The Journey from Hell

Well, I guess to call it the journey from Hell is a bit extreme - it just seemed to go on for ever and ever.  We were late setting off from Surrey, and the tears from all us women certainly made the start a bit upsetting.  Within five minutes of starting and my pup was still crying, we decided to stop to see if she needed to go to the toilet.  Yes, she weed, but she still cried, although a little less so.  I don't think she liked being in the car particularly, and it was very hot, so I'm sure there was an element of distress there which in turn I found distressing.

We were on our third stop at the services on the M6 Toll when we heard there was a ten mile tailback and three hour delay further north.  It certainly wouldn't be fair on the puppies to sit in that kind of traffic, so we decided to take a detour and call in on some Hovie friends of Craig's over Fleetwood way.  By the time we fought our way through all the rush hour traffic, plus all the others that had the same idea as us, it was pretty late before we got to Anne and Dave's.  Cups of tea, sandwiches and dog talk later, we ended up staying the night.  Thank you Anne and Dave - it really was lovely to meet you both, and Julie, and your dogs, daughter, grandchildren - what lovely people you all are!

Next morning saw us on the road at 6.20 - heavy traffic due to everyone catching up with their journeys - and still it seemed to go on an on.  Several stops to let pups out.  I think we made it to Craig's about 11.00, and I left there pretty soon after.  I was dreading the three hours of my journey up to Seil - if she didn't like Craig's car, and the motorway, she was going to hate my truck, and the winding road home.  She did pretty well until just after Inverary when she started to scream, and scream, and scream.  I was getting more and more upset listening to her and ended up pulling into a layby with a track going through some woods.  When I let her out, she greeted me like she hadn't seen me in days.  I always was a sucker for a pretty puppy, and this one had got me good and proper!  After a wee walk, and back in the car, I noticed her listening to the music coming from the speaker - head on one side, then the other.  Then she went fast asleep.  Wow!  I now know Chris Rea's song "September Blue" off by heart as I repeated it the whole way home!!  Thanks Mr Rea - I owe you one!

During the quiet of the last leg I reflected on how quickly this little mite has weedled her way into my heart and wedged it open just a little bit more to allow for the love she will need, and that I need to give her.  I also thought about the timeless wisdom that she seems to have in her eyes when she looks into mine.  Call me fanciful or whatever you like, but I'm a great believer that people and animals come to us for a reason, and often we have met them before, either in this life or a previous one.  That was what I saw in her eyes, and what made my final decision on her name - Riversong.  Her mother is called Rhea which means "flowing" hence the river part, and Riversong in Dr Who is a time traveller.  And as for the racket she can kick up, well, it's not exactly singing as we know it but I guess it is her own song.

On arrival at home I left her in the car briefly so she wasn't squashed or hurt in the melee of excited dogs.  Tussock was wide eyed and waggy tailed at the smells on my jumper.  I introduced her first and she reacted exactly as I had expected - gentle, waggy, curious, but somehow aloof.  In fact all the dogs reacted as I thought they would - Talulah was all hackles and growls until she twigged that Riversong is just a baby.  Sisko sniffed, wagged, and the look on his face said "not another one...."

"Everybody's got a bone except me...."

Looking pretty in the afternoon sunshine, not knowing what to do with her first bone!

"Must be something else I can do...."

"I'll duff up these sweet peas instead"

At long last we were home and we could all get on with developing all our relationships with the new arrival.  And where did she sleep?  What the heck - on the bed!  She'll end up there sooner or later, so we may as well just start as we intend to go on.  Oh the arguments that rage about where dogs should sleep!

The Puppy Has Indeed Landed

Oh my goodness, what a long journey that was!!!  It started at 3.00am on Sunday morning when I woke up and decided to just get up and get going rather than trying to get another half hour's sleep.  I managed to get up and sneak around without disturbing the dogs or Chris, who very kindly came to doggysit for me.  The first leg was to Kilbarchan to meet up with Craig, another Hovie owner who was also going to get a puppy, and his family friend, Ann. The journey down to Surrey was pretty clear, uneventful, and we were there by 4.00pm.  That was the easy part!

When we arrived Val and Steve put the kettle on and we went out to see the pups.  Craig had already been to see them a few weeks before and chosen his pup - a gorgeous little blond bombshell - but I hadn't been able to do that.  Val and Steve had sussed out the pups and decided that the little black bitch was the best one to fit in with my other dogs - I was happy with this as my first choice was a black bitch.  So far, so good.  However, when I met her, I didn't feel the connection I had hoped to feel - some of you may think I was looking too deep, or expecting too much too soon, but the problem was that I really liked the little black and gold girl!  My heart wasn't sinking exactly, but something wasn't right.  It was only over dinner, and a couple of glasses of wine that loosened the tongues that Val let it out that she had really struggled to make the decision, and that she was really fond of the little black one.  Had she not mentioned it, I wouldn't have said anything, but there was my opportunity! So the conversation was opened and I left them to talk it over.  By morning, we had swapped puppies - part of what swayed the decision was that the little black and gold had eaten one of my earrings.......

