The week in pictures

Before - 9am Bank Holiday Monday - what a mess Hugo and Pip have been
having a lovely time in the garden. They love digging holes too!

After - 10am Bank Holiday Monday - all nice and tidy, lawn mown (what's left of it) and holes filled in.

3 days later. Oh dear! The garden is still reasonably tidy but the hole is back, even bigger and filling with rain water. Think Hugo and Pip want another pond!

Hugo having a good old wriggle on the carpet. He is most ungainly when he is on his back and seems to get stuck - Pip looks on laughing!

Pip squeezing under the decking - Hugo you don't stand a chance!

Pip, that is NOT helping me do my Bible Study!

We're not really fighting - much!

We'll do anything for a treat!

The great outdoors!

Enjoying the sunshine

Miss Pip has discovered a new game! She has found she can get under the decking and run around underneath, tormenting poor Hugo who doesn't stand a chance of getting his body under there. Funny thing is she has chosen the lowest point to get under which can't be more than about 6" high and she has to scrabble on her tummy to get in. Wonder if she's found any furry friends under there to keep her amused!

The guilty culprits!

Somebody has been helping with the garden and we now have several large holes in the lawn-that-was - the largest one we frequently refill only to go back a few minutes later to find it freshly dug again, usually with something like a rugby ball or the remains of a teddy bear sticking out of it. Unfortunately, it is right behind where I hang the washing on the line and on several occasions I have almost stepped back in it. Hugo and Pip look so innocent too but I have managed to take photographic evidence of work in hand.

Pip waiting for butterflies!

Hugo eyeing up the distant cows!

Hugo just loves to be able to lean out of our bedroom window watching the world go by - he really is the most nosey dog going. As soon as we wake up in the morning I have to draw the curtains and throw the window open for him to have a look - never mind there is a gale blowing in. I'm always a bit worried that our neighbours opposite might get a bit paranoid about being watched but all the children call up to him when they pass by and everyone seems very amused by him. He is particularly interested in the dustbin men who normally start on our road at 6.30am. This week, however, they were late and so Martin was out walking Hugo and Pip when they came round. The bin men made a huge fuss of them because they had always seen Hugo watching them and recognised him straight away so Hugo

Paddling in the river

was very pleased with himself when he came back in.

Had to laugh this afternoon when a fly dared come in to the house. Pip and Hugo were
so different in how they reacted - Miss Pip was after it, leaping and crashing in to the front door trying to catch it whereas Hugo came quivering in to the front room hiding himself as close to us as he could get - what a big brave bear he is!

It has been a beautiful weekend here and, this afternoon, Toby and I took Hugo and Pip out for a lovely walk. For the first time this year the ground was dry enough to go through the meadows by the River Frome and, surprisingly, there was hardly a soul in sight. Hugo and Pip thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine, dipping their toes and drinking out the river. Pip was captivated by butterflies and was leaping in the air trying to catch them as they fluttered past her. Hugo, on the other hand, had his sights set on the herd of cows that were behaving a very frisky fashion - think he wanted to join them.

A lover not a fighter!

Enjoying the warmer weather

Pip is now pretty much over her operation, apart from still being naked underneath - we did notice this morning that the hair is just starting to grow back. Toby took her back to the vet last week for her last post op. check up and they were really pleased with her - Toby even managed to get her to lie down and roll over for the nice lady vet to look at her scar! She still howled and barked while she was waiting though. I asked for her to be weighed again as I felt she had lost some weight and was quite lethargic - in the few days since her operation she had gone down from 27kg to 26.1kg which rather concerned us. However, this week has seen a marked improvement and she has been gambolling round the garden, jumping over the top of Hugo who seems quite bemused by her antics. The patio outside our back door is a couple of steps down from the lawn-that-used-to-be and the other evening she was hurtling up the garden, round the decking and charged back down where I was standing, taking a flying leap at me, skidding to a halt - not much wrong with her I think!!

