Football Crazy

Teasel has shown an increasing interest in joining in with people playing with footballs in the park, so yesterday we bought her her own football from the toy shop for £2.

But when we took it to the park today for her to play with, before she even got near it a big black labrador (possibly called Harvey) came up, bit the football - puncturing it - and went off, leaving us with a rapidly deflating ball.

Teasel played with the punctured ball a bit, and a couple of other dogs played with it too. By the time we left the park it was completely shredded so we dropped it in a bin before we went home.

Christmas

We have both been ill over Christmas, but managed to alternate walking Teasel, so she still got out twice a day.

Teasel got several presents - Colin and Kate had given her a wrapped present, which she had managed to retrieve from under the Christmas tree a few days ago and have a go at, but today she got to have a proper go at it (see photo). Although once she had managed to get the present out of the wrapping she went off with the bow, so I think she was a bit confused about what the real present was. She also got a soft polar bear - which she played with - and a Humunga Tongue (which I'd bought before we got her) - which she didn't - and a cloth frisbee.

Probably the present she liked least was the dose of flea treatment we gave her, although we did wait until she was asleep.

New Teeth Coming

Teasel's adult teeth are beginning to come through.

Castlemorton Common

We took Teasel on her longest car journey so far. To meet up with my brother and his family at Castlemorton Common near Malvern. Before we set off we gave Teasel a quick run in the local park (photo).

Teasel was good in the car until we were only a few miles away from our target - The Marlbank Inn - where we were to rendezvous and eat before heading out for the walk. Teasel's third pub in a week.

The pub was very welcoming and Teasel got a dog biscuit on arrival - although she was a bit fidgety and wanting to be getting on with the walk while we were eating.

The walk on Castlemorton Common was quite muddy, and most of the puddles were frozen over - although Teasel broke through the ice on one puddle and got a bit damp. There were cows and horses that she had a little bark at. When the sun went down it got quite cold and Teasel started shivering. We dried her off with a towel and headed home.

Weight: 4.0 kg.

Going on the Train

Today Teasel went on the train for the first time. We walked over to Redland Station and caught the 11:26 train to Sea Mills. (Which is also the first time I've been along the Avon Gorge on the Severn Beach Line). Teasel was a bit concerned in the long tunnel under The Downs, but behaved herself well.

At Sea Mills we got off the train and walked along part of the Sea Mills Circular Walk, following the River Trym (which Teasel had so bravely crossed last week in Badocks Wood) to the road bridge at The Dingle and back to catch the 12:42 train back home.

Teasel was off the lead most of the time, apart from when we had to cross roads and near the railway station.

Weight: 3.8 kg.

Celebrations

Today is our 8th Wedding Anniversary, and Teasel's 17 week birthday. To celebrate we decided to go out for lunch to a dog friendly pub somewhere near Cirencester. I did some poking around on the web and found The Tunnel House Inn near Coates, their web-site said "And don't forget to bring the dog", so it sounded like a good bet. The pub itself is about quarter of a mile off a minor road up a dirt track, and was very welcoming to Teasel and provided us with a celebration lunch.

After eating we walked a little way along the disused canal from the southern tunnel entrance, although Caroline was a bit concerned that Teasel would dash down the steep banks and end up in the remains of canal, which had a thin covering of ice.

Afterwards I took Teasel for a short walk around the Cotswold Water Park before we headed home.

Ice At Ashton Court

I took Teasel to Ashton Court today. When we got there it was 1°C and there was frost on the ground so I made her wear her jacket. Once she was running around off the lead she didn't seem to care about her jacket.

Teasel was quite intrigued by the ice on puddles in the path and tried digging at it and skidding around on it.

Teasel finished her six week puppy class this evening, and graduated with a certificate and a rosette.

First Pub

We took Teasel up to Cheltenham to meet Caroline's sister's family, and their 10 month old dog, Sam. Sam is quite a big dog, and when they played Teasel's favourite game seemed to be trying to fit her head inside Sam's mouth.

It was a cold day. We went for short walks at Daisybank and at Cleve Hill - where there was a spectacular hoar frost. Teasel was quite happy to run around wearing her fleecy coat, but it was too cold for some of the humans so we set off to get some lunch.

And so we took Teasel to her first pub - The Royal Oak at Andoversford. Once Teasel had been around the pub to see what was there she settled down and sat while we ate, with occasional forays out to the car park to give her the opportunity to relieve herself.

Weight: 3.6 kg.

Badocks Wood

We took Teasel to Badocks Wood, which was recommended to us by the owner of Ruby, a Border Terrier in Teasel's puppy class.

Teasel successfully crossed the stream, which is actually the River Trym on it's way to the Blaise Castle Estate.

The First Cut

Teasel had her first visit to the groomers today.

While she was there it was the first time we've had some time to ourselves without Teasel since she arrived. It felt a bit strange to be in the house with no dog.

