Vaccinations

I decided to have Dylan vaccinated again this year despite the kidney issue last year. However, he has been so well and I can't see a problem with it!

So this morning, Troy, Dylan and me went to see Mark, the vet, and they got their shots.

A few pictures...

I got a new camera on Friday and have been taking some pictures to test it. It does a good job, though I need to get used to it of course to take really good quality pictures.

Dylan at home
And in the park
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And scanning the field for chasable animals...

Pictures from Binfield Dog Rescue

Chris, who fostered Dylan at Binfield Dog Rescue seven years ago, sent me these pictures of Dylan taken on 13th March 2002. These are the pictures I fell in love with at the time:



And I think it's this last picture that really did it for me... Dylan still has the same soulful expression now!

7th Gotcha Day

On Sunday, 22nd March, it was Dylan's 7th Gotcha Day.

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. It only seems yesterday that we picked up that skinny lurcher called Paddy... What a fabulous dog he has grown into!

Love you lots, Dylan boy.

A very long night...

I left work at lunch yesterday and then took the dogs out before setting off with Dylan at 3.10 pm. We got to the filming location in Farnham at 5.10 pm. After having "breakfast" (and lovely it was too), we were asked to drive near the set at around 7 pm.

We tried to get Dylan to speak. It was very disappointing as he acted like he had never heard the word before. He did it very nicely at home during the previous couple of days when I practiced. Vivienne then had to put her own dog forward instead as she did a good speak. (I felt really bad and was also disappointed). From then on, it wasn't clear whether Dylan was going to be used at all, but we were asked to wait anyway.

At 1.30 am, we were finally asked to go on set getting ready for a shoot. At the last minute however they decided to change plans and to film the dogs later. We then waited around the set (it was very cold) until 3.30 pm, when we were told that they would not do them after all now!

What a shame this was. Though I must admit, I felt better for Dylas as he didn't have to do a down stay on the cold damp ground, in very cold temperature and without a coat on - though I am sure he would have done that nicely.

I got back home at 5 am, went to bed and got up at 7 am again to go to work. LOL

It was a lovely experience, though of course a shame that we ended up doing nothing but waiting. But I hope there will be other opportunities... though I will make sure that any behaviour I put forward is well proved (always an issue with lurchers...) and steady, so I won't be in this sort of situation anymore. I will also not do any outdoors shoots in the winter/colder temperatures anymore with Dylan as he really did get cold (as did we of course).

Dylan's first job

On Saturday, whilst walking the dogs, I got a call from the Film Agency who wanted one of the lurchers for a film. We chose Dylan as he can do "speak" (though not always reliably). The filming takes place on Thursday night, 6 pm to about 3.30 am in Farnham.

I am quite nervous as I have of course never done anything like this apart from the TV show, which was different. It will also be cold of course and Dylan might not be too impressed with that. I hope it all goes well... Still so very nervous though.

SNOW!

Snow, snow, nothing but snow. What a beautiful day! (Can't go to work as no public transport, cars etc.). Love it... and so do the dogs.






And we had a fab time in the Country Park

Agility today

Well, first I left a little late for the agility session, then my car would not let me turn the key... so I wasted around half an hour on that. Then the traffic was really bad, particularly through Kingston and it took me forever! So in the end, I arrived at 2.15 pm... instead of 12.45 pm... I thought I'd just say hello and let them know I'd tried.

Dave was so kind to let me run Dylan a couple of times... We did one full course at mini height and Dylan did incredibly well! Then we did the course at full height... for the first time ever! Everyone - including myself - was absolutely amazed how well he did! He didn't refuse any obstacle, was fast, even on the weave, and had no problem with the seasaw!

So although we only could do two rounds, it was well worth it. It is such a pleasure to see Dylan enjoy himself so much!

Sarah Fisher

Yesterday, we were so pleased to welcome Sarah Fisher at WTDT doing a TTouch Demo! And what a fantastic afternoon it was! Sarah was fab, a wonderful speaker and all the dogs and people there loved her!

Dylan and Troy had the pleasure of meeting her. Unfortunately I have no pictures of Dylan with Sarah, but have a few of Troy... (I forgot my camera in my bag when it was Dylan's turn...).

Dylan in the hall; it's a shame I don't have any pictures of him with Sarah as he pretty much fell asleep... He loved it.


And here we had Troy's turn... he absolutely loved it.

First session in Advance Agility

Today was Dylan's and my first advance agility session. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was great fun and we learnt quite a few things too! Dylan did so well, very enthusiastic and happy!