Thanks for my pressies!

Hi everyone, hope you've had a smashing time Christmas week. I have done really well for presents: 4 packs of treats, 3 rubber balls, 2 raggy ropes and a folding travel water bowl (I hope you were singing along there!).

I wish you all good fun on New Year's Eve and to remember that us doggies need a quiet a spot to escape from you all when you get so lively. I have a lovely corner in the dining room, next to the radiator which is away from everyone - but close enough to keep my eye on the food, just in case!

HAPPY NEW YEAR XXX

Crumbs... it's Christmas!

Hello there!

Sorry I haven't been updating my blog lately, time seems to fly by and I am such a busy dog these days. I have had lots of visitors to stay and people to play with. This weekend my best human pal Callum came to stay and we had lots of fun. Oh, and it appears Christmas is here again.... that funny flashing tree thing has arrived rearranging the furniture and my bed to fit it in!! Still, Christmas usually means lots of goodies so I won't complain!!

Hope you all have a very Happy Christmas. xx

Lovely new bed.

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I just wanted to show you the lovely big cushion that our nice neighbours next door sent round for me. Mum says it's a bit big really, but I disagree. It is just the right size to spread out on and snooze away these cold damp afternoons. Much appreciated.

Snow in October.

Hello there! I'm only just back from my last holiday of the year and it seems to have become winter-time already! What happened to leaf-chasing autumn then?

I do like the snow, especially when it is really deep and you can roll in it and catch snowballs. This is just a little sprinkle, but does it mean we are in for a cold snowy winter I wonder?

Windy Walks!

Hello everybody,

Just got back from a great weekend with my human friends, walking in and around Drewsteignton. It was rather windy as you can see from my picture, but it was great fun. I didn't get as much peace and quiet or sleep as I'm used to, but a few extra snacklets came my way from time to time which made up for it. Don't tell mum and dad!!

I found it at last!!!

It has been a busy couple of weeks. My owners have been in the garden whenever they have had the time; cutting back the trees and bushes and generally making more room for me to run around, lie around and sunbathe (the odd time it is sunny!). The great news is that my long lost nylabone was found under a big bush! I had completely forgotten about it since early summer when I rushed out with it to chase next door's cats. Hmmm, time for a contemplative chew!

Footy at the seaside!

Oh what joy to find a discarded football at the seaside! I carried it for a while, sat and chewed it, then I popped it!! Great fun!

Sticks in the sea!

Some of the best walks on this holiday have been by the sea. I love running and jumping into the water; splashing, swimming and fetching whatever you throw in for me. What I cannot get used to is the salty taste. I always run to the sea shore to get a drink and it always surprises me. Ugh!

Bagfoot!

Just a few days before we went on holiday I cut one of my toe pads on my back right foot and it took a while to heal up. On the first couple of days away I had to wear a freezer bag and micropore tape to keep my foot clean and dry. Did I let it bother me? Was I embarrassed? Of course not!!

Holidays

Hi readers! Sorry I haven't blogged for a little while, I have been on my jolly holidays in Scotland. Lots to tell you about bags, balls, sticks, seaside rambles and TICKS!

Being around these big cow creatures apparently is how I may have attracted the bloodsucking insects. Even though I was put on the lead whenever we were anywhere near a faint mooing sound! As you can see I am a little disappointed not to be able to run closer and investigate!

Sneaky snoozing......

It's been a busy few days. Zak came to stay on Wednesday for 2 weeks and since then we have been everywhere together; wood and field walks, in the park, pottering around the garden, and to the shops. We even play together and eat together - although we do have a referee present at meal times in case one of us finishes first and fancies extras!!

After a busy morning walking, pottering and wrestling we both need our snooze time. As you can see, we were spotted.

A smashing time!

Hello all.
We have just got back from a great weekend near London. I hope you like these pictures of me with my best (human) friend Callum. We are almost the same age - I think that is why we get on so well. We enjoy the same games too! We have played badminton, football, running round the woods and racing in the fields!!! He even gave me my own football to chew up - brilliant! I'm a bit tired out today and enjoying having a rest - ready for the next visit!

