I Saw A Mouse

While we were in the park today a small mouse ran out from under the bins. The West Highland Terrier we were with at the time was very excited, but Teasel didn't pay it any attention at all. And when I tried to flick it off my foot (photo) with the ball flinger she went for the flinger and ignored the mouse completely.

According to our book, the Miniature Schnauzer was "originally bred to hunt rats, then as a companion". Teasel seems to have chosen the companion option.

Westonbirt Dog Days

This weekend we went to Dog Days at Westonbirt Arboretum.

On Saturday it was nice and sunny and Teasel enjoyed meeting all the other dogs (and she did try to meet them all) and dashing around Silk Wood so much that we became Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, so we could go again on the Sunday and do it all over again.

We met several other Miniature Schnauzers, including a black one called Charlie, and an 11-week old puppy called Colin. We also met Rafferty (now 10 months), who was the puppy we met that led to us acquiring Teasel.

Of course, now we are Friends, we will be going to Westonbirt a lot more during the year.

Four Walks

Teasel usually manages to get two or three walks each day, but today she managed to clock up four walks today. Caroline took her out for a short walk this morning and later on I took her out for an hour long walk in Ashton Court.

Later on in the afternoon Caroline was going out and as she went to the door, Teasel sprang out of her bed wanting to go along too, so she got her third walk of the day.

Now Teasel is sleeping upstairs I try to take her out in the evening so that she can make it through the night without needing to relieve herself, and so this evening she went out on her fourth walk of the day.

Free Again

I took Teasel to Ashton Court this morning. Over the weekend - while we have been walking on The Downs - Teasel doesn't seem to have been attracting the interest of other dogs, so it seems like she has finished being on heat. I let her off the lead once we were clear of the car park, and none of the other dogs seemed to be taking an unusual interest in her, so things seemed to be back to normal.

She only has one puppy canine left to get rid of now.

Weight: 5.8 kg (still).

More Snow

It's Teasel's 6 month birthday today, and there was 2-3" of fresh snow this morning. I put my salopettes and walking boots on (but I decided that putting gaiters on would be over the top - ba-bum!) and took Teasel over to The Downs, where there was a good covering of snow.

Teasel enjoyed herself playing in the snow, but her legs were balling up quite badly. I cleaned them off several times and then we came home because even though she was wearing her jacket I was a bit worried that she might be getting cold.

The news is reporting that this is the most snow there has been in Bristol for 25 years (which is before I moved here).

Weight: 5.8 kg.

Snow

This morning there was a sprinking of snow. I took Teasel for a walk on The Downs at Westbury Park. Oddly the snow seemed to follow us around. I decided that this was because what little snow there was had fallen down the gaps between the blades of grass, so apart from the snow immediately around us the rest was hidden from view. I let Teasel off the lead and we played with the ball for a bit, until another dog came along and I had to put Teasel back on the lead.

This afternoon it started snowing properly. Teasel watched it with her paws on the window ledge, and then went out to investigate the snow that had fallen on the ice in her outside water bowl (photo).

We took Teasel out to play in the snow at Lovers Walk and Cotham Gardens and she seemed to really enjoy chasing snowballs. After an hour we brought her home reluctantly.

Losing Teeth

Teasel has had both her puppy and adult canines for a while now, and this evening I noticed that one of the puppy canines is coming loose. I hope this means that they will all come out naturally over the next few weeks.

Earlier today we went to The Downs again. There was ice on some of the puddles, which Teasel had to investigate. I also found that if I didn't throw her spongy ball too far (or if I was prepared to run after her) we could play fetch while she was still on the retractable lead.

Weight: 5.4 kg.