The other evening Daniel and I took Hugo and Pip along the canal but I took Pip back home with me so Hugo could benefit from a longer walk. Daniel wanted Hugo to meet his friends new rescue dog called Bret who is one year old and something like a greyhound cross bull terrier - they knew from his history that he was a hunting dog and had killed several foxes but wanted to see what he was like with other dogs. Unfortunately, Hugo is the same colour as a fox and, well, with that tail, what was Bret to think - he leapt straight for Hugo's throat! Fortunately, Daniel managed to grab Bret before any damage was done and they were kept apart for the remainder of the visit. We were actually very pleased by Hugo's reaction because normally, when Pip is around, he will give a warning growl if another dog comes near and we did not know how he would react if one attacked him and this is the first one that has. Hugo did not bite back and actually went and hid behind Daniel's friend so think he's a lover rather than a fighter- perhaps it would have been different if 

Hugo, you're not allowed up there!

Pip had been there to defend.

This morning Hugo once more proved his love of the ladies. Martin took him and Pip for their usual walk and had to stop and talk to Pepsi, a lovely Boxer, who lives a few doors away from us - Hugo and Pip love her and drag whoever is walking them over to Pepsi's garden if she is out there. While they were there both the Postman and a man from Network Rail walked by and Pepsi started barking at them. Straight away Hugo put himself between the men and his ladies, as if to protect them - what a gentleman (actually, more likely that he thought he would get any treats going first!)

Pip enjoying the sunshine and chasing a beetle on the lawn-that-used-to-be.

Taking it Easy

We love each other now!

Martin with Hugo

Pip had to go back to the vet for a post op. check up yesterday so we took Hugo along too as she is less nervous when he is around. As we sat in the waiting room, once again, every time anyone came or went through there wearing a uniform Pip barked loudly at them and in between times, just for a bit of variety, she howled at the top of her voice. Very embarrassing! As I knew Pip would not be happy about the vet looking at her (even though it was the nice, young, Portuguese one) I had taken photographs of her scar for him to see and he was very pleased with her progress, although she continued to bark at him throughout the appointment. She didn't need much encouragement to leave there and was out and up the steps in a flash. One more check up to go next Friday and then she should be free - let's hope she doesn't have to go back for a long time.

Pip challenging the swans!

Over the last month or two Hugo and Pip have stopped the constant play-fighting and are actually beginning to lie down and sleep next to each other. Now, when I get up in the night, I have to manoeuvre my way over two sleeping bears who take up the entire width of the floor at the bottom of the bed. 

Hugo gets bored waiting when Dad talks to a neighbour!

Today was glorious sunshine and we made the most of it by spending several hours out in the garden enjoying the little bit of warmth in the sheltered spots. Hugo lay down in the shade whereas Miss Pip found the hottest bit of sunshine she could and revelled in it - think she is trying to suntan her bare bits to make them blend in with the rest of her!

Martin and I took Hugo and Pip a short walk along the canal this afternoon - we couldn't go too far as Pip is meant to be convalescing but you wouldn't have know it from the way she was jumping around and scrabbling up and down the banks. Apart from the extensive bikini wax she seems to be very much back to normal so really pleased how well she has come through the operation.

Pip's Day at the V.E.T.S

Hugo waiting for Pip to come home.

Today was the day for Pip to be spayed so all food had to be taken away as from 6pm last night - unfortunately, Hugo had to suffer this as well but I gave them both a huge meal of roast chicken mixed with their food so I don't think they were going to starve, although they did look a bit disgruntled they couldn't have their usual bedtime snack.

Duck hunting!

I left Hugo with Toby and got Pip in the car and off we went for our 8.10am check-in time. As soon as we turned in to the drive to the vets Pip started crying and when I tried to get her to walk down the steps to the surgery door she stood her ground and tried to get back to the car. I managed to fool her by walking the long way round and using the disabled ramp which approaches from a different direction. She obviously had not forgotten her previous visits here. The nice nurse tried to take her down the stairs to the hospital part of the vets but Pip was having none of it and I had to go ahead of her and call her down. She looked back at me through the glass panel of the door and I felt so guilty - it was worse than leaving your child on their first day of school.

