Firstly I must reassure you all that Tarkka is now fine and back to his naughty self after his rescue by the fire brigade the other weekend.
Rolling in fox/badger poo in the mornings so I have had to bath him :-( yes back to normal naughty Tarkka.
Moulting heavily all over the house - joy of joy. The bath did help but I still seem to be brushing out half his coat every night and as he passes me still taking out the plugs of lifted hair.
Anyway with these lovely thoughts in mind I headed off this weekend for puppy cuddles :-)
With George in charge of the boys footie team at a local tournament and also on call all weekend with work and Josh playing football, I asked Shelley if she fancied a girls weekend away for puppy cuddles.
Karen and Andy Lee had kindly offered to put us up (or is it put up with us) for the weekend. So late Friday we headed east. We didn't have a clue which way we were going as we let sat nav lead while we chatted away. The hours slipped away and before we knew it we had arrived and were greeted by Karen and Andy's 3 Finnish Lapphunds. After tea we sat yapping til gone midnight and needless to say I was fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
By Saturday I was so excited I thought I might burst. We set off on the hour drive over to Pevensey and it was a bright sunny day with a gentle breeze off the sea.
On arrival we were greeted by Blizz and Unikko who of course got lots of fuss and attention. Susanne was making the most of the lovely weather by having the puppies out in the garden in the biggest puppy pen I've ever seen.
After taking over Susanne's kitchen with camera and laptop and having had a lovely cuppa tea we headed out to see Unikko and Musse litter. WOW what a lovely chunky litter and so active and full of fun, which included climbing all over us, chewing my shoes, nipping my belly and t-shirt (I was sat on the floor in the pen). Even asleep they were funny as they have taken to fighting to sleep in the water bowl. I lost count of how many times I lifted a wet puppy out of the bowl.
As Susanne had already had other people over for cuddles Shelley and I offered to help Susanne with the weekly weigh in and also take some photo's of the puppies. So while Susanne weighed, I scribed, Shelley then set the puppy up on a table ready for me to take photo's, sounds easy doesn't it...............not a chance. Pups are getting so big Susanne struggling to get them on the scales and as for photo's I took 249 photo's to get a couple of good shots of each lol
We took lots of breaks as the photo's took some time so we kept leaving the pups to have naps and then try again hoping if they were still a little sleepy they would be easier to photograph ha if only.
After lots of cuddles and lapphund talk it was time to leave Susanne, Unikko and pups to have some rest. So I reluctantly said goodbye and headed back to the Lees to tell them all about our fab afternoon over a chinese.
Sunday we made the long trip home Plymouth - Pevensey is just over 5 hour each way so having great Lappy friends who put us up to break the journey and also having another great friend in Shelley who was happy to be dragged around the country at the weekend to keep me company added to this special trip.
We now have a 3 week wait before we collect our lappy and it's going to be a very long 3 weeks however Susanne is going to be very busy over these 3 weeks as pups are now being weaned and she has puppy house checks to do (sorry lots of driving for Susanne) as well as other families still going for puppy visits. While we wait we are trying to recall how hard having a puppy is as Tarkka is nearly 3 and you quickly forget so we are double checking the garden, kitchen and dinning room for anything little lappies will chew.
For photo's of the yummy puppies and to read about Susannes journey with Unikko and Musse litter check out http://lappvikens.blogspot.com/
Rain, Cycling, Squirrels and the FIRE BRIGADE
Ok so Sunday brought with it the most rain we have probably had all year. So we decided we couldn't stay in all day (mistake 1) but would get kitted up and take Tarkka out for a bike ride (mistake 2). After getting a back pack sorted with bowl and water for Tarkka, Flask of tea for us, bike puncture repair kits just in case we where ready to set of.
With it being so wet I didn't take the camera of my phone with me as I knew we would be coming back soaked to the skin but George remembered to grab his phone as he was on call (thank dog).
So off we set in what was now very heavy rain. Tarkka always stays on lead while to go the 3 streets down to Plymbridge cycle path. When we get to the cycle track I let him off lead as it's narrow to start with and Tarkka sometimes tries to go around cyclists coming the other way the opposite side to me which is not funny. So with Tarkka off lead and the cycle path very quiet only a few cyclists and dog walkers out we make great progress along the track at a nice gentle pace.
