Getting wet!

ARW Pack Walk

Telling Granddad about
falling in the lake

After a miserable week of rain, hail and wind we were relieved to wake up on Sunday morning to find the storms had stopped, but only to be replaced by fog. Today was the day for an Akita Rescue & Welfare pack walk in West Park in Wolverhampton so, as we usually do on these occasions, Toby and I took Hugo and Pip up onto Selsley Common at about 8 o’clock so they would not spend the journey moaning. As we drove up the hill we were stunned by the sight of the fog lying low in the valleys where we had come from, clinging to the slopes like a giant spider’s web, although we were above the clouds in bright sunlight. It promised to be a beautiful day once the sun had warmed up and burnt the mists away.

Too tired to move

Most of the journey was foggy but, as we got closer to Wolverhampton, it began to clear and by the time we reached West Park it was a lovely sunny day, although a little cold. We were quite early but could see another Akita in the distance who we quickly recognised as Tally so we went to join them. Hugo started his ‘I am boss’ game of woofing and bowing, jumping up and down at Tally, forgetting that she, also, likes to be No.1 so we kept them a little way apart. As more dogs began to arrive we all stood around in a big circle as they decided the pecking order with lots of woofs and jumping around – from a distance it must have sounded like a load of demented seals (or is that just Hugo?)! They soon settled down and, once we started walking, were beautifully behaved. We had a brilliant walk, three times around the park and caused lots of interest with passers-by – 13 Akitas and two honorary Akitas are quite a sight to behold. It was great to put faces to names and I think all our dogs did the breed proud.

Pip smelling out anything
that moves

Hugo sporting the
latest perfume

A lot of the party decided to leave after the second turn around the park but a few of us stayed to go again. In the middle of the park was a very large lake which most of the dogs had taken advantage of by taking long drinks. Hugo and Pip were no exception but, on the third circuit of the park we had a bit of an accident. Hugo was stretching down to drink the water but suddenly slipped and fell right in – the water was quite deep and he had a moment of panic as he flailed around until he touched the side and I managed to reach down, grab his collar and yank him out. It had to be Hugo didn't it? He was absolutely soaking wet and, to make matters worse, this was the one occasion when I had forgotten to put a towel in the car. We had planned to call in on my parents after the walk so I had to phone ahead so they could be prepared for our arrival. When we got there one of Hugo’s most hated things was hanging on the gate ready for him – a towel. I managed to get him slightly drier and then he and Pip dived into the house for their treats that Granny was sure to have for them. Shattered from the walk they soon fell asleep.

Off-lead Sheep!

Badger!

Toby and I took Hugo and Pip to Woodchester Mansion again today and had a wonderful time walking round the grounds and the lakes, with sunshine too. We sat down at one point to have a drink and Hugo promptly lay himself down in the runniest cow poo you have ever seen – thanks Hugo, nice perfume! Miss Pip was on high alert, diving and pointing at anything in the hedgerows and banks that move, although she has yet to catch anything. She was particularly interested in a badger’s sett, cautiously sniffing around the entrance so we called Hugo to come and check it out too – typical Hugo, dived head first in without considering the consequences. I think it was a very good job that old Brock wasn't at home or he might have had a bit of a shock.

Cooling their feet!

Hugo and Pip love it round the lakes when they can paddle and drink to their hearts content, although Pip looked to be dirtier when she got out than when she went in. Fortunately, Hugo did manage to wash of the cow poo that he had sat in earlier! We walked for over two and a half hours so there has not been much movement from Hugo and Pip since we got home, apart from charging up the stairs the minute we got through the door and rolling around on our bed, no doubt the best way to dry themselves! Hugo has been twitching and snorting in his sleep so perhaps he has encountered a real badger in his dreams or perhaps it was one of those pesky off-lead sheep that we pulled him away from.

Long Walks and Dog Shows!

The last few weeks have been quite busy with us going to a couple of dog shows with Akita Rescue & Welfare. The first was in Coventry for Suki's Canine Rescue where we spent a beautiful day on a rugby field surrounded by dogs and puppies in lovely sunshine. We were thrilled to meet 5 of the puppies that had been born into the rescue's care, two of which came with their new families, two waiting to go to their homes and were in foster care, and one that was handed over that afternoon. We were the stars of the show, everyone loving those little bundles of fur.

