Beanie Does The Lakes Part 1 – Aira Force

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Paul

This week we’re having a kind of mini-holiday in the Lake District. Apparently this week is off-season, which should mean a quieter, more relaxing time.

The drive down from Glasgow only took a couple of hours or so, and our first port of call was Brackenrigg Inn in the Ullswater region, for a little pre-walk refreshment. Back in Scotland, or at least our part of Scotland, it’s very rare for dogs to be allowed in pubs. In northern England however it’s more common, and Brackenrigg Inn is listed on various websites as being open to all “well-behaved” dogs. Obviously we had our concerns that the “well behaved” part might be an issue for Beanie, but there was only one way to find out, so we trotted into the bar and ordered coffees. Happily Beanie behaved herself, so we decided to go walking for a few hours then return later for an evening meal.

The staff at the Inn suggested nearby Aira Force as a good walking location, so off we went. We started out on the standard tourist path, then headed uphill to get a panoramic view of Ullswater. With livestock all around, there was absolutely no chance of Beanie going off-lead, but we attached her 26ft extender and let her run on ahead. It soon became apparent that four-leg drive is quite an advantage when going uphill. Beanie kept having to stop and wait for us two legged types to catch up.

Oh the responsibilities of a pack leader – waiting for slower pack members

After while though, even super-fit Beanie was ready for a little breather

However, the climb was repaid by some spectacular views

On the way back down, Beanie recharged her batteries by snacking on some wild Cumbrian sheep poo. She also located the rotting carcass of a dead sheep but by now we’d got the hang of the extender lead and reeled her in before she could sample any of the remaining delicacies. By way of revenge for being denied her prize, she found a nice patch of hidden poo and, well if you’re a dog owner you know what comes next:

Before returning to the car we offered Beanie the chance to have a little paddle to cool her feet but she was somewhat reluctant, despite having had a swimming lesson over the weekend.

After the walk we returned to the Brackenrigg Inn. What better way to end the day than to relax in a bar having great food, with our little pup at our feet, happily chomping on her Piggy Rope!

More Beagle Racing!

Posted on May 18, 2008 by Paul

Yep, this was only our third visit to the Sunday races at Inch Farm, Kincardine but we’re completely hooked – in fact we’re now fully paid up members of the Caledonian Thistle Pedigree Whippet Racing Club (Beagle Division).

Beanie showed more steady improvement in her racing ability today. She had two “proper” races, in which she placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. Susan handled the release at the start line, while I was down at the finish, trying to juggle a new camera, Beanie’s lead and a decent sized lump of chicken (the “post race lure”).

Here are a couple of shots from Beanie’s second race:

The winner to-be glances over his shoulder to check that he’s got a clear lead

Beanie (in the blue vest) just beaten into third place by a superb lunge for the finish line

Needless to say we were very proud of our pup’s performance, but there was more to come. An additional, somewhat informal race was held, and this time Beanie finished second. This result was subsequently overturned after the original winner was disqualified for being less cute than Beanie (see, I told you it was informal!) This gave Beanie the win, and a second blue rosette to add to her growing collection of achievements.

Beanie closes in on the lure, and the tasty lump of chicken in my hand

Needless to say, we’ll be back for another fix next week :)

Pool Party

Posted on May 17, 2008 by Paul

There was no morning walk for Beanie today, and no breakfast either. She hung close to Susan as soon as she rose, but Susan didn’t go down to the kitchen as usual. A little disconcerted, our pup followed me downstairs and watched expectantly as I made coffee, but still the Burns food bag stayed firmly locked away in its cupboard. Beanie didn’t realize it, but this impromptu nil-by-mouth policy was for a good reason: our little pup was about to have her first swimming lesson.

The venue was Glasgow Pets A & E, the time: 9am. The event had been organized by Beanie’s training club, and they’d given us a handout with directions and the “no breakfast” advice. We didn’t need the directions of course; we’d been there before when Beanie had a bad stomach upset. Beanie didn’t seem to have any bad memories of the place though, and trotted in happily for a little play with Judy the labrador, who’d got there just before us.

The swimming sessions were held in the therapy pool. Each dog was kitted out with a lifejacket, and gently introduced into the water by the wet-suited staff. Beanie was the second to go in – she had the advantage of being able to watch Judy as she took the first plunge.

Judy The Labrador
Judy the intrepid labrador – 1st into the pool

When it came to Beanie’s turn, she was initially apprehensive but soon started to get the hang of it:

…and she was quite happy to pose for the cameras between each lap of the pool:

Beagles never miss a photo opportunity
Beanie posing for the camera

Beanie was followed by two other labs, Lucy and Maddie. Maddie was no stranger to swimming: she didn’t need a lifejacket and happily retrieved toys without splashing any of the spectators.

Maddie

Maddie shows us how it’s done

Next up was the dog everybody wanted to see, albeit from a safe distance: Bailey the Great Dane. Bailey was so tall he hardly needed to swim to traverse the pool, but swim he did, and anybody less than a yard from the pool got soaked!

Bailey’s a big boy, but at least he has a calm nature. Herbie the Labradoodle on the other hand is both big and very energetic. As his turn arrived, I backed further away from the pool in anticipation of an unwanted shower. To my surprise though, Herbie was very calm in the water. He swam very well and happily played with toys in between laps.

Herbie in an unusual calm moment

The pool party was a great success, but I think Beanie’s going to need another, longer session to find her sea legs. The A&E allows private pool sessions for a reasonable fee so I think we’ll pop along again in a week or two for some more swimming!