Paperwork done, we made to set off - Val was in tears, I was in tears, Ann was in tears, my puppy was screaming and Craig was wondering about all these over emotional females.  With that, the journey from hell began.......

More tomorrow, but for now, I need a glass of wine and an early night!

I'll get you....

And I'll get you back....

And I'll flatten you.....

All this play is hard work

Are you my mummy?

She had a certain look in her eye when she looked at me - a wisdom beyond her nine weeks.

Little black pup - now staying behind

Little blonde bombshell - now called Tilly

First photograph at her new home.

Jinty and Toffee

Mooi's first companion with me was Cuinneag, an Eriskay pony belonging to a friend.  He was with me for about 6 months before his presence was required back at home.  Then along came a rather ancient old boy called Danny.  I set out to look at a 26 year old mare who turned out to be a 35 year old gelding belonging to a couple who were moving abroad.  In hindsight, I don't think he should have been moved at that age - the emotional and physical stresses were quite a lot to ask of him - it might have been kinder to have had him put to sleep rather than put him through all that.  Anyway, he ended up coming home with me, a collection of bones covered by a bit of tired flesh and he stayed with me for the summer before I eased his exit from life.  I figured that with very few teeth he was going to find it hard to eat enough to see him through another winter.  His last moments were spent with his head in the bucket eating a tasty mash.

Old Danny soon after arrival

Danny's departure happened on the same day Jinty arrived.  Another Eriskay pony - this time a mare and sixteen years old.  She'd been a brood mare all her life, and had had some recent training in hand and under saddle.  She is a complex creature, with a lot of wisdom, a firm opinion of how she wants things to be, and an ability to wind me up big style.  She just knows which buttons to press.  I could swear that she loves to do it too!  That said, if I'm sad, she is the first to stand and listen and let me lean on her.  In some ways she is wise beyond her now 19 years.



Jinty at the shore

Jinty



She and Mooi became good friends, but Jinty does have a history of separation anxiety when not in the company of her companions.  A babysitter was just the thing!  And so Toffee arrived.  I didn't go looking for her, but she found her way to me.  34 inches (at the shoulder) of Shetland pony.  Now, my thoughts of Shetlands were that were all spoiled, nippy, brattish, fat, and nasty.  Toffee is quite the opposite - sweet, kind, gentle, easy going, and patient.  Now four, she has recently been backed and has a regular if infrequent rider who adores her.

So, how do the dogs get along with the horses?  All in all, just fine.  Mooi did go through a stage of chasing them but I think we are past that now.  If she does make moves as if to do so, she responds to my very stern "NO!".  Jinty and Toffee are great with them.  I just have to watch that they don't get over eager in trying to groom them!  Toffee in particular seems to have a particular fondness for Tussock.

Toffee not sure about Tussock

Tussock not sure about Toffee

As for the dogs - Sisko really doesn't like these big creatures, and tends to keep out of the way.  Tussock regards them as part of their pack to be looked after, and Talulah is just too busy to notice sometimes.  The horses are used to having their muzzles licked even if they don't like it.

The great thing is that the horses are pretty bomb proof when it comes to the dogs rushing around, jumping through the bracken, and chasing one another.

So, that's the family - now just getting ready for the new arrival.  The house has had a bit of a cleaning - a bit pointless you might think, but I doubt I will have much time over the next few weeks.  I set off at 4.30 tomorrow morning ......

Looking all sweet and innocent at four weeks old.....

The Equine Members of the Family

I had always wanted a horse from being about 7 years old.  It was always at the top of my Christmas list.  At the age of 15/16 I helped a lady in the village with her Connemara ponies, and my favourite was a youngster who was under a year old at that time - she and I were great friends and she would follow me around whenever I went to see her.  From that came the desire to have a yearling that I could bring along myself.....  So how did I end up with three?  You might well ask.  I do doubt my sanity sometimes.

In 2006 I met a 9 month appaloosa foal - I was immediately attracted to her, and she seemed to like me. A few months later I found myself in the process of buying her, and a little while later, taking delivery of her.

Looking pretty

A year old at this point....

