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!

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

Biggles had a ball with Sophie:

..and with Sophie’s toys:

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

…and then out into the garden for more fun:

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:

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:

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 :)

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 :)

Over the last few days the midges at our normal park have treated my head like an all-you-can-eat buffet, so this morning I took Beanie to Bellahouston instead. We were a little late getting there so it was a pretty quiet, but Beanie still enjoyed herself: she rolled in a dead bird and a pile of fox poo (totally necessary, as we gave her a bath yesterday!) . To top it off, she completely exhausted a young German Shepherd in a brief but full-speed chase. If you’ve seen the gladiator scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, you’ll get the picture (“I think I’m going to have a cardiac arrest.. aaarrgh”)

She was still full of beans when we got home, and it’s just as well, because Biggles was awake and ready for action. Despite his tender age and small size (though he’s growing at a terrific rate!) he gave Beanie the toughest tug of war she’s ever had:

It was more about determination than mass and strength. Who wanted that grimy, non-squeaking chicken the most? Biggles certainly gave it his all…

but when Beanie spotted the camera, she realized her reputation was at stake..

..and our little boy returned from the garden somewhat lacking in the chicken department.

For a while though I really thought he might manage it. As a young pup, Beanie was never that keen on tug’o’war games though she has learned to enjoy them subsequently. Biggles on the other hand is a natural tugger, and I’ve often been faced with the question of whether I should win my own games with him, or let him win.

Advocates of the “human as pack leader” approach would say that I should win every time, to show him who’s boss. On the other hand, the “natural” dog trainers would say let him win, to use his prey instinct to build a foundation for good recall in later life. I’ve always let Beanie win, and my feeling is that I should do the same with Biggles. He’s a very confident little pup, but pretty much every time I stroke him he ends up rolling onto his back for a tummy tickle. I somehow don’t see that as a sign that he wants to be dominant – at least not yet!