Pip feels a bit cold

Pip sleeping it off

When I got home Hugo was very clingy all morning so I took him for a nice long walk this afternoon and he brightened up duck hunting along the canal. I let him lead the way for a change and he totally surprised me by taking me the circular route I always use but completely in reverse - he certainly knew which way he was going so perhaps he was hinting we should do it his way every now and again. When we were almost home we met one of our neighbours walking her husky and they were both very well behaved towards each other with a lot of paw waving at each other - perhaps it's when Hugo is with Pip that he gets a bit dominant towards other male dogs.


We went back to the vet this evening to pick up Pip and we could hear her coming back up the stairs at top speed with the nurse being dragged behind saying 'Wait for me!' Martin took her outside while I was sorting out medication and appointments and she was out of there in a flash and jumped in the back of the car without hesitation. I was in the surgery for a little while and got back to the car to find Martin standing outside it with the back door open and Pip howling inside. When she saw me the noise intensified and she continued to yowl the whole way home. Don't know whether it was the affects of the anaesthetic or she was just making us well aware of what a horrible day she had had but she certainly made herself heard!


While we were out Daniel took Hugo off to his friend's house to give Pip a chance to settle before they see each other. She ate the remains of the chicken from last night and is now sleeping on the sofa, although she did feel a bit cold so I put her blanket over her to warm her up a bit. She seems quite content now but I think she will be feeling the cold when she goes outside as she has a huge naked patch where they shaved her - the scar is only about 3 inches long and looks very neat so hopefully it will not cause her any problems. So far we haven't had to use the 'cone of shame' but only time will tell on that one. Just waiting for the reunion when Hugo comes home - I expect there will be a lot more howling to come.

Food for thought!

Hugo enjoying his stag's horn

Pip has made a start on her stag's horn

Hugo stealing Pip's stag's horn - he has his foot on it!

Hugo got a bit close to the camera!

Last Friday I treated Hugo and Pip to a stag horn each - although they were quite expensive I think they will be worth it as one week later they have only made a small dent in the end of them despite constant chewing. I wanted to get them something that didn't splinter and shatter like bones do in case the problem Pip had might have been caused by a tiny bit getting stuck between her teeth. She now seems to be quite recovered so hope it was something as simply as that.I have a pair of bootee-type slippers that have a couple of pompoms hanging from each one and have, until now, managed to keep them from mischievous mouths. However, I was in the living room the other morning when I spotted a blue pompom in the middle of the floor (the slippers were upstairs) - perhaps it just fell off, you may ask, until I tell you that when I picked it up it was soggy and covered in dog slobber! Still don't know which one did it though although I rather suspect Hugo - every time I wear them I can feel him right behind me trying to catch them as I walk.

Friday night is Chinese take away night in our household and last night was no exception. Toby had tried the Pork Satay but, not being keen on the peppers, onions and chillies, had picked out the bits he did like and left the rest in the container. As the dishwasher was full a few bits, including the Chinese take away containers, were left on the top ready to go in this morning. We went up to bed and Hugo settled down on his duvet at the end of our bed while Miss Pip stayed downstairs having a drink of water. We suddenly heard a noise and knew instantly what it was! We called for Pip to come up and in she came up, all wriggling and excited and jumped up on the bed between us rolling over, trying to lick us - absolutely no question as to what she had eaten as she was huff-huffing her Pork Satay breath all over us! Not a scrap of anything was left so hope the onions and chillies don't have an adverse effect - so far so good so think all is OK!

Croaking Frogs and Fishy Kongs

Hugo and Pip with Toby and me at Crufts

After two days of doing nothing but sleep, Hugo and Pip are beginning to get back to their normal lively selves after their day up at Crufts. I have never seen them so tired before and they haven't even bothered with their usual nightly romp when the rest of us are winding down. We were really proud of all our dogs on Friday and hope they raise the profile of the breed.