We were a little worried how Hugo and Pip, Hugo in particular, would get on with the puppies as Hugo likes to be in charge and is not always popular with other dogs because of it. We need not have worried - Pip was her usual, laid back, couldn't care less one way or another, self but it was Hugo that surprised us most. He loved the puppies and actually laid down with little Toshiko and seemed to be guarding them all. What had come over the bold, bad Hugo - he must have a softer side! And no, this does not mean we are having a puppy - two Akitas are quite enough thank you very much!

The second show we went to was our annual pilgrimage to Paws in the Park in Birmingham last Sunday. This is the show where two years ago we met Pip for the first time before bringing her home for good. Hugo and Pip were really excited first thing in the morning and seemed to know what was happening - perhaps it was something to do with us all wearing our black ARW tops or maybe it was because Toby took them up to Selsley Common at 7.30am for a good walk before we set off. We weren't quite ready to leave when they got back so Pip kept running back and forth giving quick little barks. Needless to say that, when we did set off, we had to stop five minutes down the road, before we got on the motorway, for her to relieve herself - typical girl!

At the show we met up with the rest of the crew, including Orange Dog (a.k.a.Marvin the Staffie), Hugo's rival, Shoga and the woman in his life who he loves to hate - Princess Tia. We had to keep these three out of sight of each other but, apart from that, they were very well behaved. Pip, as usual, kept herself to herself and showed no interest in any of the other dogs, just wanting tummy rubs and cuddles from the humans. Some of the puppies came to see us again and Hugo continued to be fascinated by them - unfortunately he did attempt a death roll (for Hugo this is a form of affection) on little Lexi but she didn't seem particularly bothered and kicked him away. Akita puppies are made of strong stuff!

Toby and I have had a few days off this week so we planned out a couple of walks we wanted to do if the weather allowed. On Monday we returned to Standish Woods where we haven't been for months. As we went earlier in the day and didn't have any time restrictions we walked much further than we have before and estimated we did about 4 miles - most of this is uphill so we were all relieved to get back to the car. We hardly saw anyone until we got back to the car park so it was a lovely, relaxed walk, apart from when we got a bit lost, but Hugo and Pip weren't bothered by that and had a wonderful time running up and down the banks and sniffing out different smells.

Following the excitement of the show on Sunday (which always wears Hugo and Pip out for a day or two) and then the long walk on Monday I only took them for a short walk on Selsley Common yesterday but we made up for it today. Toby and I drove Hugo and Pip to Woodchester Mansion which is only about 5 miles from where we live and another of those places that, despite living in the area for 34 years, I have never visited. What a gem! We arrived early, knowing that today was one of the days the house itself was open to the public and was likely to be busy so there were only a couple of other cars in the car park when we got there. We had already printed off a route for a 3.5 mile walk and set off down a long steep track, around the back of the mansion, alongside and round the middle lake and back through fields, in front of the mansion and back up the steep track. Again, hardly a sole in sight and we had a fantastic time in such beautiful, tranquil surroundings - and the sun shone all the time we were there. Just past the house Hugo made an acquaintance with a sheep although he didn't seem to quite know what to do as we hadn't pulled him away like we do with the cows on the common and they just stood and stared at each other for several minutes.

As the morning got warmer Hugo and Pip took advantage of any puddles left by the recent rain and paddled whenever they could. They loved it when we finally got to the lake and they could dip their toes in the cool water, and had a great time in one place where a lovely, fresh stream, trickled down and they could wade and drink to their hearts content. 

We crossed a field that had big bales of hay wrapped in black polythene standing along one edge. Hugo approached these but suddenly leapt back - silly boy had only seen his own reflection in the shiny plastic!

The final stretch was the worst as it was back up the steep track and we made several stops (mainly for me to get my breath) but Hugo would lie down each time and have a good rest - Madame Pip was still full of beans and wanted to climb the banks in search of rabbit smells. Although we had seen a few people walking down the track as we went up we were amazed to see that the car park was full when we got there - the estate is so large it just swallowed them all up. Once back at home, Hugo and Pi both wolfed down their food and have hardly moved for the rest of the day. 

I think we will have a quiet day tomorrow, but we do still have a couple more possibilities for walks so we shall have to see.