Half Year Review!!!

Hi everyone!

Mum thought I looked a bit bored on Sunday, so as the sun was shining for a few minutes out came all my tennis balls from the side entry. What a collection: 30 tennis balls, 3 rubber balls, 1 cricket ball (yep, we found it!!), 1 Father Christmas ball - minus a squeak (oops), 1 football - slightly flat.

We played up and down the garden, mum throwing, me fetching and chewing!! I found out whilst playing with dad that I am actually quite a good goalie (or is he a poor striker?!!).

What a scorcher!

We have just come back from a lovely weekend down in Dorset with our friends. It was a bit too hot really for black dogs like me, but a lovely change from rain!! As long as I could dunk myself in the sea every few minutes I could happily keep my cool. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to do the same in the fish pond - and it looked so inviting too!!

My mate Zak

My best friend Zak is coming to stay next month and I am really looking forward to seeing the old fellow. He is getting on a bit these days. He won't tell me how old he is, but I reckon at least 15 human years - which in the dog world is over a 100!
Don't feel too sorry for him - old as he is, he can still chase me round the garden and nick the best spot to sunbathe in. He even tries to eat his dinner fast enough to step over and finish mine too!
I hope I can do as well at his age!

Seaside Profile

Just so you are not too jealous of my trip to the coast I'll let you into a little secret.....it wasn't just running in the sea that made my coat wet. It hardly ever stopped raining the whole time we were there! It's a good job I am waterproof!!

Oh the sea air is good!

Hi readers. I'm just back from a weekend by the sea. I do enjoy feeling the sand between my toes and smelling the salty seaweed as I gaze out over the horizon. (I'm quite a handsome chap don't you think?).

Shhhhhhhh!

Can you see me? Don't tell anyone I am here! This is my cunning disguise to get closer to those pesky squirrels. With my carefully placed camouflage hiding all but my whiskers, I reckon I will be able to gently stroll down the garden without anyone seeing me and catch them all!

What do you mean my bum is sticking out?

I see all.

Happy Friday everyone! My owners seem to really look forward to their weekends. I think it is because they enjoy spending more time with me. Here I sit on the top stair waiting for them to come home. From here I can see everything: any movement in and out of the kitchen, what is happening in the study or the bedrooms and most important of all - anyone approaching the front door!!

Quality find....

Currently I have no less than three footballs, all acquired on my woodland walks. People are so careless leaving them behind. I think I am doing everyone a favour by clearing them out of the park and bringing them home. I am particularly pleased with this one!

Hello, can I have a word?

There I was tucked up in my basket snoozing when "Pab.....PAB, PAB!!" and a noisy old truck slowly drives up and down the road with men inside shouting and honking their dented bugle like there is no tomorrow! All because they are looking for scraps of rubbish to take away. I don't understand it - the binmen just help themselves, so do the cats and foxes. How come these people have to make such a song and dance about it?!!!

Quarterly Review

Mum has decided that we ought to review the status of my ball acquisitions on a more regular basis, (mainly because they are filling up the side entry shelving!!).

So, this morning all the balls came out, mum threw them all over the garden for me to chase and play with. I didn't know which one to chew first!!

After a while she gathered them together and counted them. Not bad: 32 in total. 28 tennis balls, 2 rubber balls, 1 baseball and a very squashed and half eaten football. I did have a cricket ball too, but that seems to have mysteriously disappeared and cannot be found anywhere?!

Life is GOOD!! xx

Gardening weather

No doubt you have all been enjoying the lovely sunny dry weather. I have had a great weekend watching my owners 'playing' in the garden. They have been digging, planting, watering, cutting, trimming and generally making my garden look jolly nice, whilst I sit in the shade. (They call it 'gaffering' when I watch them working!!).

However they have introduced a new rule. It seems I am supposed to understand that the square soil bits are not to be trampled on and

I am to use the path from now on!!! That's all well and good until I need to chase something!!

I do enjoy relaxing on a freshly cut lawn. Hmmmmm.

Handsome, me?

