Ruby takes a swim... and hates it!

So, our big brave bullbreed Ruby (Staffy, Boxer with perhaps some Mastiff thrown in for good measure) does not live up to the bullbreed reputation at all!  In fact, I have yet to meet one that does, but Ruby is fearful of everything new... EVERYTHING.

Especially water.  She likes to drink from muddy puddles, but go paddling, swimming, no way jose!

So, when we met with friends a few weeks ago and took both of our dogs down to the local river for a walk, we were more than surprised to see Ruby venture into the water with her new friend Riley.  Knee deep she went, although only knee deep.

We wondered if it was time to show her that water is really nothing to be scared of.

I booked a half hour session at a local doggy swimming pool, called Paws to Splash and off we went, full of expectations that we would have a fully swimming dog by the end of it.

Haha.  Dream on.

It took a lot of persuasion just to get her through the door, what was she scared of?  The smell?  No idea, but she held her own and refused to budge.  Eventually, we managed to get her through a different door - she must have thought she had won that battle and trotted half way through the second door before anchoring down, but we were ready and one swift push of her bum with my knee and she was in the room.

Didn't like it, ears were down, tail was under, even the rubber duck (which she likes to decapitate usually) didn't even tempt her.

The very nice lady, who she liked very much, managed to get her onto the shelf, so only her feet were wet.  She stood there for a while, shivered and shook and was generally very unhappy with the whole experience.

A lap of the pool followed - seriously, I have never seen such an splashy, noisy, water-jumping-out-of-the-pool, swim in all my days as a dog owner.  So unladylike and very inelegant.  Paws were out to the side, little head bobbing over the waterline with eyes that switched between "I hate you" and "Please help me".

After two laps of the pool, with a rest on the shelf in-between, it was decided that she hated it so much - her heart was thumping and she was getting distressed.   We agreed it wasn't a great idea after all and after 8 minutes, we called time on the experience.

Now before you feel sorry for her, there was a lovely walk in the woods just beyond the swimming pool - she enjoyed that lots.

Ruby's new collar

Ruby is a bullbreed - a Staffordshire / Boxer cross, or so they told us at the refuge.  She is definitely bullbreed as she can turn her head almost inside out when she yawns!  We think she is most beautiful.

However, sadly, not everyone shares our love.  She is very friendly and loving, but does have a strength - 29.9kg of solid muscle at last weigh in - and people can be afraid.

A couple of weeks ago I was doing our usual walk around the river - a great place for dogs to romp and play, when a young excited Springer came bounding up.  Ruby was like "hey, yeah, nice to meet you, let's play" when the owner started screaming at me to get my dog on a lead!

Of course, I asked why, she said Ruby was "out of control" as she wasn't on a lead.   I pointed out that her dog was also not on a lead and had indicated to Ruby that she wanted to play.  The snotty Springer owner then told me it was ok that her dog was not on a lead as it was a "nice dog"!

It took me all my time not to slap her with my steaming bag of dog poo.

Instead I simply clicked the catch on Ruby's lead, which was round my neck and also which indicates to Ruby that I want to put her lead on, and she stood stock still while I attached her lead and the Spaniel ran around her in circles, still wanting to play.

"Now, get your dog on a lead and leave please" I said.... there might have been an expletive in there somewhere  ;)

She finally managed to put a choker chain (I hate those things) around her dog's neck and it tugged her around the field almost yanking her arm out of the socket.  So THAT's the control bit I missed in puppy training classes.

Anyway.... that's just one story, we have had people actually picking up their dogs when Ruby approaches or turning to walk the other way, we are forever shouting "IT'S OK, SHE'S FRIENDLY".

We never had this trouble when we had a Springer  ;)

So, on a visit to the Vet's this weekend for a check-up, I saw these.  I have seen them before online, but I always like to check the sturdyness of collars in person.  These are great!  They come with big bold wording which leaves you in no doubt about the dog's personality.

