A diary with a difference, the world as seen through the eyes of our dogs.

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Coco 296/06/2008

Just a short note as I am pretty tired after all my racing today.  It all started on Friday night when Tess and I were having the usual scrap in the garden over MY ball when Dad called us both in and made us settle down so I did not get tired or hurt.  Dad then got changed and we went out in the car.  What I did not realize is that he just wanted to find out where we were racing on Saturday. When we got home Mum and Dad put us inside and disappeared out to the pub for something to eat (charming we eat at home every night and Friday night comes and out they go out.  I tried phoning Jollyes in Selby for a take away but they were shut).

I knew something was different when Dad’s alarm went of at 6am.  This is unheard of on a weekend.  The car was packed in record time and we were put in our box.

We pulled up at a field and saw the ring and I soon realised I was to go flyballing, I did however get a little confused as I was running for a team called Dolphins.  How do dolphins get over the jumps?  But hey there might be a little bit of fish as treats.  I did not realise Uncle John, Uncle Peter, Auntie Emma and my friend Amber would be watching.

 We started well winning the first race and then dopey Dad decided to set me off as another dog ran past with a ball in its mouth - doesn't he realise that evrey ball on the field belongs to me?  I had no option but to chase it, oh dear Dad came chasing after me it was like doing the congo, when Dad finally caught me I thought I would not give him the ball as it took me ages to get it.  Eventually he got it though and he sent me on my way towards the box.  When I returned Dad told me where I had gone wrong and that we had lost the race so I told him to listen to Uncle John and get me closer to the line.  Thankfully Dad took note of me and we won every race after that.

 Our team had to race against Amber and we won but that was down to having 3 collies in our team (damn they are fast).  Amber was really good and came back to her Dad every time.

Dad told me we had won and I was going to get a rosette but he came back from the presentation with a keyring with my picture on it and the other side said 1st. It was a really nice picture of me.  I gave it to Dad as I don't carry keys and I can't even reach the door lock.  Amber got one as well but she is a bit taller so she may be able to reach. Uncle John took a couple of pictures of me whilst I was running so I thought I had better pose for him seen as he had told Dad what to do and steered him in the right direction earlier with where I needed to set off from.

Thanks to the Dolphins team, Uncle John, Auntie Emma, Uncle Peter, Amber, Tessa, Mum and also Dad for a really enjoyable day.

Coco 26/06/2008

A few weeks ago Mum and Dad told me and my sister Tessa that we were going to have a look at doing flyball, I was not sure what this was and asked my big sis what's it all about. Tess just shrugged her shoulders and said she thought she had seen it at the game fair but was not sure.  Monday night came and we were put in the car, Dad was really excited so I thought to myself this might be OK.

Dad left us in the car for a while and there was me thinking flyball was for us so why had Dad left us in the car. Tess explained to me that he was probably being introduced to people, I said to Tess that this was not fair as we would need to get to know them as well.

The time came when we were allowed out and we met lots of new friends and lots of Aunties and Uncles.  There were that many I could not remember their names.

Auntie Carol explained that we were to start one jump at a time and before long I soon seemed to get the knack of this. Whilst I was doing this I could see Dad out of my eye corner wrestling with Tess as she was so excited that she wanted a go. By the end of the night we had both managed to get the ball and return to Mum and Dad.

Dad told me he was taking me to flyball so that I could use up some of my excess energy and hopefully quieten me down.  How wrong were you Dad? J

At first I met lots of big dogs and then there was Finnigan and Billibob, not sure what their Dad is feeding them but they are huge, then I met Millie and Daisy who were more my size and when we are in the cars we have barking competitions.

Millie & Daisy 08/06/2008

Dad’s been at home all week, yay!  

It’s great when Dad’s on holiday ‘cos he sometimes does different walks from Mum so we get to see different things.  We were on our usual walk on Monday morning and saw someone new.  It was Paddy, he’s Auntie Vicki’s new pup.  He’s a Jack Russell from up at the farm and he’s not very big, a bit like a cloutie dumpling on legs.  It was his first time out and he was a bit nervous but by the end of the week he was getting really confident.  So when we were walking back down the road into the village on Friday he met Freddie the spaniel for the first time.  He went “Woof woof, grrr” but wagged his tail and backed off all at the same time, typical terrier!

On Wednesday Mum and Dad took us to a pub and we had a drink!  It was a dog friendly pub called The Blacksmith’s Arms at Naburn.  When we went in a nice man came along and gave us a chewy each and our very own bowl of water with a paw print on it.  Mum and Dad ordered lunch and Mum asked for a BLT but when it came it wasn’t a little one like you get in the supermarket, it was a BLT of heroic proportions with salad and proper chips.  Mum couldn’t manage it all so Dad had to finish it off, we just sat and watched the people coming in and out it was great.  After that we went into York, York’s brilliant, the streets are paved with food.  Well not everywhere but people drop chips and bits of Cornish pasties and sandwiches from fast food outlets and we tried to snaffle them up.  We’re not sure what fast food is but Dad wont be involved, Dad doesn’t do fast J.

On Friday we had a day out to Doncaster.  Dad wanted to go to the fish and meat market to get some nice stuff to make for tea.  Doncaster is like York there’s food on the pavement, there seemed to be more people Dad said it was because it was Friday and we were in York midweek.  Anyway lots of nice people made a fuss of us so we liked it.

Dad’s back at work on Monday, boo.

Amber 26/05/2008

Hi all, just keeping you updated with my latest flyballing adventures.  

We had a early start for Eggborough on both Saturday and Sunday which always seems the case with flyball.  On Saturday I had a little bit of a run around with the division team which was fun but not as much fun as usual due the absence of a certain Mr Finningan.  Apparently according to what BillyBob told me, Finnigan had been racing around when he accidently ran into BillyBob whilst he was yawning and caught himself on BillyBob’s teeth.  BillyBob assured me his teeth are fine.  Get Well soon Finnigan.

Sunday arrived bringing along with it the main event STARTERS!  I dont think Dad gets as nervous in starters (he seems to spend a lot less time in the bathroom).  We all arrived bright and early. First on the agenda seemed to be a noisy affair which we won but it was close for a while.  Then the team was ready, including a new boy who goes by the name of Barney he was really looking forward to his first outing as a Hot Dog.  The dream team consisted of Daisy, Me, Ziggy and Barney with Holly and BillyBob as backup.  We all tried really hard and I think we all did great.  Auntie Carole was so pleased with me that one time at the box she gave me two balls... coooool.

Somebody else must have noticed how hard we raced because we each won a rossete for 3rd place, Im not sure what a rossete is but I hope it tastes of duck.

Next on the flyball tour we are going to Clumber Park and I can't wait.

Barney 26/05/2008

Mum's been telling me for ages that I should write this and I have finally learnt how to work the computer keys.  So here is my first Dog Blog. 

My Mum knows me very well and a few weeks ago she took me Flyballing.  (I really do love tennis balls!)  Well, on Saturday 25th May in the evening, Mum started packing our cages into the car.  (My girlfriend Pacha was staying with us, as her Mum and Dad were on holiday.)  Early on Sunday morning, after a quick toilet run at the Racecourse, we set off to Eggborough Power Station. Mum had food and drink for us all, so we knew it was something special and were getting excited.  When we arrived there were loads of dogs, people, cars and caravans and it was very noisy, but we soon found our friends and got settled in. Mum told me I would be in a team with Daisy, Amber and Ziggy, which I was pleased about, because I knew them from the club. 

During the day we had to spend quite a lot of time in our cages, which we are not used to, but Mum took us out for several short walks.  Daisy, Amber, Ziggy and I ran five races and we won two of them, so we were very pleased.  After the last race, Mum started packing the car, when Auntie Carole said she thought we had come third and we might have to stay for the presentation. Uncle Stan soon confirmed that we had won third place, so everyone was very happy. 

Mum took us home for our tea and then she went back to collect a special rosette with THIRD on it.  She told me I had done really well so I was very proud. 

Mum and I felt a bit sorry for Pacha, as she had been in her cage a lot more than me, so we all went out for a nice walk.

