Night Time Manoeuvres!

Hugo

Pip

Evidence of the destroyed trellis!

Pip on Hedgehog watch!

Hugo, Pip and Toby

Hugo has been a bit of a nightmare lately, mainly because he is terrified of flies. He thinks it is safer out in the garden, not realising that this is where the dreaded pests come from. Unfortunately, this also includes night time and, after several nights of enticing him in, only to be kept awake until the early hours with him pacing, scratching at doors and huffing, we gave in and have been leaving the back door open. This has worked fine and he normally comes inside at some stage during the night but he knows he has his escape route. Miss Pip is quite content to take up her usual sleeping position on the duvet on the floor at the foot of our bed, occasionally sneaking up on to the bed in the small hours in the hope we won't notice. 

Leaving the door open was no problem until the other night when Martin was awoken at about 1.00am with both dogs scrabbling to get outside. He suddenly realise that neither of them had returned some time later so he went to investigate. He saw Hugo on the patio outside the back door standing over 'something' that he had obviously been sniffing around as he had created a wet patch all around it. Miss Pip was on the steps up on to the lawn, also taking keen interest in something on the ground in front of her. What were these strange creatures of the night - hedgehogs! Needless to say Martin made both Hugo and Pip come in the house and shut the door firmly behind them. Highly unusual for me, I slept through all of this but a very short time after this had happened I heard Pip do one of her low 'woofs', not the one she uses when someone is coming in the house that will make you leap of of your skin, but the one to get your attention if she wants to go up the garden. I heard Toby go and open the door for her as it had woken him too and thought no more about it until Martin told me in the morning what had happened the night before! 

Hedgehog spines!

Hugo and Pip among the buttercups

Ever since then Hugo and Pip have been obsessed with looking for their spiky friends and are dashing around, sniffing under every thing they can get to and generally being very hyper. The first thing I did when I heard what they had found was to check Hugo and Pip for any unwanted little visitors - I always remember a dog we had when I was growing up that had sniffed around a hedgehog and his head was literally crawling with fleas afterwards! Fortunately, there was no sign of anything and they seem to have been let off lightly. Not so the trellis that sits on the back of our decking just a few inches from the fence that divides us from our neighbours! When I got home from work that night I noticed on the decking several strips of broken wood. On further investigation I discovered where they had come from - yes the trellis! The little darlings have created rather a large hole in it which gives them easy access to the hedgehog highway which runs between the deck and the fence. We were not amused! Needless to say the hole is now blocked and, as Hugo and Pip seem to have calmed down a bit, we rather suspect the hedgehogs have gone to pastures new. They may be very good at eating slugs and snails in the garden but I, for one, am not upset they have departed.

The tale does not end there. This morning I was pottering round the garden and was picking up some leaves and pulling weeds that were on the steps leading up on to the lawn. I was wearing gloves but suddenly felt a sharp stab in my thumb. Still embedded in my flesh, through the glove, was a hedgehog spine and I found a couple more lying on the step. It is very surprising that Hugo and Pip did not suffer any injuries from their encounter with the hedgehogs as they obviously got close enough to cause some spines to fall out - let's hope they have learned a lesson but I somehow doubt it!

Spring catch up!

Once again time has been speeding by and it has been two months since I last wrote so I think it is time for a catch up.

Hugo and Pip made their usual appearance at Crufts in March, representing Akita Rescue & Welfare Trust on the breed rescue stand and spent  four hours being petted and loved by hundreds of people who came to the stand. As is normal at any event at the N.E.C. we had to park quite some distance from the buildings and thought we would have a long trek in. Not so this time as there was a conveniently timed shuttle bus that was virtually empty just waiting to pick us up. This was a first for Pip (Hugo having being taken on the local bus by Daniel when he was younger) so Toby and I were interested to see how they would react. Apart from the fact there was another dog just inside the entrance that Hugo would have dearly liked to 'play' with we made our way to the back of the bus where Hugo and Pip had a grand view of everything we passed and they sat down beautifully watching the world go by. Success! We had a slight moment of panic when we got just inside the building which was chock-a-block with people, dogs and loud noises. Hugo and Pip had their head collars on and we held them very close to us but Hugo must have suddenly felt overwhelmed by his surroundings and tried to back away, slipping his head out of his collar as he went! Fortunately, Toby was right behind me with Pip and we managed to grab him and get the collar back on before he escaped. After that the day went very smoothly and they behaved brilliantly - they were so exhausted and so relaxed towards the end of our stint on the stand that they both lay down and went to sleep despite the loud speakers blaring out every few minutes and people trying to stroke them.