We bought one for Ruby.  I wanted a red one really - red for Ruby, but Green it was  ;)  Hubster said he thought I should get the red one for myself.   Note to other dog walkers, the dog is fine, beware of the owner!

We took her for a walk, around the river, that very same day and what a HUGE difference it made. I could hardly believe it.  People relaxed as soon as they saw it, they even called her over to pet her.  Owners were happy to let their dogs play and it was a much nicer walk.

Happy Days.

We got ours from our Vets - Ashley Veterinary in Carlisle.

So, if you fancy one for yourself, I can tell you the quality is excellent (we just bought the large collar and the lead) you can find them here...  but check your local Vets too, they might stock them.

http://www.friendlydogcollars.com/

The Vulcan's final Northern flight.

Last Saturday was the Vulcan Bomber's last Northern flight before retiring.  Now, this is an aircraft that Hubster has been following for years, and we have travelled to see her fly a good few times.   Waiting in traffic jams, parking naughtily  (in Taxi ranks), setting up camp chairs to wait and watch - you get the picture?

So, when her last Northern tour was announced, of course he had to go.  He was trotting off on his own that day as I had something planned, but as those plans fell through I found myself able to trot along with him - and Ruby of course.

We drove to the bottom of Skiddaw and walked up the Wainright Fell named Latrigg.

We got there about 2 hours before the Vulcan was due to make an appearance - not so much to grab a space on the hillside, but there isn't that much parking at the bottom, and we were lucky to find a space.

Once there though, fellow plane spotters were in abundance, all grumbling about how they hoped the flight path was correct and that the pilot wasn't going to go round the back of the fell and through to Thirlmere that way.  

I had climbed this hill with the promise that the Vulcan would appear, so it was news to me that there might be another route.  Apparently, they all grumbled, it was a risk they were willing to take for the best photograph.

It was quite funny eavesdropping on conversations though.  Four young ladies walked up the Fell with a guide book in hand, reading that this was one of the best views of Keswick that you could get (it is!). They went on to discuss that they didn't think it would be such a popular view but were amazed by how many people were there!  Little did they know.

Tripods were erected, with a magnificent view down the valley towards Bassenthwaite Lake. You can just about make it out between the two fells there.

And we waited.......

Now, Hubster has a gadget - I prefer to call it an "Anorak Pad" as he really is a bit of an 'Anorak' when it comes to his aircraft - but this gadget, that looks at which planes are in the sky at any given moment, flagged up that the Vulcan was up there.... somewhere..... but where.

Oh, there, behind us, a little grey triangle on the horizon.  Not even big enough to catch on camera.  No sound, no roaring of those magnificent engines, no nothing.  Gone.... last flight...... gone.

As predicted, the pilot went around the back of the fell and we missed it.

Still, apparently it was worth the risk, they all said as they trudged down the fellside, huge lenses banging against their sides and a tripod tucked under their arm.  

Me?  I was gutted.

Still, Ruby had a great time and walked her first fell.  She learnt some countryside etiquette on not chasing sheep, and she found (and rolled in) some fox poo which seemed to give her immense pleasure.

And Hubby?  After his disappointment, he had a dog to bath - fox poo stinks you know!   Well, it was his idea to go up there after all   :)

A lovely day at Silloth

Ruby pup is not good at travelling, so we have not been too far with her since getting her last June.   

Puppies cannot be over-walked so we had to also think about that, then it was time for her to be spayed and recover, so we reckoned, somewhere in February, it would be time to get out and about with her properly - instead of the local park and woods.

We decided to have a nice walk along the sea front at Silloth.  It's only 23 miles from home, a little wiggly waggly on the way, but we decided we would just not give her breakfast until we got there and clean up any puke if necessary.

It was necessary  ;)  Twice.

It was a surprisingly gorgeous day, the sun was out with only a slight nip in the fresh breezy air, perfect dog walking weather as long as you had a coat and perhaps gloves.

