pizza night

For something totally out of the usual, Neil and Kay made home-made pizzas last night. I couldn't believe it - there in our very own kitchen was pizza - just like Maggie and Mitch get
(or used to).

I have never actually had any pizza before - but it sure looked good. We also never usually get fed anything from the dinner table... but tonight was different.

Look Gracie, PIZZA

Gosh that smells really good

Could it be... he's cutting a piece for us!

OMG, yumm, yummm - fabulous!

We'll even do silly tricks, just keep that pizza coming.

Excellent snacking!

Ratty's close call

We had such an exciting morning. Let me tell you, I got SOOO close to catching that pesky rat that comes into our backyard every now and again. SOOO close!

I had him out in the open and running for his little furry life. We were just coming down the side of the house, when Neil opened the back door. Ratty bolted through the door, over Neil's foot and into the laundry.

I nearly had him, but having Neil in the way slowed me down somewhat and when Ratso did a sudden u-turn, he was quicker than me.

We bolted out the door again, past Neil (again) at which point Gracie joined the chase. The three of us continued at top speed down the side alley, where lucky Mr Rat squeezed under the front gate and got away. Gosh we were excited. So excited! I have never gotten that close before.

Sadly, there were no photos taken of any of this, but I am eagerly awaiting a rematch - I watch the hole under the fence all the time now. I'm sure he'll be back and I am determined to get that pesky varmit next time.

I know us Airedales are famous for being ratters - I am a bit surprised how tricky it is to actually catch the little critters - they don't seem to want to play the same game that we do.

I shall prevail one day.

ball thief

A little while back, I got this amazing new ball. It's an Orbee tennis ball. It's my favourite. It looks like a tennis ball, but it's nice chewy rubber that bounces really high and tastes great.

It also has holes at each end. The holes make a kind of whistling sound when it's thrown - this makes it very exciting.

But guess who is always trying to get it away from me? That constant pest, Gracie, that's who.

Watch how she torments me... first she steals it and then runs off teasing me. Give it to me, Gracie - it's mine, Kay says you have to give it to me... oooh, not fair.

When I finally do get it, she grabs my leg so I can't go play with it. And if it's not my leg, it's my ear or my tail.

That grrrl has no respect for her elders.

somewhere different

Life has been pretty quiet around here as of late. We have a pleasant little routine of morning romps in the park and afternoon training sessions. On Saturday mornings, all of us go and we go "somewhere different" than normal.

Today it was the Tempe Reserve. The kid's soccer was on and we went and had a look.

Gracie used to be scared of noisy little children, but this time, she didn't mind them at all.

After a while, we were off to the dog's part of the park and played ball and ran around a lot. I love playing ball - I get it and bring it back...over and over and over.

I never take my eye off the ball - never.
I never let Gracie get the ball...ever.

On the way home, Neil stopped at the shops and we had to wait in the car. Sooo boring.

Where is he?

Finally, he came back and we went home and settled down with some yummy bones that we chewed all afternoon. Quite a good day.

perfect ears

I know that I haven't got your standard Airedale ears...
but look at this great shot that Sylvia took of me at the show.

Nearly perfect, I'd say.

Great Joint Terrier show

For weeks now, Kay has been stripping and plucking BOTH of us for the Airedale Speciality Show. I've had a tonne of fluffy hair pulled out so that I will look all sleek and showy. Here we are getting ready for the final assault on legs, face and tummy.

Gracie had to put up with even more than me, cause she is such a fluffy puppy. We were both quite over it by the day the show arrived.

But it was all worth it, because we looked very smart and respectable. It was my first show and Gracie's second and we did very well. Here's me trotting around to win Best Australian Bred Bitch - okay, I was the only one in the class! But still, I'm looking pretty good.

Here's Gracie easily winning her best Puppy in Show class... yep, the only one in her class too!

Gracie did go on to win Best Bitch in the Parade - she actually beat a couple of older champion girls to win that - so we were all impressed. I got runner-up to Gracie - I even beat two others. Amazing!

Gracie went on to win Best Gaited and together we won best Parent and Progeny.


People raved about Gracie and what a lovely puppy she was and how well she moved and how well trained and calm she was. She just took everything in her stride.

Kay was very happy with our results and how well we both behaved. Neil secretly wished he was home playing with his motorcycles... fair enough, I would have rather been having a good run in the park.

He had to take me into the ring when both of us had to go in - it was his first time too. We did good for a couple of newbies who would rather be elsewhere!

All in all, it was a great day and lots of fun to catch up with all our Airedale pals.

fun at the beach

We have a beach house at Arakoon - a little place just near South West Rocks (north of Port Maquarie and south of Coffs). It's got a big backyard and is only about five minutes walk to Trial Bay beach.

On the way, there is a steep sand dune to climb up and gallop down. Here we are, hurdling down the hill as fast as we can go. You can't really tell it's a hill, but it is.

Later, we were up on the headland, when Neil said "Where's Kay?" We were off like a shot to find her...and we did. I guess we were a far way away from the camera, because we look like two little specks... but at least you can get the idea of how clever we are.