Busy Day – Agility and a Play Date

We took Biggles along to Bellahouston park today to watch Beanie’s agility class. He’s not yet fully inoculated so we’re still having to carry him everywhere – which he doesn’t like at all. We bumped into some of Beanie’s pals, so whilst Beanie and I got to work in our agility class Paul introduced little Biggles to some of his future playmates – Barney, Buster, Ellie and Blackie.

Beanie did very well in her class and is making great progress. She loves all of the agility equipment so there’s no problem getting her to fly through tunnels or over bridges and jumps. Even the seesaw didn’t phase her. We tried this for the first time today and whereas most dogs need to be introduced to it very gently, our little “Beanie no fear” bolted over it first time. Our only problem is that she’ll wander off from time to time to sniff at something more interesting. But we’re learning how to keep her attention, and how to get her back to us when she does go walk-about. Today she wandered off twice, but was back and fully focused within 60 seconds.

We’d only just got home and had lunch when Sophie’s mum phoned to see if Biggles and Beanie would like to go over for a play date. We jumped at the chance as little Biggles is desperate to get out and about. Hazel (Sophie’s mum) has a lovely big house that’s fully puppy proofed so they had full run of the house and garden. Biggles and Beanie thought all their Christmases and birthdays had come at once!

Beanie made a bee line for Sophies toy pile which was full of toys, bones and chews. She claimed the lot, and guarded them jealously. It’s one thing being possessive over your own things, but it’s a bit much when you go into someone elses house and tell THEM off for wanting to share their own things!

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Sophine was the perfect host, and politely ignored Beanie’s bad behaviour. She took Biggles out to show him the garden:

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Biggles had a ball with Sophie:

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..and with Sophie’s toys:

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A quick break for refreshments (for which Beanie emerged from the toy pile)….

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…and then out into the garden for more fun:

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Sophie hasn’t been out and about much recently due to setbacks with her recent spaying op. Hazel has therefore bought her a little treadmill to help keep her trim and fit. Sophie wasn’t keen…until Beanie and Biggles showed interest:

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Beanie quickly sussed out all of Sophie’s secret bone hiding places, but fortunately (or unfortunately for Beanie) Hazel was a step ahead and stashed all of Sophie’s goodies out of reach of naughty Beagle paws:

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We realised that we’d outstayed our welcome when Biggles threw up his lunch all over Hazels nice hall rug – and her hair. We quickly picked up our little vomit comet, prised Sophie’s toys from Beanie’s jaw and said our goodbye’s….until next time :)

Tasty Treats

A few people have been asking for the recipie for sardine or mackerel cake. So here it is….

1 tin of sardine in oil (or tinned mackeral in oil, chicken or turkey mince, liver etc)
1 cup of wholemeal self raising flour
1 egg
A little garlic or parmesan for extra flavor

Whiz it together in a food blender and pop into a flat cake tin and bake at 180 degrees for about 15 or 20 mins. Cut up into small pieces and freeze for use later.

I tend not to measure the ingredients. I just add enough flour to make a cake mix consistency. If i’m using meat I’ll put a tiny bit of sunflower oil in. No complaints so far.

And speaking of tasty treats……

Beanie has discovered a new use for her baby brother. Biggles is always so desparate to polish of his dinner that he ends up with more of it on his ears than in his tummy. Never one to miss an opportunity for an extra snack, Beanie has discovered that she can pin Biggles to the floor after lunch and while away a good half hour sucking food off of his ears. Biggles doesen’t seem to mind in the least :)

Swimming at Allers Farm Kennels

One of the members of Beanie’s agility club told us about a new pet therapy pool that was opening up in East Kilbride. She showed us some snaps of her dog enjoying a swim and it was clear that the pool was much bigger than Beanie was used to. We decided to go and check it out. I telephoned the owners last week, and I also mentioned that we might be interested in using their premises for Glasgow Dog Training Club pool parties. The owner invited Beanie and Val’s (the club’s head trainer) dogs along for a complementary swim and a tour of the premises.

The pool isn’t officially opened as the new facilities aren’t yet complete. The pool itself is fully functional but there’s still quite a bit of decoration to be done to the pool room. It’s a lovely big pool in a huge room – if you don’t mind putting up with undecorated walls then there’s no reason not to start using the premises now (though I believe there’s going to be a big open day when all the work is complete).

The really appealing thing is that the owner is very flexible, and is happy for you to go in the pool with your dog if you have your own wet suit (and you can pick up cheap wetsuits for £25). There are showers so you don’t have to go home soaking wet, and there’s even a hair drier for your dog. He’s also happy for you to have more than one dog in the pool so dog owners can get together and share the cost of the pool rental. This makes it much more affordable for regular swims. The only stipulation is that you must have one handler in the pool for every dog. However, it would be quite practical for three or four dogs to share a swimming slot and pop into the pool one at a time while the others are resting between laps. And of course, if you don’t want to go in the pool yourself, Jennifer is on hand to make sure your dog gets a good workout.

The owner is particularly keen to have the pool used by clubs, and will offer them special rates. So for example, it would be great for any kind of canine athlete as swimming is known to improve performance and prevent injury. It’s also great just as a fun way to spend time with your dog. I’m not sure, but I expect if a group of people got together for regular swim sessions with their dogs they would be given these special club rates. So I’m hoping that lots of Beanie’s pals will be interested in teaming up for regular pool parties. And at the very least we can take both Biggles and Beanie swimming for the price of one when Biggles is old enough.

The pool is at Allers Farm Kennels, and their website is http://www.allersfarmkennels.co.uk

I think the website is undergoing some maintenance right now as it was offline when I tried, so if you need the phone number or contact details drop us a line. And if you want to team up with Beanie for group swims let us know!

Beanie and two of Vals dogs enjoyed a lovely swim under the care of the pool’s therapist, Jennifer…

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Lucy takes the plunge first

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Beanie can’t wait for her turn

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At last she gets fitted with her little harness…

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…and dives into the pool for a lovely swim

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Last up is Anna…

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…but sister Lucy wants to join her – unfortunately mum Val refuses point blank to put on a wet suit and jump in the pool with her!

More piccies here