Daisy 26/05/2008

I’ve had a whole weekend of flyball, yay, brilliant, I’ve even got my first rosette!  On Saturady it was Millie’s turn in division, she really enjoyed it and had some tight racing.  The team didn’t get any rosettes but never mind it was good fun.  Yesterday it was my turn with Amber, Barney and Ziggy.  We won a couple of heats in the morning but lost both races.  I get so excited when I get back to Mum I just drop down and attack the ball, Mum has to try to get me out of the way.  If not Uncle Pete has to run round me.  Mum and Dad are going to get me an S&R harness like Millie so Mum can scoot me out of the way in time.

Ziggy 26/05/2008

We all had to get up really early yesterday, I didn't know why, but Mum and Dad said it would be worth it.   We had a short car ride and when we stopped I could hear lots of dogs barking, and then I saw my friend Daisy and my new friends Amber and Barney.  We were going to do flyball, but this time we were in a competition.   Good job Auntie Carole and Uncle Stan came round the other night to show me how to get the ball out of the box.  I always thought you just stood in front of it and barked and that made the ball fly out at me, but now I know I have to stamp my paw on the box and that makes the ball fly out with a big clink, bit scary at first but now I want to dash back to have another go every time I hear a click.

Anyway after a lot of sitting about Dad put my harness on and it was time to go for the first race.  We were all really excited as we waited to go into the ring, soon it was our turn and we went in, we were running against another team, pity there was a net between them and us otherwise I could have popped across to say hello.  I stopped a few times to look at them but I got lots of encouragement from Auntie Carole and Uncle John, so I soon got the idea that stopping for a chat wasn't the idea and concentrated on getting the ball and dashing back to Dad with it, after all he did have the sausages and each time I went back to him he gave me a piece which was yummy.

We all really enjoyed ourselves and we won two of our six races which everyone was really pleased about and then Uncle Stan told us we had come third and won a rosette.  My first rosette, Mum and Dad were very happy and even Tara gave me a lick.  I'm really tired but its been a great day, I  think I'm going to like being a flyball dog.

Tara  24/05/2008

Mum and Dad got up very early so I knew we were off to a flyball competition.  It wasn't long before we met up with everyone in the team.  I love flyballing it took me a long time to get into the swing of it.  It’s exactly four years today since I got the hang of it at a competition here at Eggborough.  I've had so much fun during those four years and won so many rosettes Mum and Dad have run out of spaces to put them.  Good job I suppose that it's time for me to retire from competitions.  I get a bit stiff now after running and have to admit that the old eye sight isn't quite as good as it was but hopefully I can still do a bit at practice.  Got to show these new whipper snappers how its done.  Our new team is so fast it makes me quite dizzy, can't compete with that.  I was always the steady away type, get there, get back and don't put a paw wrong. 

Half way through the morning Mum got me out of the car and I was presented with a beautiful new red lead from all my old mates.  Iit has my name on it and Veteran, so I have now joined my friend Holly in the very exclusive Veteran team.  It was a lovely surprise and I promise to look after it.  I'm looking forward to barking like mad to encourage the new team - wonder if they'll get as many rosettes as I did, hope so.

Daisy 12/05/2008

I'm a big girl now I've run flyball in Division.  Wow!  Mum and Dad got us up really early yesterday 'cos we were doing flyball at Middlesbrough.  Dad took us down to the fields and there was a low lying mist that Ashley Jackson could have painted.  Luckily he wasn't there so Dad didn't get distracted and we had a nice short walk.  Once we got back Mum and Dad packed the car and Millie and I were off tucked up safe in our Lintran box.  We were in Middlesbrough in no time and then it was starters, great.  Holly was in charge of us and gave some good tips, she calls us pesky youngsters but she doesn't mean it really.  Then in the afternoon Millie said 'OK Titch it's your turn, show 'em you're a height dog'.  So I took Millie's place running last with Mum.  It was brilliant I ran really well and I loved it.  We got some good times and I got 45 points.  Yey, roll on Eggborough.

Amber 21/03/2008

Daisy 21/03/2008

Coo Dad had us up and out walking before half past six this morning.  I didn't mind though because today was the day I was going to my first flyball tournament and I was really excited.  Millie says tournaments are the best ever and even better than practising.  We were the first division on so we didn't have long to wait before it was my go.  Uncle Stan put me as lead dog.  It was brilliant, but I wriggled so much I shook my harness off so the judge had to wait for my pit crew (Dad) to help Mum get me fitted out for racing.  After that I was off whizz.  It was great I loved it.  I only put a paw wrong once when I had run back and hadn't seen Mum so I whizzed off down the wrong lane.  Dad apologised to Uncle Charlie but he said it was OK because we're still learning.  When I got home and all the adrenalin wore off I just zonked out and dreamt all about it, wow!

Millie & Daisy 06/02/2008

Woof woof!  Some bad men want to steal our village, we don’t like bad men.  When we say they are going to steal it we don’t mean they want to demolish it, they want to build a great big town between us and Eggborough.  There would be no countryside for us to walk in, no fields, no trees, no flowers, no animals, just concrete.  We say boooo to bad men.  It isn’t as if there are any jobs for the people if they built this town.  They would all get on the M62 and drive to Leeds.  Dad does that journey every day and he says it’s like a car park.  Mum and Dad say we haven’t to worry because there are a lot of nice people in the village and they will kick up a fuss to stop the bad men.  Yay to nice people, boooo to bad men. 
One nice man has set up a website especially to stop the bad men.  

Here’s a link www.notowillowgreen.freediscussions.net/index.htm  

and here’s the link to our village website www.kellington.net.  

Please take a look and join in.  Remember it’s boooo to bad men.

Millie & Daisy 13/01/2008

Dad’s been on holiday all week, yay!  It’s been great Dad does different walks to Mum so we see different things.  On Saturday we saw a man out pigeon shooting using decoys.  Dad didn’t want us to disturb him so we went down the path over the field rather than all the way round.  Halfway across I got the scent of a hare and went scooting off but I never saw it, Millie just tootles along with Dad and thinks I’m daft.  On Friday we went to York for a walk but it was cold and damp so we didn’t stop more than an hour before we came home.  Then yesterday we saw two men ferreting on Church Lane.  The men said we could join in but Dad said Mum would throttle him if we did so we just continued walking.  This morning we were walking up to the Church when we saw Uncle Phil with Finnegan and Billy-Bob coming in at the other end, we had a great time running round in the middle of the field.  It isn’t fair their legs are a lot longer than ours so we can never catch them. Dad’s back to work tomorrow, boo!

Billy-Bob 04/12/2007

Dad’s been poorly and Mum rightly grounded him. That meant we couldn’t go to flyball and watch my bestest mate Finnegan run really fast and catch that ball thingy.  I keep having a go at that but it’s not as fun as running really fast round and round and jumping up at people.

 Mum said the team had done really well with some impressive times; Finnegan was happy about them winning but was a bit disappointed as well.  Dad was even more disappointed so that was two of them.  I tried to cheer them up by nipping Finnegan’s ears and jumping on Dads delicate things, they both seemed to enjoy it as they squealed a lot and shouted.

 The best thing was Monday afternoon Dad had come back from the doctors and let me and Finnegan out the back I found a great toy to play with it ran fast but was not as quick as me! Dad shouted ever so loud and called it a rat, it was a tough little cookie and scratched and bit me making me let go of it but Finnegan grabbed it by the right end and gave it a right good shaking, he then let go of it and then we took it in turns to catch it, Daddy was running round chasing us, what a great game!  Then Tabitha (she’s not very bright) came running out thinking we were playing with the dog next door ran over to us and stood on the rat killing it, I wouldn’t care but she never even noticed it!

 Dad said it was not like a rabbit and could have really hurt me; he washed my face as I had blood on it and then took me to the vet who called me Billy the rat catcher.

Dad mumbled all the way there and back saying I was costing him a fortune (but I am worth it).

Daisy 25/11/2007

We went to the vet’s on Thursday for our blood tests, this is so we can go to France next year for our holiday.  We didn’t go abroad this year ‘cos I was too young, but next year we’re going to Normandy.  Millie says France is great except you’ve to watch where you’re going.  She was so busy sniffing sniffs in Amboise she walked into an ice cream sign and bashed her head.