On the same weekend as Crufts Martin went into hospital for a knee replacement and we were worried how Hugo and Pip would be around him when he came home. They tend to get excited and playful, especially in the evening, and we had visions of them crashing into his bad leg or tripping him over. We have been very pleased that they have done none of these things and have been very gentle when near him. When he first got home they took turns in climbing up on the settee next to him, Hugo even laying his head over Martin's leg as if to protect it. Pip, being the woman that she is, decided she did not like that nasty hospital smell and proceeded to wash his hands and arms until it was gone. Martin was always the one who took Hugo and Pip for their first walk of the day, albeit only a short one and we were surprised when Daniel took on this role without being asked - those of you that know him will understand what a miracle that is! Pip has always being wary of Daniel and barks every time he comes in but since he has been walking them she has begun to like him and now woo-woo's at him bringing a toy as a present when he comes through the door so some good had come out of it.

Just two weeks ago we went up to Sutton Coldfield for an ARW pack walk and we had a most enjoyable time around the lack and woods. Toby and his girlfriend, Steph, came too and I can honestly say this is the best pack walk I have ever been on because I let them take Hugo and Pip whilst I took photos and chatted to the others - I think Hugo and Pip enjoyed it too with younger legs taking them at a quicker pace.

Martin and I took Hugo and Pip to one of the places we used to take the boys very often when they were younger but haven't been for years -  to the Cotswold Water Park at Ashton Keynes. Martin still cannot walk far so we left him at the lakeside coffee shop and Hugo, Pip and I set off around the lake. After a brief stop to drink out of the lake (Hugo and Pip, not me) we followed the path through shaded paths with not a soul in sight. At the far end of the lake there were gaps in the undergrowth where Hugo and Pip could creep down and paddle in the cool water. As we rounded the lake, almost back to where we had started, 

the vegetation thinned out and there was a wide 'beach' where Hugo and Pip took great delight in  wadding through the waves that the wind had whipped up. I didn't feel we had gone quite far enough on such a pleasant day so instead of walking the last 100 yards to meet Martin at the coffee shop, we turned around and did the route in reverse. A good two mile walk with no-one to bother us at all so one that we all thoroughly enjoyed. Next time we might consider the other lake which joins that one and is two miles round. We rounded off our time there with a cool drink on the terrace over looking the lake where Hugo and Pip lay down, exhausted from their activities. Not much movement from them even now but there is that very familiar smell of wet dog!

Needles, Fresh Air and Kissing it Better!

Hugo & Pip think this is THEIR bed!

Hugo relaxing!

Horizontal rain!

Last week saw that annual event dreaded by all our canine friends - a trip to the V.E.T. for the yearly vaccinations. Hugo has never had an issue with the vets and actually seems to like going, putting his feet up on the counter to announce his arrival to the receptionists and looking to see if the resident cat dares to stand it's ground. Miss Pip, on the other hand, is terrified. Martin had to go with Hugo and Pip on his own this time so he was stretched (literally) to the limit with Hugo pulling in through the door and Pip dragging behind. Once inside Pip set up her wining/howl that makes everyone very much aware she is NOT happy! The door to the surgery opened and the lady vet and nurse called them in - Hugo went in at the mention of his name but Pip dug her heels in and would not budge. The crafty nurse 

Hugo waiting for the rain to pass

rattled the treat tin and she shot in - food wins the day!


The vet was pleased with them and thought they were both very healthy, Pip with a particularly strong heartbeat (probably thumping because she was scared!), and they both received their inoculations without a murmur (albeit with Pip hiding her head between Martin's legs while it was stuck in her). After lots of fuss and attention from the nurse Pip relaxed and seemed to quite enjoy the attention. Martin also picked up some worming tablets which we had the joy of getting Hugo and Pip to take later that day. Miss Pip was no problem and swallowed hers but, no matter how far we shoved them down Hugo's throat, he managed to spit them up again a few minutes later. Eventually we managed to get the much-disintegrated soggy tablets to stay down and Hugo and Pip spent the rest of the evening fast asleep. Job done.

