At last! After months of thinking about it, Tommy and I have finally signed up for a beginners course in agility! We start on Monday... Only trouble is that its on a Monday, about 3/4 of an hour drive away...thats if I can find the place!
Its run by the Burnham & District dog training club. I hope we have as much fun as I think we will.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
TV People
There was allot of activity on the morning walk today. By Royal Terrace there were about 3 transit vans and lots of people walking around and shouting directions at each other. I had no idea what they were up to, and Tommy was very curious about all these people. He stopped and sniffed through the railings a few times and one man spotted us. He walked through the other entrance and stopped to talk to us.
Tommy was kind of interested in this man who was going to speak to us. He had his head down but was still looking at the man, wagging his tail. The man bent down to stroke him. Tommy started barking.
'He's not the friendliest of Terriers I'm afraid', I apologised 'he's a rescue and can be quite nervous of people, its something we're working on'. I really should have said 'I'm terrified of him biting people, which makes me nervous, which makes him nervous so between the pair of us we're a bit rubbish'. I was thinking of training - keep the lead loose, deep breath, keep calm, nothing is going to happen here.
'Oh that's ok. Look, he is sending out mixed messages!' By this time Tommy had stopped barking and was wagging his tail more and half falling over in a I want you to stroke me but I'm scared kind of way.
'Its unusual to see so many people on our morning walk, what are you up to?'
'Filming the new Ford advert. It's such a great location here' He looked over the Adventure Island and the sea knowingly. 'When we came down to choose the location we had a meal at some Italian over that way' pointing towards Westcliff 'it was lovely.'
'That was probably Mama Mia's'
'Oh, don't mention that! I still get nightmares from working on that film set' - at this point I thought your name dropping.
'Well, must get on' I said politely. '~When will the advert be airing?'
'Soon we hope'
'I'll look out for it'
'Unless you know the interior of the hotel, I'm afraid you wont see much of Southend'.
'That's a shame' I replied.
We carried on our walk. It was nice to chat to the man - I'm still not sure what his job was, but he didn't give me a card to contact him about putting Tommy in the movies! Think we missed our big TV break...
Tommy was kind of interested in this man who was going to speak to us. He had his head down but was still looking at the man, wagging his tail. The man bent down to stroke him. Tommy started barking.
'He's not the friendliest of Terriers I'm afraid', I apologised 'he's a rescue and can be quite nervous of people, its something we're working on'. I really should have said 'I'm terrified of him biting people, which makes me nervous, which makes him nervous so between the pair of us we're a bit rubbish'. I was thinking of training - keep the lead loose, deep breath, keep calm, nothing is going to happen here.
'Oh that's ok. Look, he is sending out mixed messages!' By this time Tommy had stopped barking and was wagging his tail more and half falling over in a I want you to stroke me but I'm scared kind of way.
'Its unusual to see so many people on our morning walk, what are you up to?'
'Filming the new Ford advert. It's such a great location here' He looked over the Adventure Island and the sea knowingly. 'When we came down to choose the location we had a meal at some Italian over that way' pointing towards Westcliff 'it was lovely.'
'That was probably Mama Mia's'
'Oh, don't mention that! I still get nightmares from working on that film set' - at this point I thought your name dropping.
'Well, must get on' I said politely. '~When will the advert be airing?'
'Soon we hope'
'I'll look out for it'
'Unless you know the interior of the hotel, I'm afraid you wont see much of Southend'.
'That's a shame' I replied.
We carried on our walk. It was nice to chat to the man - I'm still not sure what his job was, but he didn't give me a card to contact him about putting Tommy in the movies! Think we missed our big TV break...
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Kayaking
Oh yes!
For my birthday, b/f bought us both Kayaks...he loves it! I am quite keen and its nice to have something we do together. We have been out a few times by ourselves, but this weekend we thought Tommy should come with us - after all, we did buy him a buoyancy aid for that reason!
We set off quite late - the normal Saturday stuff had got in the way of an earlier start unfortunately. We went off to Paglesham as we needed somewhere close. Tommy was very excited as we loaded the Kayaks on the car. He had seen us do this a few times now, and had been desperate to see where we take the 'heavy plastic that smells of stuff'. He jumped in the car before we had finished loading - he wasn't missing out this time!
