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Mad March

3/7/2016

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As you can see from my expression I was mildly surprised to see we had snow on a few days lately but it’s such good fun! I love playing in it and I actually find it quite tasty as well. Probably the best thing about it as far as Sue & Pete are concerned is the fact that it keeps me clean, unlike when it’s raining and I end up looking like a mud pie!!

I see from the photo on the gallery page that Marley is still playing hard to get…. poor Georgie still hasn’t managed to catch him even though he does appear to be flying in his efforts.

I can’t wait for the weather to pick up a bit as me and some of my doggy friends will be having some days out at the seaside. If you do go then remember to check which beaches allow dogs all year round and which have restrictions. Click on this link to see which ones allow dogs http://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-east-eng

There are lots of sites with plenty of information for all the beaches around the UK, although I have to say that Anglesey still remains as one of my all time favourite places to go. As you can see from the pics, it’s so clean and unspoilt and relatively  quiet.
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REMEMBER….as from April 6th it becomes law that all dogs must be microchipped.
When you buy a pup from a breeder they should already have been microchipped so make sure this is the case. If any dog is found not to be chipped after this date then the keeper will be given 3 weeks to have it done or pay the penalty, which as I understand is a £500 fine……  not to be sniffed at!  It’s also a good idea to have your cat chipped as well, especially as they tend to wander off a lot.

Not too long to go now to chocolate day….oops, meant to say Easter Sunday but please, if you’re going to give a little treat to your favourite pooch then make sure it’s a special one for us doggies only…..remember how bad chocolate is for us (I don’t want to feel poorly because I’ve eaten a load of chocolate, unlike some people I know!!!

What’s coming up this month? Well, there’s a very worthwhile walk in aid of hearing dogs up at Newcastle (be a lot of whippets on that one I think) which is well worth a look

http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk/event_detail.asp?Event=11059
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Oh yes, there’s also a little old event called Crufts or something like on the 10th-13th March being held at Birmingham (can never understand those Brummie dogs) where you can find more information by following this link.

http://www.crufts.org.uk/

Think I’ll go have a wander in the garden myself now and see if I can find where I buried that bone. Have a great Easter everyone and I’ll see you all again next month when I will tell you how my new job as chief cookie taster went at my house!
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Woof Woof


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Feb Food Blog

1/31/2016

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These young ones just don’t listen do they….I still can’t figure out which end is which so I’ll just keep my distance until the wind drops!


Not long now to one of my favourite days of the year…. PANCAKE DAY (Feb 9)
Having lived through many of these days already I can say with the utmost certainty that there will always be plenty of little titbits flying about when Sue tries to toss the pancake, usually more ends up on the floor than in the pan, not that I’m complaining.

Come to think of it, there’s loads of days that are close to my heart which are associated with food such as ; Christmas Day, Monday, Pancake Day, Tuesday, Wednesday, Easter, Thursday, Halloween, Friday and then there’s always Saturday and Sunday. Wow, I never realised I had so many favourite days!!

Although I do enjoy my food (not than you can tell… mainly due to airbrushing) there are some foods which I never have. It’s not always easy for you humans not to give us pooches the odd scrap off your plate, especially when we turn on the big sad eyes but a little bit now and again is ok with me as long as it doesn’t make me poorly. Here is a list of some of the things you can give me (in moderation of course) and some things you should NEVER give me.