Daisy 07/11/2007

Oh ‘eck I’m in trouble again!  I wouldn’t mind but it wasn’t even my fault.  Mum decided to bake some Bakewell Tarts for flyball this coming Sunday.  She did the pastry in the morning then left it in the fridge to rest while she had lunch.  Then after lunch she rolled out the pastry, put it in the tins and baked the bases.  While the bases were cooling she made the filling, put the jam on the bottom, then she filled the bases and baked the tarts.  All OK so far, but then Mum did something silly.  She put the tarts on the kitchen table to cool and left us in charge while she went to Morrisons.

Daisy 31/10/2007

Crikey, ‘eck bananas what a fabulous few days!  On Sunday Mum said I could do flyball training again and I’ve not forgotten what to do.  Dad lined me up and let me go, I said “Woof, woof, coming Auntie Carole”, I whizzed down the lane, got the ball off the chute and whizzed back, it’s great doing flyball again.  Uncle Stan is hoping The Bellestars will be putting on a starters competition in December so we can enter a team.  I’ll be in it with Ziggy and Harry, brill!

On Monday Mum took us apple picking at a friend’s orchard and we had a great time playing with all the other dogs.  Then all of a sudden a hare sprang up and I shot after it and I chased it out of the paddock and into a field.  I’d nearly catch up then it would do a quick turn and I’d have to look round and find it.  Then I lost sight of it so I ran back to Mum with a silly grin on my face, I wasn’t out of breath or anything.

Then yesterday evening we did our KC Silver exam along with Foster and Auntie Carole.  Millie did the exam with Dad and I did it with Mum.  A lot of it was easy like getting in the back of the car and coming away from a distraction, but I got a bit giddy when the examiner did the physical examination.  At the end we did the really hard one, the two minute wait., eek!  I did it with Millie and our friend Gus.  Millie got a fidgety bum and moved a bit and Dad thought she had failed, but she didn’t.  We all passed, hurrah!  We’re all silver stars now and Uncle John Verity gave us all a toy as a present ‘cos we would only eat the rosettes and they wouldn’t be very good for us.

Ziggy 21/10/2007

I knew something special was happening yesterday cause Mum and Dad were very excited and gave me a parcel wrapped in paper, then they told me it was my birthday, I'm one year old, what fun.  I ripped the paper off my present, Tara wanted to help but I told her to back off it's my birthday, but I did relent when I saw it was a toy we could play with together so I'm letting her share my present.

Then we were both brushed, I hate being brushed but Dad told me to stop growling or I wouldn't go out.  Then Dad said we were going to church for the Blessing of the Animals Service and I had to behave myself.   As we walked to church Tara explained it all to me, she'd been quite a few times and she said I'd like it.   When we got to the church there were lots of other pets, dogs, cats,. hamsters in cages and a parrot and children clutching their teddy bears.  We all had out photo taken outside church and the man said we would be in the local paper - good oh, Mum and Dad seemed to like that.   There was lots of singing and people chatting and then a lady in a long black dress and a white collar came to see me and Mum told her it was my birthday and she said “Shall we all sing happy birthday Ziggy?” and everyone yelled “Yes” and they did.  I was ever so chuffed, so chuffed in fact that when she came back with a basin of water I tried to jump up and drink it - Dad was not best pleased.  He told me it was holy water and that each pet was going to be blessed with it and if I drank it there wouldn't be enough to go round.

After the service we came home and then it was time for flyball.   Mum and and Auntie Sue had arranged a party for me and my friend Daisy, she was a year old a couple of weeks ago.  All our chums were there and their Mums and Dads so we had a jolly old time, though I must say we were both a bit disappointed that we weren't given any of the lovely chocolate cake and wine that everyone was tucking into.    Still we got lots of lovely presents and we gave all our chums a goody bag of treats for coming along to our party.  We also managed to do a bit of flyball as well.  I do love running over the jumps but I don't really like the big black box which goes bang and spits out a ball each time I get near it.  I think I'll give it a wide berth, seems a bit dangerous to me!

What an exciting day I've had, wonder if they'll do it all again for us next year?

Daisy 07/10/2007

It’s been a quiet week.  It’s 'cos of my operation.  Mum has been giving me a little walk round the block, then Millie gets a proper walk round the fields flushing out pheasants and stuff.  Millie says it’s not the same without me to dance and play with.  In an evening I’ll bite Millie’s bum and she will start wrestling me then Mum and Dad go frantic.  Dad has put up our old cage in the kitchen and I get banged in the slammer.  It’s like being Coolhand Luke, but at least I don’t have to eat all those eggs. J 

On Saturday Dad spent the day tidying up the back garden.  He was hungry at lunchtime and he went to the village chippy.  Yay!  I just love fish and chips and so does Millie.  We wait nice and polite while Mum and Dad tuck in 'cos they always save some for us.  Best of all we had them al fresco which, as Auntie Lily Allen tells us, rhymes with Tesco! 

I’m having my stitches removed on Monday so things will start to improve after that.  I’m going to flyball practice this afternoon in our posh new Lintran box so I can see my friends, and then I’m going to KC Silver classes with Uncle John Verity on Tuesday.  It’s not long now to our exam, eek!  I don’t know who’s most nervous, me, Millie, Mum or Dad

Daisy 28/09/2007

I’m driving Mum and Dad potty!  I went for that operation yesterday, you know the one we girls have so we don’t have puppies.  Anybody would think I had had major surgery the way they are acting.  I can’t play with Millie or go for walks or go up stairs or anything.  Mum says I have to have peace and quiet today, so we’ve all sat in the conservatory and Mum and Dad have read books, and I’ve chewed a Nylabone so it’s been OK.  Yesterday Mum was so worried, after she had dropped me at the vet’s she went to Lincoln with Dad and Millie for some retail therapy.  They got us a posh box to travel to flyball in.  It’s a Lintran, not any old rubbish, always the best for us.  When they got there the people tried out a box for size in the back of the estate, then Millie jumped in and gave it the paws up.  When they got back home Dad did out the box with some comfy vetbed, and Millie tried it again and she says it’s very comfy.  I get to try it out on Monday when I go to the vet’s for my check up, I think I’ll like it.

Millie and Daisy 08/09/2007

Millie and Daisy:  We’ve been on holiday, hurray! 

Daisy:  We saw Dad going up into the loft last week and bring down the cases, I didn’t know what they were for but Millie said they’re what Mum and Dad put their clothes in before they go away, so we knew we were in for something exciting.

Millie:  Daisy isn’t old enough for a pet passport so I knew we were going somewhere in the UK.  On Thursday Mum packed the cases and Dad put the roofbox on the car and loaded it up with holiday gear, we knew it was going to be really good.

Daisy:  On Friday Mum and Dad put our harnesses on and off we went!  After an hour or so we arrived at our holiday home, a cottage on the Chatsworth Estate that Mum and Dad had rented for the week.  It was in a small village with a brook over the road that had brown trout in it, they weren’t very big, Lettie wouldn’t have been impressed if Mum gave her one for her tea.  While Mum and Dad unpacked we explored the garden and had a play.  On Saturday we went to the Chatsworth Game Fair, there were lots of people and lots of them had dogs, and people kept stopping and fussing us, it was brilliant.

Millie:  On Monday Mum and Dad took us into Bakewell for provisions, when you walk into Bakewell you go over a bridge and there are lots of huge trout, Lettie would have liked one of those!  We had a look around the market and shops then at the end Mum went into the Co-op and Dad sat outside with us to wait.  Guess what?  Around the corner came, Megan and Foster and Holly, and they had Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole with them.  Everybody made a fuss it was great.

Daisy:  On Tuesday, Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole, Uncle Ken and Auntie Chris came round and we all went for a walk before we had a meal.  We went up out of the village and Millie found a nice fresh cow pat which she rolled in.  Yuk!  She was all stinky poo, so when we got back Mum gave her a bath and she had to have a new collar because her other one was filthy.  Afterwards we all came back to the cottage for a meal, just as everybody was leaving we heard a noise and a huge hot air balloon flew right over us.  The people in the basket waved and we waved back, it was very exciting.  Then on Wednesday we went round to see Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole and we all went for a walk on the Chatsworth estate.  Yes you’ve guessed it Millie found some more poo, deer this time, she rolled in it and ended up wearing my spare collar ‘cos she had dirtied up her spare, humm L.

Millie:  We came back home on Friday.  We had had a great holiday but it was nice to come back and feel the green green grass of home.

Millie and Daisy:  Dad knows a song about that! 

