BeastBlog

The First White Lodge Walk

2008-08-11T19:03:00.000+01:00

Obviously it wasn't the first White Lodge Walk, but it was the first one in Northampton; yesterday The Beastly Beasts were very pleased to be hosts to our friends from Leicestershire at Salcey Forest, which as you all probably know is our usual walking venue.

We'd also let some of our local friends know we were going to be there and some of those came too; including Bungle - a Great Dane - who managed to do two things: make dad happy to see what he calls a proper size dog and make Rosie look quite petite :)

Bungle with his mum - Mandy

Bungle's mum is Mandy who runs Northants Greyhound Rescue; in our book that makes her a very very nice lady.

And Aunty Claire was there too. We haven't seen her since we went to Coombe Abbey so that was nice.

Aunty Claire

Some people nearly didn't make it; Sol's chauffeur, Aunty Alison, got lost and had to call dad to find the way. And for some it was the furthest they had come for ages - so a special thank you to them for coming down.

Usually we go off the beaten track in the forest, but yesterday we stayed on the paths and took everyone to the Tree Top Walk. You have to cross the bouncing bridge to get to it.

Jasper and Guiness cossing the bouncing bridge

Then go up the slope to get to the top.

Going up the Tree Top Walk

We had to walk almost single file up the walk to that people coming down could pass us, and that meant there was a big queue.

When you get to the top of the ramp there are some steps that go all the way to the top. We'd never been up them before as Jack and Troy don't like it up the Tree Walk anyway, but Rosie wanted - and did - go up and I followed her; it's a good view from up there I must say. A lady at the top though Rosie and I were very brave, though she mistook Rosie for a boy and me for a girl; me thinks she didn't do anatomy at school.

At the top of the Tree Top Walk

The View from the Top

When we got to the bottom dad was stopped by a lady who thought Troy was beautiful and asked why there were so many greyhounds in one place. Of course she got the full story about greyhounds and what happens to many of them.

At the bottom of the Tree Top Walk

At this point we were joined by another of our friends, Fisher, who goes to the same school as Rosie. Then some went back for a cuppa and some of us carried on a bit more - needless to say all The Beastly Beasts carried on - before joining everyone at the cafe where, as always at the end of a walk, treats were to be had, including ice cream!!

Jack eating ice cream with Ozzy, Monty, Me and Lola looking on

And more of our friends were waiting for us there too; Josie and Curly with their mum and dad Ann and Norman had come over which was great.

Buddy and Lola

"Of course I'm a greyhound"

We had a lovely afternoon; we love going to Salcey and it was brilliant to go their with so many friends and share it. We all hope that everyone that came had a nice time and will come back again. And there is loads more of the forest to go to if ever anyone wants a really long walk with us.

Made It !!

2008-07-31T16:19:00.000+01:00

Oi thought Oi'd blowwn it when Oi took Granndmaa Squiggs and Gracie for a walk fruu the hedge; turns out it was one of moi better moves - though I am sorry to GS and Gracie.

That was a year ago and the same evening I was packed off to go and live with five other hounds - The Beastly Beasts. They were totally cool about a complete stranger turning up and it seemed a pretty good place to stop for a bit loike.

Next day we went out on a walk; boy it was long, longer than I'd been on. I had to have a lie down half way round.

Having a Lie Down

Anyway, Dad said Oi could only stay as a foster for a year. Oi thought 'ee mean I'd 'aveto go back to kennels after that. Luckily for me it meant that instead of being a foster Oi could be a real Beastly Beast loike.

Anyway, the years up and I am now an official Beastly Beast and dead proud loike.

Lookin' back it's been a pretty packed year rearlly. Not long after Oi turned up Rosie arrived (Oi'm sure she'll be saying something about that in a few weeks). Then we went to the Gap Show having all got fab new jumpers and not long after that we went to Swallows Dance on our 'ols - that was rearlly grreat. Then Oi became a blood donor; that's a good one - helping other hounds by 'avin' a lie down loike then gettin' a treat; if only it was that easy. Then it was Meet an' Greet season - they are fun and me, Troy and Rosie have a good crack seein' who can bag the most humans, but they are long days. Still, the ones we did raised over a thousand pounds; just think 'ow many pigs ears you can get for that!!! And then it was Christmas when we got loads of pressies and treats and stuff - we quoite loike Christmas.

Then we got to Swallows Dance again and this toime Oi enjoyed even more; maybe 'coz I knew the other everyone better loike.

On the Beach

And in the Fields

And we've done another Gap show, done the bloood thing a couple of times more, been on loads of walks with all our mates from White Lodge, watched humans race (that was fun), and - though we still don't know the results yet - been assessed as PAT dogs.

Never a dull moment here Oi can tell yer.

Anyway, here's to another year, but this toime knowing I'm stoppin'.

PPBuk News Letter

2008-07-19T12:58:00.002+01:00

The Beastly Beasts are in this month's Pet Blood Bank UK newsletter. After Wendy, Heather and Caroline came to visit the other week they asked if we would like to be in it and we said we would. We thought there would be a little bit about us and blood doning; well there's that and loads more - about what we to to help hounds and a bit about each of us; I have to say we were rather, but very pleasantly, surprised.

Us in our PBBuk Bandanas

If you don't get the PBBuk newsletter but would like to it click here. Why not sign up for the newsletter to find out more about PBBuk, what's going on and when there are blood drives; click here to visit the PBBuk website where you can do just that.

Have The Beastly Beasts Got It Down PAT?

2008-07-18T18:03:00.008+01:00

If you've read Mack's post about the White Lodge Walk you'll know there woz summink coming off this week. Well last night woz it; some of us, most of us, all of us 'cept Monty and Lucy that is, went for PAT testing.

If you ain't 'eard of PAT before it stands for Pets As Therapy an' wot it means is us 'ounds goin' to places were 'umans ain't too good an' lettin' 'em 'ave a stroke and stuff; sort of 'ounds 'elpin' 'umans.