Gorgeous Anouk with Teresa & Kirsty

On Saturday my parents came down for the day which is only the second time they had met Pip. When they came the last time my dad did something which made her bark - she had not forgotten and as soon as she saw him she started shouting at him and then ran upstairs out the way until I called her down again. Fortunately, he was well prepared and had some tasty treats in his pocket for her and Hugo which she devoured. Hopefully, next time they meet she will have forgiven him.

Hugo and Pip went charging out the back door when I let them out the other night before we went to bed but they suddenly came screeching to a standstill, both 'pointing' at the pond. For a horrible moment I thought someone was in the garden but then realised what the problem was - a frog was croaking loudly in the pond! I don't think either of them had heard one before as they weren't with us this time last year and they certainly couldn't make the noise out at all.

The beautiful Kiri posing at Crufts

When we were up at Crufts we bought a goodie bag of Fish4dogs food which contained, amongst other things, a couple of sachets of salmon mousse and some tiny biscuits. Toby filled the Kongs with a combination of both these and Hugo and Pip have spent a happy hour or so licking it all out - only one problem, the house has a decided fishy smell to it now!

Obi wowing the crowds!

For the last week or so Pip has been periodically pawing at the side of her mouth but, however much we looked, we could not see anything wrong. As she was not off her food and it was only every now and again we had hoped it would sort itself out. Today, though, Toby spotted a sore patch just below her mouth which has probably been caused by her rubbing her mouth. The inevitable trip to the vet was arranged for this afternoon and, as Pip is nervous at the surgery, we took Hugo along to keep her company. We were the only patients in the waiting room but every time one of the nurses or staff went in and out of a door Pip would bark loudly at them, just like she was guarding the place. Unfortunately, the lady on the reception could not hear on the telephone and had to transfer her call to another room! Every time Pip barked Hugo would do a high pitched whine - not very manly - and wanted to sit on one of the chairs alongside us. I wouldn't mind but he isn't the one who normally gets on the furniture at home. At last they called us in to the surgery and Pip had to be pulled through the door whereas Hugo strolled in quite happily and wondered round the room while first the nurse and then the vet examined her. Toby lifted her on the table which weighed her at 27kg so she has gained about 1.5kg since December. Because she was nervous Pip was panting which actually made it much easier for the vet to have a good look in her mouth and, fortunately, could find nothing untoward which was a bit of a relief. Instead they gave us some antibiotic/steroidal cream to put on twice a day and we left £45 worse off! Have got to go back in a weeks time and have also booked Pip in for the week after Easter to be spayed - dread to think how the pair of them will be if they have to be separated for the day.

Hugo & Pip at Crufts as featured on TV!

At 6.50am this morning Toby and I set off with Hugo and Pip on the journey to Crufts at the NEC in Birmingham. At 6.53am we had stopped the car because BOTH of them needed a comfort break - at this rate it promised to be a very long day! Once back in the car they both settled down and by the time we were on the motorway were lying down which is always something of a relief - two Akitas standing up in the back of a Fiat Panda is not conducive to a clear view of the road behind!

Hugo working the crowds

After a fairly smooth journey we arrived at the show ground and parked up along with hundreds of other cars all containing little balls of fluff, all either being carried or wheeled along in cages - whoever decided that the Utility and Toy dog groups should be shown on the same day must have had a sense of humour as you could not get much more extreme sizes. Hugo and Pip were very excited and we had to walk them quite a way to get to the main halls - no bus ride for them as we would not risk taking them in one with all those little tasty snacks in a confined space!

Dogs were not allowed in through the entrance that would have been closer to where we were heading so we had to go through Hall 1 and 2, all chock-a-block with people and dogs which we had to negotiate, until we eventually made our way to our allotted space in Hall 3. As we got Hugo and Pip in to their special little pen we breathed a sigh of relief we had made it without any incidents. Needless to say we all felt a bit hot and bothered at this time.