Daisy 28/08/2007

It’s been busy bank holiday weekend!  We’ve started doing Saturday practices, but this Saturday we practised for our demonstration at the Cawood Craft Festival on Monday.  Uncle Stan had decided I was to show folk how we trained people to get us dogs doing flyball.  It’s dead easy really if you have the right calibre of person, I’m lucky ‘cos Dad and Auntie Carole are clever and they just know.  Holly started it all and the rest of us have benefited from her initial training.  I think that’s how it goes, it can’t be the other way round can it?

On Sunday we went to Drax to do flyball.  Dad says I can do it next time at Doncaster.  We’ve got a team already, there’s Harry, Ziggy and me and my friend Anka who also did KC Bronze with Uncle John Verity.  Uncle Stan is going to call us ‘The Hillam Imps’. It’s some sort of joke that Mum and Dad think is funny.  Anyway our team came second and Millie said she had some really good racing and she beat some of the long legged dogs, hurrah!

Yesterday we did our demonstration at Cawood and it was great.  Everybody pitched in in the morning and put up the arena and lanes and signs and things, we looked very professional.  Uncle Stan was MC and he had a podium and PA system and stuff that was all PAT tested, thanks Pat.  We did two shows and the people who came to see us cheered and applauded, some men came in the afternoon and filmed us so we will be on the ‘Official’ festival DVD.

Ziggy 20/08/2007

I've had a smashing but ever such a busy few days.   On Thursday Mum and Dad said we were going over to our caravan at Reighton Sands, yippee I love it there, lots of people to make a fuss of me as I sit on the balcony and lots of walks on the beach.   When we arrived Mum said that the tide was right for a walk so off we went, when we got to the steep slope down to the beach she said it was too much for her to walk down what with her knee still not being right after her operation, so we would go on the little train.   Tara had been on it before so she told me to jump up the steps and into the carriage, what fun, it took us right onto the beach.   Tara and I charged after the balls Mum and Dad were throwing for us and we jumped into rock pools and I chased some seagulls into the sea but they flew away before I couldn't catch them.   We were very wet and sandy when we got onto the little train back up the hill, but we didn't care we had enjoyed ourselves.

 Next day Tara was a bit stiff so Mum and Dad said “No beach walk today, we are going for a ride in the car”.  When the car stopped I looked out and there was Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole and my half brother Foster and Megan and Holly.   We went for a walk or should I say a charge about and I ran into the fenced off area and then into someone’s caravan awning. Mum told me to behave and Tara snapped “I was still a hooligan and couldn't I see that it was a flyball arena”.  Oh lovely a flyball week-end, I'm not allowed to take part yet, but I love to bark my encouragement at all my friends as they race for the ball.  

On Saturday there was a knock at the caravan door and when Mum opened it there were Uncle John and Auntie Sue and my great friend Daisy and her sister Millie.  “Oh great” I thought someone to play with for a few hours, but then I was told they were staying with us for a couple of nights, I couldn't believe it my friend staying overnight!    Mum's knee was playing her up so we left her behind whilst we all went onto the beach.   We ran and ran and ran, and had such a super time.  By the time we got back we were very hungry and we were all given our food in our own dishes but at the same time, I did have a look to see if Millie and Daisy had anything better than I did, but I got growled at so I decided just to wup mine down and see if they left any, but of course they didn't.   I did enjoy playing with my friends during the evening, even though we did keep getting told off for being a bit of a nuisance and eventually they went off to bed and I was left with Mum and Dad.   I was still so excited that I wanted to play and kept jumping on the bed and licking them and barking, I even took them some of my toys but they were rather grumpy and in the end got very cross with me, even Tara snapped at me so I thought it best to go to sleep.

Next day we were up ever so early, Dad took me and Tara for a walk when we got back Mille and Daisy were up so we all had some food and then it was into the car and off to Scarborough for flyball.   We had only just arrived when Phil and Eileen drove up with their three dogs, so it was time to say hello to them and make a fuss.   Then it was time for the racing to begin, I was left behind in the car which I thought was a bit of a cheek as I could have helped to cheer them on, but when they got back everyone was very excited that it had gone so well, I don't think they exactly won any races from what they said but they had got lots of points and my friend Finnegan had been brilliant again.  Mind you he's got such long legs it must only take him a few strides to get from one end of the arena to the other, not like little Millie who has to race for all she's worth.

Phil and Eileen had to go back home, but everyone else came back to our caravan for the evening.  My friends and I just played with our toys and tried to keep out of trouble which we managed without much effort and then it was time for Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole to go back to Scarborough and we all went to bed.   I was so tired I just said "good night" and was fast asleep before I knew it!

I was sorry to wave bye bye to my friends today but they were going off to Whitby for the day.  When they'd gone it was ever so quiet without them, but Tara and I were soon racing round on the balcony barking at anyone who went past and then it was time for one last walk by the sea and into the car for the journey home.   I've had a brilliant week-end, I do hope we can do it all again soon.

Daisy 10/08/2007

It’s been another busy week!  I was at York race course on Sunday with Millie at a flyball tournament.  I’m too young to do it yet but I had a great time chasing round with Millie and the rest of the gang.  Millie came back from the morning’s racing feeling very pleased with herself, she had won two races for the team even though she was up against a Collie.  Mum and Dad were very proud. There were three races in the afternoon and the team only lost against The Crazies.  After all the results were added up we came first, hurrah!

On Monday Millie went to her Auntie Claire for her coat stripping so Mum and Dad took me into Beverley.  It’s a lot bigger than Selby and there seemed to be people everywhere, some even had dogs, it was great.  Mum and Dad had lunch outside at a tapas bar and I sat nice and quiet next to Mum while they ate.  They saved me some bits to have at the end, Mum gave me chicken and Dad gave me tuna, yum.

Then on Tuesday it was KC Silver night school with Uncle John Verity, I was OK with the distance recall but my controlled greeting and roadwork need some work as does Millie’s.  Mum and Dad are going to take me back to Haddlesey with Millie so we can practise the roadwork where we will take our test.

Finally on Wednesday it was flyball training and Auntie Carole said I could try taking the ball from the box.  Well, I set off running down the lane and I could see Auntie Carole had put the ball in a little hole, I ran up to get it and guess what?  The ball popped out and flew over my head!  Anyway that didn’t stop me, I turned round and picked up the ball and ran back to Mum and everybody cheered.  Millie has since told me I’m supposed to catch the ball in my mouth, so I’ll try that next time.  I expect it’ll be back to the chute next week ‘cos I still need to work on my swimmers’ turns.  Mum says Dad should start taking over my training ‘cos he’ll be with me when we are competing.  Uncle Stan has me pencilled in for starters at Doncaster in November, brilliant!

Daisy 14/07/2007

Cor what a week I’ve had!  First of all on Tuesday I've been doing night school classes with Mum.  Uncle John Verity has been coaching me to take a K C Good Citizen Bronze and tonight was my exam night.  Mum was a bit nervous but Uncle John said we would be OK.  Mum knew I could do it really she just couldn't help it.  The exam started with us all doing a group test, walking round nicely, not jumping up or barking the general sort of stuff, then once we had done that we did the individual stuff.  The hardest bit was a one minute stay off lead.  Mum couldn't see the clock but she could hear it, tick tock, tick tock, it seemed like ages but then Caroline, the examiner, said OK and I passed the hardest bit for Mum.  Then we did a recall, dead easy, Mum had to answer some questions which she passed with flying colours and that was it I'd passed.  I've got a KC Bronze the same as Millie hurrah! 

On Wednesday Auntie Carole and Uncle Stan thought my flyball training should move up a notch so this evening I was using the chute Uncle Stan had made.  It's a bit like doing an 'away' but faster and more exciting.  The first time down Auntie Carole pointed at the ball so I picked it up and ran back to Mum with it, it's great.  Once I'd got the hang of it Auntie Carole moved the ball to one side and I started doing swimmers turns, wow!  Then later on Uncle Stan and Dad adjusted the chute so I had to go up a steeper incline, but I did it again, brilliant!  I can’t wait to join Millie and the others in Division, still I can do starters at the end of the year.

