Black and White Sunday 24/2

"Did someone say treat?!"

She'd forget her head if it was loose......

A couple of weeks ago, Mum and I made one of our regular trips to see Ganny. As many of you will know, we usually visit about once every 6 weeks and stay for a few days. We probably visit about 10 times a year. You see where I'm going with this? We visit Ganny A LOT and Mum has been doing so (with a Greyhound in tow) since she moved to Yorkshire nearly 6 years ago. So you'd think by now she's pretty clued up on what to take; not really likely to forget the essentials? Read on my friends.......

We arrived at Ganny's and I was pretty thirsty after the long car journey. So Mum went to fetch my bowl and stand. Except my stand was still in the kitchen at home......

"Great. A bucket. Now I feel really special......."

Later in the day, we decided to go for a walk. Mum went to fetch my lead. My lead was hanging on the hook in the hall at home. "Don't worry" said Mum. "I keep a spare lead in the car for situations just like this".

"I'm pretending I'm not with you...."

What she didn't mention was that it was a poncy girly macrame lead which a friend had made as part of a project. "Yes Mum it may screw up very small to fit in the glove box, but it looks ridiculous...." At least it matches my coat.......

I particularly like going to Ganny's as I get to sleep upstairs in Mum's room. So I was very happy when it came to bed time. "I'll just get your blankie" said Mum. "Ah............." My blankie was at home on my sofa. Ganny said she'd find something for me. 

"No Mum. The fact that it is a Ralph Lauren towel does not make this any better. It is still pink....."

On the day that we were due to come home, we woke up to this, so decided to stay another day.

Mum pretended to be a bit fed up, but I think she likes being pampered by Ganny as much as I do!

Anyway, I certainly wasn't complaining. The food is great and the service excellent......

Tea & bikkies in bed! 

"What about that one with jam & cream next Ganny"?

Pip Visits His Spiritual Homeland Of Yorkshire!

Things were starting to unravel!

Lets test the resolve of the dymanic duo....!

Puddles: Dang it! Not only do dey drive on the wrong side of da road, dey have stoopid road signs too!

Pip: Aye, 'appen as mebbee. Blimey! I've only been here 5 minutes and already I'm talking like a native! 

Puddles demonstrated her driving skills by doing a spectacular hand brake turn at the entrance!

Puddles: Geez Deccy really must have made some money in his racing days!

Pip: Aye lass. Where's there's muck, there's brass. Help! I really am speaking foreign!

Not wanting to take any chances with Pip's health Deccy insisted he visited Messrs Herriot, Farnon & Farnon for a check up before the fun began! Only world famous vets for our boy!

Pip: Nah then Vetnary, tha just mind where tha's sticking that thermometer.....

*************

It was decided that Pip should have a cultural tour of his spiritual homeland, and, thinking that they couldn't get into too much trouble the intrepid trio kicked off the tour at the Royal Armouries museum.....

Puddles loved the idea of Royal!

Though Pip looked every inch the King of all Yorkshire terriers, Puddles wasn't too sure that the colour of her hair was quite right!

Pip: Nah then wench Puddles, tha must be doin' ma bidding....

Puddles: What the freakin' heck is you talking about boy?! Anyway, I is Queen!

Puddles had a cunning plan to get the beers before Deccy did!

Next stop on the cultural tour... The Yorkshire Sculpture Park!

WTF!
Pip attempted to blend in, however, Deccy and Pudds had other ideas!

Pip: Reet, we've found rabbit, nah where do tha keep ferrets lad?!

Puddles: Man, can you stop talking rubbish and go find me some snacks? Darn place! No Cheetos and warm beer!

Did you know that the Bronte's came from Haworth Pip?

Puddles eventually decided that things could have been worse!

Pip: Eeeee! Tha can't beat a decent pint of Yorkshire Bitter and a packet of cheese & onion crisps!

Puddles: Like I says, warm beer and what da hell is crisps anyway!

*************

Enough of this cultural nonsense.... Let's have fun at the seaside!

WHITBY!
The birthplace of Captain James Cook, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula and home of the Magpie Cafe which serves some of the best fish and chips in the UK!

Puddles was most upset that the bracing Yorkshire sea breeze had displaced hairs #1 to #13376

Fortunately Deccy had the foresight to book a table!

Pip: Does tha think I can 'ave scraps with me fish & chips?

Puddles: This is getting boring Pip. You're AMERICAN for freak sake!

Mmmmm..... Nom Nom Nom...

Whitby Abbey

Nice set of teefers Puddles!


********

And so to the last part of the visit... 

On location in Yorkshire... the setting for many great movies and television programmes including Last of the Summer Wine, Emmerdale and Calendar Girls...

Dey should have called it Last of da Summer Beer!

Does Chas know it's way past openin' time?

Pip: I've always wanted t'star int programme 'bout everyday country folk......

Puddles: I don't give a dedded groundhog boy! Dis place don't sell Cheetos neither!

Cheers Pip and enjoy the rest of your trip! 

Pip: Eeeee thank you Deccy lad, that wa reet good that wa......