Pip sporting her pink bandanna

Shortly after we arrived, Stephanie and Anouk joined us and Teresa and Kirsty were not far behind. Hugo and Pip behaved beautifully and eagerly greeted everyone who came to see them, standing up with their front paws on the edge of the pen thoroughly enjoying all the fuss and attention. At one point Hugo started to get a bit stressed out but after a short comfort break he was back to his usual self.

After three hours on the stand with hundreds of people stroking them we were relieved by Christine and Clive who had bought Obi and Kiri along and we took Hugo and Pip out for a walk outside. After a bite to eat (Hugo and Pip enjoyed their bits of bacon roll) we walked them round all the stands and arenas for an hour or so. Although they were really well behaved it was just so packed with people it was very hard work guiding them round and through the crowds so it was with great relief when we arrived back at our space again.

Too exhausted to move!

Lots of people were taking photographs of the dogs, some very official looking with huge lenses on their cameras but Hugo and Pip took it in their stride and posed for most. As the afternoon went on they began to flag and they lay down on the floor, looking absolutely exhausted not so keen or interested now in all the people passing by. At 4pm we left the stand and fought our way back through the crowds and made the long trek back to the car. Unfortunately, the M42 at that time of night is horrendous and it took us an hour to get to the M5 and another hour home. Normally when the car slows down in traffic Hugo and Pip will stand up to see what is happening but not today - there were flat out on their bed in the back of the car and stayed that way for all of the two hour journey. 

As we were sitting recovering from the day we watched the Crufts programme on Channel 4 and there were Hugo and Pip wearing their Akita Rescue & Welfare bandannas - what a lovely way to end the day - fame at last!

As I sit typing this I am accompanied by two snoring, very tired dogs, no doubt dreaming of all they have seen today and perhaps wondering what one of those fluff-ball snacks would have tasted of!


N.B. I took very few photographs today so will 'borrow' some from Teresa and Stephanie to post another day.

Getting ready for Crufts!

Waiting for a treat after their bath

On Sunday I was carrying an armful of just ironed clothes upstairs when I dropped a pair of socks in the hall. As I was holding too much to be able to pick them up I left them where they were intending to come back for them. As usual, my two shadows followed me up and in to the bedroom but I was surprised when I turned round from putting the clothes down to see Hugo placing the pair of socks (albeit a bit soggy) on the bed for me - what a clever boy!

Not a happy chappy!

The other evening Daniel decided to take Hugo with him when he went round to his friends house and left Pip with the rest of us. She was totally inconsolable - first she whined and kept running round in circles but got more and more distressed when she realised he wasn't coming back and ended up howling at the top of her voice. It would have been funny if she wasn't obviously so stressed out - I tried hugging her and making a fuss but the only way she eventually calmed down was after Toby took her for a quick walk round the block and she could see for herself that Hugo wasn't there. Strangely enough she didn't take that much notice of Hugo when he did come back so think she was giving him the cold shoulder. Don't think we will be separating them again in a hurry.

 

(Pip)squeaky clean!

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Toby and I are taking Hugo and Pip up to Crufts where they have been invited to represent the Akita Rescue and Welfare on their stand. When I got home from work it was time for that dreaded event - bath-time  Unfortunately, both Hugo and Pip remembered what this meant and we had a really hard time getting them anywhere near the bathroom. Pip was the first to be cornered and Toby and I managed to lift her in the bath and then shampoo and rinse her off fairly quickly. We towel dried her, tied another dry towel round her and let her go while we tried to persuade Hugo to come in. After much cajoling and several gravy bones later we managed to get him half way through the bathroom door so we grabbed him and pulled him in and shut the door behind us. He was not impressed and found it very undignified when the two of us together lifted him in the bath. After all the fuss and bother of getting him in he stood their as good as gold while we washed him and showered him off but he got his own back when we had finished by jumping out and soaking me and then shaking himself all over Toby. In the meantime we heard Martin come in and Pip greeting him and Kita-talking at the top of her voice, telling him what we had done to her. As soon as Hugo was free he shot downstairs and rubbed himself all along the leather settees - thanks Hugo!

