Snow and Priory Park...

Went to Priory Park today for a frolic in the snow. The sun was out which made for striking scene’s but the snow is showing no sign of melting, and its been trod on so much its loosing its virgin beauty.
I was picking my way across the icy paths and Tommy had run off somewhere. I started to call him when I got past the pond as I hadn’t’ seen him for a while. I couldn’t hear his collar clicking so I turned back and picked my way across the icy path. And then I spotted him, poor Tommy! As the pond had frozen over, he’d decided to say hello to the ducks and had fallen in! He was looking very sorry for himself, pushed up against some reeds, dripping wet and freezing. He was very pleased to see me. We made our way back to the car where I dried him off as best I could and then home to warm up slowly in front of the radiator.
It wasn’t until later that the feeling of dread came over me when I realised I could have lost Tommy today. If he hadn’t have been able to pull himself out of the pond, or had got lost under the ice, he could have died. I felt so bad, what if I’d lost my little fella? I gave him some chicken with his dinner, to make up for my stupid ness and have made two quiet vows to myself. 1. Priory Park is a bogey park and to be avoided at all costs. 2. Tommy is not Khan who would follow me round the park nicely and come back when called. He is a very inquisitive JRT who needs constant supervision to keep him out of trouble.

Snow pt 2

The snow hasn’t been thawing at all. We haven’t had much more, but at 4-6 inches deep, it’s deep enough for Tommy! The novelty still hasn’t warn off and because the boss can’t get into work, Tommy has been coming in all week. It’s been weird on the industrial estate. I haven’t seen so many grown men play snowballs ever. Tommy pulled me over one day in the week on our lunchtime walk – I wasn’t impressed…We went for a walk along the Cliffs today and there were people out sledging. Tommy loves to chase the sledges – and he barks at them (the sledges) as people pull them along! Everyone seems happy outside at the moment, it’s really nice that winter fun hasn’t been completely replaced by Wii’s and X-Boxes.

Training

As the ‘adverse weather conditions’ have been continuing, it was only me, Pam and Alan (the trainers) and Tommy at training today. It was quite good. We done some off lead work with him which made a change. He is still so hand shy. Bless him.

Snow

Its been snowing! Not normally something I’d celebrate at all. I quite like walking in the snow, but being constantly bombarded with snowballs is not something I appreciate. But now, I have a Tommy dog. He has never seen snow and its so much fun! B/f and I went over the graves this morning (a rarity in itself…we don’t normally both walk Tommy) and played over there for ages! We think it’s the first time he’s seen snow, he was so distracted out and about when we first got him, the idea that he knew what snow was is pretty inconceivable. We threw snowballs for Tommy to chase (and to try and get each other with) and digging in the cold stuff. Let alone trying to figure out where all the grass had gone! It was good fun and then up to the butchers for sausages and bacon for breakfast.

New Coat

Khan was a very spoilt dog. He was my first dog and I adored him. My parents also adored him and he was called their ‘granddog’. Dad had Khans’ coat made by the tailor at the Post Office where he worked. It was made to measure, made of thermal ‘Post office’ coat material and had stripes down the side, one reflective, one bright. It was a one off and Khan loved it.

Mom and dad are ‘cute’ towards Tommy. Dad takes him for a walk once or twice a week during the day to give him a decent break when he’s not at work (Tommy, not dad. Dad’s retired now). They aren’t quite so over the top this time round though (Thank God! I won't have to put up with the t-shirts!), as they have real grandchildren now. So when the discussion about dog coats came up I was surprised. I hadn’t thought of getting Tommy a coat. I think of Tommy as a ‘real’ dog, not the spoilt ‘toy show’ dog that Khan was. His coat is growing back quite thickly now so it didn’t occur to me he might want / need one. Discussing it with mom and dad, they said it might be nice if the weather carries on the way it is, they were also unsure what to get Tommy for his Christmas present. I chatted to b/f about it and he laughed – a dog with a coat! How stupid. So I immediately got defensive and said it might be nice on the last thing at night walk round the block before we go to bed walk – you know – the one where I’ve got my gloves, hat and scarf on and still come in with cold extremities that go against you when we get into bed. I also said he wouldn’t have to walk Tommy with it on…

I knew dad couldn’t get the ‘Post Office’ special from last time, but they were willing to pay up to £15 for a coat! I searched the internet (as you do) and found this site. They mainly deal with greyhound and whippet coats. British hand made to order coats. Right up my street! I ordered the green ‘Clip Close’ coat with the reflective upgrade and a slightly reduced belly strap.

Tommy received the coat just too late for Christmas but it’s a perfect fit. And when he’s wearing it I’m sure his tail was more upright and waggy than normal! Bless him.