The river below us was very high due to all the water coming down off Darmoor so I was very strict with Tarkka and didn't let him go anywhere near the river today. We also made the decision to take the higher cycle path again to keep him away from the river.
We cycled on to just after the peregrine watch point and sheltered under an old railway bridge (the track is on the old railway line that use to take the slate from the quarries along the plym down to the port). We stopped out of the rain and have a drink and decided to turn back as the weather was getting worse.
While we had stopped Tarkka realised that there was lots of squirrels around and kept shooting off and coming back which was nothing unusual for Tarkka after all we where deep into Plymbridge woods.
So as we headed back Tarkka continued this new game of shooting off chasing squirrels and reappearing further up the track. I wasn't worried as he was shooting off up the woods away from the river. George and I cycling along on what was now a very wide part of the track in the dense woods. However just as all seemed ok Tarkka shot off chasing a squirrel up a steep path then went high up onto a shelf that then ran parallel with the track. We tried to call him down (mistake number 3) as Tarkka not being the brightest of lappies decided to come down from the steep track down the rock face. The next few minutes are still all a blur but from what I remember Tarkka slipped and skidded on leaf litter and mud and ended up on a shelf half way down the rock face, still some 15 feet above us. Every time he tried to move mud and leaf litter would fall down the rock face.
Bikes and back pack abandoned I tried to climb up the rock face (yes I know you shouldn't but all I could focus on was getting Tarkka to go up the rock face not down). I had to go further down the track and the only way up the bank/rocks involved holding onto tree roots and holly (yes hands do hurt) I was digging in with everything I had knees, trainers and kept slipping back down but kept going I finally got to the top.
I ran along to where Tarkka was now below me. Tried calling him up what seemed the best path but Tarkka just couldn't get any grip the wet, mud and leaf litter making it impossible. Tarkka was going mad and I was now getting very scarred.
We had now been joined by a family out walking their dog and the boys tried climbing up to Tarkka but could just not get close enough and the gap between them and Tarkka was a sheer drop down the rock face. I had to give up but then I had the problem of getting down of a much higher ledge which involved climbing over barbed wire (yes my cycling gear now has a few extra ventilation holes) and trying to scramble down by now Tarkka was barking, crying and screaming as he now seemed to be really scarred so I was paying no attention as to what I was doing I just needed to get down and be back where Tarkka could see me.
At this point we realised this was very serious and where Tarkka had made attempts to get down and up to me had caused the ledge to become smaller as most of it seemed to be made up of mud and sticks. It was also at a steep angle which was causing me massive concern. George had no mobile signal (who does in the depth of the woods) so I had to send George off down the cycle path until he could get signal and bring in help. The family also know left us as there was little they could do.
With everyone gone and me talking calmly but constantly to Tarkka he settled a bit and sort of lay on the edge with his paws dug in as best he could. I was then joined by a couple walking their dog and the guy was telling me his dog had done something similar on the lower rock faces nearer the river a few months before and offered to try to help. So off he went back down the track where it was easier to climb the cliff and his mad but lovely golden retriever went with him (yes at this point I'm now worried we could end up with a guy and 2 dogs stuck but he seemed to know what he was doing). However like me earlier he got to the top but was unable to get anywhere near Tarkka (Ambrose the dog sat at the top of the ledge barking down at Tarkka which in any other circumstances would have been very funny. They had to give in after a good 20mins trying and headed back down. They however did kindly stay with me just in case Tarkka slipped/fell so the 3 of us could do our best to catch him.
We didn't have to wait much longer until the Fire Brigade arrived with George ladders and ropes at the ready.
They didn't have an easy job they had to send 2 guys up on ladders with ropes. They also took Ambrose's lead as it was a thick lead with a clip at both ends (Paula and Adam have one of these for Inko and we now plan to find a supplier and get one) One fireman after a lot of scrabbling got up to the top of the rock face while the other tried to get near Tarkka. After finally getting to Tarkka they secured him onto the lead and also tied a rope around him. Tarkka was so pleased to see the fireman and didn't make this task easy due to barking and trying to lick the guys face but luckily the guy gave Tarkka some fuss to settle him before the next big task, getting him up to the top of the rock face. This involved the guy at the top pulling Tarkka up with the rope and the fireman with Tarkka pushing him up from underneath. By now my heart was in my mouth and when Tarkka got to the top I burst into tears with relief.