Hugo and Pip are now drying out - Pip lying as close to the fire as possible and Hugo sulking in the corner. They certainly look a lot cleaner but there is a definite smell of wet dog about the house tonight!

We will have to be up bright and early tomorrow as we aim to leave about 6.30am in the morning to be at the NEC for 8-8.30am - if anyone wants to come and see us we are in Hall 3 Stand 52.

Walking, fishing, hunting!

Fishing for food

Toby and I set off at 8.15 this morning and took Hugo and Pip up to Randwick Woods. For various reasons (illness, weather, car problems etc.) we haven't been there since just before Christmas so knew the dogs would be excited. It was great getting there so early as there were only a couple of other walkers around and it was beautifully peaceful walking through the woods. Hugo and Pip had a fine old time, tying us round the trees with their leads (they hadn't forgotten how to do that) and they had really happy faces as we scrunched through the leaves. An hour later we had two very puffed out dogs who managed to steam the car up very nicely on the way home - had to have the window open to let in some air!

Where did it go?

When we got home I went out in the garden and fed the fish in the pond for the first time this year. Unfortunately, they did not have much chance to enjoy their food because Hugo and Pip decided they rather liked it too and lapped up as much of it as they could reach - poor fish must have wondered what the two hairy faces were looking down on them and cowered at the bottom of the pond.

You will come down!

Hugo and Pip stayed outside wandering round the garden when I went back but I suddenly saw Hugo shoot up the garden, round the barrier he is not supposed to be able to get round and throw himself against the fence at the top of the garden. I have never seen him move so fast before and didn't think he was capable! What had he seen? A magpie, now flown up in to the neighbours trees and tormenting him from it's perch. Hugo and Pip spent a long time, standing on the bench on the decking trying to hypnotise the bird to come down, fortunately without success. I don't think we will ever be able to attract wildlife in to the garden while the bears are around!

Bubble and (Pip) squeak

When I was at Sainsbury's the other evening I noticed amongst the Red Nose Day stuff a bottle of bubbles so couldn't resist buying them - why, you might ask, you haven't got any young children. No, but I have got two Akitas that take a lot of entertaining and thought they would like them. Hugo was not so keen and made a wide detour round the bubbles and went outside (same reaction to towels, hair-dryer  hoover etc. - getting the picture, he's a bit of a scardy-cat!). Pip on the other hand loves them - likes to try and catch them and is very surprised when they disappear!

Had to laugh at Hugo the other morning - during the night the wind had blown an empty plastic dog food sack in to the pond and before he would drink any water he very gently put his mouth in and gingerly pulled the sack out, took it a few paces away and laid it on the lawn and then went back for his drink. He'll have a bit of a shock soon when the frog spawn start to appear!

Was really bright and sunny yesterday afternoon when I got home from work so Toby and I took Hugo and Pip for a lovely walk along the canal - even better because no one else was around so they could sniff, explore and stalk the ducks as much as they wanted. 

Hugo and Pip are always really pleased to see any of us when we get home after being out and today was no exception. I got the usual, very verbal (Pip), greetings when she has to pick up something in her mouth to bring you - doesn't matter what it is, toy, sock, bit of paper, bone - and realised Hugo was copying her and was bringing me an old punctured football. When we went inside for a cup of tea Pip settled herself between Daniel an me on the sofa and stretched herself out - Hugo, however, was having none of this and very gently he managed to get himself up as well, taking great care not to put his feet on Pip whilst balancing at the same time. Very carefully he turned round and then sat on top of poor Pip! Oh what it is to be wanted and loved!

Hugo and Pip are going to Crufts!