When we dropped her off she had been a ball of puppy fluff, but when we picked her up she was a tiny little dog.

Although as you can see from the picture, she looks a bit displeased with the whole experience.

Visiting Chalford

We took Teasel to meet some friends who live in Chalford, near Stroud.

After we got there Teasel was happy exploring the kitchen and sitting on Phoenix's lap chewing her Kong, and sleeping in her crate while we ate.

After the meal we went for a little walk. Teasel was particular interested in watching a flock of doves that circled around above us, and less interested in the horses and sheep in the fields.

We took a short cut through a muddy wood to a muddy path and several stream crossings (actually crossing the same stream three times). The first two times she looked like she was trying to find a place to cross, but couldn't manage it, so had to be lifted over, but at the third crossing she leapt straight over the stream.

Ashton Court Deer Park

I took Teasel to Ashton Court again. We started from the Bower Ashton car park and set off towards the Deer Park. I let Teasel off the lead once we were out of the car park. There was wire around the fence of the Deer Park that meant Teasel couldn't get in, but while I was taking photos of the deer she slipped under the gate and was investigating some deer poo. I shook the dry treat container and she came back without taking any interest in the deer.

We walked up through the woods to the quarry and through the meadow where the Ashton Court Festival used to take place. Then back across the golf course and through the woods to the car park. She seemed quite happy to trot alongside me and didn't wander off much.

The walk took just over an hour. When I got back I measured the walk we'd done using Google Earth and it came out at 2.8 miles (4.5 km).

A Grand Day Out

We decided to take Teasel to see the sea today. So we took her to Clevedon. We walked along the sea front and met some other dogs, and then picked our way over the boulders to the beach. Teasel was interested in the pebbles and the sand, but most interested in the seaweed that was there.

We walked to the Marine Lake and look-out at the end of the beach and then back along the sea front. I let Teasel off the lead, but she went to investigate an amusement arcade and I had to go in and fetch her back.

We drove over to Cadbury Garden Centre to get some food, as dogs are allowed inside. We met an 8-month old Giant Schnauzer there, and Caroline managed to get a photo of it with Teasel. In the pet section there we got Teasel a larger dog bed.

However I can't recommend the food at Cadbury Garden centre. I passed on the soup, because what little there was left looked as though it had been stewing away for a long time. So I ended up with a quite expensive option of vegetable lasagne and chips. Only to be struck down a few hours later with an extremely upset stomach.

Untied We Stand

Teasel managed to remove the piece of 2mm climbing cord that has been tied around my right ankle since 1994. I climbed at Paviland then, and was intrigued by the many bits of protection that consisted of 2mm cord threaded through holes in the rock. I wondered how resilient this form of protection was, so I tied a loop of 2mm cord around my ankle to see how it survived.

Interestingly Teasel has managed to remove the cord, not by chewing through it (although she had chewed through the tails of the knot some time ago), but by actually untying the knot.

So my advice to anyone climbing at Paviland would be not to take any puppies on the route with them.

Walking In The Rain

Teasel doesn't like getting wet, and she also doesn't like wearing the posh waterproof coat we got for her. She tends to plant her feet with her head down and refuse to move. This makes taking her out for a walk in the rain a tricky affair.

Weight: 3.0kg

Encounters with Ponds

Caroline had been taking Teasel out for a walk and came back with a very damp dog. On the way back from St. Andrews Park, they had been invited in by a neighbour. Teasel had been running around in the garden and suddenly disappeared into the pond. We dried her off and she had a sleep.

Then, as I was preparing to take Teasel out for a walk to Redland Green - our second closest park - I heard Caroline calling from the garden. Teasel had fallen into our pond. She came out covered in duck weed, which necessitated another dunking in the sink.

After three immersions in a day, perhaps she'll be a bit more careful.

Blaise Castle

We drove over to the Coombe Dingle end of Blaise Castle to introduce Teasel to a stream.

Teasel was quite athletic along the path, jumping up onto and running along a slippery log. She was also quite adventurous on the steep banks of the river, and when we got to the bridge she rushed up to the edge and looked over the 15ft drop to the stream below - much to Caroline's unease.

I found a place where the river was accessible and Teasel came down and had a sniff and a drink and a little paddle in the water.

Eastville Park

Today we took Teasel to Eastville Park. I'd been there before on a walk with Colin and Jack (the dalmatian) before we got Teasel.

Today we just walked around the lake, and Teasel was very interested in the various waterfowl in there, as well as the water itself. But she doesn't like getting wet, so fortunately didn't show any signs of jumping in.

We also met a Basenji during the walk (although we didn't hear it yodel).

Off The Lead in Ashton Court

At the puppy class last night the trainer said puppies don't tend to stray to far when let off the lead, so we took Teasel to Ashton Court and let her off the lead to see what would happen.