......with her first family

Within a few weeks I realised the enormity of the task I had taken on, and the huge lack of knowledge and experience that I possessed.  She was sensitive, it appeared she had hurt her back before coming to me, she was reacting strangely to certain noises and movements,  and I was at a loss as to what to do with her.  Enter a certain animal communicator and Reiki practitioner called Tanya Buck from Colorado and I began something of a journey to say the least, not to mention a steep learning curve - and not just learning about horses!

About two here, looking very gangly and out of proportion

Aren't I just gorgeous?

Leading beautifully, but very capable of much mischief!

Mooi happily shares her feed with Tussock and Talulah 

To cut a rather long story short, Mooi is now five, and I have started riding her, albeit tentatively.  On the ground I have no issues with her, but my riding confidence is not at the same level, probably due to several falls through my life.  She has already bucked me off once, but we'll get there.  She is very intelligent, quick to learn, but can be fidgety if she doesn't understand or is confused, and she is still unsure if she really wants my ton weight on her back!  All in all I have to say she is willing, though.  With a bit of expert help I am sure we could get along a lot faster.  At the moment it is a little bit like the blind leading the blind.  At least that's how it feels.

Now five, and looking more like a horse and less like a teenager

And Then There Were Three

During 2008 I started getting "broody" again and badgering for another puppy, backed up by a young friend who was living with and working for us at the time.  Between us we broke down Chris's resistance until one day he announced we could have another puppy as long as it was a flat coat.  Yesssss!  I was straight on the net, found a breeder in Annan that had puppies and before 48 hours had passed I had booked her last bitch puppy.  Before Chris could change his mind.....

Is that water I see?.........

On November 4th we collected Ballyriver Flyon to be known as Talulah.  I wanted a water based name as Flat Coated Retrievers are known for their love of water.  Talulah means Leaping Water.  It might as well mean Leap In Water as that is exactly what she does on a regular basis.

Badddooooomph!

Aaaahhhh - that feels better.

The first couple of nights she was with us she was quite unsettled, crying during the night and keeping us awake.  Desperate to get some sleep on that second night, we got her up on to the bed to play with her and tire her out.  She promptly stomped to the foot of the bed, took her position between our feet and curled up.  She never murmered until it was time to get up.  Ah, well, so be it.  We didn't have a problem with that although I know that many people would be horrifed for one reason or another.



She is now three and she still sleeps on my bed along with Tussock. Sisko has a bed on the floor (he gets tucked into his quilt) as he has a habit of taking over the entire bed whereas the girls always leave me my space. Actually Talulah starts off the night downstairs, but comes up sometime during the night.

One of her favourite sleeping places and positions.

Watching me working at the desk

She is known for stealing whatever shoe or sock you are trying to put on, or might have left lying around, taking slippers out into the garden, and for licking. I'm sure she is trying to help sometimes, but other times she is just making me laugh. And she knows it. She also does a good harrier jump jet impersonation, doing vertical take offs if she can't go in a forwards direction. She and Tussock are the best friends with just the odd cross word, but lots of play. Talulah learned to play rough very early on as that is how Tussock plays (a typical hovawart trait)! One other thing she is known for is her love of brightly coloured cuddly toys - her eyes shine when she sees a new one. This particular love nearly had disastrous consequences, however, when she picked up a friend's Yorkshire Terrier in his bright red coat and shook him like she would a toy before realising her mistake, dropping him and running off.

Yaahoooooooooooooooooooo!

She's an affectionate dog, playful, happy, dizzy, mad, and water loving. Of the three of them she is probably the most obedient. And guess what? I love her to bits!  Despite what she gets into......

And if there's no water......

.......then mud will do...............

........isn't this fun.........

And Then Came Tussock

Actually, Laren came first, but sadly she only lived until she was six years old.  She was the most beautiful, affectionate border collie I have ever known - yes, I am biased as she was my dog, but she was so special that I don't feel able to have another collie.  She was also the love of Sisko's life.  He was just over a year old when Laren arrived as a six week old puppy, and he loved her instantly.  They truly were friends and sadly Sisko hasn't felt that way about any other of his companions.  He was quite distraught when we lost her - as were we.

The day she arrived

About 18 months old

With her favourite Giggleberry

However, just a few months before we lost Laren, we met a hovawart.  A hova what???  A big hairy German dog and rare in this country.  For more information look at www.hovawart.org.uk .  After this meeting we read up on the breed and decided it was to be our next dog.  Chris did some internet work and found a breeder near Perth - it just so happened that she was also the lady who first brought the breed into the UK.  I emailed her and lo and behold, she had a litter on the way.  We met her pack of dogs before the puppies were ever born, and we obviously passed the test as we ended up on the list of potential owners.  They are not dogs for the faint hearted it seemed!

