Thursday 28 April 2011

Under the weather

I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself this week. I've had a cold, and have been losing a battle with a migraine all week and finally took my tablets today. The tablets do get rid of the migraine, but they also make me feel really grotty and I usually need to sleep off the side effects of the tablets. Unfortunately I couldn't do that today as I had too much to do at work so I'll be having an early night tonight.

Tomorrow is the Royal Wedding, just in case anyone has managed to miss that little snippet of news.I'm not particularly interested in the Royal Family as a rule, but I am going to watch the wedding tomorrow. I've promised Tarka we can curl up on the sofa and watch it together.... I could do with a day of slobbing around doing nothing!

Monday 25 April 2011

Ultimate Recall

You might have noticed I mentioned on my last post, I was doing a course called 'Ultimate Recall'.

This was a four day course, run by the excellent John Rogerson. He used dogs who do not come when called, to demonstrate exercises to achieve a recall response even in the most difficult environments. All of the 14 dogs on the course showed a significant improvement in their recall response, although the owners will need to continue to work with their dogs to continue their progress. This is not a 'quick fix' course, but a lifelong training method.

John has a very 'common sense' attitude towards dog training. He gets onto the dogs level and tries to see things from their point of view. He doesn't use any form of harsh handling or forceful training, but he's not a soft touch either! I went with two colleagues from work, and we have got a lot of food for thought to discuss over the next few days when we are back at work. Some of John's stuff we can use as it is, some we will need to adapt to suit our purpose, but all of it was enlightening and I will be trying it out with my current training dogs when I'm back to work next week. I think Tarka might become a bit of a guinea pig too!!

Objective: By the end of the advanced training period, my dogs will achieve the 'ultimate recall'!!

Oh and by the way...

Happy Easter!!

Saturday 23 April 2011

Time flies!!!

Crikey, is it really 2 weeks since my last blog post? I have had a busy couple of weeks.....

  • 11th April - Friend came round to see me do Molly's medication as she was looking after the cats while I was away.
  • 12th April - Badminton.
  • 13th April - Badminton.
  • 14th April - Took Tarka to my friend who was having her for the weekend.
  • 15th April - Travelled to Barrow-in-Furness (5 1/2 hours)
  • 16th April - Cousins wedding.
  • 17th April - Travelled home from Barrow.
  • 18th April - Unpack, do laundry, re-pack.
  • 19th April - Travel to Atherton (near Bolton, 4 hours) - see new training dogs.
  • 20th April - Travel home from Atherton (5 hours due to traffic) Badminton in evening.
  • 21st to 24th April - John Rogerson 'Ultimate Recall' course.
So, as you can see I really haven't had time to breath much in the last two weeks, although everything's been fun things that I've wanted to do. (Except for the travelling!)

I have fitted in a few runs, I went for a run while I was in Barrow which was nice as the Lake District is a beautiful place, albeit hilly!! Bolton wasn't so nice, however I managed to persuade myself to go out. I did miss track night last night though, because although I was home in time to go, I wasn't feeling well having been sat in a field in the blazing sun all day, and I have got a cold which was making me cough and short of breath.

We have had some fabulous weather these last few weeks, it's been in the low 20's (that's centegrade for my American friends) and it's been sunny as well. I hope this isn't all we're going to see of summer this year!!

Sunday 10 April 2011

Bath time!!

For Tarka! She wasn't impressed, but it's one of those things that's needed doing for a while and I've been putting it off, and since I'm going away on Friday and she's staying with a friend, it seemed like a good time to do it. And, it's a lovely sunny day for drying her off! Unfortunately I took my eye off her and she rolled in a patch of dirt... oh well it'll brush off when she's dry!


"uh-oh..."


"How could you!!"

"Woe is me!!"

"Revenge is sweet - dirt!!"

Drying in the sun.

Friday 8 April 2011

Teddy.

My last rabbit Teddy died today. He was about 9 years old, maybe older which is old for a rabbit. He started to lose control of his back end which is usually fatal in the nastiest possible way for rabbits (google fly strike - actually don't, it's really not very nice) and he couldn't use one of his back legs which was getting painfully urine scalded, so I took him to the vet this afternoon.

Goodnight sweet boy.




Monday 4 April 2011

Lack of motivation

I've got a week off work, a huge list of 'things to do' and no inclination to do any of them!!

Today I went shopping, did a five mile run, followed by a 3 mile walk with the dog and then visited my Mum and Grandmother with their Mothers day presents (I forgot to take them yesterday when we were all together!)

Does anyone know how to cure lack of motivation? I should have done some housework or gardening. My house and garden are such a tip that I hide if the doorbell goes and won't let anyone in!! It's not like I'm doing nothing all day (see above!) but I'm doing the things I like, and not doing the things I should.

*sigh*

Oh well, there's always tomorrow!