Back from a relaxing weekend in Catterline. Or as Jake probably saw it, PreyWorld. Rabbits, pheasants (one morning, 16 pheasants flitted past the caravan window…) Lots of lounging, eating. Getting back to Roderick’s roots in Inverurie. Walks in the pine forest at Creeth Castle. A pint in Stonehaven Harbour. A smattering of stone circles and Restenneth Priory. Where we happened on 4 guinea fowl. So plump! So chase-able! So frustrating to be on the lead.
Labels: Scotland
One year ago...
I visited the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home & in the dogs' section saw a shivering skinny "lurcher-type." He was the only one that was silent. The kennel assistant took him into the yard and he seemed lovely, completely unperturbed by the thunder or by me. I emailed R. at work: "Saw a gorgeous dog which was a little whippety-lurcher (sic) with pepsi's markings but a smooth coat. Very sweet & on the edge of nervous, but friendly, and very interested in playing with other dogs." (ha!) We both went down to Seafield the following afternoon, and £55 later, left with Jake on a lead. It was touching that quite a few kennel staff came to say goodbye to him. He got his name in the taxi when the driver told us about a dog that came from Seafield that looked like a jackal.
We were absolutely crapping ourselves. Jake ran around the flat, sniffing everywhere, and then grovelled on the floor at our feet, before settling down on a cushion. We spent the first month petrified that his original owners would turn up and demand him back, but they never did.
That cowering whippet-sized dog seemed to fill out after a few weeks to become collie size. And when he's on swaggering on the beach the elastic lurcher seems to be more like a greyhound in height. H'mmm.
I visited the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home & in the dogs' section saw a shivering skinny "lurcher-type." He was the only one that was silent. The kennel assistant took him into the yard and he seemed lovely, completely unperturbed by the thunder or by me. I emailed R. at work: "Saw a gorgeous dog which was a little whippety-lurcher (sic) with pepsi's markings but a smooth coat. Very sweet & on the edge of nervous, but friendly, and very interested in playing with other dogs." (ha!) We both went down to Seafield the following afternoon, and £55 later, left with Jake on a lead. It was touching that quite a few kennel staff came to say goodbye to him. He got his name in the taxi when the driver told us about a dog that came from Seafield that looked like a jackal.
We were absolutely crapping ourselves. Jake ran around the flat, sniffing everywhere, and then grovelled on the floor at our feet, before settling down on a cushion. We spent the first month petrified that his original owners would turn up and demand him back, but they never did.
That cowering whippet-sized dog seemed to fill out after a few weeks to become collie size. And when he's on swaggering on the beach the elastic lurcher seems to be more like a greyhound in height. H'mmm.
Labels: Family
Tragically, nothing for lurchers here. But check out the whippet, italian greyhound & greyhound gear.
Dear Sandy,
I saw the job advert for assistant librarian at the Kennel Club in the vacancies supplement. How exciting! Will you be my referee?
Though I have no formal qualifications my people are fully trained, and surely something must have rubbed off in the last 12 months. It's hard to believe that when I first arrived here I thought Dewey was how my paws felt when I hit the park first thing in the morning. Now I know better. I can catalogue to AARFCR2, BARC21, and know the sled dogs' subject headings, MuSH.
I am not worried abut my lack of pedigree. Some of my best friends are pure blooded & I can honestly say they are none the worse for it. They are nearly as much fun as I am, hardly in-bred at all.
My people keep saying I need a hobby, but I think they mean agility or (god forbid) Freestyle. Please say you'll help me do something more fulfilling.
Lick! Lick!
Jake
I saw the job advert for assistant librarian at the Kennel Club in the vacancies supplement. How exciting! Will you be my referee?
Though I have no formal qualifications my people are fully trained, and surely something must have rubbed off in the last 12 months. It's hard to believe that when I first arrived here I thought Dewey was how my paws felt when I hit the park first thing in the morning. Now I know better. I can catalogue to AARFCR2, BARC21, and know the sled dogs' subject headings, MuSH.
I am not worried abut my lack of pedigree. Some of my best friends are pure blooded & I can honestly say they are none the worse for it. They are nearly as much fun as I am, hardly in-bred at all.
My people keep saying I need a hobby, but I think they mean agility or (god forbid) Freestyle. Please say you'll help me do something more fulfilling.
Lick! Lick!
Jake
Labels: Whimsy
Hurrah for the nice inn-keepers at our local, who played with Jake all night, let him go off lead, and gave him a promotional toy rugby ball. Regulars might want to note that Jake has pickpocket tendencies, & was caught about to filch something from a man's pocket ...
Labels: Family
Ferrets loose in Harrison Park! Thanks to the friend who we passed jogging along the canal, who mentioned the coupls walking their ferrets. We got Jake on the lead in time, and thank God we did, as the ferrets were rippling over the grass, and judging by his reaction Jake thought he had seen a fabulous beast, part rabbit, part squirrel... I know lurchers and ferrets are in theory part of the whole countryside world, but erk - he so wanted to chase them.
The ferrets were gorgeous. Kudos to Elspeth for preventing an incident.
The ferrets were gorgeous. Kudos to Elspeth for preventing an incident.
Labels: Park life
It's nearly a year since we brought Jake home. How on earth do we mark this?
Perhaps Jake could write his memoirs. Ah, the life of the mind.
Perhaps Jake could write his memoirs. Ah, the life of the mind.
Labels: Whimsy
Time to dust off the blog! Since our last post, I am happy to report that Jake has cracked the retrieve, and his recall is much stronger. I have become obsessed by clicker training. Jake just loves those click/treats.
Current training projects:
* spin, Jake, spin!
* scent games (not "who's farted," rather, "select scrap of fabric which smells like me." Yeah, thinks Jake, but who has farted?)
* roll over
* remote down (ha. ha.)
* weave between my legs as I walk (on command, not gratuitously)
Hell, if we can get a reliable retrieve, we can do ANYTHING.
Labels: Training