Finally, on Friday Dad had a day off so we all went to Filey, hurray!  Well when I say all, my big sister Lettie didn’t come ‘cos she’s a grumpy old cat.  We had a great time on the beach running and jumping, then after that we had fish and chips up on The Brigg.  It was a bit bracing but I didn’t mind after all we’re not allowed in the café.  Before we went home Mum said she would like a crab for tea so we got some with our tea as well.  I’ve never had crab before, it’s nice, yum!

Millie 17/06/2007

I went to my first agility competition today with Foster and Megan.  There was a lot of my friends from flyball at the competition as well so it wasn't like I didn't know anybody.  Dad had taken Daisy to stay with Grandma and Grandad so he missed my first outing.  Guess what I was nearly all the way round when Mum wrong pawed me and I did a back jump.  The judge lady made a sign and I got eliminated.  Dad was on hand to watch me doing my second go so when I saw him at the ring side I ran up to say hello and got eliminated again!  For my third and final go I did 'Introductory Power & Speed', (Dad hid behind the bushes).  I did the first bit really well and got all my contacts right, then halfway round the second half Mum got lost, and I looked for Dad, and I ended up going under a jump instead of over so I got the dreaded hand signal again.

Megan and Uncle Stan did very well and Megan nearly got a clear on the 'Helter Skelter' but they got eliminated at the weave.  Foster did the best of us with clear rounds and even a judge's special rosette for his 'Introductory Agility'.  He got put of by the lady judge's skirt moving in the breeze, but Auntie Carole sorted him out and once he got going he was fine.

Still never mind Mum and Dad were very proud of me 'cos it was my first time out and Dad says all those E's stand for excellent!

Millie and Daisy 09/06/2007

Dad spent most of last Saturday morning sealing the decking with teak oil.  He was OK over the weekend but when he got to work on Monday his back hurt a lot.  After two days of hobbling about he decided on Wednesday morning to go to the doctor for an examination.  She prodded his back which made him jump a bit, then do some stretching exercises.  She then said Dad had pulled a muscle in his back.  She sent him home with some tablets and a ‘puter printout.  The printout said the best remedy was to do ‘light exercise’ Mum translated this to ‘light housework’, arf!
Dad is slow at the best of times but watching him was a hoot, it was real frame by frame stuff.  The best bit was filling the laundry basket, straight back and bent knees he looked like some Russian weight lifter,

{{“Dadski will now attempt a two kilo clean and jerk”}}  

He did get some compensation because yesterday lunchtime Mum was out with Godmummy Jude so he went to the village chippy and we had fish and chips sitting in the garden.  We were very good and didn’t beg or bother Dad so he rewarded us with own little portion at the end.  Yum!

Finnegan 12/05/2007

I was so confused, were we camping or going fly-balling?  I like both but where are we all going to sleep and what are those black cage things dad’s strapped to the back of the camper thing?  Dad are we there yet and can I throw Billy-Bob out the window? Thought not, “Big girl” says it would be a laugh!

Hey look there’s Auntie Carole and Chris and Uncle Stan and Ken.  What’s that funny canvas thing on wheels Dad?  Do people really sleep in something like that…… wow….very brave!

Mam, Dad I haven’t slept all night someone said I was going in the first team along with Fozzy I am really scared, no fences how will I know which lane to go down? What about those other dogs?

I wasn’t very good in the morning races, I was so nervous and dad was nervous too, we just didn’t gel at all, yet we managed to win two of the three races.  (Millie and me didn’t half scare the line judges he! he! he!  “Grizzle”).  Auntie Chris has a new trick too its called guess where the ball is!

In the afternoon after a good kip I felt a lot better and after a team talk we went out and had a good laugh and won all our races, brill!  I also fumbled the ball and had everybody worried but that was just to check you were all watching, ha!  Every body said I was brilliant which was really nice, so does that mean no more starters?

Tara 01/05/2007

Dad had an operation a few weeks ago so Mum has been having to walk Ziggy and me, which has been a bit of a strain on her 'cause Ziggy can be a total hooligan when he's on a lead particularly when he sees people and dogs.  Poor Mum has nearly been pulled off her feet.  I've tried telling him to behave but he's at that difficult age, good job I'm perfect.

Anyway today Dad put my lead on and took me to the car so I knew something was afoot.  Ziggy went into his cage in the boot, best place for him I say.  Mum wasn't driving long before we stopped and I spotted my friends from flyball, yippee!  But when I rushed out of the car it didn't look like flyball, there were fences, but lots of other things too.  Uncle John Verity was in charge and he explained that this was agility and we were to jump over fences, go through a tunnel, go up and down an enormous mountain and weave through sticks.  Dad said not to worry as he was going to do it with me.  Mum was fussing and telling him not to do too much, but he said he was fine.

I enjoyed jumping the fences, but when it came to the mountain I really didn't like it.  Uncle John encouraged me and so did Dad and I did put a paw onto it but it made an awful scratchy noise and I kept slipping, but eventually with lots of encouragement I made it up and down the other side, not once, but three times, everyone cheered.  I think I'm going to like agility.

Foster 29/04/2007

Hi Daisy & Millie

It’s Foster here.  Nice to see you enjoying yourself helping to dig the garden.  I can’t understand why dads aren’t very appreciative of our help?

I think I can help encourage you a little.  Here are couple of pictures of my masterpiece.  I really can’t understand why Dad and Mum weren’t pleased.  Dad said he wanted the lawn aerated.  How much more air did he want.  There,s no pleasing some people . 

Why did they automatically blame me .  I mean it could have been worms or moles or even a fairy ring.  

What made them think it was me.
Keep up the good work.

Daisy 28/04/2007

Hmm.  Dad’s got a new toy.  It all started with Mum wanting a new phone so Dad took a look on eBay and put in a bid on one and won it.  At first Mum was pleased but when it came it was all big and clunky and Mum didn’t like it, so it’s now Dad’s new toy.  Dad tried his best but he is a bloke so he doesn’t understand us girls.  The good thing about Dad’s new phone is it has SatNav so we had to go to Filey to try it out.  Hurrah!!  It’s really clever is Dad’s phone, Mum pressed some buttons and a lady started talking to us, she said turn left, turn right, all those sorts of things and she took us to the car park in Filey where we start our walks.  Brilliant! We had a great time on the beach running and chasing each other, then after that we went for fish and chips.  Dad drove us up to Filey Country Park and we ate them there.  Mum and Dad sat on a bench by the cliffs it was a super view, the fish and chips were really good even better that the ones in the village.  Millie says it’s all this ozone stuff, she says you don’t get much ozone in the countryside.  So long as we keep getting fish and chips as a treat I don’t mind.

Daisy 25/04/2007

It was Mille’s birthday on Monday.  She’s three now but she doesn’t look it.  I think it’s me who keeps her young you know.  We’re always playing, it doesn’t matter where, in the house, in the garden even when we’re out for a walk.  Wrestling, chasing each other, chasing birds, it’s great. 

On Tuesday we both went for training.  I’m doing KC Bronze with my pal Ziggy, we’re doing our exams on June 19th which is Dad’s birthday so I’m doing to do my best to get a pass.  That would be a brilliant birthday present for Dad. After I did my training we went down to Eggborough power station where Millie did agility training with Foster and Megan.  Millie had told me about agility but this was the first time I’ve seen it, it looks really exciting, I can’t wait until I’m old enough to have a go.  Afterwards Mum, Dad, Auntie Carole and Uncle Stan went to socialise.  I suppose it’s only fair, after all we dogs socialise so why shouldn’t people?

Daisy & Millie  20/04/2007

Dad's had a day off today.  Brilliant!  That means Dad took us for our morning walk, we went down by the plantation and we heard a woodpecker doing that laughing sort of call.  We saw a pair of them the other week but that's bye the bye.  'cause Dad hasn't seen a swallow yet and we saw one the other day with Mum.  Hah!  While we were out we met Nipper and Auntie Vickie, we had a little play and Auntie Vickie gave us some treats.  After that Dad did some gardening and we got to help, at lunchtime Mum went to the village chippy and we all had fish and chips sitting in the garden.  It was nearly as good as at the seaside.  Dad should put a link to the village chippy so more people would know about it.  When we had our afternoon walk we met Sam and Rueger so we got tons of fuss from their Mums, you can't get too much fuss.  Then in the evening Auntie Lynda and Uncle Bryan came round and had a meal so we got casserole gravy with our dinner, what a brilliant end to the day.