You might be wonderin' why Monty and Lucy weren't doin' it. Simply 'coz they didn't want to. It's like the Meets and Greets; me, Mack an' Rosie 'ave competitions to see 'oo can get the most puntas, Kai does 'is stuff wiv the ladies and Jack sorts out the 'uman puppies. Monty an' Lucy will 'elp 'coz they want to 'elp uvva 'ounds, but they ain't into it like the rest of us. An' neiver of 'em are exactly full o' the joys o' spring goin' to new places, so they decided it was best all round if they opted out.

Anyway, like Mack said, we tapped up Sol on Sunday for a few tips like, but last night woz the real deal.

We went over Salcey for the usual ball o' chalk then went to Cookno ('umans spell it Cogenhoe but say it Cookno) village 'all to meet the lady wot woz goin' to test us.

Kai woz first up - stinking 'ee was too 'aving smuvvered 'imslef in FPone in the woods; dad weren't best please I can tell ya. Anyway, he comes back an' tells us that the lady, called Pat (spooky or wot?), woz dead nice and wot 'appened woz pretty much like Sol 'ad said.

I 'ave to agree wiv Kai 'ere, Pat woz a very nice lady and, in my 'umble opinion, one wiv exceptionally good taste in 'ounds. First fing she said when I walked in the door woz "Ohh, 'ee's an 'andsom boy." - 'oo am I to disagree?

Then we does the biz. Wot it involved woz:

Pat making like she's goin' to 'and over a treat 'cept she don't for a bit, she just 'olds it in 'er 'and an' you ain't supposed to go for it until she gives it to yer properly like. Well that's just manners ain' it? An' I fink it's fair to say that all The Beastly Beasts 'ave manners, dad'd 'ave our guts for garters if not.

Then Pat made a fuss of me; grabbin' me ears, tail, an' feet an' strokin' me, gently but firmly like, to see if was 'appy being touched. Me, I 'ate it - not! As do the rest of us.

Then I 'ad to take dad for a walk round the 'all. Probably should 'ave said before, but we woz there while a dog club woz too; bigun an' all. So there's lots of strange dogs an' 'umans around an' you 'ave to see 'ow your 'uman gets on wiv that. Dad did OK.

Then Pat took me a called me to 'er. You know me, call an' I'm by yer side.

Then she dropped a tin lid on the floor. 'Pparently some dogs try to do a runner when that 'appens. Good job they don't live in Beast Barracks, there's always bangin' and clatterin' at meal times - it's 'ow we know grub's up. Anyway I looked at it an' then at Pat 'an she larfed.

Now get this. It ain't often you get one over on Kai; 'ee's Mr. Chilled an' takes everyfink in 'is stride ('cept being washed that is) an' everyone finks 'ee's good lookin' and stuff. But Pat said that while Kai was OK, I was a natural PAT dog 'coz of the way I like goin' up to 'umans. I woz well chuffed.

Then it was Jack's turn and 'ee did it all OK too. As always 'ee fought it woz a right larf an' really enjoyed 'imself.

Mack was up next. I wondered wot Pat would 'ave to say about 'im wot wiv 'im bein' the uvver 'alf of the Bookend Boys like. Good 'ol boy; anuvver one wot woz rated.

Last up was Rosie. She woz a bit leary about it wot wiv all the other dogs around. But you know wot? She came back saying she'd enjoyed it too. She made Pat larf at the tin lid fing an' all 'coz she stood there an' wagged 'er tail at it.

Afterwards Pat 'ad a bit of rattle wiv dad, but so we knew wot the score woz we sent Monty out the van to stand wiv 'em.

Pat said we woz five dead good 'ounds, which woz really nice of 'er. She then said stuff which Monty didn't really get and didn't make much sense to us eivver, summink about dad 'avin' a CRB an' did that matta? Apparently not, wot evva one of them is. Then they 'ad a chat about 'oo an' where we might visit. She reckoned dad an' us might be OK for a place wot sounds like it ain't everyone's cup o' tea, but that we should all 'ave a fink.

And then, almost the last fing she says woz, "If ever I get a proper dog it will probably be a grey'ound". 'Course all dogs - well, most dogs - are proper dogs; Pat has Collies wot is proper dogs, but it's nice to know there's annuva 'uman out there wot cares about us grey'ounds.

Anyway, Pat's PAT testing don't necessarily mean we're in. We now 'ave to wait to see if PAT HQ says we are or not, an' that could take a few weeks. Cross yer paws for us an' watch this space.

July's White Lodge Walk

2008-07-13T19:27:00.002+01:00

This afternoon was the Whoite Lodge Walk at Ratby. As always dad handed over some of us to help look after other humans. Troy and me went off with Jasper as we often do when he?s here; and Jack went and helped Rudy with his humans.

Me with Jasper and Sol

The weather was great, really noice and warm, an' we 'ad a loovely walk. And it was a long one, which we loike.

We 'ad a chat with Sol on the way round about some stuff we're doing later in the week. Can't say what just yet, but we'll let you know when we've done it ? honest, but Sol's already done it so we thought we'd get some tips. He told us what happens and said it was dead easy and we'd do it no problem ? no pressure then!

Sol

We did 'ave one minor incident though. There's a narrow bridge at one point an' Monty fell off it. Shouldn't laugh really, burr'ee did it slow motion like. Didn't hurt 'imself or anything, but 'ee weren't laughin' when 'ee climbed out the stream.

Part of the Gang

When we got back to the car park there were the usual treats and plenty to drink, everyone's tongues were haggin' out. Someone asked about our bandanas - we'd still got our Pet Blood Bank ones on from yesterday loike - so we told them about blood donin' and 'ow it's dead easy and stuff. Some of the others that do it agreed with us and seems we aren't the only ones that like the treats at the end - there's a thing.

Caleb and Rudy

Next month it's our local, Salcey Forest. We can't wait to show our friends from up north around the place and hope loads of 'em turn up.