We arrived at the place where we were launching and started to unload. Tommy was tail wagging and looking at us in an expectant manner. We put his buoyancy aid on. His tail went to a half wag. And then we took everything towards the quay. He was trotting along, looking all round and seemed happy enough. Then we got to the slip way. This had big gaps in between the wood which Tommy wasn't keen on walking on, but with some persuasion, we carried on. Then the kayaks in the water. Then b/f passed down Tommy to sit with me. I paddled away from the quay and he seemed quite happy.
B/f followed soon after and Tommy decided to see what b/f kayak was like - he dove in and swam across. The best bit about a dog buoyancy aid is they have a handy handle on the back to pull him out of the water with! B/f kept Tommy with him for about 3 minutes, then Tommy swam back to me! Then back to b/f and then back to me again! I'm not sure if he was enjoying it or if it was to see if we were both insane for being in heavy smelly plastic!
Once he'd settled with me, we paddled along for a while. No where far as it was Tommys' first outing. Tommy seemed quite desperate at times to go back to shore, but all in all, once he'd settled he seemed quite happy. In fact, after we'd been out for about 3/4 of an hour, he curled up by my feet and went to sleep.
I think he would benefit from having somewhere dry to sit, without the spray decks, water does come into the kayak. But the swimming between the kayaks must be great exercise for him! I hope next time he is more settled. He will be a 'all action' dog if it's the last thing we do.
For my birthday, b/f bought us both Kayaks...he loves it! I am quite keen and its nice to have something we do together. We have been out a few times by ourselves, but this weekend we thought Tommy should come with us - after all, we did buy him a buoyancy aid for that reason!
We set off quite late - the normal Saturday stuff had got in the way of an earlier start unfortunately. We went off to Paglesham as we needed somewhere close. Tommy was very excited as we loaded the Kayaks on the car. He had seen us do this a few times now, and had been desperate to see where we take the 'heavy plastic that smells of stuff'. He jumped in the car before we had finished loading - he wasn't missing out this time!
We arrived at the place where we were launching and started to unload. Tommy was tail wagging and looking at us in an expectant manner. We put his buoyancy aid on. His tail went to a half wag. And then we took everything towards the quay. He was trotting along, looking all round and seemed happy enough. Then we got to the slip way. This had big gaps in between the wood which Tommy wasn't keen on walking on, but with some persuasion, we carried on. Then the kayaks in the water. Then b/f passed down Tommy to sit with me. I paddled away from the quay and he seemed quite happy.
B/f followed soon after and Tommy decided to see what b/f kayak was like - he dove in and swam across. The best bit about a dog buoyancy aid is they have a handy handle on the back to pull him out of the water with! B/f kept Tommy with him for about 3 minutes, then Tommy swam back to me! Then back to b/f and then back to me again! I'm not sure if he was enjoying it or if it was to see if we were both insane for being in heavy smelly plastic!
Once he'd settled with me, we paddled along for a while. No where far as it was Tommys' first outing. Tommy seemed quite desperate at times to go back to shore, but all in all, once he'd settled he seemed quite happy. In fact, after we'd been out for about 3/4 of an hour, he curled up by my feet and went to sleep.
I think he would benefit from having somewhere dry to sit, without the spray decks, water does come into the kayak. But the swimming between the kayaks must be great exercise for him! I hope next time he is more settled. He will be a 'all action' dog if it's the last thing we do.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Barbeque
We held a barbecue last Saturday to celebrate Tommys 'second pick me' day, and my 40th(!).
He was excited from the minute we got up on the Saturday because of the change in routine (we got up in the morning!). Whilst b/f was at Asda, I done some last minute cleaning and moving of stuff, which Tommy watched with great anticipation. Then 'the help' arrived, closely followed by b/f, and enough food to feed an army, let alone the 40 odd people that were due to arrive. Tommy done his normal yapping at the Steves' and Matt, but they are well prepared for him now and ignore him till he calms down. Then they are all quite happy to give Tommy a scratch and a good boy.