Daisy 14/04/2007

Dad says the first law of holes is “Stop digging”.  Cor what does Dad know?  The first law of holes is “Start digging”!  Mum and Dad have been redecorating the conservatory today so Millie and I have been playing in the garden, you know the sort of stuff, wrestling and chasing each other.  While Millie was having a lie down in the sun I thought I’d dig a hole, I don’t want to brag but I am good, the only thing that stopped me was I ran out of leg length.  It’s really satisfying to stick your head down a nice hole and have a good sniff, plus Mum thinks I look cute when the soil sticks to my nose and I have a brown hooter.
It wasn’t half a long weekend last week but Mum and Dad and everybody came home with rosettes and we all had a nice time. There were lots of legs when we were walking round the showground.  I got to see some big horses, and a lady with well trained dogs.  The best bit was in the food tent when Mum gave Millie and me some German sausage, it was different from the type of sausage I’m used to but very nice.  Yum!

Harry 06/04/2007

Ok, so I knew something weird was going on today, Mum was up SO early…and before I knew it I was shoved into a kennel with my flyball harness on….so I put two and two together and realised it must be that tournament thing Mum has been banging on about all week…  Ahhh ha….  Carlton Towers…  I could see this was gonna be a fun kind of place…  Dogs EVERYWHERE!!  I knew I had to do my best and run like we had practiced.  I was first in line so had to go on the lights…  Mum was holding on to me for dear life until that last amber light went then I was OFF!!!  I think  I did OK, the team seemed really pleased….we kept finishing first…we must be sooooo good!  Me and that fast, skinny one Finnegan, were completely new to all this so I think we did pretty well!  I will admit though….I wasn’t PERFECT today…  I may of got a teensy bit distracted at one point…you see I kinda like BOTH the lanes at flyball, why just stick to one?  I thought I would see what was going on next door, you know, check out the competition, so I went across to have a quick nosey…oh dear, Mum had a look of horror on her face when she saw me running down  their lane instead of ours, so with a little persuasion from Uncle Stan I went back to see her again…  I don’t know WHAT all the fuss was about but I got to have another go all on my own.  Thought I’d better just stick to our lane the next time, better try and keep the hoomans happy! 
At the end of the day we all got great big FIRST rosettes, blue suits me, see…this is me and Mum and the rosette, first of many  she said!

Special guest appearance by Stan 06/04/2007

Finnegan's a flyball dog 
He has his first rosette
He ran in starters with Hillam Imps
Now Murphy’s quite upset!

Finnegan 06/04/2007

Flyball on a Friday, starter team, early start . . . my cage in the camper van?  Dad and me on tour, hey, a bit of bonding away from that so-called cute “Billy-Bob” thing.  Life’s good, get some Proclaimers on the radio “We’re on our way de,de,de,de,da”. 

Carlton Towers - we’ve been here before, but today it’s different, we get in for free!  Yippee (Dad told me to put that)!!  There’s the Flyball gang, it’s true - I am running in starters. Flipping heck!  I’d be excited if I wasn’t already.  I wanna race, come on, let’s go . . . Yee hah! 

First we have a team brief: “It’s just for experience and it’s all right if you don’t get it right . . . blah, blah, blah.”  Uncle Stan, I wanna race, let me go Dad!

Into the ring we go.  Fozzie’s in front with Auntie Carol.  Whoosh we’re off . . . it’s over . . . did we win?  Give me five . . . oh you did!  Wicked!

What’s a rosette then?

Wait till I tell my Mam and the puppy and Big Girl and my Grandma and Meg and anybody else who knows me!!!!!





                                                    “Tell me again, Finnegan . . . ‘like a mighty what kind of ball?”

Daisy & Millie  23/03/2007

Dad’s been on holiday all this week and it’s great.  We’ve had nice walks with both Mum and Dad.  But today’s been different.  We went for a walk with Dad this morning and when we came back Mum said “OK then are we ready”?  We didn’t know what she meant but she took our traveling harnesses off the hook and put them on us, “Hurrah!  A car ride but where”?  After a while in the car we parked up and Mum and Dad got their dog walking gear on, then it was our turn, leads on and off we went.  At the bottom of the path we saw the sea, we were at the seaside!  Filey.  Wow we were let off our leads and we charged onto the beach, we ran and chased and wrestled we had a brilliant time.  It was great.  At the end of the walk we moved the car onto the sea front and Mum and Dad had fish and chips, after they had eaten we got to have some too.  Mum says you can’t go to the seaside and not have fish and chips and she’s right.  They’re just the thing after a good walk.  Mum and Dad are having a take away tonight and they are having Peking roast duck for starters so we can have some with our dinner, brilliant.  It’s been a really nice day today, we’ll sleep well tonight.

Daisy 17/03/2007

It was really windy at training today and Uncle Stan and everybody couldn’t get the safety netting up so we just did starters and puppies with the small netting.  When it came to my turn Uncle Stan put in the puppy jumps and I had a go with Mum, I was doing really well when Uncle Phil forgot and put the ball in the box by accident.  You’ll never guess, I triggered the box!  The ball flew through the air and I caught it and ran back to Mum.  Brilliant!  I’ll have to wait for a few months before I can start doing it again, but it was great Mum and Dad are very proud.
After that Foster, Millie and I all had a go on the dog walk Uncle Stan made.  I did that as well contact points and the lot, wow.  On Tuesday I’m going to start my KC Bronze along with Ziggy we’ve got Uncle John Verity as our teacher, it’s going to be great.

Daisy 13/02/2007

I've been going to puppy training on Monday nights at myPetStop in Leeds.  I've been going with my pal Ziggy and we've been doing basic stuff like walking to heel and sits and waits.  This Monday was end of term so we had a sports day and it was great. 

The first game was a biscuit and spoon race and Ziggy got eliminated tee hee, mind you went we did the recalls I didn’t spot Mum and went to the wrong person so I got eliminated from that one.  At the end Auntie Jenny our teacher handed out certificates and we all got a bag of treats, thanks Auntie Jenny. 

Next month I’m starting my KC Bronze with Ziggy and we’re going to have Uncle John Verity as our teacher.  Millie, Foster and Megan already have a Bronze so Ziggy and I will have to get one.

Ziggy 13/02/2007

Daisy and I had so much fun on Monday at our graduation party. 

When we arrived we met up with our friends from the class and we all rushed into the arena where we were all told that there were going to be lots of party games to test our skills starting with the biscuit and spoon race.

Mum and I had practised this at home so I knew that Mum had to hold a spoon with a biscuit on it in the same hand as my lead and she wasn't to drop the biscuit.  It was a shame that I jerked her hand and she dropped the biscuit, it was such a super one that I gobbled it up before Mum could get to it so we were eliminated, if only the biscuit hadn't been so tempting!

The next game was when Mum had to sit on a chair at the other end of the arena from me, and when I was released Mum yelled of me to come and I dashed over to her and sat, I had to do that twice and guess what we actually won that game. 

Musical chairs was fun, I was doing alright until Bubbles sat on me whilst I was doing my sit and stay and after that I thought it was playtime and you've guessed it, we were eliminated again!

My friend Daisy did ever so well and I barked and barked to cheer her on and when she'd finished I jumped on her and we rolled over and over squeaking and barking and having lots of fun.

We got a certificate and some treats, Mum can have the certificate so long as I get the treats.

03/02/2007 Ziggy

I had no idea when Mum and Dad told Tara and me we were going out that I was off to flyball practice.  It was only a short drive down to Cawood and when Mum opened the car I saw Auntie Sue and Uncle John with my friend Daisy and her sister Millie.  Then Auntie Emma and my new chum George arrived and all the other people and their dogs who belong to our club.  We had to stay in the car until everything was set up and then I was allowed out to say hello to everyone, then another car arrived and it was Auntie Claire with my Mum Breeze.  I barked and barked and jumped up and down but I don't think she recognised me, anyway eventually she came up to me and I made a big fuss of her before I was put back into the car.

The beginners had their practise first and they were ever so good, then it was our turn, that's me and Daisy.  I went first, over Uncle Stan’s puppy jumps.  Auntie Carole was in charge and she told Mum and me what to do, I only had a little go because I'm too young to do much but it was great fun.  Then it was Daisy's turn and she did ever so well and Auntie Sue made a huge fuss of her. Hope we can both have another go next week.

