'You here for fat boy?' Emma said to me when I picked Tommy up on Friday.
'Fat boy? I didn't think he was fat. Is he fat?' I replied, worried because I'm paranoid enough about me being fat, but a fat dog, no way!
Not fat! Rat! Rat boy. That's what we call him over the stables. We're not long back.' She turned around to get his lead and I stood there with a shocked expression on my face. I must have looked at Emma as if she was mad because when she turned round she giggled and explained that 'Tommy is the best ratter we have over there. He loves to chase the rats and rarely a week goes by when he doesn't catch at least one'.
'Really?' I replied 'and he kills them?'
'Yeah' said Emma, now looking at me like I'm the mad one 'he can spend ages on the chase and then shakes them more than any stuffie I've ever seen him play with. He loves it.'
Taking Tommy to Emma's is like taking him to another world...no wonder he loves it over there so much!
Showing posts with label Waggy Walkers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waggy Walkers. Show all posts
Monday, August 01, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Black and Tan Walking
A special mention really needs to be made to ‘Black and Tan Dog Walking’ and especially to Terry. On the Friday night, Tommy stayed with Terry and he made our night out in Brighton allot more alcoholic!
I contacted Terry a couple of weeks before, after find his site through this site. I emailed and told him of our plans, and if taking Tommy (collecting from the Hotel and dropping back the following day) was the kind of thing he does.
Terry would much prefer to meet the dogs before he takes them in but we had a chat on the phone regarding my assessment of Tommys’ temperament and then I gave him Emmas’ number who also chatted to him. Because of this second independent reference, Terry was allot happier about taking Tommy.
He met us at the hotel on the Friday, at the allotted time. He gave Tommy another name tag, some chicken and off they went. He texted us later in the evening to say Tommy had settled well.
The following morning, he texted again to say he was 5 minutes away and dropped Tommy back to the hotel right on schedule after his morning walk. Tommy was pleased to see us, but I can’t help thinking he had enjoyed Terrys’ company (and the company of the other dogs!) as well.
A few days later, I received an email from Terry with some photos of Tommys walk and overnight stay. I would recommend this first class service to anyone in the Brighton area that needs to have their dogs looked after.
I contacted Terry a couple of weeks before, after find his site through this site. I emailed and told him of our plans, and if taking Tommy (collecting from the Hotel and dropping back the following day) was the kind of thing he does.
Terry would much prefer to meet the dogs before he takes them in but we had a chat on the phone regarding my assessment of Tommys’ temperament and then I gave him Emmas’ number who also chatted to him. Because of this second independent reference, Terry was allot happier about taking Tommy.
He met us at the hotel on the Friday, at the allotted time. He gave Tommy another name tag, some chicken and off they went. He texted us later in the evening to say Tommy had settled well.
The following morning, he texted again to say he was 5 minutes away and dropped Tommy back to the hotel right on schedule after his morning walk. Tommy was pleased to see us, but I can’t help thinking he had enjoyed Terrys’ company (and the company of the other dogs!) as well.
A few days later, I received an email from Terry with some photos of Tommys walk and overnight stay. I would recommend this first class service to anyone in the Brighton area that needs to have their dogs looked after.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Play? or aggression??
Tommy came into the office with me yesterday and spent most of the day chasing flies and laying in the sun. At home time, I decided to take him to Victory Park – its normally one of my favourite walks…
When we got there, there were four other dogs in the middle being walked by three ladies and a girl. One dog was hastily picked up by one of the ladies, who was there with the girl and walked off. They called a Westie along and walked out of the park. I’m not sure what happened, but Tommy and I carried on round the outside of the park for a while and then I decided to cross over the middle of the park (something I never do!) to let Tommy play with the remaining two dogs.
