming aware of environment
Start playing with littermates
Develop sense of smell
Puppies will start to discriminate as to where to relieve themselves

two weeks old

Time flies! Pups are two weeks old now and getting mobile! They are doing that wobbly standing and eyes are all open/ opening. so so so so so cute.

Website updated with the best pics of each. http://www.ourcollies.co.uk/smoketra1.htm

Meanwhile heres a taster...

little pink bellies x

Moving Forwards

They are very strong little girls now, we have standing (well, bandy legged wobbling) and trying to take a few steps from all the pups. Eyes are starting to open and lots of noises coming out!

Weights are fantastic, they are putting on between 30g- 50g a day. Day 12 (yesterday) Coco is now 792g, Gucci 875g and Dior 813g. The last litter hit those weights at around 14/15 days.

They are just perfect!

lovely round pink bellies!

trimming toes

Nails were all trimmed today, I always forget what a awkward job it is, trying to hold pups still and safe while manouvering a pair of scissors around teeny nails. Pups as expected all were different, Gucci was not impressed, Dior argued a little and Coco pretty much slept!

They are thriving and now I am just watching for those little eyes to open!

Puppy Development Week Two (Days 8-14)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Eyes should open around days 8-10
Ears should open around days 13-17
Temperatures should be around 97-99F

Puppy Development Week One (Days 1-7)

I know I always forget when you can expect the pups to do certain things... so for the sake of my puppy people and anyone else intrested thought I would post these updates when relevant :)

(Not my development table by the way)!


DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

90% of time spent sleeping
10% eating
Susceptible to heat/cold
Instinctive reflexes: crawl, seek warmth, nurse
They can right themselves if placed upside down
Needs stimulation for urination/defecation
Rapid development of central nervous system
Need constant care from bitch
Pups may lose 10% of weight after birth, but should start gaining again
Weight should double by end of week (Gem: this one is a bit odd as I had always heard by day eight weight should double- that one day can make all the difference)!

Hoax Winner!

So even from her whelping box Hoaxey still managed a win.

At the Club award night she won the Kismet trophy for progress and achievement in the Core group. I am so proud of my little lady. She has had an amazing year, skipping from G4?- G7, winning more at G7, qualifying for Olympia semis and winning morning warm up. Qualifying for UKA CSJ final and qualifying for and winning Tug E Nuff. Now, on top of all that she has had a stunning litter of girls. What an angel, love her so much x

Sweet little Smoketrails

They have tickly spots! This litter sure have lots of stroking and attention with just the three pups. They all have tickly spots so I will let their new owners find out where they are :-) We have already had a few visitors: Jules, Neill and Martyn have all popped in. Ok so Neill was here a bit longer and was the only one to actually hold the pups, think she has fallen in love already.

I am trying to get new owners to hold off choosing yet until they are a little older. Odd with the first litter the boys all seemed very alike at this stage (all sweet, boys)! This lot... very different. I am pretty sure already who will suit which pup and I hope the owners will take my guidance. However, I know that usually your heart and hands will pick the pup for you :-)

So three very different pups... looks and personalities.

This seems to be a gorgeous, lovely litter so far and I think I could sell these puppies three times over with all the enquiries and referals I have had! It's a lovely feeling and I just know these girls will have perfect homes.

The Making of a SUPERDOG!

Puppies are growing really well, and all are putting on weight as expected. They are so sweet and I forget what timewasters they are. They already all respond to stroking, luxuriated against our touch and snuggling into our hands. Miss Hoax is being a fantastic mum but did leave them today for a play in the garden, we did some waits and a little gentle tug... well I was gentle she is mad, ha ha! She looks really fantastic and I think she wants to get back to working already!

Started Bio-Sensor program with the pups today. Coco was ok about all of them (slight resistance to all) and actually relaxed during the Q-Tip one. As expected Gucci argued them all, major screams about the supine position though yet not that bothered about the cold towel. Dior again had slight resitance to them but nothing specific to note.

I won't block up my blog with reactions to the program every day but will pop anything of intrest on here :)

For anyone intrested you can google the program but below is a quick description:

1. Tactile stimulation -
holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Stimulation 3-5 sec

2. Head held erect -
using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Stimulation 3 - 5 seconds

3. Head pointed down -

holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Stimulation 3 - 5 seconds

4. Supine position -
hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Stimulation 3-5 seconds.

5. Thermal stimulation -
Use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Stimulation 3-5 seconds.

These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results.


These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding.

Naughty, naughty babies!

Ok this must be the most demanding litter of puppies! He he, these girls are so very noisy and pushy- they do NOT want Hoaxey to have any time so squeal for her if she dare leave them for a second, they are always feeding and wriggling. Think they are fantastic though.

Already there are a few personalities showing... one very pushy- demanding one, one sweeter cuddly one and one little lady. I know these often change as the weeks go on, we will wait and see!

Vet Visit

Coco (Chanel)

The vet came and did his checks today- all clear as suspected- yay! Hoax hated him but we got her and the pups checked over- he is really happy with how they are all doing. Poor little Dior had her rear dew claws removed but was very brave- bless.

Hoaxey is so protective over this litter and getting her to leave them- even for food or the toilet is a mission- I expected her to be more relaxed with her second litter but she is the opposite- these little girls are her angles, and loves them to bits.


Gucci



 



Dior



To new beginnings

What a day!

