Gardening and a sorry tale

Yesterday I told Dad it was about time he did some gardening as I love being outside with him.
"Ok, let's cut the grass" he said.
I wondered what he meant, expecting scissors or something, then I saw him being pulled out of the garage by a red monster.  He'd given Pat a shovel and I was shocked to see she was doing MY JOB - thought it was only me that liked picking up pussycat poo.  So I hurriedly went off to race her to the finish.  She got a bit cross 'cos she apparently wanted to get it all.  "Ha!", I thought, "someone's left the back door open, and I know where there's some she's forgotten about".  Mum was none too pleased when she spotted what I'd been doing in Charlie-cat's litter tray and she was even less pleased later on.   They were all having tea when I realised that I had perhaps overdone the sneaky smelly snacking and suddenly ...... Yeah, you guessed right.    Poor mum had to clean up and, feeling rather sorry for myself, I  spent the rest of the evening asleep.

I'm fine today though !!

The Batcave

 

Right says Dad, we're off to see the old bat. 'Hmm' thinks I, where are we going to find a bat this morning and how are we going to know it is an old one? 'That's easy' said Dad, 'it's her birthday tomorrow. She's old, trust me!' Trust him eh, that's a big ask. Anyway, he loads me in the car and starts heading south towards where I assume there is a bat cave or something which harbours old bats. Rolling to a halt in Barnetby-le-Wold I see that we have pulled up outside Dad's mother's house. Ah, got it, the 'old bat' :-) She is 12 tomorrow (that's 83-ish in human years) and Dad had to take her something to maintain the blood level in her alcohol stream. She still did not want to see me as her Border terrier doesn't like other male dogs, according to her anyway, but she's as mad as a wet hen on a good day. I was quite happy to zzzzzzz in the car for ten minutes whilst Dad fended the old bat off indoors.

After that it was walkies on the top of the Wold around the area of the old derelict St Mary's Church. Had a whale of a time charging about, and also did some Saturday doggie school tricks for Dad. Good job he had a few treats on hand to persuade me!

Bo's not happy!

Hi Oscar

I have just been reading your blog. 

Mum said that she was going ringing and for a meal with other ringing humans but nothing about it being a doggie get together!  It sounds as though you had rather a good time.  I've managed to get Mum to download the photos she took.

However, you are busted again!  That is my car bed you and Charlie are using.

Bo

Dinner party dog.

Oh, hello all.  I'm reporting in tonight from a village called Owmby.   I'm a bit sleepy as I've had a tiring day. Took Mum to training club this morning and romped with Pippa;  also met her mate Lunar and a cutie pug called Curly who has been very ill but was on good form.   Our trainer, Auntie Marie, had us doing lots of things and seemed astonished at what Mum & I could do.   We had to trust each other to stay close and walk together with no lead;  we had to go round some coloured poles and walk at different speeds then finish with a nice sit.  Marie said we did it at GOLD standard!!!  I didn't like one of the other exercises though, I was supposed to sit or down and let Mum walk away from me and then come back.  Trouble is I don't really think it is safe for her to go far from me and it made me rather worried... she could get lost and I can't drive!  We will work on that one.

After club we went to a big shop - well I was too tired and had a kip in the car listening to the radio while I sent Mum in to get a couple of things. She wasn't gone long - I was just getting to a good bit dreaming of Pippa & co, when I was rudely awakened.  Oh well, car burst into action and I resumed my dreaming.   Next thing Mum was saying:

"c'mon Oscar, we're here, let's go in, we are at the Hibberts' house"

"Err, what's a Hibbert?"

"Never mind, you'll soon see c'mon...."

So in we went - it all smelled doggie and inviting but woah.... lots of humans and THREE dogs, two in dens, one running around.   All the humans wanted to fuss me (when you're cute it goes with the territory).  The doggie running around is called Charlie ... man is she nice... she's a flat coat retriever!  She explained she had just been away to have some puppies, but now they were all grown up enough to leave her and she was relieved to be back home with her human called Geoff - I remembered him 'cos we visited his house a few weeks ago.  Charlie said she felt like a play and was I up for it?  Hell yeah!    On of the other two doggies is Jasper (a 4 year old Brittany Dog) who's really lively but is still getting used to country life;  he used to live in a London flat.   Then there's Holly;  she's about 2 and a Weimaraner and a bit of a grumpy lady sometimes.   She had a different home before as well but didn't want to talk about it.    I wanted to explain to her that life is fun and she should play, but the humans said best not.  It was hard for me to remember that all the time.

After a bit Carol (Holly and Jasper's Mum), Geoff and my Mum decided they needed a walk.  So all four dogs had an outing round the muddy fields.  Charlie and I got to go and play and she showed me something called water and said it was the best fun ever and I should try.  There was this huge SPLASH as she jumped in then told me to try.  I decided caution was the best policy and dipped a paw in.  Yeuch!!!  COLD... no thanks! I just watched.

Later on, Dad and Pat arrived and so did more humans.  What a pack... THIRTEEN of 'em!   We spent the whole afternoon and evening there and it was great fun. Mum took my tea (good old Mum!) and while the humans talked and talked and talked I wandered about, slept, played more with Charlie and had brief discussions with Jasper.  Holly decided to kip in her den most of the time, so I just ignored her.  I'm sure she'll be more playful one day.   I understand we are all going on holiday together in August and that two of the other humans, Ros & Barry are bringing their doggie too and he's also called Oscar.  Now that will be fun! 

Pat told me she took some good photos of me and Charlie - I hope she posts them as I'd love to seem them.