Tommy saw the dogs and ran over to them, greeting a (what looked like) beagle JRT x, (intact male I’ll add here) with bounds of energy and a ‘chase me’ stance. From where I was standing, about 90 mtrs away, they looked like they were playing and having fun. A bit of chase, some boxing, and rolling around on the floor, but the owners body language told me otherwise. I sped up my walk across the park. ‘Is he being mouthy?’ I said. ‘He’s aggressive and shouldn’t be allowed off lead’. Humm, I thought. I called Tommy to me, he was having fun and not really interested (the other dog didn’t look too bothered either if truth be told!). The dogs were running round; both play biting, and bumping shoulders. I called Tommy but he was having way too much fun to notice I was even there. I launched myself at Tommy when he was on a return run, slipped on the wet grass, which made Tommy look. I called him again, with my finger in the ‘wait’ position, which he did. Lead goes back on. The other dog then starts circling Tommy, running off, coming back and play bowing. ‘I’ve owned dogs all my life and your dog is just nasty, if I see him off lead again I’m going to report him’. She was trying to get her dog back, so she ‘could look for bite marks’. I said ‘can you call him back then please, I’m not leaving this park until I know your dog is ok’ (I knew he would be!). The dog was having a whale of a time playing tease with her, not wanting to come back. He came several times back to Tommy though! I was making sure Tommy wasn’t looking at the dog, and I held Tommy’s muzzle. There was no way I was going to let Tommy sniff this dog again. The lady walking the other dog said ‘I don’t know what’s up with him today, it must be the weather’. I decided silence was golden; besides, I was fighting back the tears.
After the lady had caught her dog and said ‘no he’s fine’ I said ‘that’s good’ and carried on walking Tommy, on lead towards the other end of the park. Walking along the fence was the old lady with her aged collie and cocker spaniel bitch. I walked along with them. Tommy being excellent on lead and not even pulling towards the bitch. I felt so sad, but I managed to get home before I burst into tears.
Emma of Waggy Walkers fame asked how the move was today. I said good, flat is lovely but it took Tommy until Wednesday to really settle in’. ‘He’s such a sensitive soul’ said Emma. ‘Well, yesterday I got told he’s really aggressive and if he’s ever seen off lead again in this park he’s going to be reported’. ‘Really, what park?’ said Emma. ‘Victory, near Sutton Road’. ‘Oh I don’t go to that one' 'The other dog didn’t seem that bothered though’. ‘The dogs never are. It’s a more common thing this reporting to the authorities. (sigh) Next time you should say ‘he's goes to a behavourist every week. Talk to her about dog behavour’. We talked a bit more about how hated the dog world now is and went our separate ways. It made me feel a bit better (or maybe justified) talking to Emma, but I still feel sad about Tommy not being able to go to Victory off lead anymore.
When we got there, there were four other dogs in the middle being walked by three ladies and a girl. One dog was hastily picked up by one of the ladies, who was there with the girl and walked off. They called a Westie along and walked out of the park. I’m not sure what happened, but Tommy and I carried on round the outside of the park for a while and then I decided to cross over the middle of the park (something I never do!) to let Tommy play with the remaining two dogs.
Tommy saw the dogs and ran over to them, greeting a (what looked like) beagle JRT x, (intact male I’ll add here) with bounds of energy and a ‘chase me’ stance. From where I was standing, about 90 mtrs away, they looked like they were playing and having fun. A bit of chase, some boxing, and rolling around on the floor, but the owners body language told me otherwise. I sped up my walk across the park. ‘Is he being mouthy?’ I said. ‘He’s aggressive and shouldn’t be allowed off lead’. Humm, I thought. I called Tommy to me, he was having fun and not really interested (the other dog didn’t look too bothered either if truth be told!). The dogs were running round; both play biting, and bumping shoulders. I called Tommy but he was having way too much fun to notice I was even there. I launched myself at Tommy when he was on a return run, slipped on the wet grass, which made Tommy look. I called him again, with my finger in the ‘wait’ position, which he did. Lead goes back on. The other dog then starts circling Tommy, running off, coming back and play bowing. ‘I’ve owned dogs all my life and your dog is just nasty, if I see him off lead again I’m going to report him’. She was trying to get her dog back, so she ‘could look for bite marks’. I said ‘can you call him back then please, I’m not leaving this park until I know your dog is ok’ (I knew he would be!). The dog was having a whale of a time playing tease with her, not wanting to come back. He came several times back to Tommy though! I was making sure Tommy wasn’t looking at the dog, and I held Tommy’s muzzle. There was no way I was going to let Tommy sniff this dog again. The lady walking the other dog said ‘I don’t know what’s up with him today, it must be the weather’. I decided silence was golden; besides, I was fighting back the tears.