Towards the end of May 2006, Minches Chief Rommi aka Tussock landed into our lives.  And we thought Sisko had attitude....  At the tender age of 7 weeks, she already had some definite ideas about the world, what she wanted to do and who she wanted to be with.  Sisko and Laren were not too sure about her, but Laren soon took on the roll of kind auntie who would play gently with her.  Sisko remained the grumpy grandad for quite some time.  Anyone who showed any weakness would be walked over by this arrogant hooligan - but she wasn't all bad.  She was also very affectionate and playful, although play was pretty rough I have to say.  She managed to split my lower lip, pierce my nose, leap into a guest's lap spilling his whisky, knocked a lady flat on her back, and generally caused chaos.

Mmmm, shall I have a paddle?

Me?  Trouble?  Surely not.

When she was sleeping, you knew she was behaving

Tormenting Sisko

Today, she is generally calm, loving, affectionate, obedient (her interpretation) and very loyal, with flashes of excitability, willfulness and downright naughtiness.  The more she loves you, the bigger the greeting, so if she climbs up you to say hello, you know you are special to her.  She's certainly typical of the breed with regard to people - friendly but reserved with strangers and happy with those she knows.  With other dogs she can be a bit unpredictable as she susses them out.  If they are at all threatening, she will flatten them, if friendly, she will wag her tail, but she is in charge and don't forget it.  When she plays, she plays rough.  Rabbits beware, ducks look out, and cats, please stay indoors.

A proud dog

Does she sound a handful?  She could be trouble if with someone who lacked confidence in their dog handling skills - let's put it that way.  To me, she is just my cuddly wus.

Lady Muck in Life of Leisure

Introducing the Family

So, why on earth does a 51 year old woman who lives on her own, with fairly limited income and time, a small house, three horses and three dogs want another dog?  Why not?  Why does a woman with 20 pairs of shoes want yet another pair?  At least a dog gives something back!

Let me introduce you to the “family”.

In the dog section we have Sisko, a 13 year old black Labrador named after Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek Deep Space Nine – a big black man with attitude.  Sisko has had attitude all his life, although it has definitely softened over the years.  I confess that I haven’t always had an easy relationship with him, going between love and hate regularly and swiftly.  We got him at around 6 months old to be a companion to our elderly Leroy who was beginning to fade.  Having had Leroy as a companion for 16 years, I had certain expectations of this youngster coming into our midst.  He met none of them.  He was hugely aggressive over food, he didn’t come when called, didn’t want to play except on his own terms - when and how he felt like it.  His saving grace over that period was that Leroy had a new lease of life, and Sisko did seem to look out for him.

Perhaps I sound very harsh on this summing up, but that was how it was at the time.  I wasn’t very well at the time, suffering from stress, depression and the (at that time) unrecognised side effects of anti-epilepsy drugs.  Notably the drug company now include that particular side effect on their list.

Today is different.  I have mellowed, he has mellowed, my life is completely different.  Most importantly, perhaps, is that I have learned an awful lot since those early days – about me, about dogs, about life.  I can look back and see where I have come from but in those days I had no idea where I was going.

Anyway, Sisko is now the elder statesman of the family – grey and grizzled and much slower.  He still tends to do things on his terms, and he still drives me daft at times.  Now I can understand that his early months prior to coming to us were not all they should have been.  He was given up to Rescue as an out of control dog, who was chewing to the point of destroying the house.  We know nothing of that first home, but I suspect he was bought as a cute puppy who was expected to train himself and entertain himself.  His aggression over food could have stemmed from teasing, or bad advice.  His dislike/fear of young children could have been from lack of contact, or teasing.  We don’t know.  His food aggression these days is much less – he no longer scares me – I think he is the scared one, to be honest, in case I take his food away.  Children are always taught how to treat him.  If he comes for a stroke, fine, otherwise leave him alone.  If he growls, leave him alone.  If he is in his bed, leave him alone.  Oddly enough, he never did any chewing when he came to us…..

He has a few health issues now, the main one being a condition known as GOLPP - Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy.  Basically - he's getting old, his legs aren't as strong, his breathing is not great at times, he is slower, sometimes a little confused or pedantic, but he does seem to be contented.  The last puppy to come into his life was three years ago - he grumped his way round for days whilst the bundle of fun tried to play with him.  Eventually he gave in and started to play - but only when nobody was looking.  He couldn't be seen playing!!  I think the next arrival might drive him to his bed, but we'll all make allowances for the grumpy old man!

In 2007 and starting to look just a bit distinguished

In his younger days and in a favourite bed!

With Laren - the love of his life.