28/01/2007 Daisy

I went to the seaside yesterday!  It was great.  Millie had told me how exciting it was but I had no idea until I got there just how huge it is.  Dad has put some pictures in The Gallery so you can see.  It was the first time for George and Ziggy as well, we had a great time playing on the beach.  Millie went off to play with the grown ups but I didn't mind as George and Ziggy and I are all little.  Mind you Millie is little too, she just thinks she's a big dog.  Afterwards I had a good sleep in the car on the way home, so I was as bright as a button in the evening.  This afternoon Millie and I met Sam who is a Malamoute, he's huge but very friendly.  Sam's mum worries if we play too much he might squash me.

23/01/2007 Ziggy

I've got a new friend!  Lucky lives with us but until today she and her sister Bramble have run away from me when I tried to speak to them, I couldn't catch them because they can climb fences and I can't.  But today Lucky came up to me and licked my ears and she let me lick hers in return, perhaps one day Bramble will let me lick her's then I'll have two friends.

I've been going to puppy training classes with little Daisy and Auntie Sue.  We've been learning to sit and go down and stand and lots of other things, but last night I got so excited I forgot everything I had learnt and Mum got a bit cross and said she was going to exchange me for a parrot.  I don't know what one of those is, but I don't think I like to idea.  Anyway today I was ever so good and I did everything Mum told me to do and that really pleased her.  I like to please her because she gives me lots of hugs as well as lots of treats and I like that.

I had loads of fun in the garden today, I was chasing little white flakes which were fluttering down from the sky, but each time I thought I had caught one it disappeared, I raced round and round trying to hold onto one but I couldn't.  If they're still there tomorrow I'll have another go, if I can catch one I could give it to Mum, she'd like that.

20/01/2007 Daisy

I got my first certificate on Wednesday!  Mum says it’s my SITS Key Stage 1 but it’s actually my graduation certificate from the puppy party at the vets.  I’m going to do my Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze next with Uncle John Verity, it's a STAY level J.  I expect my mate Ziggy and maybe George will be doing these as well.  Auntie Carole will be starting flyball training in the Summer using Uncle Stan’s puppy jumps, I'm looking forward to that.  We all went to York last Sunday and Mum put my little coat on just so I wouldn’t catch a cold, I had lots of people looking at me and saying “Cute”!  Dad bought a pasty and Millie and I had some because Mum said I should have something warm in my tummy.  It was really nice with tons of meat and vegetables.  I suppose I’m like Millie, we get really excited when we are about to be fed.  In an evening Millie dances about ‘til Dad puts her dish down, I then dash off to the other side of the kitchen where Mum feeds me.  Once we’ve finished we swap dishes just to make sure we haven’t missed any!

09/01/2007 Daisy

I’m having a brilliant week this week ‘cause Dad’s on holiday.  Yesterday morning I went into Selby with Mum, Dad and big sister Millie.  We had a walk around the market, what a lot of legs!  While we were there I met Auntie Chris and Uncle Ken they didn’t have my mates Tara and Ziggy with them but they gave me a good fuss it was great. Mum had gone into a shop to get a picture framed, it’s an original by Pollyanna Pickering that Mum was given when she was a student in Sheffield.  I think I must be a student now because I went for training in the evening to MyPetStop in Leeds, my mate Ziggy goes as well and we had a super time. Jenny, the tutor, was saying us puppies only do three things; that’s sleep (I’m good at that), interact (ask sister) and chew (sorry about your shoes Dad).  We also eat so food is a good training aid. Jenny guided us through sit, stand and lie down just using a treat, Mum didn’t use any commands until she was sure I would do the action when she said the command. I can do sit and stand but Mum has to work on my downs. 
Auntie Chris has sent an email to the team inviting us all to a day at the seaside!  I’ve not been to the seaside, Millie says it’s brilliant you get a big walk and fish and chips.  I can’t wait, hurrah.

30/12/2006 Ziggy

I've had ever so such an exciting time over Christmas. First there was the lovely Christmas tree which was all decorated, I was told not to touch it but I did have just a little go at hitting some of the silver balls which were hanging down. They were so tempting, but Mum caught me so I haven't done it since.

On Christmas day Tara and I were given a pile of presents from under the tree. They were all wrapped up and Mum and Dad told us who had given us them, then we were free to open them.
My big sister, Tara, didn't think I could manage it myself, but I told her to leave me alone and let me do it myself, after all I am a Collie and supposed to be intelligent. She quickly unwrapped hers and then came over to see what I had got, it did take me a little longer but I managed it in the end and since then we have had loads of fun playing with our presents. We decided to share our toys that way we have twice as many to play with.

My sister really seems to like me now and we spend lots of time playing, although she sometimes tells me off if I am too rough or if I become a nuisance which I suppose is only right after all she is much older than me and likes her own space. If Mum sees Tara has had enough of me she puts me in my pen, and tells me to calm down, but if I don't feel tired I enjoy ripping up the newspaper or upturning my water dish, that usually gets someone's attention!

I had my second inoculation yesterday, I was very brave and didn't cry, so Mum and Dad were very proud of me. I did sleep a lot during the day I think it might have been the injection, but in the evening Uncle Stan, Auntie Carole, Uncle John and Auntie Sue came to visit and they brought little Daisy and Millie.

I was sitting in my pen when they arrived and after they had all made a fuss of me they put little Daisy in my pen, at first we didn’t know what to do, we just looked at each other and walked round with our tails up, but then we started to play and we had a riotous time. We charged round so much that everything was getting upturned and we kept having to stop for a quick pant before going into battle again. I think our Mums were getting a bit concerned that we might hurt ourselves, but we were alright, we were just making a lot of noise and making a right mess of the pen. Eventually we were told to settle down and Daisy was put into her cage for a rest, she did look cute sitting on her little cushion, pity my pen was trashed but then I didn't mind sitting amongst the debris, I'd had such a good time. 

When it was time for our visitors to go, we all went into the conservatory and Tara, Millie, Daisy and I had time to run round and make a fuss of each other, Daisy really liked Tara and kept trying to hang onto her neck, funny Tara didn't seem to mind but when I do that I get told off!

Anyway after all the excitement I slept all night and didn't wake up until 8.00 which really pleased Mum and Dad. I wonder if today is going to be as exciting?

19/12/2006    Tara

I've got a new brother - or so I am told. When he first arrived I decided to ignore him that way he might just go away, but here we are five days later and he's still here, so I suppose I have to accept that he's here to stay!

He's not too bad actually, in fact he's quite comical, not that I would let him see I was amused by his antics. Yesterday he ran full tilt into the patio door, he was rushing to get into the conservatory to see Mum but he tried to get through the closed glass door rather than the open one. That made him stop in his tracks and shake his head, I was going to see if he was OK but then I thought well where there's no sense there's no feeling and of course I was right, he was fine, although he had to go for the sympathy vote so Mum would give him a cuddle.

He refused to eat his food yesterday and that caused Mum and Dad some concern, but it turned out that Ziggy, that's my new brother's name, didn't want his food all soggy like baby food, he wanted it crunchy, so now that's been organised he's eating again. 'Course that means that he's pooing too - although I have to say he does go outside to do that, but he's ace at coming straight back in and piddling on the carpet - he doesn't get into trouble, bet I would if I did it!

I let him play with my Santa last night, it's been my favourite toy since I got it as a present last year, and I wasn't going to let him play with it, but he got hold of one end and I had the other and it was fun having a little tug of war with him, although I didn't tug too hard after all he is only little. Dad was trying to get a photo of us, but each time he clicked the camera we stopped playing and waited for our treat, but it wasn't clicker training it was just Dad trying to get a photo.

I think I'm going to like having a brother after all.

15/12/2006    Ziggy

Yesterday my new Mum and Dad came for me and I had my first ride in a car, I was a little frightened so cuddled up to my Mum but didn't realise I was scratching her neck with my claws, she didn't seem to mind, but I'll be careful not to do it again. 

I was very tired so after a meal I settled down to sleep. I did try to make friends with my new sister Tara before bedtime but she didn't really want to be bothered with me, but I'm sure that she will want to play soon.