Pip waiting for the rain to pass

Came home from work the other day to find the kitchen towel up the garden and dirty paw prints on the glass door of the microwave - hmmmm!

Hugo is thrilled because we have started to leave the bedroom window open a crack at night. The only problem is that is isn't quite wide enough for his liking (we have sliding windows) and he puts his nose in and thrusts it open wider so he can hang out and watch the world go by. The only problem with this is that I wake up in the middle of the night, freezing cold and blinded by the street light outside because there he is, curtain rucked up, watching the local cats or hedgehogs in the street.

Ready to go home

Today I have almost lost my voice - no reason, I am not ill but I sound very croaky. As I went upstairs to change after work Hugo came with me and I was talking to him as usual. He leapt on the bed, stared me straight in the eye, cocking his head from side to side and then tried to lick my mouth - think he was trying to kiss it better!

We went up to Minchinhampton Common tonight and arrived just as the heavens opened and the rain poured down - horizontally because the wind was so strong. We could see it was only a shower so we waited in the car until it was over - Hugo and Pip were not amused because they wanted to get out there whatever the weather! We did not give in this time though and, apart from the freezing cold wind, enjoyed a walk in brilliant sunshine without getting wet.

Fresh Fields.

Well, once again, life has been flying by and I suddenly realise it has been a very long time since I last posted back in November. Since then we have had Christmas, New Year and another Akita Rescue & Welfare pack walk (without Hugo getting wet this time!). 

As Selsley Common (our usual walking place) has been so cold and windy lately we have found an alternative place for walking Hugo and Pip, especially as it gets so dark by the time we get home from work. Believe it or not it is at the Stonehouse Town Football club playing fields and they are only a mile or so away from where we live but we have never been there before. We came across them by chance one evening when Toby had a Doctors appointment in Stonehouse and I was going out later so we needed to fit in a quick walk somewhere and we thought the playing field might be suitable. We have often passed the club but had not realised the extent of the fields because there is a large play area and skateboard ramp on the roadside so you do not see beyond.

The club consists of several pitches and there are poo bins every few hundred yards - those of you with dogs will know how much that is appreciated - what is more they are empty and clean. Right at the far end is a lovely little stream where Hugo and Pip like to paddle and there are fields beyond the pitches that we will have to explore in warmer weather. Hugo and Pip have a wonderful time there, made even more appealing because there is hardly a soul in sight. The ground is a little boggy underfoot but, hey, that's a small price to pay for a totally stress free walk!

We have been there quite often over the last couple of weeks and have been trying to do a bit of training with treats - mainly to just get Hugo and Pip's (but mainly Hugo's) attention when we are out walking and they see another dog. Hugo just pulls when he sees one and wants to go and play (at least that's what we hope he wants to do!) and it is very hard to get him to even notice you are with him. Miss Pip, on the other hand, as soon as she hears the treat packet rustle rushes over and throws herself at you, sitting, giving paw, giving double paw, anything that might get her a treat.


Pip often has a mad five minutes when we walk but she seems to be doing this more so lately and charges as poor Hugo, tying him up in knots - Toby thinks it might be because he is looking at another lady dog in the far distance and she is telling him off! A little worrying though is they both keep trying to eat the sand that has been spread over muddy patches round the goal and side lines and we have to keep pulling them away - Pip is worse than Hugo and rushes to get to the sand when she sees it, trying to gobble as much up before we pull her away!

A couple of years ago my boss found a toy Husky dog in a charity shop and bought it for me. This sits on the side in the living room and Hugo and Pip know they are not allowed to touch it, although it has mysteriously lost it's nose at some point. However, I couldn't help but laugh the other day when I received the following email and a photo from Toby:

Hi mum,
I regret to inform you that the toy husky has been playing up the garden with Hugo and Pip and has sustained some war wounds.Toby x


Oh, dear, poor Husky - he looks very sad and bedraggled now and I don't think he will every quite recover! Hugo and Pip showed no remorse whatsoever when I questioned them and actually seemed quite proud of what they had done.