A Day at the Races

2008-07-13T18:46:00.001+01:00

Hi'ya possums, you'll never guess what we did yesterday ? we went to watch humans race. Apparently some humans do racing for fun and that was what they were doing yesterday; one of dad's mates'd sorted out the race to raise money for a human puppy school where they live, so were like Humans Helping Humans, which is nice.

We all reckoned hounds watching humans race was a bit of a turn up for the books. It's quite different from greyhound racing though. For a start they don't have to get in cages at the start; they just stand around then some chap lets out a ripper of a blast on a horn and they?re off.

Takes 'em a bit longer too 'coz they don't run as fast as us, but then they do run a bit further than we do, four miles they went. The first guys appeared back after about 20 minutes, which is pretty fair goin' for an animal that only has two legs.

Watching Humans Run

There's more of them too, but they only have the one race. There was about 90 of 'em, and this is another difference, even the ones that come last get a clap and everyone is nice to them ? no worries about if you'll be goin' back to your kennel that evening.

And here's another thing; humans ? even the ones doing the racing ? aren't bred for it; humans choose if they want to run or not (dad choose not to), and if they don't want to no-one thinks any more about it. No "run or die" choices for them. I tell ya, being a human sounds a right cushy number.

It was a fair bonza afternoon an' all, and just standing around watching the humans running was pretty thirsty work. Luckily Troy had tapped up Glen, one of the guys helping out, and he got us some drinks like the runners had had ? nice one Troy.

Watching Humans Run is Thirsty Work

'Course, loads of people came an' said "Hi" and we all got lots of cuddles. A few people asked why we hadn't taken part ? been there, done that, and survived thanks mates; now we get to run when we want to, not when we're told to. But they were just joking and everyone was really nice.

There was a sad bit when a lady told us her Afghan Hound had gone to the bridge recently ? only eight years old. Where ever you are, run free mate.

We had a fun afternoon and we think we might go and do it again sometime.

Busted BloodBuster

2008-07-03T18:31:00.000+01:00

Bad news - my ALT levels are up again.

Dad spoke to a lady from PBBuk on the telling bone today who said my ALT was high again. She said it might just be me and that the number - about 200 - wasn't serious, particularly if I wasn't showing any other symptoms - which I'm not.

But the really bad news is I've been busted from donating blood ever again. Apparently they can't take blood like mine even if it is normal for me. While of course I kind of understand that they only want the best blood, I'm disappointed that I won't be able help any more.

BloodBusters

2008-06-26T17:45:00.001+01:00

When your blood's run dry,
And your plasma's gone,
You need some more,
And it must be done,
Who ya gonna call?

BloodBusters!!

And that was us yesterday - The Beastly Beasts became BloodBusters.

Earlier in the week dad spoke to Aunty Wendy from Pet Blood Bank UK on the telling bone. Seems that they had had lots of people asking for blood and were really running short. It was about time for us to donate some more so she wondered if we could do it like now and they would come to Beast Barracks to do it seeing as we had all done it before and never had any problems.

Caroline Finding My Vein

So yesterday Wendy, Heather and Caroline turned up at our kennels to get our blood. You would not believe the amount of stuff that they turn up with. But it was all dead efficient and soon the table was in the kitchen, equipment on the worktops and they were ready for us do donate.

The normal routine is we go in one at a time, get our leg and neck trimmed, get a bit of blood taken from the leg to see if it's OK, then if it is we go into the next room to do the donation while the next Beast get trimmed and tested. Today was a bit different, we all had the tests first then we all gave blood; it worked pretty well.

Wendy's the boss and has taken our blood before. Heather was there to help out and Caroline was learning to put in the needles. She did all the positive blood Beasts, but Jack, Mack and me have negative blood and she let Wendy do us as we are more important!!

Troy being Swabbed by Wendy just before Donating

We've all made at least three donations, for Kai and Troy this was their fifth!! And this time we all get a full blood screen, which I hope will show my blood is still OK; I had some raised enzyme levels last year which stopped me donating for a bit.

The great thing is that PBBuk now have about 1,000 dogs that donate blood and who knows how many lives that has saved? It's great being part of it and knowing that just for having a ten minute snooze with a needle in your neck you are helping hounds that really really need it.

Our friend Fisher turned up so he could have a sample of his blood taken to see if he can donate next time. He was dead good for a Labrador - they tend to be a bit wriggly (not like us - we have a snooze) - and if is blood is OK should be good to donate.

Kai after Donating

It took nearly five hours to do us all, and then the girls had to go back to the lab and process our blood. All we had to do was have tea and a snooze; I think we got the better deal. But from the sounds of it our blood will be going to help dogs that need it almost straight away and somehow that makes us all a little bit extra proud of what we did.

June Whoite Lodge Walk

2008-06-22T16:15:00.000+01:00

The June Walk seems a whoile ago now, but dad's been busy an' we don't get to use the 'puter unless dad lets us. Still, better late dan never ehh?

So de other week - on de 8th June - we were at Rutland Water for de Whoite Lodge Walk, and a glorious day it was too; de sun was shinin', de sky was blue and just a bit of a breeze from de lake.

Rutland Water

Talk about spooky dough; we turns up at de car park an' when we get out de BeastBus dad says "Hi" to dis other guy. Turns out it's a friend of dad's who lives further away from Rutland Water dan us - he was roiding round it on a bike - an' we park next him dat very day!!

Anyway, de other Lodgers were parked down de hill so we walked down to join dem. When we arrived Sol shouted at Rosie an' Rosie shouted at Sol and dad shouted at Rosie and Aunty Alison shouted at Sol. Luckily dat was all de shoutin' over for the day and Sol and Rosie made up.

As usual Dad distributed various Beasts to help look after some humans dat didn't have hounds of dere own. Lucy went off whit Aunty Brenda and Kai went with her friend Helen - she taught he was great, and Oi looked after a human puppy called Charlie.