They then had to take Tarkka along the top until it met up with Cann Woods so George and I joined the other firemen and walked to meet them with Ambrose and his owners who I couldn't stop thanking.
Tarkka was not injured during all of this but it so could have been a different story, did it make him calmer when we headed home? No I had to keep him on his flex on a short lead as he was still in hunt Squirrel mode.
A big thank you to the families/Dogs owners who stopped to help and a massive thank you to the fire brigade for lugging your kit along the cycle track to rescue Tarkka.
I'm now sat drinking a pint of Bailey and Tarkka is fast asleep up on our bed..................................
So off we set in what was now very heavy rain. Tarkka always stays on lead while to go the 3 streets down to Plymbridge cycle path. When we get to the cycle track I let him off lead as it's narrow to start with and Tarkka sometimes tries to go around cyclists coming the other way the opposite side to me which is not funny. So with Tarkka off lead and the cycle path very quiet only a few cyclists and dog walkers out we make great progress along the track at a nice gentle pace.
The river below us was very high due to all the water coming down off Darmoor so I was very strict with Tarkka and didn't let him go anywhere near the river today. We also made the decision to take the higher cycle path again to keep him away from the river.
We cycled on to just after the peregrine watch point and sheltered under an old railway bridge (the track is on the old railway line that use to take the slate from the quarries along the plym down to the port). We stopped out of the rain and have a drink and decided to turn back as the weather was getting worse.
While we had stopped Tarkka realised that there was lots of squirrels around and kept shooting off and coming back which was nothing unusual for Tarkka after all we where deep into Plymbridge woods.
So as we headed back Tarkka continued this new game of shooting off chasing squirrels and reappearing further up the track. I wasn't worried as he was shooting off up the woods away from the river. George and I cycling along on what was now a very wide part of the track in the dense woods. However just as all seemed ok Tarkka shot off chasing a squirrel up a steep path then went high up onto a shelf that then ran parallel with the track. We tried to call him down (mistake number 3) as Tarkka not being the brightest of lappies decided to come down from the steep track down the rock face. The next few minutes are still all a blur but from what I remember Tarkka slipped and skidded on leaf litter and mud and ended up on a shelf half way down the rock face, still some 15 feet above us. Every time he tried to move mud and leaf litter would fall down the rock face.
Bikes and back pack abandoned I tried to climb up the rock face (yes I know you shouldn't but all I could focus on was getting Tarkka to go up the rock face not down). I had to go further down the track and the only way up the bank/rocks involved holding onto tree roots and holly (yes hands do hurt) I was digging in with everything I had knees, trainers and kept slipping back down but kept going I finally got to the top.
I ran along to where Tarkka was now below me. Tried calling him up what seemed the best path but Tarkka just couldn't get any grip the wet, mud and leaf litter making it impossible. Tarkka was going mad and I was now getting very scarred.
We had now been joined by a family out walking their dog and the boys tried climbing up to Tarkka but could just not get close enough and the gap between them and Tarkka was a sheer drop down the rock face. I had to give up but then I had the problem of getting down of a much higher ledge which involved climbing over barbed wire (yes my cycling gear now has a few extra ventilation holes) and trying to scramble down by now Tarkka was barking, crying and screaming as he now seemed to be really scarred so I was paying no attention as to what I was doing I just needed to get down and be back where Tarkka could see me.
At this point we realised this was very serious and where Tarkka had made attempts to get down and up to me had caused the ledge to become smaller as most of it seemed to be made up of mud and sticks. It was also at a steep angle which was causing me massive concern. George had no mobile signal (who does in the depth of the woods) so I had to send George off down the cycle path until he could get signal and bring in help. The family also know left us as there was little they could do.