Today I woke up early and was ready for my breakfast, Tara was fed first then me, which is only right I suppose. Anyway it's been a very exciting day, Uncle Stan and Auntie Carole came to see me today and gave me a lovely present, its my very own lead with my name on it. Auntie Carole had lots of treats in her pocket and was explaining to Tara all about clicker training, she really got into the swing of it, I was watching from my pen so when it was my turn I knew that I had to find the treats that Auntie Carole put down for me, I think I'm going to be very good at it!

My big sister is now beginning to take an interest in me, I know we will be great buddies given a little time, she didn't like me pulling her tail so I won't do that again.

I love my blue bed, it was really a present for Daisy, but she preferred to have her sister Millie's bed so Auntie Sue and Uncle John had to buy Millie a new one and they've given me Daisy's. I must remember to thank her for it when she comes to see me on Monday.

Time for a sleep so Mum and Dad can have a rest too.

15/12/2006    Millie

My little sister Daisy is growing up fast, she only weighed 1 kilo when she went to the vet's the day after we got her.  Dad weighed her on Tuesday and she now weighs 1.4 kilos, so Mum has upped her food intake.  She’s also started doing poos in the garden but she’s doing them in the house as well so Mum and Dad have to keep their eyes skinned for little packets.  Mum’s been using the collapsible flyball table in the den for wrapping Christmas presents, Daisy has chewed through one of the elastic ropes that holds the top together so Dad’ll have to get another.  Auntie Ellie has sent Daisy and me a Christmas present each so we’ll have great fun tearing the paper off on Christmas Day.  Godmummy Jude came round to see Daisy and me today, after we’d both had a fuss, Mum put Daisy in her puppy cage and the rest of us went for a walk.  When we came back Daisy and I had a play while Mum and Godmummy Jude had a cup of tea, and guess what – more Christmas presents!  While I’m talking about Christmas please remember grapes and raisins can be fatal to us dogs so please don’t give us any Christmas cake.

08/12/2006    Millie

It's hard having a little sister, when she's awake she either wants to play or pinch whichever toy I'm playing with.  Yesterday when Mum and Dad were having dinner she decided she wanted my chew, that's of course when she's not pinching my bed.  Mind you later on we snuggled up together in front of the fire so that was nice.  Yesterday at training Auntie Carole and Mum thought we should practice "swimmers turns", Uncle Stan had made a chute (or shoot as they say over the Pond) and we had a go.  Foster and me did a demo because we had done turns around a traffic cone with Uncle John Verity, and I must say we were good.  The others hadn't done anything like this before so we just did the traffic cone bit.  We'll build on this and use the cone and chute together in the future.  It was nice doing something different for a change, plus doing proper turns on the box is better for us.  Auntie Becs hadn't seen Daisy before so she got to give her a big cuddle.

06/12/2006    Daisy

I went to my first puppy party today, it was great fun.  I wasn't allowed to join in as this was my first time there, but I got to sit on the floor and watch other small pups play.  I'm not going back until the New Year but by that time I will have been on walkies with my sister and have met lots more new mates.  Auntie Robbie came round the other day and did a video of Millie and me playing, she's put it on TheInterWeb here it is YouTube

03/12/2006    Foster

At last the big day had arrived. The day that I had been looking forward to since I was a pup.  Today I was joining the big dogs in my first proper flyball tournament.  I woke Mum and Dad very early and we packed the car with everything except the kitchen sink. We may actually have had that, you know what those humans are like.  The weather was absolutely appalling. The rain was torrential.  It didn’t bother me but Mum and Dad were muttering things like why are we bothering, we would be better off staying in bed.  I am glad to say common sense prevailed and we soon set off.  After a short while we arrived at the venue.  It was  a lovely place with lots of mud, a smell of horses and a lovely smell of horse poo.  

It seemed ages before Mum got me out of the car.  They had to set up what they called base camp and have a cup of  coffee. Then they disappeared to some sort of party.  Ring Party I think it was.  What a cheek they left me stuck in the kennel on my big day whilst they go enjoying themselves at a party.  Humans , who needs them!!!  

Eventually Mum got Megan and me ready, I was so excited.  Megan was also very excited and somehow we managed to get our leads in a tangle.  I must admit I was very impressed with the arena it was nothing like Megan and Holly  had told me to expect. The surface was not like a normal indoor tournament apparently, it was not all hard, shiny and slippery.  It was nice and soft with a lovely dusty surface that sticks wonderfully to your fur.  And believe it or not we were going to run on grass!!!  Yes that’s right grass – indoors – very clever these Doncaster humans.  

Into the arena we went.  What a lot of noise.  This is it.  Let me go Mum, I want to go, Mum let me go. Tara’s running, she’s got the ball.  Let me go Mum, let me go. Thank you Mum.  I’m off,  don’t mess it up, Mum is depending on me.  Wow what a crossover that was with Tara.  It was so close I thought we were going to crash.  Good, Chris has put the ball in the box, it’s triggered, it’s in my mouth, I‘ve turned, Mum's down there, I’m coming back, oh no Dad looks to have let Megan go too soon.  Get out of my way Megan, I’m coming back.  Wow that was close!  Mum was very surprised I did it with no mistakes.  She’s very pleased with me.   We won the race by a mile the fourth dog on the other team had only just got to the box.  What’s this?  The judge is talking to the line judge, she’s given the race to the opposite team.  Dad apparently set the jumps to the wrong height.  How I am I going to get any points with incompetence like that.

 Next race Mum sent me too early and she got a light, (not me! I was only doing what I was told).  It was very close though we only just lost even though I had to run again.

 Third race, and this I have to admit may just, perhaps, possibly  have been  very, very, very slightly my fault, I was so excited that I did not catch the ball cleanly out of the box.  I just managed to hold it in the corner of my mouth.  I struggled valiantly with it until the third jump, when I could hold it no more the ball dropped out of my mouth.  So I turned round and picked it up and then I saw my old mate Yoohoo in the other lane.  So I just went across to play.  The judge blew the whistle and said I had interfered.  I didn’t.  I never touched Yoohoo.   So that’s the first heat lost and no points.  Mum and Dad are pleased though. They recognise that I have done well.

The rest of the day went fine just one slight mishap with a jump.  It shattered as I passed over it.  I never touched it – honest!  It must have been the sonic boom that did it.  What a superb day. I’ve never had so much fun and I have 42 flyball points.

 Where are we going next?  Watch out team mates.  I have arrived!

03/12/2006    Daisy

I went on my first outing today, Mum took me to see Millie and Dad do flyball.  It's all very exciting, lots of dogs making a terrific din and people everywhere.  I must say the people were very nice, they all made fuss of me and I thought Auntie Rachel who had been eating a chicken sandwich had very tasty fingers.  In the end it all got too much for me and I fell to sleep while Auntie Debbie was fussing me.  Back home Millie was very tired and grumpy so we didn't play much but we did have a very big day.  I think I'm going to like flyball, everybody else does.

01/12/2006    Millie

Crikey it's been a busy week! First of all I had lots of my aunties round coming to see me and my new sister. She doesn't know how to fuss people yet so I'll have to teach her about tail wagging and rolling over for your tummy tickling. She's settled in now and sleeps all night so we all get a decent night's sleep. Mind you she's quite a cheeky madam, Mum bought her a new Daisy sized bed for the kitchen but she taken over mine. I have to squeeze myself into hers but Mum is buying me another one today so I'll be OK when Mum and Dad eat. She starts puppy parties on Wednesday evening so Dad and I can have some quality time while he's making dinner.   

28/11/2006    Millie

I knew something was apaw when Mum and Dad started acting all giddy on Thursday, neither of them wanted to make a meal so they had a take-away.  On Sunday we went on a car ride and I ended up with a sister!  She's teeny and beautiful and I love her tons.  She's not allowed out yet but she's been to the vet and she has a clean bill of health.  No doubt when she's bigger we'll have a great time together, you never know she might be good at flyball as well.

21/11/2006     Millie

After breakfast I went for a walk with Mum, we did the three fields to the east of the village, as we were coming up to the plantation I put up five roe deer, Mum was treated to the sight of five white bottoms disappearing away with me in hot pursuit!  I couldn't catch them up so I didn't get to play with them, such a shame.  Later on I met my mate Molly and we had a nice game of chase, Molly is a Staffy and looks fierce but really she's very nice and we always have a fun time.