I was a bit worried she would head for the horizon and we would never see her again. But she was OK - providing there wasn't too much to distract her. However she was a bit too interested in a group of children, so we had to put her back on the lead until there were fewer distractions around.

The long grass was wet and Teasel, having low ground clearance, got quite wet.

We put Teasel on the lead and walked her through a field with cows in. She was a bit wary of them, but didn't seem unduly concerned.

After we left Ashton Court the sky went very dark and started raining. After we got home the rain got harder and it turned into a hail storm. There was a bit of lightning and thunder, but it didn't seem to upset Teasel. We were glad we'd got back to the car just in time.

First Day At School

This morning in the park Teasel met a year old Miniature Schnauzer called Reg. He's quite a bit bigger than Teasel.

This evening she started puppy classes in Clifton. There are a couple of Border Terriers in the class that are the same size as Teasel - she doesn't often meet dogs as small as herself.

Favourite Toy: Leaves.

Recall Training at Blaise Castle

We arranged for Teasel to meet my climbing buddy, Dave (who shares his birthday with Caroline), and his two children at Blaise Castle.

It was a little bit drizzly, but we tested Teasel's recall by calling her between us, and she was very good and didn't run off.

Then we took her for a walk to The Folly and along the top of The Gorge.

Official First Walk

For Teasel's Official First Walk we took her, in the car, to Leigh Woods. She had a great time.

We haven't let her off the lead yet, but I did run some parts of the walk and she bounded along alongside me.

Favourite Toy: Blueberries.

Walking In The Park

We took Teasel to St. Andrews Park again. This time she was more lively and bounding around - but we're not letting her off the lead yet.

She met a few other dogs, including a 16 week old Tibetan Terrier called Oscar.

She is proving to be quite popular with school children (mostly girls) who want to stop and pet her or take photos of her on their phones.

Favourite Toy: biting my trousers :-(

Visit To The Park

Teasel's first visit to our local park - St. Andrews Park.

It was a bit drizzly, and it was quite a while before we got there, so we couldn't stay long.

She was also a bit apprehensive when two bigger dogs rushed over to greet her.

The Howling

My cousin Helen - who plays the French and Baroque Horn - came to stay last night.

While she was demonstrating the baroque horn we found that Teasel would join in when she reached a certain note (B♭ above middle C).

We did another little walk with Teasel - this time we went round the block the other way, and I remembered to take some poo bags with me (which were needed).

Teasel is now allowed upstairs to join us watching TV. Although she seems to like running around the room behind the back of the sofa more.

First Walk

Teasel had her first walk out of the house today.

This morning we put her collar and lead on and walked along the street to the lamppost about four houses down and back. She is a bit apprehensive of cars going by in the street.

This afternoon I took her for a little trot around the block, and I learned the importance of having poo bags with you at all times when you have a dog. Fortunately there are lots of leaves around at this time of the year.

Weight: 1.9kg. Favourite Toy: string.

Birthday Present

It's Caroline's Birthday today, and her present is... Teasel.

I made this card of Teasel not looking too pleased with her new red harness.

We've been doing some lead walking around the house to prepare for when she is allowed outside.

Going To The Vet

We took Teasel to the vet today for the first time.

She now weighs 1.7kg. She had her second set of vaccinations (which she didn't seem to mind at all), and was implanted with bio-thermo id chip (which she did mind).

We also got her a monkey toy to play with, which she likes a lot.

Outside

We got some fencing from Canine Concepts and I constructed a ramp to make it easier for her to negotiate the steps outside the back door, so now Teasel can get out onto the patio at the back.

While I was out I got a call from Caroline, who had locked herself and Teasel out of the house in the back garden for 3 hours. So I came home and rescued them.

Teasel has now been with us a week.

Current favourite activity is chewing the cardboard tube from the inside of a toilet roll.

Carrot Hunting

I gave Teasel some little bits of carrot. At first she didn't show any interest, but then when one started rolling she chased it around pouncing on it, shaking it and eventually cornered it under my leg and ate it.

Teasel's had her first visitor - Zoë from next door - who she was very excited to meet.

She is also getting the hang of come and sit commands.

First Full Day

Teasel's first full day in her new home.

We managed to persuade her onto some kitchen scales and weighed her 1.22kg.

She spent most of the day playing for around half an hour, and then sleeping. Mostly on top of one of us.

Her favourite toy at the moment is the loop of 2mm climbing cord tied round my ankle, that has been there since 1993.

Welcome Home

We brought Teasel home today - in her new canvas crate - and she slept all the way home in the back of the car.

She has the run of the basement, and seems to have settled in quite well.

Current favourite activities are playing with the rope bone and climbing on the beanbag.

First Contact

We drove over to Blakeney and met some Miniature Schnauzer puppies born on 5th August. We spent about an hour there and Caroline chose this black and silver bitch.

She is going to be called Teasel and should be joining us in a couple of weeks.