With everyone gone and me talking calmly but constantly to Tarkka he settled a bit and sort of lay on the edge with his paws dug in as best he could. I was then joined by a couple walking their dog and the guy was telling me his dog had done something similar on the lower rock faces nearer the river a few months before and offered to try to help. So off he went back down the track where it was easier to climb the cliff and his mad but lovely golden retriever went with him (yes at this point I'm now worried we could end up with a guy and 2 dogs stuck but he seemed to know what he was doing). However like me earlier he got to the top but was unable to get anywhere near Tarkka (Ambrose the dog sat at the top of the ledge barking down at Tarkka which in any other circumstances would have been very funny. They had to give in after a good 20mins trying and headed back down. They however did kindly stay with me just in case Tarkka slipped/fell so the 3 of us could do our best to catch him.
We didn't have to wait much longer until the Fire Brigade arrived with George ladders and ropes at the ready.
They didn't have an easy job they had to send 2 guys up on ladders with ropes. They also took Ambrose's lead as it was a thick lead with a clip at both ends (Paula and Adam have one of these for Inko and we now plan to find a supplier and get one) One fireman after a lot of scrabbling got up to the top of the rock face while the other tried to get near Tarkka. After finally getting to Tarkka they secured him onto the lead and also tied a rope around him. Tarkka was so pleased to see the fireman and didn't make this task easy due to barking and trying to lick the guys face but luckily the guy gave Tarkka some fuss to settle him before the next big task, getting him up to the top of the rock face. This involved the guy at the top pulling Tarkka up with the rope and the fireman with Tarkka pushing him up from underneath. By now my heart was in my mouth and when Tarkka got to the top I burst into tears with relief.
They then had to take Tarkka along the top until it met up with Cann Woods so George and I joined the other firemen and walked to meet them with Ambrose and his owners who I couldn't stop thanking.
Tarkka was not injured during all of this but it so could have been a different story, did it make him calmer when we headed home? No I had to keep him on his flex on a short lead as he was still in hunt Squirrel mode.
A big thank you to the families/Dogs owners who stopped to help and a massive thank you to the fire brigade for lugging your kit along the cycle track to rescue Tarkka.
I'm now sat drinking a pint of Bailey and Tarkka is fast asleep up on our bed..................................
Cycling Video
Ok as promised a few posts ago here is some footage of me and Tarkka with the new challenge of cycling. You will see that Tarkka is off lead, this is because we are on a cycle track that is the old railway line down the road from our house. It's a lovely track and runs along by the river so Tarkka often disappears to nip down the bank to the water for a paddle and then comes charging back. While I worry about cycling nice and slowly Tarkka has now started shooting off on tracks and reappearing much futher up the path little monkey. He's really good with other cyclists and has learnt very quickly when I call "Tarkka Near" he comes alongside me while the cyclists pass. We also stop and chat to other dog walkers often because they want to tell us about their dog on it's lead is due to running in front of cyclists. So we stop and chat, Tarkka often getting fed up with the dog on a lead has moved on ahead of us so we have to catch him up.
Anyway heres a bit of footage I managed to grab on my phone while cycling, it's not great but will show you how slowly we trundle and how often Tarkka shoots of. You will also have to mainly look Tarkka tail which is important as I make sure that if he starts galloping or his tail drops we slow down or stop for a break. We take lots of breaks by the river at the moment and I always carry water and a bowl for him.
I will try to get George to take some footage of Tarkka and I cycling with Tarkka on a lead which is also now very controlled but takes time and paitence to get right. I'm also about to invest in a better lead and harness for Tarkka as I want one with more give on it not that it's ever on long as we live 3 streets away from the cycle path but plan to look at kit they use when running with dogs.
Anyway heres a bit of footage I managed to grab on my phone while cycling, it's not great but will show you how slowly we trundle and how often Tarkka shoots of. You will also have to mainly look Tarkka tail which is important as I make sure that if he starts galloping or his tail drops we slow down or stop for a break. We take lots of breaks by the river at the moment and I always carry water and a bowl for him.
I will try to get George to take some footage of Tarkka and I cycling with Tarkka on a lead which is also now very controlled but takes time and paitence to get right. I'm also about to invest in a better lead and harness for Tarkka as I want one with more give on it not that it's ever on long as we live 3 streets away from the cycle path but plan to look at kit they use when running with dogs.
Southern Counties Camping Weekend
Yes at long last the folding camper is getting some use.