                                                                 GOOD BOY FOODS

  1. Peanut butter: Giving your dog the occasional tablespoon of unsalted peanut butter is a treat you can both enjoy. (Just make sure your brand of peanut butter doesn't contain xylitol….mainly in low fat varieties). It's a great source of protein and healthy fats for dogs.
  2. Yoghurt: High in protein and calcium, plain yoghurt is an ideal treat for dogs, especially if your pooch suffers from digestion problems. Make sure you opt for yoghurts that don't contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
  3. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a good source of fibre, making it great for dogs with bowel irregularity issues, and it's also safe for dogs with wheat allergies. Before serving it to your pet, cook the oatmeal and don't add any sugar.
  4. Chicken: If your dog requires extra protein in his diet, cooked, unseasoned chicken is an easy addition to his regular food. It also makes a good meal replacement if you're out of dog food.
  5. Salmon: Dogs can benefit from omega 3 fatty acids too, so slip some cooked salmon into the food bowl for a healthier, shinier coat.
  6. Broccoli: This vitamin-rich vegetable can be a great occasional nutrition boost for dogs. However, it shouldn't make up more than 10 percent of a dog's diet as it could cause gastrointestinal irritation.
  7. Pumpkin: You can serve your dog pumpkin — raw or in a can — as a source of fiber or vitamin A. It's also a helpful addition to doggie diets if your pooch is experiencing digestion problems.
  8. Green beans: Nutritious and low in calories, green beans are a good choice that will load dogs up with iron and vitamins. Make sure to feed your dog only fresh beans or canned ones with no added salt.
  9. Cottage cheese: This bland food is high in calcium and protein, so it can be a good addition to dog food. However, avoid it if your dog has issues digesting dairy.
  10. Carrots: This vegetable is low in calories and high in fibre and vitamins. Plus, crunching on carrots can be good for dogs' teeth.
  11. Eggs: If your pooch needs a protein boost, scramble an egg for a healthy snack.
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                                                                   THAT’S A NO NO FIDO
  1. Chocolate: You've likely heard that you're never supposed to feed a dog chocolate, and there's a reason for that. That delicious choc contains caffeine-like stimulants known as methylxanthines. If ingested in large amounts, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, seizures and even death.
  2. Grapes and raisins: While this fruit is nutritious for you, it's toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
  3. Onions: They may make you cry, but they can make your dog very sick by causing damage to his red blood cells.
  4. Avocado: Avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxin called persin that can cause upset stomach and breathing difficulties.
  5. Alcohol: Even drinking a small amount of alcohol can result in significant intoxication for a dog, which can lead to vomiting, seizures and even death.
Remember……. If you think your dog has digested anything that may cause it harm or discomfort, always consult your vet for advice.

My stomach is made from cast iron so I’ll give anything a try as long as it’s got a coating of gravy on but then again, I am a Labrador!! All this talking about food has made me feel really hungry. Hey Pete, where’s that salmon and chicken souffle I ordered?

Helpful Hint
One of my younger chums was going through the teething stage recently and asked me if there was anything he could try to help. I found the best thing for me was a  hollow Kong ball for puppies which was filled with a paste, which your vet can get for you if you’re unsure and then put in the freezer until frozen. It will last a good half hour or longer as you try to get the frozen filling out and it soothes the gums and lessens any discomfort. The balls come in different sizes for various breeds so there is the right one out there for you and they’re well worth it. As always, ask the vet if you’re in any doubt which is the right one for your dog. There are a lot of great sources of information out there for all puppies and the one I use because of my breed is www.thelabradorsite.com but there’s one out there for every possible breed with so much helpful advice and information.

On a final note, please remember to be responsible and pick up anything I do on the ground. I know sometimes carrying a poo bag around isn’t great, especially if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction but a really good thing to have to get rid of any unwanted odours while you find a suitable bin is a “Dicky bag”.

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They come in various sizes…. depending on the size of your dog and how many you walk and also different colours. It’s basically a zipped fabric container with a separate, changeable air freshener that can be attached to my lead or on your belt.

An excellent product and very good value for money, they are widely available online through http://www.dickybag.com.
​ I would highly recommend this product to everyone.

That’s about it for this blog. Don’t forget to check in again soon to see what my friends and I have been up to and some more product reviews.

WOOF WOOF

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New Year 2016

1/5/2016

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Hi everybody and a happy new year to each and everyone of you. Sorry about the delay for the new post but as you can see from the picture I needed a few days to recover from all the partying on new years eve….. I really need to cut back on those bonio cocktails!  I’m afraid to say that my new years resolution of being more alert and better behaved seems to have fallen by the wayside already but what the heck, there’s always next year.

On the bright side I did get manage to sleep it off under the table just in case there was any crumbs coming my way so at least my auto pilot was still engaged haha.

I don’t know about you lot but I think we’ve had quite enough rain for now. Some of my poor friends have been telling me all about the flooding in Tadcaster and how awful it’s been for everybody. Let’s hope that things can get back to normal as soon as possible.