Hugo and Pip were wild with excitement on Saturday afternoon when first Toby returned from his trip to Sierra Leone and then, about half an hour later, Daniel got back from Spain. They didn't know who to attack first! Think they have missed their 'brothers'.

This morning Pip retrieved the empty toothpaste container from the bathroom bin and she and Hugo had a wonderful time crunching their way through the tube - made a bit of a mess but they have lovely minty breath now!

Now for some exciting news - Hugo and Pip are going to Crufts!!!! A few weeks ago the Akita Rescue and Welfare were invited to have a stand in the rescue section of the show and they kindly asked us if we would like to go to represent them.. Our old friends Obi and Kiri will be there and so will Anouk so if anyone is able to come along we would love to see you - it is on Friday 8th March at the NEC. Rather amused me to hear that this is the day when Utility and Toy dogs are there (Akitas are classed as Utility) and one of our neighbours will be the Pomeranian Rescue so hope Hugo and Pip behave themselves and don't think they are toys to play with! 

Just a couple of pictures

Just a couple of pictures today - Pip hiding the patch of wallpaper and paint she has been stripping and Hugo desperate to try some of Daniel's Red Bull (can't think why, it smells disgusting). Don't worry, he wasn't allowed any.

Love, Greetings and Crows!

We have rather been confined to the house over the last 3 weeks because of a combination of bad weather, Pip being in season and car troubles so Hugo and Pip have not had much to report. Except............

Hugo forgot he had had his little operation back in July last year and he was caught in the act with Pip - we were shocked as we didn't think he would still have the urge but apparently they still do.

Toby went off on Wednesday for his 10 day missionary trip to Sierra Leone which has meant Hugo and Pip have been left on their own for 8 hours (the longest we have ever left them) so I was a bit worried what would greet me when I got home on Thursday night. I had intended to leave the back door open for them but it must have blown shut - they had been as good as gold and hadn't had any accidents so was really pleased with them. Their blankets were askew all over the kitchen and they had found a tub of tile spacers in the outhouse and emptied them all over the floor but the funniest thing was the greeting I got from them when I came through the door. Hugo was pounding his feet up and down on the child gate that blocks them off at the kitchen and Pip was going wild - I hurriedly let them into the garden with Hugo rubbing himself around my legs (he likes you to hug him and hold him to you) while Pip grabbed a teddy bear and virtually screamed at the top of her voice, getting louder and higher at the same time as weeing and getting as close to me as she could - nice to be wanted. Dread to think what the neighbours thought - it sounded as if someone was being murdered! On Friday we got the same greeting again, with the addition of the teddy bear being soaking wet which Pip proceeded to whack round my legs resulting in dirty, damp patches all over my trousers.

Had to laugh on Thursday morning when I had a coughing fit just as I was getting out of bed. Pip very thoughtfully bought me a tissue - only problem was it was a used one out of the bin - thanks Pip!

At last today we have had some sunshine and Hugo and Pip have spent all morning happily out in the garden, pottering around with the odd mad five minute tearing around sessions added in. We were very amused by Hugo who was sat watching a big black crow on the shed - he was very interested but made no attempt to chase it, he just sat rigid, almost afraid to move and exactly how Sid used to react too. I'm sure if Pip had seen it the crow would be no more as she is much sharper and quicker and I think her eyesight is a lot better too.

Martin has made a plinth to go in the back of my new car so it levels the back out for Hugo and Pip and we went and bought an off-cut of carpet today to stop them skidding around in the back and give them a bit of comfort. They tried it out and seem to like it so as soon as Toby gets back we are ready to take them up to the woods again - really looking forward to that as it seems such a long time since we last went.

The fresh air seems to have worn them out and they are both sleeping now, Hugo snoring loudly!

Hugo's little accident!