Puddles: And how exactly is you going to direct me outta here, when all you can speak is freakin Yorkshire? Huh? Freakin heck boy.......

They're on their way!

In the event of an attack, please make your way to the nearest shelter......

Pip and Puddles arrive in Yorkshire tomorrow...... you have been warned!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

 

 

Nearly Wordless Wednesday 13/2

This radiator isn't supposed to be for decorative purposes you know......

Just a quick reminder that the fabulous Mr Pip and his able sidekick Puddles Duddles Rainwater will be joining me for a fun filled day out next Tuesday 19th February, in Pip's spiritual home, Yorkshire!

The Benfits of Glucosamine for Dogs

Mum has long been convinced about the benefits of glucosamine for dogs and has been using it for nearly 15 years. She first came across it when a friend started taking it to treat arthritis, and was so impressed with the results, they began giving it to their aged Springer Spaniel, with noticeably good results.

Uncle Flynn (also a greyhound, for those who don't know) was given it every day for the 9 1/2 years that Mum had him, and gained his wings at a still pretty spritely 12 1/2.  I have been taking a daily dose of glucosamine for 1.5 years that I have lived with my Mums. Whilst I am a fit 5 year old, Mum thinks my joints probably took a bit of a pounding during my racing career, so she thinks it's a good  idea to do what she can to help maximise my mobility for when I get older.

Don't look bad on it do I?!

So when Mum was contacted by VetVits to ask if I'd like to try Flexi-Joints which is a glucosamine supplement especially for dogs, she was more than happy to say yes. 

Mum has always purchased glucosamine sulphate (2KCI) designed for human consumption, but she was interested to see there are several advantages to the VetVits doggy variety.

• Flexi-Joints uses glucosamine hydrochloride (HCI)  which provides 40% more pure glucosamine per gram than 2KCI
• Each tablet also contains 75mg of chondroitin which is documented to work synergistically with glucosamine.
• The tablets also contain Vitamin E and a non acidic form of Vitamin C

A dog of my size (32kg) needs to take 3-4 tablets a day. Mum has been giving me 3, so the 240 tablets will last me just short of 12 weeks. They are beef flavoured, so Mum was hoping they would be easier to feed to me than the 2KCI, but I'm still not very keen! However, once they are mixed into my food, they aren't as easy to find so I don't tend to spit them out. 

I have been taking the tablets for about 4 weeks now, and Mum has been very pleased with them. As for me? I think pretty much anything that gets hidden in chicken liver is just fine!!

Flexi-Joints are available from VetVits via mail order. 

Declans Dogs Blog did not receive any payment for carrying out this honest review

Black and White Sunday 3/2

This isn't a great photo, but I thought it showed some unusual ear action.... for me at least!

Unfortunately Mum has also noticed I've put on a few pounds since this was taken...Oh oh!! I'm not over-weight though; just carrying a bit of winter padding!

I'm off to see Ganny for a week, so see you all when I get back. 

One more thing; can someone please keep an eye on Pip & Puddles.......?!!

Groundhog Day

As all of you in the USA and Canada will know, tomorrow 2nd February is Groundhog Day. It's hard to believe that not everybody has heard of it, right? Wrong. My Mum didn't have a clue until a few weeks ago, when she met Shubenacadie Sam a very famous Groundhog who resides at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia.

© Nova Scotia Webcams

Everyone Mum has mentioned Sam to has said, "but haven't you seen the film?!" Nope. In fact Mum thought a Groundhog was some sort of cartoon character, a bit like Roadrunner or something. In fact the Groundhog is also known as the Woodchuck or Land Beaver. It is a rodent belonging to the group known as Marmots. So that's cleared that up......

And as for Groundhog Day, according to legend if it is cloudy when the Groundhog leaves his burrow at sunrise on 2nd February then Spring will come early. If it is sunny, he will see his shadow and retreat to his burrow and winter will last a further 6 weeks. (I would have thought Winter is likely to last until mid March anyway, but lets not spoil a good story....)

Sam is one of the more famous Groundhogs who predict Spring. Being the most easterly located in Nova Scotia, he is the first Groundhog to predict Spring in the USA & Canada. He is currently residing indoors, but at 8.00am AST (Midday GMT) on 2nd February he will be put outside to make his prediction. Quite a crowd gather accompanied by a bag piper and town crier.

We met Sam quite by accident. Just before Christmas, Mum came across Nova Scotia Webcams  as they were showing Santa and his reindeer at their training ground. Mum became a bit obsessed with watching it, but not nearly as bad as she is with Sam. The camera is on 24 hours a day with 2 second updates. Sam is fed and interacts with his keeper at 7.30 AST (11.30GMT)  11.45 (3.45) and 3.00pm (7.00pm)  We however watch him ALL the time. Yeah I know; we should get out more...

© Nova Scotia Webcams

So if you want the heads up on Spring tune into Sam tomorrow at 12 noon GMT.(8.00am AST) Here's hoping it's cloudy.....

My best Groundhog impression....