Before I forget, which will be about 4 seconds from now, here are some links to pages that might interest all you canine loving people out there and maybe you could arrange a day out with your beloved pooch…. if they’ve been behaving of course; 

http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk/events_calendar.asp
http://ygf.m-photo.co.uk/DevotedToDogs.php
http://harewood.org/whats-on/event/dog-show/

I can’t believe how dark it is these days. It’s dark for my first walk, it’s dark for my last walk and the sky is so grey at lunchtime it might as well be dark then, which is why you need to extra careful at this time of year and make sure you can be seen. I like to growl so car headlights reflect off my gnashers but if you’re the shy type then there are lots of reflective and luminous coats and collars about that will keep you safe. I also have my own personal, secured cage in the back of our van so I’m perfectly safe when travelling as well, only 1st class for me!

Right, I’m off to watch my hero Scooby-Doo now but before I go I must insist that you try making these delicious homemade doggy biscuits, they’re scrumptious and so easy to make, here’s how to make them ;

sieve 350g of plain flour into a bowl
add in 2 tablespoons of dried parsley and 1 egg
dissolve a low salt chicken stock cube in 120ml of hot water and pour in
mix into a dough and knead
on a floured surface roll out to a thickness of about ½ inch
use doggy themed cutters or design your own shapes and cut out
line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and place biscuits on top
cook at 200 degrees or 180 for fan oven for 20 to 30 mins
“retriever” them from the oven and allow to cool….. yummy!!

They will keep in an airtight container for 2 weeks…. not that they ever last that long with me around hehe.

ps. If you have any recipes you want to share then just send them to me and I'll give them a go. 



Happy baking and see you all again soon.

Woof Woof.


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Xmas 2015

12/9/2015

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I did warn you in the last blog about what would happen at this time of year but it seems some of you didn’t pay attention and were caught off guard and now look whats happened. Here are a few of this years early casualties caught in the act. Lets hope these are a lesson to the rest of you, so make sure you’re on your guard at all times and if you are like me, you will have several escape plans worked out well in advance. It’s worth remembering that humans can be very devious and cunning, so don’t be tricked into the obvious one of being tempted with a treat or your fate will be sealed before you know it.
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If however, there are some of you out there who enjoy being dressed up, then if you want to send me a photo I will put it on my gallery. Just email it to info@countrydogwalkers.co.uk and all your poochy friends can see you.
As part of being prepared for the festivities, here are my 12 rules of Christmas to help things run smoothly ;

1. First and foremost….. Xmas is all about ME!!!!!
2. If someone is stupid enough to dress up in a red suit and cotton wool and scare the hell                                                  out of me in the middle of the night, then of course I’m going to bite him.
3. If you think it was Santa and his reindeer who ate all the milk and cookies you left out then all well and good.
4. If wrapping wasn’t meant to be ripped into a million pieces then it would be made of stronger stuff wouldn’t it?
5. I can’t read so in my eyes,  EVERY present is for me!
6. I’m not sat in front of the oven door staring at the turkey because I’m greedy, I’m just trying to keep warm.
7. Instead of saying “get back, get back” constantly, why not just swap the hinges on the oven door to the other side, then I won’t be in the way will I?  
8. If it falls on the floor then it’s mine.
9. If it even looks like it might fall to the floor, I’ll catch it.
10. If you ever try to palm me off with sprouts I’ll bite you.
11. If I’m not laid on the floor in a big heap then I’m NOT full.
12. If all else fails, whine constantly until you breach their resistance (normally 2-3 mins).

I don’t know about the rest of you but what I really want this year is one of those new fangled hoverboards. After all, I am getting on in years now and the skateboard is getting too much like hard work! If I don’t get one then I’ll just annoy Pete & Sue by constantly playing with my squeaky toys until I get one…...yes, I DO know where you’ve hidden them!

That’s about it for now so I wish all my friends a very merry christmas and remember, when all else fails, whine, whine and whine some more!!

WOOF WOOF.

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MO-vember Blog

11/18/2015

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Quite distinguishing if I do say so myself!

Wow… what a wet and windy week it’s been but I don’t mind that at all, in fact, the wetter the better. This week I’ve been to one of my old haunts at Wetherby, namely the old railway track where there’s miles and miles of tree lined walks to explore and it’s all very safe because there are no trains running there anymore and no old lines either so I can run to my hearts content without fear of the 4.50 from Paddington coming along!... yes, you can tell I’m a bit of an Agatha Christie buff lol.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk all the way to Spofforth and enjoy a bit of light refreshment at the local inn. I can’t understand why Pete and Sue always end up with cloudy looking water, with foam on top, while mine’s always crystal clear…. it must be something to do with the glasses theirs is served in! Sadly for me, we went just as the sun decided to shine, which meant I couldn’t charge through puddles and roll in mud as I like to but even so I had a lovely time and worked up quite an appetite… I hope Sue put that joint of beef in the oven before we came out.