After the lady had caught her dog and said ‘no he’s fine’ I said ‘that’s good’ and carried on walking Tommy, on lead towards the other end of the park. Walking along the fence was the old lady with her aged collie and cocker spaniel bitch. I walked along with them. Tommy being excellent on lead and not even pulling towards the bitch. I felt so sad, but I managed to get home before I burst into tears.
Emma of Waggy Walkers fame asked how the move was today. I said good, flat is lovely but it took Tommy until Wednesday to really settle in’. ‘He’s such a sensitive soul’ said Emma. ‘Well, yesterday I got told he’s really aggressive and if he’s ever seen off lead again in this park he’s going to be reported’. ‘Really, what park?’ said Emma. ‘Victory, near Sutton Road’. ‘Oh I don’t go to that one' 'The other dog didn’t seem that bothered though’. ‘The dogs never are. It’s a more common thing this reporting to the authorities. (sigh) Next time you should say ‘he's goes to a behavourist every week. Talk to her about dog behavour’. We talked a bit more about how hated the dog world now is and went our separate ways. It made me feel a bit better (or maybe justified) talking to Emma, but I still feel sad about Tommy not being able to go to Victory off lead anymore.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Moving date (at last)
We have our moving date at last! It has been a struggle but on the 3rd September we shall pick up our keys!
Tommy has taken to living around boxes no problem. The only time he took any notice was when I packed some of his toys, his treats and his coat. He laid by the box in the small room for a very long time then!
I wish I wasn't so stressed about it all. He is going to Waggy Walkers for an extra day on Thursday so I can get on with packing and not worry about his walk. Emma can't take him on moving day as she is going to Burley horse Trails... It may work out better in the end as he can see all the 'stuff' being moved into the new place. I hope he settles.
Tommy has taken to living around boxes no problem. The only time he took any notice was when I packed some of his toys, his treats and his coat. He laid by the box in the small room for a very long time then!
I wish I wasn't so stressed about it all. He is going to Waggy Walkers for an extra day on Thursday so I can get on with packing and not worry about his walk. Emma can't take him on moving day as she is going to Burley horse Trails... It may work out better in the end as he can see all the 'stuff' being moved into the new place. I hope he settles.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Leads
Tommy has four leads. Too many? I think not!
Normal lead – its black and white. It’s made of rope. It does what it says on the tin.
Extension lead – a 5mtr tape extension lead. I’m not keen on this one, but use it for when we go round the small park in case there are picnickers there and Tommy can’t be let off. B/f uses it a lot and I just don’t think you have particularly good ‘control’ over the dog. We did use the cord ones for a while. Tommy’s lead rages as I like to call them soon destroyed them!
Pub lead – This has two clips on it – I think they are used if your dog has a head collar? Anyway, as this is doubled up, I can put the lead round my waist when having a beer and not have to hold it, or tie Tommy to the table. He has been know to pull tables over to try and get to another dog / wandering cat. Its also handy if I’m at an ‘outside’ event and have a burger to try to demolish! It can be very hard with a dog pulling to make the most of a burger!
Waggy Walkers lead – Tommy sometimes has to go into the back of the van when he’s with Emma. Now, because Tommy is quite a nervous dog, he will chew his lead when he’s in crates. I will take his lead off when he’s in the crate in my car, but Emma leaves it on. So, he has his special ‘ Waggy Walkers’ lead that is half chewed, but still safe enough for purpose.
On Friday when I went to pick Tommy up, Emma said that she had a present for me and produced a lead that she had found over the woods. She said that Tommy could do with a new lead. I didn’t have the heart to say he has three others and he only wears the nibbled one because you leave it on him! I took the lead gracefully, and threw his chewed one away when I got home. Five leads…now that is too many!