Lucy and Kai with Brenda and Helen

You hear about some human puppies don't have de respect for things and no interest anytink. But let me tell you dat dis young lad is nuthin' loike dat; he's a great lad and his mum and dad should be roightly proud of him. In fact he's so good he didn't really need much in de way of lookin' after so I could on whit' me sniffin' an' weein'.

Me and Charlie

We was on de north soide of de lake. De walk takes you true de woods - where de ground was still wet - along de path and to de cafe. Dere was lots of other people on the path and loads of humans on boikes; I got de feeling dat some weren't best pleased dat dere was so many hounds walkin' along.

When we got to de cafe we were all pretty hot - it was really sunny - so dad went a got us ice creams to share. Kai - as usual - turned his nose up at it, Monty, Troy and Lucy had some and Mack, Rosie and me got stuck in - we loike our ice creams. Some of de humans dat were around taught it was funny dat hounds eat de ice cream.

Den we found some trees to get some shade and had a chat with everyone and shared our liver cake. For a moment it seemed dat even Suggs moight take it from dad, but he wouldn't. Some of de humans dat weren't on de walk came an' had a chat too; as usual dey were amazed to see so many of us in de one place, an' as usual we got to have a stroke from de puppies.

Under the Trees

Den it was toime to head back and we had a noice wander with WC Mortimer an' his crew. When we got back to de car park dere was more treats being handed out including some new biscuits commissioned by Max an' Tiny - dey were pretty good.

Me and Charlie

Oi enjoyed lookin' after Charlie - he's quoite easy to look after really, a foine lad - but I had to give him back to his mum and dad. But we've decoided we'll walk together on other walks. Lucy and Kai gave dere humans back and we headed home having had a really noice afternoon.

Fowl Beasts

2008-05-28T08:20:00.000+01:00

If you've read Rosie's post about the weekend you'll know we went to get a "kennel", which was actually a chicken coop.

We'd been thinking about getting some hens, and decided to give some ex-battery hens a new home. The advice was there was a long waiting list and to get our name on it, only to read a couple of days later that there were 7,000 hens being disposed of on the 27th May by a farmer in Lincs. and that homes, transport, etc. were desperately needed. So from no rush to get things sorted it needed doing NOW!! Hence our trip to go and collect our chicken coop on Saturday.

Ain't Nobody Here (not even us chickens)

Yesterday morning it was a trip over to the farm to collect the six hens we'd said we would take and about 120 more to transport to a distribution point; I was told they'd go in my car no problem. They went in but it was close!! The car was chockablock (or should that be choockablock) with boxes containing 5 hens for the most part, and some smaller ones with three in. Putting hens in the boxes was done efficiently and expertly - if unceremoniously - by a a few people that had done this before and the rest of us there loaded cars and vans.

It was my first look inside a battery farm - not good. The hens never see daylight, it's noisy and it's hot, and the size of the cages mean that the hens can not move. And once they stop laying they are starved for a few days so there is no food in their crop (why spend money on an animal that's not going to make you any?), then if they are not rescued they are slaughtered. To me there are many similarities between battery hens and greyhounds in the racing industry.

Me and a 120 chickens set off up the A1 to a lady called Jackie who had kindly agreed that her house could be a distribution point for three other people. When I got there Jackie, Greta and I unloaded the car and unpacked the hens that were staying with them (Greta was to move hers that evening).

First taste of freedom

Some of those awaiting their onward journey were inquisitive about what was going on.

Where are we?

Heather turned up to collect her 24, then Darren for his 50. I'm sure they are all going to be well looked after; Darren's certainly are - he has 9 acres for them for range in; as are Jackie's - she has turned the bottom of her garden into an activity centre for hers.

All done up north me and my six headed home; Jackie had kindly loaned me a poultry crate so they were more comfortable on the journey - many thanks to her for that.

Once they were in the run and seemed OK The Beastly Beasts were introduced to the hens. Reactions ranged from indifference - Kai and Rosie, through "nice but so what" - Troy, Jack and Lucy (after some initial interest), to great excitement - Monty and Mack.

Troy and hens

The hens seemed totally unfazed by it all, and rather than being scared of the dogs if a nose got to close it was fair game for a peck - good on 'em.

Of course there was food and water waiting for them and they all made good use of the feeder - they were probably starving.

Food glorious food

I was amazed how well the hens took everything in their stride; they had just had once hell of a day: taken from the only place they knew (bad as it was), stuffed into boxes, in the car for three hours (and they had never known anything that moved), plonked in a place that was open (the first time they'd had more room that the width of their body) and introduced to seven dogs. When they first went into the coop they seemed amazed that they could move around, but within minutes they were doing chickeny type things.

Taking in the big wide world

Bed time presented a challenge; the hens had no idea that their bedroom was upstairs. So rather than try and force them up the ramp I decided to take the end off the run, reach in and grab them one by one then put them into the coop. No need to reach in - they were very interested in the outside world and stepped out of the run which made it easy to pick them up and pop them upstairs. However, it soon became obvious that putting them upstairs was best done via the nest box as with the coop side open it simply presented a better view of the world.

Good view from here

All safely ensconced I risked taking a peek. I had been told they would not know how to perch but some of them had obviously been reading the manual as they quite happily sat on the perch.

In bed

This morning I let down the ladder and gave them a few minutes to see if they'd venture down, but none wanted to - can't say I blame them, the weather wasn't best, so I gently chivvied them down the ramp in the hope they'll get the idea that it connects coop and run. On opening the coop I found three eggs, one still warm from laying and one with a very thin shell.

Yesterday was an interesting day and one that was very worthwhile. It was great to meet the people doing the actual rescue - huge thanks must go to them for sorting it. Thanks also to Jackie for letting her front room become a waiting room for a while. I believe that around 2,000 hens were rescued - the rest will no doubt suffer the normal fate. But to put things into context, until today I believe a large rescue was around 100 (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so this may well have been the single largest rescue to date; in any case, it was good to be a small part of it.