Last week Hugo suddenly had very red eyes and we were rather worried about him. We could not get an appointment at the vet for a week or more so followed the advise of a friend - bathe his eyes in cold tea. Hugo does not mind this at all and they have vastly improved so there is something to be said for home remedies and I will certainly remember this one. Hugo and Pip are due their annual vaccinations and are booked in to the vet this week so we will get them to check his eyes anyway but I am quite happy with them. 

I let Hugo and Pip up the garden the other morning and left them out there while I was making my breakfast. I looked out and could see Pip standing on the decking up the garden sniffing the air, her head proudly in the air on the prowl for the squirrel, I suspect, Of Hugo there was no sign. As I was quickly scanning the garden trying to see him a black bird suddenly shot out from the side of the shed with Hugo in hot pursuit - in your dreams Hugo, you do not stand a chance of catching it!

I had a bit of a tidy up this morning and removed all the empty pop bottles from Hugo and Pip's toy box which was beginning to resemble the recycling bin. There did not seem to be many toys left so I went off in search and found the garden looked like an explosion in a toy factory - not nice, very gruesome, with head and legs and stuffing all over the place. I went around and picked up a few of the less damaged things and popped them back in the toy box. Within seconds the darling pair dashed in, snatched one out and started playing tug-of-war with it, ripping it to shreds and leaving stuffing all over the freshly swept carpet. Love them really!

Treats and a few little tricks!

Fireworks going off - are we bothered, NO!

Hugo lying in wait for trick-or-treaters

It's that time of year again when fireworks are constantly going off at random times of day and night. Our old boy, Sid, used to be petrified and would sit and drool and even try and get on your lap (at 11 stone, not an easy task). It was almost a blessing when he went hard of hearing and was no longer bothered. Fortunately, Hugo and Pip take not the slightest bit of notice, even when the annual local display was at its highest peak only a mile away they did not even lift their heads up off the floor.

Pip in a blanket!

Another annual event went on last night with the endless procession of trick-or-treaters knocking on the door. I am always prepared with a big bowl of sweets ready for the local kids and Hugo was aware that something was happening. Normally Pip is the guard dog and barks loudly at the first sound of anyone coming to the door even if she knows it is only Daniel or Toby and she makes us leap a mile high as she manages to wake up and bark loudly all in one breath. Last night though, Hugo stationed himself behind the front door and would bark in his best, deepest, scariest voice as the children came up to the door. I would stand behind Hugo and let him go first to see who was there. As they shouted 'trick or treat' Hugo would strain forward and put his head in their bags of goodies as if to say 'yes, treat please, what have you got?". When nothing was forthcoming he would give another woof, making the children jump and then laugh, because he had tricked them - they all loved him and he got lots of fuss from them, their parents even coming up the path to say hello too. He wasn't quite so keen though when he realised we were giving away the sweets out of our bowl - perhaps he thinks they should be giving us treats and not them. And what of Miss Pip whilst all this was going on. Not so brave when scary, small creatures keep coming to the door - she hid behind the living room door peeping out and would only give out a small 'woof' when the front door had closed behind them!

Hugo made us laugh this week when we realised what he was carrying around  in his mouth. I had made a steak and kidney pie and had thrown a small piece of uncooked pastry away in the bin. (OK, OK I know I should have used it to make a few doggy treats but on this occasion I didn't!) As the bin was not quite closed Hugo managed to extract it and it became his priced possession for a few hours. We could tell he had something in his mouth although we couldn't see anything but when Toby lifted his lip up you could see this oozing soggy mass through his teeth. Everywhere he went he took that bit of pastry, making no attempt to eat it whatsoever, putting it down periodically where it could add to its mass with bits of grass, hair and dirt. He obviously knew he shouldn't have it and he didn't really like it because he kept wrinkling his nose up in disdain every time he picked the soggy, hairy, grassy, dirty lump up but he had to keep it in his mouth in case SHE (Miss Pip) got hold of it! If only he had realised she wasn't the slightest bit interested, she has far more taste then that!

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.

Friends and Enemies!

Enjoying the show

Hugo and Pip tell me that their fans are complaining because I haven't written anything about them for a while so thought I'd better post another entry.