Normal lead – its black and white. It’s made of rope. It does what it says on the tin.
Extension lead – a 5mtr tape extension lead. I’m not keen on this one, but use it for when we go round the small park in case there are picnickers there and Tommy can’t be let off. B/f uses it a lot and I just don’t think you have particularly good ‘control’ over the dog. We did use the cord ones for a while. Tommy’s lead rages as I like to call them soon destroyed them!
Pub lead – This has two clips on it – I think they are used if your dog has a head collar? Anyway, as this is doubled up, I can put the lead round my waist when having a beer and not have to hold it, or tie Tommy to the table. He has been know to pull tables over to try and get to another dog / wandering cat. Its also handy if I’m at an ‘outside’ event and have a burger to try to demolish! It can be very hard with a dog pulling to make the most of a burger!
Waggy Walkers lead – Tommy sometimes has to go into the back of the van when he’s with Emma. Now, because Tommy is quite a nervous dog, he will chew his lead when he’s in crates. I will take his lead off when he’s in the crate in my car, but Emma leaves it on. So, he has his special ‘ Waggy Walkers’ lead that is half chewed, but still safe enough for purpose.
On Friday when I went to pick Tommy up, Emma said that she had a present for me and produced a lead that she had found over the woods. She said that Tommy could do with a new lead. I didn’t have the heart to say he has three others and he only wears the nibbled one because you leave it on him! I took the lead gracefully, and threw his chewed one away when I got home. Five leads…now that is too many!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Holidays
As b/f and I went to Dublin last week for St Patrick’s day (what a crack!), Tommy went to stay with Emma (of Waggy Walking fame) for a week.
He wasn’t bounding with joy, as such, when I went to pick him up, just indifferent. Emma said he’d been good all week (I doubt that!) and had slept on her bed ‘not in the bed, just on the bed’. He seems to have toned up a bit (or lost weight??) and has got a scratch on his belly (from jumping through thorns).
When we got home he was over b/f like a rash. Charming, I thought.
He wasn’t bounding with joy, as such, when I went to pick him up, just indifferent. Emma said he’d been good all week (I doubt that!) and had slept on her bed ‘not in the bed, just on the bed’. He seems to have toned up a bit (or lost weight??) and has got a scratch on his belly (from jumping through thorns).
When we got home he was over b/f like a rash. Charming, I thought.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Waggy Walking
‘He really doesn’t like the rain does he?’ says Emma, Tommy’s day care lady. ‘He only had two walks today, and he walked around like he’s shit himself’. So nicely put.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Waggy walking still
I mentioned the horse episode to Emma Waggy Walker. She has said that she has never left him around horses. Hummm, I thought she took him over the stables with her. She mentioned his collar is rough on his throat. I will remedy that tonight using scissors. He was tired again and had a happy look on his face. It’s a right pain to get over to Waggy Walkers, but I think Emma is excellent with him.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Waggy walking off lead
Waggy Walkers Emma let Tommy off lead today. She said his recall was excellent. I’m not convinced. I believe it’s more to do with chasing the other dogs and eventually making his way back to her.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Waggy Walking
Tommy’s first day at Waggy Walkers. This is a new thing for me, but I thought it would be good for Tommy. Basically, I get up at the normal time (too early!) and take him for a short walk. Then I get ready for work, drive the 5 miles to Stambridge against rush hour traffic and drop him off at Emma’s, before driving the 4 miles back to work in rush hour traffic to get to work. I told her his recall is non-existent still. She takes Tommy and the various other dogs she looks after over Hockley Woods, Shoebury Park and other places. He also gets to go over the stables and has a day with other dogs and people. I think it’s good socialization for him. I collect him at about 6:00. Emma said he was very well behaved and that she loves his markings. She asked about his skin condition and mentioned that he hadn’t been neutered long. When it was time to go Tommy wanted to jump back in her van – bless him! Well worth the £15 it costs, and he must get bored being either at home or in the office with me all day. And he was so tired tonight I got to go out! Hurrah!
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