As the garden is so wet at the moment and Pip is very interested in looking over the fence into next doors garden (where rabbits and guinea pigs live!) we have not left the back door open for Hugo and Pip when we have gone out over the last few days. Yesterday when we got in Pip did her usual excitement wee (on the kitchen floor)  and I went and got the mop and bucket to clean up. Hugo went up the garden and we watched,  laughing at him, as he stood there, weeing for England and didn't think he was going to stop.  As the floor was so dirty I give it a thorough wash all over and used plenty of disinfectant and then got on with making tea. Suddenly heard running water and thought the dishwasher was leaking and then realised Hugo was just standing there weeing al over the still-wet-from-washing floor!!! Couldn't believe it - totally out of character as the only time he has ever had an accident in the house was the first night we had him. So, kitchen floor washed for the second time within the space of about 15 minutes. 

Perhaps he was trying to mark his territory after all the disinfectant - maybe that's a good enough excuse not to do too much housework in future!!

Cough, Cough!

When I went upstairs to get changed tonight I noticed on the bed a tiny scrap of cardboard and realised it was from the box of Covonia cough sweets I had left on the bedside table. When I mentioned it to Toby he did say he had found Pip standing over the empty box earlier and he had thrown it away. There was no sign of anything else anywhere so SOMEONE must have eaten the 5-6 sweets left inside!! It wouldn't be quite so bad but they tasted absolutely awful so cannot think what the attraction was.

Hugo is finding Pip rather interesting at the moment as she has just come in to her first season - obviously he can't do much about it but they seem a bit more loving towards each other over the last couple of days and we wonder if that is why he reacted to the dog on the Common on Tuesday. Pip is looking a bit sorry for herself and sleeping a lot so will be glad when it's all over and we can get her spayed. Just a bit worried though as she doesn't like the vet anymore after they 'took her downstairs' to sort out her abscess! Perhaps they'll let Hugo come and stay with her for the day (only joking!).

Blowing the cobwebs away

Hugo actually running! Also showing his rolls of fat!!!

After the initial shock of seeing snow for the first time, Hugo and Pip now absolutely love the cold, white stuff. Every chance they get they are out in the garden, charging around and around and coming back in exhausted. It's just as well they are getting so much exercise this way as we have found walking them off the estate a major problem as the road and footpaths are like an ice rink and almost impossible for one person to take the two of them without slipping and sliding all over the place. Also, as our favourite drive-to walking places all involve going up steep hills they haven't really been accessible either.

There's a tiger about!

As the roads were much better yesterday we arranged that Toby would bring the dogs with him when he came to pick me up from work and we would go home via Selsley Common but, unfortunately, the car would not start and I had to get a lift home. Hugo and Pip were not amused! They were ready in the car and Toby had to persuade them to get out and they could not understand why. As it was still light when I got back we walked them down over the canal to the meadows where the snow was still quite deep and they had a wonderful half hour running round and round, using the extender leads like lunge reins. It certainly helped blow the cobwebs away and we actually managed the whole thing without anyone falling over.

Mine, all mine

Delicious!

Today Toby took them up on the common and they had a great time - made even better by the fact there was hardly anyone else there. Toby managed both Hugo, Pip and a camera all at the same time and got a few nice snaps of the scenery. They only met one off-lead dog who ran over to them when they first set off - the only thing to do in this sort of situation is to stand still just to keep your footing - but, fortunately, the person with the dog came running over, very apologetic, saying they were only dog-sitting for it. A bit further in the walk it escaped again so Hugo did his usual greeting and put his paw on it then, most unlike him, woofed loudly - it slunk off and didn't bother them again!

Daniel has bought Hugo and Pip some big bones again and Pip in particular is obsessed by them and wants them all to herself. I even resorted to confiscating them for a while as she was standing guard over them while poor Hugo looked on bemused. He is a bit sneaky though and carries them upstairs and hides them when she isn't looking. Yesterday morning he got up with me on the bed and bought one with him (lovely, just what you want in bed with you) - when Pip looked up and saw him Hugo just starred her out and she turned away and lay down. First victory ever to Hugo I think!