I was a little worried as the folding camper has been sat on our driveway for the last 4 years not being used but late Friday we hooked up and I took the brave step and towed for the first time ever. I passed my test after 1997 so a folding camper is the largest thing I can tow however when opened up it's a 6 berth so lots of room for George, Tarkka and I.
On arrival at Newbury showground Steve Cooper met us and he took over the driving to get it on the space they had reserved for us (yes Steve has been insured to drive my car since we started driving up and down the country 3 years ago showing Tarkka with Shelley & Steve and their lappies).
As Steve pulled the camper onto the pitch we where met by Andy, Karen, Gavin, Kay, Toni, Stuart and Shelley to help get the camper set up in record time and the fencing up so Tarkka could roam free in a camping garden. So with Shelley off walking Tarkka we got set up super fast (thanks guys) however we then hit a couple of problems. Until this trip we have always been on electric hook up but at Newbury showground we needed to be on gas and battery but problems started when we noticed we couldn't get the lighting to work or the fridge on gas to light.
We took a break to have a BBQ all 11 of us sat outside together on a stretch of grass by the caravans which was lovely until the wind got up when we retired to Karen and Andys awning, now having been joined by Shelley & Clive and Caron and Graham we proceeded to play chase the ace, Steve kindly stepped out and got the fridge lit and lighting working but quickly rejoined us. Finally we headed for bed and I decided that Tarkka could roam free in the camper and awning only to go check on him at 4am and discover he had crawled through a tiny gap in the awning door and was happily asleep in the garden bless him.
Saturday arrived and we spend most of the morning discussing lunch arrangements, walking dogs and going around Southern Counties show. Lunch was again a group effort outside with Port and Cheese been top of the menu. The sun was blazing so we all decided to walk the dogs again later and all retired to our own campers/caravans to read/sleep. Later that day Sam arrived as she was joining us for the fish and chips super and quiz later that evening. The quiz was fantastic fun, our team won mainly due to George with Paula, Adam and Pip chipping in.
They evening continued with lots more drinking and Terry then got his guitar and was had a sing song Chris even taught us actions for some of the songs and we also discovered a real singer in the group who alongside Terry on guitar, Pip and Adam on drums (boxes and water bowls) Shelly entertained us with some great singing with us joining in with the chorus. Sam and Kay did some great swaying I believe as much due to the quantity of wine consumed as the great music. Marina re-joined us after spending an hour or two writing up her dog world reports in Shelley and Steve's caravan did I mention at this point we are all v cosy in their awning.
As the evening drew to and end we went and got Inko who was keeping Tarkka company over in our awning. Then it was a good night sleep as showing the next day.
Humf did I say good night sleep, I think not, due to the wind getting up I spent most of the night checking we still had an awning attached to the camper and at 3am I made Tarkka come inside the camper to sleep as it was horrid outside.
Sunday of course brought with it show day but also pack down day. So after a fried breakfast George took Tarkka out for a walk while I started packing down. I then swapped with George and with help from Steve I left the boys while I headed over to the show.
I decided to ask Kay if she would show Tarkka for me as I forgot to pack any trousers (it was 27 degrees and sunny when I packed) so I have stupidly only packed shorts and skirts but with the wind been so strong I didn't want to flash at anyone in the ring. Kay did a fab job with Tarkka getting 3rd in Limit and he was acting like a puppy with Kay (sorry Kay).
The day continued to get better as I watched Shelley qualify Kippis for crufts and due to winning open dog he will now get his stud book number. She then went on to qualify Taru in vets, the look on Shelleys face was a picture. We where then chuffed to see Arttu get his first CC so pleased for Wendy she took him in 8 months ago and has worked really hard with him.
By now it was chucking it down with rain and freezing cold, we grabbed a cuppa tea and some chips did a bit of puppy shopping and headed back with Tarkka to the camper which was packed down but we still had to pack up the fencing in the rain. Tarkka snuggled into his duvet on the back seat of the car while George and I got soaked then it was homeward bound to start preparing for the next trip. Here's a picture of Tarkka doing what he does best when camping.
We will be missing a couple of shows over June and July as we have some special trips booked to go see our new bundle of fluff as we are privileged to be having one of Susanne Crowhurst pups (Unikko/Musse) in 6 weeks time
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