Fetch the paper

Although Kay and Neil read the news online most of the time, they do get the Saturday papers delivered to our door. I think they do this for me mostly, as I love to race down the hall and fetch them.

Unfortunately, now I have to share the fun with Gracie. Luckily the paper comes in two parts.

She doesn't even know what she's doing and slows me down big time. But she just has to be part of it. Have I mentioned what a pest she is?

Anyway, here is the video of this morning's excitement. Kay is not impressed that we have footage of her in pajamas and robe... but hey, not my fault - that's what she looks like early in the morning.

We get lots of yummy liver bits with this game...
and Kay and Neil get a slobbery newspaper, delivered to hand.

Fun day

Last Sunday we went to the Airedale fun day. It turned out to be a lovely day - lots of Airedale friends and wonderful sunny weather.

Kay and Neil set up a small agility course for us all to play on. Many of the Dales had not seen a any agility equipment before, so we gave them lots of time to practice before we had a race.

Little Gracie and Kay were the fastest of all! It should have been me, but Neil is new to agility and he was just so slow. Hmmph.

Best of all was Major, an older Dale who is nearly totally blind - but he did the whole course, over jumps, up the A frame, through the tunnel and weave poles - he was amazing. We gave him a special prize. He just trusts his Janine so much, he follows her voice anywhere.

We also played a soccer relay in honour of the World Cup. I thought all the kicking was just silly, so I picked the ball up and carried it to the finish line, but even then, our team didn't win. I did win the Recall race however, so that was something.

Unfortunately, not many photos were taken on the day (Kay and Neil were too busy organising the games, I guess). You will have to go over to Noah's blog for more photos.

But we did get some pics of Fozzie and Diesel - Gracie's brothers. They are looking very handsome and it was great to see them together. What lovely boys they are.

Diesel (was Purple ribbon puppy)

Fozzie (was Blue ribbon puppy) and Diesel at the back.

backyard fun

We have a nice big backyard up at Arakoon - great for running off excess energy.

See us go zoomies as I try to catch that little pest, Gracie.
She sure is fast. She's always the one in front.

See that big burn mark on the grass? That's where Neil set the lawn mower on fire. He got really excited and burnt up several towels and rags trying to put it out. Kay finally brought out the fire extinguisher and that did the trick. Exciting stuff.

Here are some stills taken from the zoomie movie.



Look at us, Airedales in full flight!

at the beach again

We have spent all week at our beach house - it's been great (if a bit cold). There have been long walks on the beach every day and lots of gorgeous smelly fish and such to find in the dunes.

Gracie runs and runs and although she is braver now about going into the water - she still won't swim out to fetch a stick. So all the sticks are mine...

where is it?

you"ve got to look out for those waves

there it is

But when I get back to shore, she attacks and tries to wrestles it away.

And then the chase is on!
Gosh she is fast - I can't catch her once she is in full flight
- and so quick on the turns.
We love the beach!

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.