Bank Holiday Weekend

2008-05-26T09:13:00.001+01:00

So how was your weekend? Mine was pretty busy. On saturday dad packed just Kai and me in the Beast Bus, and we drove for ages. When we stopped dad and this other bloke put a large wooden - well - sort of kennelly thing in the back and for the rest of the journey I had to sit in the front with dad.

Then we found out why dad had brought us along. Our next stop was Aunty Mandy's. Aunty Mandy looked after me just before I came to live with The Beastly Beasts, and dad thought that as we were near by we'd drop in and see her.

She made a big fuss of me and told me I was beautiful and looking really good - I like being told that, but so do all the other Beasts.

We went for a walk with Aunty Mandy and two people from Mersyside RGT and some greyhounds looking or homes, and Aunty Mandy told them why we'd come to see her. The RGT lady told me I was beautiful too - if this carries on I must just believe it.

Then dad showed Aunty Mandy some pictures from our holiday at Swallows Dance and she made "Ooohhh" and "Ahhh" sounds like humans due when they like stuff.

Then it was time to go home where dad put the kennelly thing in the back garden - none of us can work out what it's for.

So how did you spend your Sunday? Standing around in the rain while someone asks you questions? If you are anything to do with Greyhound Gap you may well have. Yep, we went to the Gap Show.

Greyhound Gap Show

We were there selling Laney's Sweaters and Tracey's Tassels. We did sell some; not as many as we hoped, but I guess it all adds up.

Our Stall

Of course we went in for some of the show classes and Kai got fifth place in Best Broken Coat and I got third in Best Non-Gap Rescue which I was well happy with.

And we saw loads of people we know - and I knew most of them too; there was Wanda who helped at our Meet and Greet, Colin - who always says their foster should be a Beastly Beast, Lynne and Jackie who we went to help on their Meet and Greet and went for a walk with, Wendy from Pet Blood Bank UK, nearly everyone that were at Swallows Dance the same time as us last year, Jim (he said I was beautiful too!), and Hooch who I met when he came to stay for a couple of weeks last year

Hooch

So not the nicest of days weather-wise, but I was chuffed to win my rosette and we saw lots of friends and we did help raise some money for Gap - a good day.

May White Lodge Walk

2008-05-13T07:39:00.000+01:00

How's it goin' mates? We had a real bonzer of a walk on Sunday arvo - we were at Beacon Hill; the sun was out, hardly a cloud in the sky, and there were some pretty spiffy blokes around (more about them in a bit).

When we arrived Jasper's dad came over and grabbed Troy and Macca to look after him, Kai went off with a lady called Helen ('parrently Kai looks a bit like a dog that used to look after her and her puppies), and I paired up with a lady who's puppies were being walked by the spiffy blokes - there's method in the madness possums.

Kai with Helen

Bit later on Monty went to look after Brenda seeing as Caleb was off doing his own thing.

Before we set off Rosie and Lola got cranky with each other - don't know what about but dad and Phil (Lola's human) put a stop to it; good job too, they sounded like a couple of hoons. Next thing though, they are standing there like best buddies.

The wander through the woods was nice and cool; the walk up the hill wasn't and we all stopped for a breather one the way, including our mate Sol who usually doesn't stop for anything.

Sol

Caleb was the most energetic of everyone - he made it to the top first.

Caleb at the top

At the top there was a nice breeze and you couldn't have asked for a nicer day. We all had a drink - our throats were as dry as a Pommie's towel - and some tried blagging ice cream.

We love you

Aunty Alison (Sol's human) came up with a stonker of a name for Troy and Mack - The Bookend Boys; this pic says it all.

The Bookend Boys

Thing is, I'd found my own bookend boys; Frop and Hector.

Me with Frop and Hector - My Bookend Boys

Paws up girls, who'd like to share a kennel with either, or both, of these two? I'm roachin'. Not only did they look the business in their matching tuxes and white socks, but they were perfect gentlemen (more's the pity!!). This was their first White Lodge walk, hopefully not their last, and guess who I'm walking with.

One of the other things we like to do is when we find a human that's got the same name as us is get our pic taken with them. I had mine taken with Lucy at Salcey last year, Jack had his a while back, and Kai had his last time we were here. Today it was Rosie's turn. So here's Rosie and, err, Rosie. The human Rosie is Helen's (the lady Kai looked after) puppy.

Rosie and Rosie

And here is a pic of loads of us.

At the Summit

All too soon it was time to head down the hill and back to the BeastBus. We had an absolute bonzer of a day. It was great as always to see our mates, and it's always ripper to meet new ones - 'specially when they are like Frop and Hector!!

Next up for us is the Greyhound Gap show in Walsall on the 25th. Hopefully see you there. 'Ooroo.

Slow Dogs Killed for Research

2008-05-12T10:12:00.002+01:00

A Times article (here) by Daniel Foggo has exposed the practise by some in the greyhound racing industry of selling fit and healthy greyhounds that are either to slow or won't chase to be killed for research.

A quote from the Welfare page of one of the greyhound kennels involved - Zig Zag Kennels - states "At Zig Zag Kennels we make the welfare of all our stock our highest priority." I guess once they've been sold for research they don't count as stock any more.

Hopefully the times article is another nail in the coffin for the way the greyhound racing industry goes about it's business.

Skool Again

2008-05-10T17:00:00.002+01:00

Went to skool again today; my second time. We missed some classes 'coz we were away on holiday and last week there weren't any.

The lad I told you about last time was there again and he was loads better - you could tell by the way he was wagging but watching everyone else he weren't too sure, but that's well better than last time.

Today we walking around and sitting and lying down, and sometimes I had to sit and lie down while dad wandered off for a bit - not exactly hard to do and you get a treat every time he comes back.

Near the end we did stuff with hoops. When I say we, dad did stuff with a hoop. Like he went and stood in it a couple of times, then - and this is the idea - he lifts it up and puts it over his head and puts it on the floor again and walks back to me. I'm not going to say he looked a bit of plonka, but he did look a bit of a plonka. It wasn't exactly agility and I'm not too sure what he's learning by it but then these humans do do things differently sometimes; I just laid there and let 'im get on with it.

