Margam Show

One of my favourite places in the world for walkies is Margam country park - it' about ten minutes drive from our house, though me and mum walk there sometimes when she's got lots of time. Mum says it's 850 acres...(I think that means it's REALLY big) and they have a herd of deer that I'm not allowed to chase (spoil sports...). It's really beautiful....



Anyway, I'll tell you all about the park another time. Last weekened was the Margam dog show - yey! Me, mum, Poppy and mum two went on Saturday to see the Open Dog show because mum likes to see the dog's showing and she said it would be good for socialising Poppy and good for me because I've got, what my dog class trainer calls 'a dog fixation' - if I see a dog I just can't leave it alone...I can't help myself!

So, when we got to the park we had to walk up the big hill to the big house where the family who used to own the park lived, once upon a time!

Me and mum like to run up the hill, or at least walk pretty fast but mum two and Poppy we SOOO slow! I kept on stopping on the way up to look for Poppy and tell her to hurry up!

When we got to the top I could see loads of tents, people and other dogs and I couldn't wait to go and have a proper look!

Mum didn't get many photos on Saturday because we were so so busy talking to other hooman and dogs. I got a bit over exicted because there were so many doggies to make friends with. I met four Newfoundlands, three like Pooka and one like Nanook - I realy like them and Mum loves Newfs. I also saw something else...I've never seen anything like it! There were two of them...I don't know if they were dogs...they were soooo HUGE! Mum has never seen me back away from a dog in shock before but I did...I felt a bit silly afterwards and went to make friends with one of them. He was nice, but his face was really hairy - like a big grey rug!

(Mum: *ahem* They were Irish Wolfhounds. I've never seen Toby looked so shocked in my life - it was priceless! He decided they were alright after a bit of persuasion!)

We didn't stay a long time because it was SOOOO hot and mum was worried about me getting overheated. I was really glad to get home to my paddling pool I have a new, bigger, upgraded model!! Woo hoo!

So, on Sunday we went back again but this time it was just the two mums and me - I was a happy pup because I don't like having Poppy tagging along everywhere - she cramps my style! Mum was really excited about going on Sunday because the Welsh Newfoundland Activity Group were there doing displays in the big lake. I think that mum really wants a Newf - she spent ages with the other doggies (that was fun - I got to say hello to them all!) and her and mum two spoke to one of the hoomans about their club. We've been invited to go and watch them working the dogs at practice which should be fun! Who knows, in a few years time there may be another new addition to our pack!


I was really impressed by the Newfie dogs - they are really good swimmers! I love swimming but I don't think I could ever go jumping out of a moving boat and actually rescue a hooman like that....it was so amazing!


There was a little pup the same colour as Nanook who was only 20 weeks old and it was his first ever time in the water and he just took to it straight away. When I was that age I was terrified of water! Mum tried to get a few shots of him but it was tricky because there were so many people watching and making a fuss of him!

After watching the swimming for a while we went over to the big show ring and found a place to sit ready to watch a heel work to music display and a really cool bunch of horses with craaazy riders who were doing handstands and stuff on their horses backs while they were galloping! Some of these hooomans are mental!! I just chilled out by the ringside and modelled my new Dogstrust bandana which mum two bought for me.


She bought one for Poppy too...

But that meant, when we went out together that night we both had to wear our matching bandanas...the horror! Having to wear the SAME get up as my baby sister! Humph! But mum said I have to wear it because it's so bright she can see me properly if I go too far ahead in the woods (not that I ever do, 'cause I'm a good boy! *halo appears above my angelic head*).


Catch ya later pupsters!
Tobes
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Return from the wilderness!

Hello everyone! What can I say? I'm a very bad pup...I haven't blogged for such a long time but first mum had exams, then I broke her computer by sitting on it, then I got a new sister...and well, you know! But I promise regular updates now that things are settling down into a regular routine.

First things first - I must send huge hugs and condolences to the parent's of my wonderful Airedale friend - Oscar. Me and mum were so sorry to hear the news, we're still in shock. I'm sure that Oscar is busy frolicking up at Rainbow Bridge - maybe he's met my big brother Tramp. I'm sure they'd get on famously. A true gent - Oscar, gone, but never forgotten.

So, where do a I start? Well, I suppose, with me! I am now Fourteen months old! Wow! I am 25 inches to the shoulder, (mum calls me 'humunga-lab') and I weigh in at a perfect 34kg. Phew!

I've been a very busy boy this summer - out of the house from dawn till dusk when I can manage it...well, when mum's got time at any rate! hee hee! But I know what you are all waiting to hear about - my new sister....

Everyone say hello to Riganna Bella Papavaro - aka Poppy. She may look cute, but boy oh boy is she a witch!! She just won't leave me alone! I mean it's nice to have someone to play with....

And someone to curl up with for a nap...

But when she's trying to steal my chewie (Mum's note: What about when you steal her's huh?!), or chasing after me and biting my tail, or chewing on my lips, or searching my jowls for bits of stray biscuit she can get a bit trying! Mum says it's my own fault - she says I'm too soft because I won't tell her off at all, I just let her walk all over me...

LITERALLY.....

But it's just because I love her so much! I love having the company of another dog, even though I have to be really careful when I'm playing with her because she is still so small. She's almost five months old now...the time is just flying by! Mum says I have to be careful not to get too attached to her because she is mum number two's dog and one day me and mum will be leaving mum two's house for a house of our own so I don't share a bed with Poppy, or stay with her in the house when we're left but I don't mind 'cause we still get to go for some walks together:

But I do like to have my mum to myself sometimes, you know....

And it's nice for us to get out and about for really long walks together without the puglet slowing us down! heh heh!

It's so great being one! Now that I'm growing up properly it means that I can have more and more exercise instead of being restricted like I was when I was really little...but mum says I've still got a lot of growing up to do. She calls me a 'Kevin' because I'm really stubborn sometimes like a human teenager and I'm still really unpredicatable - I'll be walking along off the lead at heel like an angel one mintue and off the other side of the field thrity seconds later...but all those smells and sights are soooo tempting! You know how it is....hee hee! I'm such a naughty boy...some of the time. (Mum: *cough*most of the time*cough*)

Well...that's about it for now! I've got loads of exciting adventures to tell you about so I'll be updating a few times in the next week.

Mum is taking me to a show tomorrow - just to watch, but it should be fun! There are going to by Newfoundland's swimming in my favourite lake - it'll be fn to watch them but I know I am sooo going to want to join in! Oh well, speak to you all soon!

licks,
Toby
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