Two weeks ago Martin and I set off early with Hugo and Pip to take them to the Family Fun Day and Dog show at Worcester Woods Country Park. This is one of Akita Rescue & Welfare's favourite shows of the year and we were meeting up with Kirsty and Teresa to man a stand to raise funds and awareness for Akitas.  Hugo and Pip always get lots of fuss and attention from visitors at shows and this one was no different. 

Pip making friends with the girl who was frightened of dogs!

One very special moment was when a mum, dad and their three little girls were passing. Martin asked if the girl would like to stroke Hugo and Pip but the mum said the youngest little girl was frightened of dogs. However, the other two little girls were already stroking Pip and found how soft and thick her coat was so the youngest one came up and tried as well. After a while they moved on but the little girl could be heard saying in a loud voice, "I'm not frightened of dogs anymore!" - another convert to the breed!

Half way through the morning we spotted familiar faces coming through the crowd and the beautiful Nala appeared. Nala is the young Akita we met on Selsley Common a while ago and she had bought her owners, Gavin and Holly to see us at the show. Unfortunately, Hugo and Nala are not the best of friends so we had to keep them apart but it was great seeing her. 

Nala

Later in the day we were delighted to see that Vicky and Ollie had managed to get away from work and bring little Oscar with them. Oscar was one of a litter of pups ARW took into care a month or so ago and he has come to live quite close to us. It was brilliant to see how much he had grown and he is going to be one handsome boy. Hugo is not at his best around other dogs as he always wants to be the dominant one and the others don't like this much, especially if they want to be top dog too. When Oscar first appeared, Hugo and Pip were standing together and Hugo did his usual lunge towards Oscar so we quickly pulled him back and kept them apart. Martin had an idea though and got Vicky to take Oscar behind the stand into the open field and then took Hugo on his own to meet him. Without Pip in the equation, Hugo was a different character and Teresa managed to take some wonderful photographs (which I have borrowed) of the two of them romping and playing. We could not believe it that Hugo was having such wonderful fun with another dog and letting Oscar jump all over him. Think Hugo is going soft as he gets older! Pip then also had a turn at playing with Oscar which set her off in her usual mad dog mode, zooming round and round in circles - Oscar didn't seem to mind though and joined in the fun.

Oscar

Why is it that if you offer Hugo and Pip the stale bit of bread left from a loaf that they would turn their noses up at it, but the minute I throw it out for the birds they are there in a flash, eating as quickly as they can. Hugo has taken this to a new level and gathers as much as he can in his mouth, brings it inside and then spits it out and leaves it on the carpet, I wouldn't mind but he doesn't eat it. When he doesn't do that he makes doubly sure that those pesky birds don't get a look in by doing his 'old-man' wee (i.e. not cocking his leg) by wandering along while he is doing it all over the pieces of bread - disgusting dog!

Hugo playing with Oscar

Miss Pip seems to think I am her personal slave (she might be right) - when I come home from work I always give Hugo and Pip a treat (mainly to calm them down as they are so excited). Pip has always greeted us with something in her mouth - toy, tissue, leaf, anything she can grab as we come in - but she still wants to hang on to it when offered her treat. I normally pull out whatever it is she has in her mouth, put in the treat and then push the object back in after it. The last week or so though, she won't let me have a toy and makes me go after her into the living room so she can lie down and have her treat there. Stupid me 
follows her and does what she wants!

Pip in mad dog mode!

The squirrels are very active in our garden at the moment which results in much scrabbling when Hugo and Pip realise there is one is around and they slip and slide over the laminate floor to get out the back door. The other morning I was coming down stairs and suddenly heard one of them whining urgently and, thinking one of them needed to go out desperately, rushed to open the back door. Pip was prancing up and down holding her grey rabbit toy in her mouth which I thought was just her greeting me. As I opened the back door I was almost knocked of my feet as Hugo and Pip rushed out, charging against the fence, where a squirrel was precariously hurtling along it in a frantic attempt to get away. It made a monumental leap onto the shed roof and was up and away into the trees at the back. I realised afterwards that the grey rabbit was a substitute squirrel and Pip was showing it what she would do if she caught it. They haven't managed to catch one yet but that one came pretty close! 

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.