Then it was time to go home, but not before I was told I'd been put up a class, which I'm a bit proud of having only been to beginner skool twice; the lady said I was obviously very clever and very gentle - she is obviously a very good judge of character. So next week I'm going to middle skool where they do more stuff; I'll let you know what that stuff is next week.

Dog Control Orders

2008-05-07T14:30:00.002+01:00

Northampton is proposing to introduce dog control orders, with the aim that become law by the end of 2008.

There are five orders: the first - the dog faouling law - is already through the consultation stage, the council is asking for opinions on orders 2 through 5.

Orders 2, 3 and 5 are reasonable and things that responsible dog owners will already be doing. It is Order 4 that is the issue, and affects me and The Beastly Beasts directly; it aims to limit the number of dogs being handled by one person - the proposal is six. You can see the issue I'm sure.

I suspect the issue is one of control of dogs and I for one totally agree that anyone walking any number of dogs should be in control of them. However, to base the ability to control on an arbitrary number is wrong in my opinion - particularly as it's less that the number of The Beasts.

Please, particularly if you live in or visit Northampton, dowload the leaflet from the Northampton Borough Council website then complete and return the form (it's Freepost - so won't cost anything) giving your views (I hope they are the same as mine) on this. The closing date is 16 May 2008 for this, so not much time.

If you would also write to your concillor(s) on the issue as well that would be brilliant.

Thanks in advance for your support.

49th Northampton

2008-05-02T08:13:00.000+01:00

Last night me an' the uvva Beasts went to Cubs an' Scouts, to the 49th Northampton Scout Group to be precise. We was there to do a sort of Meet and Great; dad told 'em about us an' we laid on the charm.

Will and Mack

First up was the Cubs. They are 'uman puppies and there was loads of 'em; I ain't seen as many nippers in one place ever, but they was all really well be'aved an' dead nice to us; some wanted to take us 'ome!

Dad 'ad a chat wiv 'em like, then they all came an' said 'ello. One or two seemed a bit unsure to start wiv, but a bit o' charm - mainly from your's T, Jack and Rosie I 'ave to say - an' they was sorted.

Troy with some of the Cubs

When the 'uman grown-ups came to get their puppies I 'eard one lady tell dad she'd bin to Peterborough greyhound stadium the night before. Not sure what she fought dad'd say, but I don't reckon' it's what he did say though; 'course he told 'er about 'ow many 'ounds die each year just to keep the industry runnin' (bad joke - sorry); maybe she'll 'ave a fink before goin' again.

Next up was the Scouts. There weren't so many of them, but they was all dead keen to meet us. Dad did 'is spiel again and then it was time for a bit more schmoozin'.

Rosie Schmoozing

All the Cubs an' Scouts was dead generous an' 'ad one of our BeastBadges, and we gave 'em a pack of bumf from the RGT (thanks to Alison for sortin' those) and Pet Blood Bank. One of the girl Scouts wanted an' extra one 'coz 'er friend's finkin' about gettin' a dog; yer never know, they might just get a greyhound.

Rosie Schmoozing - again

I reckon' the kids enjoyed it - 'ope so. We did, an' all of us'd like to thank the 49th Northampton Cubs and Scouts for the chance to come an' say 'ello an' 'ave a chat, an' for bein' really nice to us. And to say thank you for bein' dead generous, 'coz wot wiv the BeastBadges and a nice donation we got anuvver £52.75 to give to rescues - which is just brilliant.

Tell yer wot though, nippers are exhaustin', an' when we got got 'ome we 'ad some tea then crashed out, Rosie baggin' the sofa - nuffink new there then.

What? No Scouts?

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 8

2008-04-26T19:29:00.001+01:00

Well mates, today is the day we headed for home. Monty came for a cuddle with me first thing, which was nice.

Monty and Lucy

Then before brekkie it was off to the valley. The sun was up and after yesterday's rest day we were all up for it. We went down the fields then into the woods were there's plenty of stuff to sniff …

Investigating

Me an' Mack

Rosie

… then into the valley were we all had a good ol' run …

Troy

Mack

Me

… followed by some the last missions of our hols.

How many hounds in this pic?

Jack

Then it was back for breakfast and into the BeastBus to go home. On the way we stopped for, well, y'know what, and as usual had a chin wag with some people. And what d'ya know, this couple came and had a chat and a stroke and it turns out they are from Oz - live in Adelaide. But that's not all; they have a Grey called Whiskey, and they do fostering for ex-racers there too. So good on ya mates, and a big Beastly "Hi" to ya. If you read this do let us know your names, 'coz as always we asked about the hounds and forget the humans.

We're back home now. It's kaanda nice to be back, but sad the hols have ended. Still, the sharp cookies among you (I know - that's all of you), and maybe your humans too, will have noticed this has been Episode 1 of BeastBreak. We're goin' back again later in the year, and something tells me it will be all of us going back too, for Episode 2.

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 7

2008-04-25T18:09:00.000+01:00

The weather was mingin' first thing this morning, so we all had a really long lie in; that we were all still tired from yesterday was kind of beside the point. In fact, we had a really lazy day today until we went down the woods in the afternoon.

Me with Lucy and Mack

Then we all 'ad a laff, and dad didn't get that many pictures 'coz we were all off on missions.

Troy

One of the keenest Beasts for missions is Monty. Monty's a right case, something I've only come to realise this week as since I've been joining in he's had his broken leg, and it's only this week he's got back into running and stuff. I think we're going to have fun me an' 'im.

Double Trouble

Today's was our last full day here - home tomorrow. We've a great time. For me Lucy and Mack it's our second time here and for me it's better than the first. Everyhound should have a holiday at place like this at some time. Aunty Carol and Uncle Trevor are great (Uncle Trevor always makes a big fuss of me). I didn't get to see Waj this time though - maybe next.