We wandered up and down the sea front, which has steep steps down to a stone filled beach.  

She had a little play with a couple of dogs, the first one was a tiny Border Terrier, whose owner was quite keen to let it play with a great big hulking bull-breed dog like Ruby.  Still, they seemed to have lots of fun, but I was on edge in case Ruby got too boisterous and hurt the little thing.   

Later on though, she found Rex, a friend's Grandpuppy, so she had a bit of rough & tumble with him - until she pushed him off the wall!   No finesse, my Ruby, no lady-like skills at all.

It might look a bit rough, but they were having loads of fun - honest!

Soon it was time to stop and share some chips, and a sausage for Ruby.

What is it about eating chips out of paper at the sea-side.  They just taste like the most wonderful food in the world right then.  Lots of salt & vinegar and a blob of tomato ketchup on the side.  I am glad they came in paper though, it's just not the same eating them out of those polystyrene foldy-over things.

Another walk to walk off those chips, and to give Ruby time to walk of her sausage for the journey home.

Then it was time to go, as some little puppy was getting a bit tired.

But what a lovely day she had, and although she did present us with a car boot full of puke on the way home, we think it was worth it.

The incredible shrinking bean-bag

It's a bit weird how this beanbag has shrunk over the last year, don't you think?

A cold, crisp walk in the park

Don't you just love the ever changing weather in the UK?  

One of my favourite weather conditions is an unclouded day, with the sun beaming with all it's might to thaw out the frost from the previous night.

You need gloves, hat, layers  (lots of layers) and thick socks inside good boots to make sure your tootsies don't freeze and fall off.  But whilst the air is nippy, the sun feels warm.  

You look down to the frozen ground and feel the chill rising from the earth, then you look up to the sky and feel the warm sunbeams on your face.  Most invigorating.   (I sound like a daft old hippie now don't I?)

Anyway, a good time for a dog walk.

We crunched around the local field.  It was a nice change to walk on the top of the frozen grass and not sink an inch or two into the mud as we usually do.

Ruby kept herself nice and cosy warm by running about lots.   The field is enclosed, bar for a couple of small walkways, so it is nice and safe for her to play.

If we take her a toy to play with she has no interest at all, but she always tries to find something to bring home with her.  We have had plastic bottles, a biro pen, a feather, a crisp packet and a bed slat  (yes really, a bed slat).

Today's toy of choice was a tree branch.   I did try to swap it for a simple stick, but she wasn't having any of that, she wanted the whole branch.

She spots it....

She ponders it.....

She takes it....

It took her a little while to work out that it was actually quite difficult to run about with half a tree in her mouth, so she eventually gave up on it, which was a good thing  :)

What is that at the top of my garden?

"Hubster!!....... HUBSTER!!"  I yell in complete indignation as he rushes down the stairs wondering if the sky was going to fall in.

"There is something at the top of the garden"

(most people say bottom of the garden, but my garden slopes upwards, so it's the top)

"What", he says.

"I dunno, you will have to go and look.   It looks like bread.  BREAD!   A neighbour must be feeding the birds and has thrown it into our garden".

Now, as much as I don't mind feeding the birds, actively encourage it in fact, I don't want Ruby Pup eating rubbish.  Certainly not mouldy bread, or that amount of bread at all.  We have just got her flatulence under control, thank you very much.

"You'll have to go and have a word" I demand as he pulls his boots on to go and check out what indeed is up, at the top of the garden.

I watch from the conservatory, almost like an owl trying to spot a mouse.  I am still mad at the neighbour for daring to chuck bread into my space, still planning what Hubster is going to say to them.

I watch him bend down, then stand up smiling, half laughing.  His smile turns to a kind of 'Oops' grimace as he bends down to pick up another piece..... of 'bread'.

He walks back to the house.

"What is it?" I demand.

"Polystyrene" he answers.