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THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON ME LOL
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You do see some sights while you’re out don’t you? There I was just sniffing around minding my own business when out of nowhere came two joggers who were dressed just like those 118118 guys and all of a sudden one bent down in front of the other and they took it in turns leap-frogging over each other….if only I’d brought my handycam with me!! Back to the doggy stuff now and just an early warning for all my canine friends out there that Xmas will soon be with us. Yes, it’s that time of year when all our owners think how adorable and cute we look with a pair of antlers stuck on our head and how they must take a photo and show the rest of the world. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
Thats all for the moment but come back soon ton see where I've been and what I've been up to and if you have anything you want to share then just click on the facebook/twitter link on my home page.... see you soon.

​Woof Woof
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BONFIRE NIGHT

11/5/2015

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“What’s all the fuss about"
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So it’s that time of year again when all you humans out there think you can disturb my sleep with all that loud noise and flashing lights….. well think again!!   As you can see, it takes more than a few sky rockets and air bombs to unsettle me. Having said that, I know that for a lot of pets it can be a very stressful time of the year, in human terms it’s the same as waiting to go in and see the dentist if you’re very nervous or the sheer terror of the mother in law coming round!! I find the best way to avoid any unwanted stress is to stay indoors, get all cosied up on my favourite blanket (or sofa in my case), and watch a good film with Pete & Sue… oh, and a nice box of choccys always helps, NOT for me of course as they’re really bad for me (at least that’s what they tell me) but i much prefer a squeaky toy just to annoy them.

Funny story….and true!    Did you all here about the chocolate labrador called….wait for it…”TRIGGER” who accidently shot her owner Allie Cater in the foot while they were out hunting. The 11yr old lab stepped on 12-gauge shotgun, pressing the trigger and blasting her in the foot. Luckily, Allie is ok after a short trip to the hospital.

Here is the “trigger happy” pooch…
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I’ve been to one of my favourite haunts this week at Roundhay Park although it’s been foggy nearly every day. One of the best places to go because it’s so big and there’s always lots to do. There are a couple of lakes with swans and ducks, lots of wooded walks, large areas of open grass where I can play safely with my ball or when I’m feeling energetic, my frisbee and there’s even places for Pete & Sue where they can get a drink… though now they’re getting to “that” age, I think sitting by the bandstand is more up their street!! My favourite bit though is the part they call Roundhay Gorge (well it would be food related haha) which has a stream running all the way through it, just for me to run in and get absolutely wet and muddy….lovely : )
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An eerie looking Roundhay Park lake, don’t think I’ll be going in for a dip today!!

See you all again soon.
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WOOF WOOF

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Our trip to doggy paradise

10/16/2015

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Pete and Sue have just taken me for a weeks holiday in Caemes Bay on Anglesey...it's a doggy paradise!! I stayed in a house right on the beach so every morning i made sure i (and everyone else) was up at first light so i could go for my early morning swim.
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Nothing better than an early morning dip apart from the tasty seaweed left out on the beach for me...yummy! If that's not your flavour, they even have dog friendly cafes where i can enjoy a special breakfast of doggy treats while all Pete and Sue had was something called a "hot buttered scone". Honestly, some people don't know what they're missing. All this swimming makes a dog tired so what better way to unwind than a nice cool kitchen floor.
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WAKE ME UP WHEN IT'S DINNER!
After a spot of lunch and a bit...ok, a lot more layin about, it's time to go back for another swim and this time i can jump straight in because the tide's in...yippee. I get dried off with these new fangled microfibre towels which are really great and would recommend to anyone as they absorb so much more water and every discerning pooch should have one. Pete and Sue took me to lots of different beaches in my very own van.
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This has been the best holiday ever, so i think i may come back next year... it's pooch paradise and not bad for the two legged breed either!! Look out for my weekly blogs where you can see what i've been up to and i'll let you know what places you should go to....or not as the case may be. Bye for now and see you all again soon.

Woof Woof!
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