Hoax surprised me by going into labour four days early (Hmmm thermometer obv not been reading well)! I had just got back from my morning horse ride and collecting Ethan from Nursery. I tried to pop Ethan down for a nap and went to cuddle Hoax onthe sofa, Miss Merlie was panting and groaning- my god she was in labour and I knew pups were imminent!
Gathering myself (and all the gadgets etc) together I sat with her by the whelping box and Ethan (deciding he didnt want to nap) left on the sofa with sweeties and a movie. Calling Nic I hoped he would get home in time that I could focus on Hoax... Twas not to be and juggling changing out of riding clothes, sorting mad child and mad dogs, Hoax' first puppy arrived just over an hour after we had got home at 2.40pm, Nic got back to take over Ethan and I relaxed. First pup, dark little B&W bitch- pretty pretty! 3.10pm next pup arrives, flashy Reef- like B&W bitch- what was going on! All dogs last time... all bitches now! 3.30pm next pup is here- MERLE! little classically marked blue merle bitch- lovely. Then a loooong break, Hoax contractions werent as strong as before, in both litters she had never had more than about 35 mins gap between pups... an hour later and pup four appears... I had a feeling then something wasnt right, he wasnt pushing for anything after shed helped him out... He wasnt looking for her or trying to seek milk. I kept rubbing him trying to get him to react and realised his breathing sounded laboured. I started noticing things... firstly his mouth, not right, I realised he had a terrible cleft palate, then his tail wasnt developed properly... and he just didnt look right. I knew there was no hope for my little boy. I called the vets and took him straight over. The vet confirmed what I suspected and that the cleft was so bad there was no chance, along with the other issues we knew there was no choice.

I brought my little man home and he is buried at here, he will always be with us, where he was born and where he will alwys rest x

The normal celebratory texts and calls went on hold until I felt I could rejoice in what we have rather than what we lost.

It ws later when I started to weigh and photograph pups that the little frisson returned- what a wonderful, relaxed mum Hoax is, three STUNNING healthy girls. My Hoax is well, the babies are well- be happy with what 'is' rather than what was.

Today I have to respect life and death and celebrate and love what is here, right now x

In Memory of Helen Davey- Smiths 'Poppy'

Will miss you Pop x

Time

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all,

I have only slipped into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,

Speak to me in the easy way which you always used

Put no difference in your tone,

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,

Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.

All is well.

Henry Scott Holland

New Training Venue= much happiness!

Thatcham DTC have a new venue and it is fabulous! More of a drive for me but totally worth it. Great flooring for the dogs to work on, brilliant lighting, new sidewalls, hard standing for the cars. I cant speak more highly of it. The effect it has on the general atmosphere is huge, the dogs find the footing much easier than before and can see everything perfectly. I feel happy to start raising the jump height for Detour here as he can see everything he needs to.

We had our first training session on it Monday evening, I worked Detour in the 7pm class. The level of dogs is higher in general as most of the dogs have been working for a few years. I am so proud of how Detour coped, his handling in general is pretty good and he coped with most things we did, really well. His weaves are lovely and there were no entries he struggled with although he did pop out when I ran off and left him in the weaves so this is something we will have to work on. In general he was so fabulous- I love that dog!

I also ran Boo and he was great over the surface, really fluid and fast, he is such a lovely dog to work, ethusisatic, happy. He really is the most special dog and the one who I just 'get'. He means an awful lot to me.

Anyway, all is well in the household, the dogs are healthy and happy, Hoax pregnancy seems to be progressing fantastically and I cant wait for the babies to arrive. We are beginnning to get swamped in piles of vetbed, newspaper, boxes of stuff etc etc. Cleaning time and setup next week and we will be ready!

Moyglare Farm

WAO tryouts

I decided not to tryout with Boo this year, not only is he getting older but he had just had two months rest when the original qualifiers were meant to be so I knew I wouldnt get him fit in time. I went along to help and to try to get some inspiration with my own dogs and training as my motivation has been seriously lacking lately.

We rocked up at 7am on the Saturday and couldnt find our way in, we eventually did and settled into a good job. I really enjoyed the day and the other helpers and RMs were fab. However at 1.30pm when we still hadnt heard anything about lunch we started to enquire about lunchbreaks and food! We eventually found out that A/ we had to eke out our own breaktimes, we werent offered them (doesnt bother me as I am pretty proactive about that stuff but some of the others werent). B/ They hadnt provided any food for ring party! Not even a bag of crisps or packet of biscuits. I know they are trying to keep the costs down but really a big pot of soup and some bread rolls wouldnt of killed it, or at least a heads up that they werent providing anything and we could have stopped at the co op on the way in instead of spending more money on food at the cafe! Anyway, it felt a little unappreciated that we had all gone out of our way to help, I do wonder how many people will keep offering help at things like this. I think so far it has cost people quite a lot of time, effort and money to help. A lot of unhappy helpers that day even though we did get a thanks and apology.

Anyway onto the agility: Some fab courses, great dogs and nifty handling- Im proud of the British dogs we had there but definately missing a few well known names which is a shame. I didnt leave feeling anymore motivated but did have a good time.

Sat evening we went to the pub 'The Little Harp' for dinner and drinks- fab value for money, awesome food and great company- we ended the evening back at the hotel, drinking, having pillow fights and nattering until 2am- ouch! The next day we had to head back as I had family commitments- yawn a tiring but long weekend.

Back home all the dogs had a nice muddy afternoon walk and Hoaxey had lots of cuddles. I feel very protective over her now and love her big puppy belly :)

Not long left! x

Me nd Neill in our room at WAO weekend