B/f decided to blow up balloons. I was not impressed. Tommy constantly barking the garden was not what I had in mind! Even someone from up the road shouted to 'shut that bloody dog up'. Not good.
I put a sign on the door with basic instructions on how to behave around Tommy - it took up an A4 sheet! And everyone ignored it anyway...
People started to turn up. Tommy was being his normal barking self to start with, but as the people kept coming, he kind of gave up. He made great friends with 'the Steves' who were doing the cooking, and gradually made his way round everyone in the garden to beg for food!
He only growled at two people all day. One of them was a lady I work with. He moans at her at work as well. The other one was a man from the pub who has a beard. B/f had picked Tommy up and he was close to the other man's face. I'm not sure Tommy had seen a beard that close before.
All in all, it was a good day. Tommy quietened down about the balloons, and no one got bit. It was more than I could have ever had hoped for.
He was excited from the minute we got up on the Saturday because of the change in routine (we got up in the morning!). Whilst b/f was at Asda, I done some last minute cleaning and moving of stuff, which Tommy watched with great anticipation. Then 'the help' arrived, closely followed by b/f, and enough food to feed an army, let alone the 40 odd people that were due to arrive. Tommy done his normal yapping at the Steves' and Matt, but they are well prepared for him now and ignore him till he calms down. Then they are all quite happy to give Tommy a scratch and a good boy.
B/f decided to blow up balloons. I was not impressed. Tommy constantly barking the garden was not what I had in mind! Even someone from up the road shouted to 'shut that bloody dog up'. Not good.
I put a sign on the door with basic instructions on how to behave around Tommy - it took up an A4 sheet! And everyone ignored it anyway...
People started to turn up. Tommy was being his normal barking self to start with, but as the people kept coming, he kind of gave up. He made great friends with 'the Steves' who were doing the cooking, and gradually made his way round everyone in the garden to beg for food!
He only growled at two people all day. One of them was a lady I work with. He moans at her at work as well. The other one was a man from the pub who has a beard. B/f had picked Tommy up and he was close to the other man's face. I'm not sure Tommy had seen a beard that close before.
All in all, it was a good day. Tommy quietened down about the balloons, and no one got bit. It was more than I could have ever had hoped for.
Back to training?
Or not as the case may be.
Alan was unsure at the end of last term if he was going to continue, and I hadn't heard anything all summer, so it was with some in trepidation that I drove over to Rochford on Sunday.
I parked in the normal side road. It gives me a chance to give Tommy a 10 - 15 minute walk to calm him down before we get to the training ground. As I turned the last corner, my heart sunk. There was no cars or vans parked outside. Alan had decided not to carry on...
But what's that? On the gate? A sign! He is carrying on but couldn't get the insurance sorted out in time! Be here next week, normal time.
Excellent. Am so pleased! :-)
Alan was unsure at the end of last term if he was going to continue, and I hadn't heard anything all summer, so it was with some in trepidation that I drove over to Rochford on Sunday.
I parked in the normal side road. It gives me a chance to give Tommy a 10 - 15 minute walk to calm him down before we get to the training ground. As I turned the last corner, my heart sunk. There was no cars or vans parked outside. Alan had decided not to carry on...
But what's that? On the gate? A sign! He is carrying on but couldn't get the insurance sorted out in time! Be here next week, normal time.
Excellent. Am so pleased! :-)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Chickens!
Exciting stuff is happening from beside the railway lines! I have started to keep chickens again!
Tommy was always excellent with the chickens we had at our old place, but when they got caught by a fox, I decided that I wasn't going to get any more until we'd moved. Nearly a year later, I have finally purchased my three hens and their groovy new house!
Tommy was always excellent with the chickens we had at our old place, but when they got caught by a fox, I decided that I wasn't going to get any more until we'd moved. Nearly a year later, I have finally purchased my three hens and their groovy new house!
Not the best picture I agree, but this is Tommy's blog!
He has been happily laying in the sun with the ladies, carefully watching over them, sniffing the air for foxes. I have missed keeping hens.
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