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 6

2008-04-24T18:58:00.002+01:00

There's only one word wot describes today, Perfik!!

Star'ed out wiv a ball darn the Frankie. It 'ad rained cats an' 'umans in the night but this mornin' the current was out, and that meant there was loads o' smells. Darn in the bottom field we had a good ol' charge around lookin' for rabbits an' fings; didn't find none - but they was there all right.

Me in the Frankie

Monty

Rosie

On the way back we went up wot Waj calls the back field; it's a fair ol' size an' probably don't come under the "fully enclosed" category.

Me in the back field

Then it was breakfast an' a kip before we went out agin. We went to a beach called Marloes Sands; well good. Big old beach wiv, an' 'ere's the fing, a bit wot you can only get to by a bit of rock 'oppin' when the sea's in. So we did a bit of rock 'oppin' and 'ad the gaff to ourselves so we could do a bit of runnin' - magik!!

Me the beach

Kai

Kai and Mack

Then we went back on the main beach an' 'ad a wanda along that. On the way back up the parf to the BeastBus we met a really nice couple o' 'umans an' got chattin'. Well, knock me down wiv a fevva, the bloke only used to live in Northampton - small world in'it? 'Is missus fought we was all lovely, but she said Rosie was especially beautiful.

Rosie

Then back 'ome for tea - we couldn't be too late 'coz it's mum's birfday - 'Appy Birfday mum - an' 'er an' dad's off out to Aunty Carol's for their tea. Mind you, we're all creamed an' our beds beckon.

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 5

2008-04-23T17:43:00.000+01:00

Today we arll went to de Freshwater West beach; it's huge!!

Even dough de sun was out de beach was covered in de mist. Der was lots of bangs and de noises dat dad said was de soldiers playin'.

Freshwater West

We taught we'd be de only ones on de beach, and whoile it wasn't exactly crowded loike, der was some other dogs so dad wouldn't let us go runnin'. Moind you, to be honest we weren't dat fussed, and we had a noice walk along de beach and Oi did some dancing when de sea came in round me feet.

Den we went home and chilled - koind of a mid-holiday rest day loike - but sometoimes dat's just what de vet ordered.

Beasts on the beach

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 4

2008-04-22T16:56:00.004+01:00

G'day mates, hope yours has bin as bonza as mine. Today we woke up to find the sun shinin', so after a bit o'brekky we all took to the garden to soak up some rays.

Catchin' some rays

Most of us catchin' some rays

Jack fell asleep in the sunshine.

Jack resting his eyes

Now, I know what your thinkin' possums; sun? Doesn't sun go with sand, sea, and stuff, rite? And yer rite - today it was Beasts on the Beach!!!!! Now, I don't know about you girls, but I reckon there is somethin' about boys on the beach.

Mack

Troy

Kai

The tide was rite out so that meant lots of space for runnin' games; I godda give it to Mack, that boy is farst; an' when I say farst I mean farsta than kanga with a bush fire up it's bum - I was flyin' and couldn't keep up.

A race

Kai, Troy and Mack did go a bit macho and kept on havin' races; boys will be boys, no matta how old they are.

Mack

Kai and Troy

Racin' through the water

My big little sis enjoyed herself as well; tell yer what, she's not exactly petite like Kylie and me, but she can run like a dingo with dia.

Rosie

She did get a bit gobby 'coz she was so excited, but then so does Kai - maybe it's a lurcher-on-the-beach thing.

Kai and Rosie

After an hour of runnin' around we strolled back up the beach with mum, then back to the van and home, where we had pigs ears on the patio.

The Beastly Beasts on the beach

Pigs ears on the patio

Then to round the day off we went down the valley. We down the back field into the valley and then into the field where Troy and Mack proved that men are animals. When it comes to perfume my favourites are Vixen's FPone and Seagull No5; these two had found fresh CowPooium, which is not one of my favourites. All the girls know that good quality perfume should be rubbed on behind the ears, under your chin or round yer neck; Mack was a brute and splashed it on all over, Troy wasn't much betta.

Mack

Mack having splashed it on all over

So, a great day with two great walks. Oh, and in case you're wonderin', Monty has been on Pussy Patrol.

Monty on Pussy Patrol

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 3

2008-04-21T20:29:00.001+01:00

It's bloomin' great 'ere, I loov it I do.

Having a cuddle

It was noice first thing this morning so we went down the fields before breakfast for a wanda round loike. Great stooff; we started with the fields - which 'ave all been plowed so there's acres to run arownd in, then into the valley where there's a stream running thruu the trees. I'm not so keen on gettin' me feet wet, but some of the others went in for a paddle loike, and Rosie just looved it - she's up for anything that girl.

Having a paddle

Kai in the bracken

Me and Monty had a "Whose got the biggest tongue?" competition. Who do you reckon?

Mine

Monty's

Then was up the back field and home for breakfast followed by a snooze, except for Monty who was on Pussy Patrol - as normal; I gave him a paw loike.

Me and Monty on Pussy Patrol

Later on mum and dad had to shopping - I think that's human for hunting. Anyway, mum went off hunting while we stayed outsoide and chatted to people. One lady had just had a greyhound go to the Bridge and was a bit teary while she made a fuss of us; another family had a little lass called Lucy - so no proizes for guessin' who she made a fuss off.

Lucy

Everyone said we were lovely and well behaved - which is noice of them; we were just waitin' for mum to come back.

Me

Then it was down the woods at Port Lion for another walk. Down there it's kinda like Salcey with similar smells and stuff, so great for explorin'.

Team Talk

Exploring

No proizes for guessin' who ran around the most - you'rroight, it was Rosie.

Rosie

After the woods it was back home for tea and sleep and prepare for tomorrow. Dad says tomorrow is supposed to be really noice weather and Lucy says that means we probably go to the beach - which we all want to do.