Eh??  Ppolystyrene  Who would throw polystyrene over the fence?  And why?  Doesn't make sense,

"It might not have been the neighbour", he explains as he hands me a piece of ribbon.

"It might have been someone closer to home", he adds as he glances at......

RUBY !!!!

Yes, she has mastered that guilty look well.  This particular one was after chewing my boots.  (she did get a biscuit for posing though  :) )

So, what did she steal and destroy you may be asking......

This, my lovely Ribbon Wreath.  Which is now in a thousand pieces at the top of my garden.

And her reaction when I told her off?

She laughed at me  ;)

Ruby's new slow bowl

Ruby the puppy has a little bit of a flatulence issue.  Quite bad in fact, and she has a habit of letting one go then walking away from it in disgust, leaving you with the lingering stench.

So we decided to get her a slow-bowl, to slow down her eating which hopefully, in turn, will slow down her digestion and stop her doing so many bottom burps.

There are a few to choose from, but in the end I went with the orange swirly one.

She didn't quite know what to make of it, having a cautious sniff before shoving her nose in and delicately picking out her kibble.

So far so good though, a definite drop in puppy gasses, which can only be a good thing.

If you fancy one yourself, you can find them HERE, on Amazon.


ps: The Amazon links I've scattered throughout the page are affiliated  if you click and buy I might get a few pennies.  

Ruby's new dog bed

It was 6am and I awoke to a gentle howling, not an urgent bark or deep growl, just a sound that I took to mean.. "It's time to get up you guys, it must be 9.00am at least"

Hubster offered to go as he gets up at 6.30am anyway, and we had lost our little ginger guinea pig the night before and he needed buried.

A few minutes later I felt I should get up and say goodbye to Ginger Pig, so threw on a dressing gown and wandered downstairs.

"You might not want to come in here", Hubster warned.

But, of course, I did.  I got presented with a cage full of dog poop.   Someone had obviously had a bit of a dicky tummy in the night and couldn't wait for us to get up.   It is supposed to be unheard of for a puppy to mess in it's cage, but perhaps she had been howling for a while and we hadn't heard her.

My lovely cream painted walls were pebble dashed through the bars of the cage.  Hubster was right, I really didn't want to go in at all!  So I got my hat and boots on and took her out for an early morning walk instead and left him to it.

He did a fab job of cleaning it up, leaving me to sort out the bedding - which promptly went in a bin bag and into the outside bin.  No way was I washing that!

So, a new bed was needed, and I had just the thing.

I had changed all the cushion pads in my living room cushions, but not being one to throw possible craft materials away, I had popped them in the understairs cupboard.

Just old tatty fiberfill cushion pads.  I sewed two together  (three times) making sure I shook the pad right down to the sew line I then sewed another line to keep them tight against each other.

Then sewed them all together to make a pad of 6.

Then I found some fabric I had been given ages ago.  Thicker than a sheet, more like a curtain, but with a soft brushed flannelette feel.  It was the perfect size as it was to make a cover.  

And the best thing is I can just chuck the whole thing in the washing machine  (unless it has poo on, then it is going in the bin!!)

Ruby's new activity toy.

A few weeks ago one of my friends on Facebook shared this video...

Video Source / You Tube / Eveline Poot

What a genius idea, I thought, that would be perfect for Ruby.   It would keep her amused, interested and make her brain work all at the same time.

So I made my eyes go all big and girly and dropped my voice to a sqeecky whine and said....

DADDY !! Make me one of these for Ruby  Please  

A few days later he was photographed rummaging around in my Brother In Laws trailer for supplies.

Then he got to work, with the help of the before-mentioned Brother In Law and built Ruby a new activity toy.

She has not quite yet got the hang of it.  Well perhaps she has in her own way, she nudges it a bit, makes it swing, then looks at us with her puppy dog eyes, we then kick the bottle into action releasing the treats.   Maybe she is just a bit cleverer than us!!