Hi everyone, strange weather. One minute I am lazing in the sunshine and the next I'm running to fetch my toys in out of the rain!! On another rainy afternoon 'mum' decided to try and take a handsome close-up of yours truly. Whoops - I'm not always a good portrait sitter!!

Back to bed....Zzzzz

I'm feeling a bit tired today. My owners were out later than usual last night and so I had to wait up for them to take them for their customary last stroll round the block before bed. This has made me a bit snoozy this afternoon and I thought a quick '40 winks' might do me good. As you can see, someone found me!!

Another great weekend!

Hi readers! I have to say this last weekend has been a great one. My owners have been pottering around happily in the house and garden, so yours truly has had plenty of attention and fuss. On the Sunday we did a sponsored walk in the sunshine AND to top it all, on our evening stroll I find not just a tennis ball, but one that squeaks - imagine my delight! I didn't know you could get my two most favorite things about toys together in one toy, did you? Needless to say it now has pride of place in my collection - after chewing it for a while first of course!!

Snow in springtime

Hey! How exciting to wake up to find it has snowed lots and lots!!
Of course I have had to have my picture taken amongst the snowy backdrop of the garden - bit cold on the BTM mind!!

Kong III - Bigger and better than ever!!

My new Kong has arrived! It is great! Bigger means too heavy for 'Foxy' and more cheesy spread fits inside it!! Life is good.

A good week.

All things considered it has been a fruitful week for finding balls. On two separate mornings and one afternoon I found a giant tennis ball (but mum chucked it because she said I kept eating it), 2 x green tennis balls, 1 x grey rubber ball, 1 x football. These will join my much loved collection. To top it all they have ordered me a new Kong on the computer - bigger and better than the last. I doubt 'Foxy' will nick this one, it's too big for him, hopefully!!

Have you seen my toy Kong?

I am a little upset. My favourite red Kong (see picture) has gone missing. Actually this is the second Kong to go missing. I had one Kong for 4 whole years and then since we moved to this house, backing onto the woods, I have lost two in 12 months - the latest one over the Easter weekend. My owners have searched the house and garden high and low, but no luck.

I seem to share my garden with foxes and squirrels and I am wondering if they have taken it!! OK, I shouldn't have left it outside overnight, but PLEASE can I have it back? It's my best toy.

If any of you see a fox running around with a Kong - it's mine!! Please tell him to return it!!

Easter Time

I have enjoyed the Easter break. It's always nice to have an extra lie-in and to see more of your owners before they have to go back to work. It's also nice to have visitors, especially children as they are prone to dropping little nibbles and often need the chocolate cleaning (licking!!) off their hands and face - I try to be helpful. However, I do draw the line at them stealing my bed.

Walking in the woods

Last night there were so many sniffs about I simply didn't know which way to turn. What's a dog to do? I simply HAD to investigate them ALL, much to every one's annoyance.

I think humans find it difficult to understand that fox and badger smells are intriguing; other dog's messages need to be replied to (they jokingly call it 'pee-mail') and cat smells must be investigated thoroughly - especially when found in ones own garden!!

I LOVE tennis balls

It's a strange hobby you might think, but I really do enjoy going for a walk in the woods and suddenly getting a sniff of the smell of green felt off a tennis ball.

I have been known to disappear into thick brambles and hedges, only to reappear a few moments later with a big grin and a new item for my collection!!

I did have over twenty but 'mum' rationalised them somewhat - still, I'll soon find some more!!

Early days - April 2003

As you can see, I quickly perfected the art of looking extremely cute, which has been of great benefit over the years and has won me many treats, cuddles and toys.

Introducing myself

Hello everyone, my name is Roddy and I am about 7 (human) years old.

I can't really remember much before April 2003 when my current owners found me at the RSPCA waiting for new lodgings.
I must say they were lovely people at the dogs home, but its a bit boring to be there day after day and I was chuffed to bits when I was chosen to go to a new house with owners that had kept a dog before and knew what kind of a routine I would like.
Well, as time flies by and I realise I am fast approaching middle age, I thought it was time I recorded some of my more interesting activities. Really I aim to amuse myself and my doggie friends, but go ahead and read along too if you want to - I hope you find something to make you smile.