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 2

2008-04-20T20:04:00.000+01:00

Like Monty has said, we are on holiday at Swallows Dance. We all like it here, and for most up it's our third visit - for Mack and Rosie it's their second. Monty is beside himself as he thinks that watching the cats is such great fun. This morning he got mum at 6:30 so he could go on Pussy Patrol and for the rest of the morning has been spent running up and down the stairs between the the bedroom and the gate. Rosie joined in this morning as well.

Monty on Pussy Patrol

Rosie on Pussy Patrol

I can not see the point myself, but then each to their own - being on holiday means you do what you want. The rest of us prefer conserve our energy for more productive pastimes such as walks down the fields, which is where we have been this afternoon.

With the exception of Monty, We all had a nice slow start today and lounged around the cottage - it was raining so there did not seem much point in doing much else. However, it brightened up this afternoon and we went down the fields where We spent ages having a wander, a run, and the odd sniff or two.

Having a sniff

Most humans think that greyhounds will just run off and keep running; well, I can't speak for all of them, but the grey contingent of The Beastly Beasts don't. If you want running you are better off with Rosie and me; we had a great time playing lurcher games and exploring while for the most part the greys followed in mum's wake.

Me having a run

Rosie having a run

Mum being the Pied Piper - without a pipe

That's not to say they didn't have their moments, and Monty in particular is pleased to be able to run around properly again now his leg is mended.

Monty having a run

We also had a pose for a team holiday picture.

The Beastly Beasts

After the woods it was back to the cottage for tea -

Tea Time

and a sleep -

Rosie makes a good pillow

so we are ready for tomorrows adventures.

BeastBreak 2008 Episode 1 - Day 1

2008-04-19T20:49:00.000+01:00

Something was definitely going on, dad had put our food in the BeastBus, and that can only mean one thing - we're going somewhere. The question was, "Where?".
We set off and two hours later we were still going - this was a big trip.
We stopped at Cardiff for a wee, but as it was raining we didn't spend long there and we were soon back on our way - but to where? A couple of hours later we found out …
Wooooo-hoooo, it's my favourite place ever - Swallows Dance - and that means we're on holiday and that means walks in the fields, walks in the woods, walks on the beaches, and - my favourite bit - Pussy Patrol; watching the farm cats from the back gate and the bedroom window.

Me - glad to be on my hols

Aunty Carol and Uncle Trevor were there to meet us and Trevor grabbed Rosie as soon as she got out the BeastBus - I think he fancies her.

Rosie Checks out the bed

Once we got into Swallows Dance Rosie checked out the sleeping arrangements and I checked out the back gate and the bedroom to make sure my vantage points were still there - they are. If you visit Swallows Dance and want to watch the moggies you'll probably find, as I do, that the bedroom gives the best view, but the gate gets you closer; so you need to move between the two - quickly.

Me on Pussy Patrol

We got settled in and explored the garden then went for a walk down the fields to be followed by tea and a sleep. I wonder what we'll do tomorrow?

Kai in the garden

The Lodgers at The Abbey

2008-04-15T18:52:00.004+01:00

Yesterday The Lodgers went to Coombe Abbey for April's White Lodge walk. Despite the threat, a threat that unfortunately was to be realised, of rain (we'd driven through exceedingly heavy showers on the journey) there were lots of Lodgers there and some new faces too; new faces of course means new friends to meet.

We set off and almost immediately we received comments about the number of greyhounds in one place; on behalf of Rosie, Sol, Guinness, Skye, myself and others I shall point out that the assemblage was not made up solely of greyhounds, though one admits they were the most numerous among us.

As you might imagine we formed quite a procession, and at times I'm afraid others had to wait for us to pass; in some cases causing bewilderment with our numbers (as with the dog bottom left).

Over the bridge

As I am sure many of you are aware, Aunty Claire has moved to Northampton; one rather pleasant consequence of this is that Guinness and Skye are now able to join us. Aunty Claire came along with her scooter; though - without wishing to decry Skye's efforts in any way - it was not overly fast with a 1sp engine (Saluki Power).

1sp Scooter

Jack and I spent much of the walk with a human belonging to one of the new chaps; a fella by the name of Patch who was having great fun.

We followed the same route through the woods as our last visit here, which was almost exactly one year ago.

Coombe Abbey itself dates back to the 12th Century, a period of time when damsels in distress were a relatively common commodity. Though rarer now we did come across one on the walk. The fair maiden had hurt her foot and was unable to walk. One does feel that there is a fundamental design flaw with humans only using two legs; if one is disabled they too are disabled, whereas the superior design of hounds means that even if one leg is inoperative we remain mobile, albeit with reduced speed. However, a damsel in distress is a damsel in distress and aid was rendered in the form of Aunty Claire's scooter (we were rather short on knights on white chargers), enabling said damsel to be swiftly and painlessly transported to the safety and comfort of her carriage. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Damsel in Distress

Soon after this we came across an ice cream van, manned by a human we called - for reasons that will soon become apparent - the nice cream man. Dad purchased two cones which all of us Beasts shared; well, when I say shared, without doubt Jack availed himself of a significant proportion of one of the cones.

Jack eating Ice Cream

Rosie having a Nibble

The nice cream man realising that hounds like ice cream then presented an additional four cones to be shared among those that had not had any ice cream. As these pictures of Wing Commander Mortimer (replete in his flying jacket), Ruby ,and Sol (adopting Jack's method of consumption) demonstrate - everyone enjoyed them.

Wing Commander Mortimer

Ruby

Sol

And just in case you were wondering dear reader, yes, I also had some.

Mmmmmmm, Iiiiiiice Creeeeeeeam

You may recall that I mentioned the threat of rain was to be realised. It was soon after our dalliance with the nice cream man that the heavens opened. We took shelter in the porch way of the visitor centre until the rain, though not ceased, had reduced in intensity to make walking to the Beast Bus relatively tolerable. The rain did unfortunately mean that the usual treats in the car park were not on offer, though to be honest I think we were all glad to be out of the rain.

Despite the weather at the end we really enjoyed ourselves; it was nice as always to see our friends, and we always like to make new ones and hope they will come again.

Until next time.