t'was a Merry Christmas

Well, we had a great Christmas morning with lots of prezzies to unwrap and chew. Here we are waiting for santa Neil to hand out the goodies.

He's wearing his new 'cool' hat - you get it wet and it keeps your head cool - just like my doggie cool coat... but my coat looks better than his funny hat, I think!

Finally, santa Neil had to surrender the whole bag so we could choose our own gifts. I was straight into it as I've done this before. Gracie didn't stand a chance.

We got a lovely selection of squeaky, chewable stuff and we were pretty pleased.

After breakfast and a bit of a clean up - we headed out to the park. It wasn't too hot as there were a lot of clouds around, but it was still warm. I headed for the duck pond, ignoring the 'No dogs' sign ( and Kay yelling at me to not to even think of going in the water - hah!) and had a lovely little dip. Gracie just enjoyed the mud on the edge while admiring my swimming prowess.


We then ran and played (with our muddy paws) and had a great time.

I hope all you blogging friends had a wonderful holiday (all you lucky dogs in the North with all your snow would have had such fun) and best wishes for a happy, carefree new year too!

sock foot

That Gracie is just so cute these days. She is looking like a proper little Airedale now. But with her fluffy coat and big feet, everyone pays all their attention to her - instead of ME.


I had to come up with a really sore foot to get Neil and Kay to pay attention. I limped around on three legs until they got the idea.


Then I just ended up with this sock on my foot and had to go rest in my bed, while they played with Gracie. Hmmph. It's hard to compete with a puppy.

PS. My foot is better now - I did get some nice treats and other delicacies to ease my pain. So it worked out pretty well.

Christmas Dales

We had the best fun at the Airedale fun day/christmas party yesterday.

There were so many Airedales, it was great to see them all. We played some games and I got the fastest time on the obstacle course with Neil. Noah was an impressive second place.

The bobbing for hot dogs was soooo easy, once you figured it out - I snatched lots of hot dogs while Gracie was still looking for her first one. Delicious.


Check out this photo of Noah! What a cool dude he is, He was the very deserving winner of the fancy dress parade. He was the 'Hung over, Morning after' santa. And such a good looking guy.


You will see that I however, had to wear a full santa suit, complete with pathetic beard and pompoms. Lucky that I am such a patient soul... I put up with it all. Even Gracie managed to not chew the bells off her elf's costume, although she really wanted to. Pretty good considering all the stuff Kay draped on us.

Actually all the Dales were very good. Here's my boy, Fozzie with his Sarah. In the back is Teddy with Maisie and Abby. Teddy is from Oldiron kennels, just like me. He's my nephew or cousin, I think.

Look at this lineup - it's over 30 degrees... and we're wearing christmas costumes and tinsel. Makes you wonder... we must all be mad.


Make sure you go over to visit Noah's blog - he has lots more pictures of the day.

working dogs

Gosh that Gracie is growing up fast. Kay was away for two weeks and Gracie must have grown two inches in that time. She is also very fluffy and has the biggest feet!

She has been going off to work with Neil and I every day and is adapting to the life of a first year carperter's apprentice quite well. First year apprentices just lie around a lot and chew bones - a bit similar to a third year apprentice like myself.

Here's me having a nice kip in the pile of old insulation. Very cosy, if a bit itchy.

When we're not working, we're playing. She is getting pretty quick - the camera could barely stop the action of her snapping jaws. Lucky I've got quick reactions or I could be in trouble with this young shark around.

play date

Last Sunday we went to a play date for Gracie, Fozzie and Ringo. They live nearby and we thought it would be fun to all get together.

We met at Ringo's house - he has a big backyard, good for lot's of play.

Those little guys had no respect for me, their own mother. They literally attacked - all trying to play bitey face at once.


I growled, Gracie growled.. better not mess with the girls...

That didn't put them off one bit. They just kept on and on. Such terrors.

They played and played until everyone was worn out.


Fozzie has had a smart, new haircut. It made him look very grown up. Ringo and Gracie were still curly, but not for that much longer. Summer is on the way!

It was lovely catching up with the boys and seeing how well they are going.

Thanks Ringo, for having us over - it sure was fun.

Next time, when everyone is all vaccinated, we'll have to go to Callan Park and paddle in the bay! Always good for a hot day.

fun at the beach

We had a lovely week at the beach recently. I needed some holiday time to recover from motherhood.

It was also a great opportunity to introduce young Gracie/Widget to the joys of running on the beach and digging endless holes in the sand.

She sure has short legs... can't keep up with me at all. And she can't even swim!

But she seems to be pretty good at the digging. See us digging mother and daughter holes.

my puppy pal

Well, it has been a nearly a week since the other puppies went to their homes. I wanted to play with Red, but she's been asleep most of the time. She slept for 14 hours straight one day!

When she finally woke up, she had grown about 2 inches - so I guess that was what she was doing all that time.

We are starting to have some good games, but I can beat her everytime.

Throw a ball? I'll run her down to make sure I get it first. Put some bones out? I can eat them all before she gets a chance... or bury them to hide them from her.

Here we are having a game of tug. Ha! She's so little I can just pull her around.

We still haven't come up with a name for her. Neil and Kay are calling her Widget at the moment, but I don't know if that will stick. I guess she'll always be Red to me.