Beyond Adolescence and General Chit Chat - part 3

[SpanielsGalore]

Not tagging anyone. I'm sure you'll all find your way here if you want to join in. 😁

P is in red - 4 year old working cocker.
N is in green - 10 year old springer.
This is K - nearly 16 month old working cocker.

@VanGoSunflowers Definitely going back as the pastries were really good and my usual coffee place doesn't do the best pastries...

Yesterday was so successful. I realised my normal coffee place in the morning sells Monmouth coffee beans!!! So DH had 4 x 1kg bags in his rucksack to take home with us 😁Him being back does have its uses as if I ordered from the website, it would be £35 a bag + shipping, but from my coffee place outside Charring Cross it was £31 a bag and no shipping (just DH whinging about his backache).

@tizwozliz I got really annoyed the other day as I read something on a US site about how UK 'Cream' Golden Retrievers all have terrible hip dysplasia and are riddled with cancer and how people should only buy 'golden' ones. I was quite rude and unrestrained 😳I don't even have 'cream' golden retrievers, but the generalised angered me.

@Silverbirchleaf I don't mind wet and windy too much (for either dog walking or commuting), but muggy is where I draw the line! It's cold and not raining here this morning, which is perfect.

@SpanielsGalore K always looks like she's contemplating the meaning or life or judging people. All three really are beautiful 😍❤

I've never seen such joy on a dogs face as I saw on Twatdog's this morning when he realised that he was heading home after the morning walk and was not, in fact, heading to the station or to my parents. Clearly Satan has been up to some nefarious tricks this week...

@VanGoSunflowers - I don't think we've ever had anyone say they're too skinny but we've definitely had 'skinny for labs'

Sorry to let the side down regarding Labrador’s , but Dog is a kg or two overweight. I prefer him around 29kg, but he’s around 31kg at the moment. We swopped foods at the end of November, and during the transition period think he was getting too much. So he’s not obese, just carrying post-Christmas weight.

@Silverbirchleaf Aren't we all? 😳🐷😂 N put weight on this month. I think it's because I ran out of Senior food, so she had the cockers' food for a while. She'll soon lose it, as I can control her diet better than I control my own.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Glad you found some nice coffee beans. Sorry your DH is a whinger.

Poor TD, being bullied by Satan. Although I'm sure his joy was at having Mummy home for the day. How is he with he car now?

I think you have nicely summed up K. 😂 She is such a character. I'll have to breed her and have a whole litter of little K's running around. Not sure P and N would cope though. 😂

@tizwozliz My friend has a lab and people are always commenting that she's skinny. She isn't. She's very fit and muscular. I think people are used to seeing them fat, so it has almost become the norm.

Fat dogs are one of my pet hates. How can people not see that their dog is a barrel on legs and struggles to walk, let alone run? N was overweight when she arrived and has lost over 10% of her body weight now. She's so much better for it. P is ideal at 12.5kg. Just 200gms either side makes her look skinny or fat. K is 8.9kg and has a nice covering over her ribs. She's not allowed to put any more weight on, as her harness is at full extension. (She's an awkward shape. Her neck is an XS, but her body is a S.)

Raining here again, so I'll take K to the woods for a good run and give the others a short walk this afternoon if it stops.

@Silverbirchleaf how old is your lab again please? Mine is still growing so I think it’s not always easy to strike a balance as they need more food than they will when they’re fully grown? I think I’ve got Pablo at a good place now but he did lose his ‘waist’ a little when I switched his food over 😂

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks finding the right coffee beans at a more reasonable price is cause for celebration! I’ve tried a new variety from Rave this month but I keep going back to my trusty fave which is a medium/dark roast and not too bitter 👌

@SpanielsGalore do you go by weight or by looking at them to determine if they’re at the right size? A bit like humans really - I don’t own a set of scales so I have no idea what I weigh I just know my jeans fit well 😂

@VanGoSunflowers I go by looks. With cocker spaniels, you should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them. I imagine working labs are the same.
I don't know what P weighs at the minute. But she only has to drop a few 100 gms for her to look ribby. So I increase her food for a few days until they are covered again.
K felt heavier when I picked her up the other day, so I weighed her out of curiosity.
N is weighed every month at her vet appointments. But she was clearly overweight when she arrived in foster.

I do have scales, linked to an app on my phone that constantly tell me how fat and unfit I am. 😫 Even when I get everything into the green, they still say I am older than I actually am.

@VanGoSunflowers He's 3 1/2 now.

I mostly go by looks, but find it's good to be able to weigh to support that, e.g. I know older one is about 25.5kg so if I think she's looking tubby and I weigh and she's 26 it's time to cut back a bit. Most of the pet shops we go to have a scales so can practice a sit on them when we visit. Useful as they always want them weighed at the vets.

It was also useful when little pup ate what I thought was kg of food to find that she was a kg heavier than normal so when the vet asked me if I was sure it was her and not older one I was fairly confident!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Sorry I had written out a response then lost it and got distracted!! Don't mind you asking at all, I appreciate it. She is not doing great - hasn't been in school at all since Christmas. They have agreed to do a referral to the MNHES (Medical Needs school) which is a temporary measure but can be longer-term if needed. Theres a couple of girls from her autism group who go there and are in similar situations and they love it, so I am hoping it will work for us. I have just been to the doctors this morning to pay for a letter to use as evidence for school to make the referral. So things are happening but it's all taking such a long time...

@YorkshireFelix no worries!! I'm sorry she's still not doing great. Has she gone for any more walks with you and Vinny? I'm sorry it's taking so long to get sorted though - most be so incredibly stressful for you and the family to constantly have to be chasing to get what you need for your DD❤

@SpanielsGalore without wanting to offend any lurking men...I think whinging comes with the territory of being male! Twatdog is whingy as well.

He's still only travelling on the back seat. And he likes me to pick up his bum, so he'll put his paws on the seats and then I pick him up and heave him in. And he likes to turn around and shove his tongue in my mouth as a thank you. But he's going in it happily, and he's waiting to jump out so I'm happy. 😁

I know you're mostly joking about breeding K...but I would snap a K up in a heart beat. 😍Spent most of the day squashed under one dog or another, and the thought of a nice little dog that won't flatten me when it wants cuddles is becoming very tempting...

@VanGoSunflowers I did try the Rave coffee in the end! But I found it wasn't quite strong enough for me - I couldn't really taste it for some reason! But that could be because I use full fat milk? And I do like my coffee beans sharp enough they hurt my teeth.

All my dogs (and their owners) are looking a bit tubby at the moment. But it's a winter thing. Once the weather picks up and they're getting more and longer walks again, they'll lose weight...the dogs will anyway. Not so sure about DH and I.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks no she hasn’t but I’m not going to push it. I’m hoping this yucky weather will pass and she will be willing to come out again. I’m just sat in the car outside of her autistic girls group which is the only thing she will leave the house for at the minute, so I’m happy she’s still wanting to go there! Also big pat on the back for me that I did my usual amble to coop to pass the time and instead of buying a giant bag of chocolate to stress eat in the car like I usually do, I am smugly sipping a Diet Coke. I overindulged so much over Christmas and finding it hard to kick the sugar habit!!

@SpanielsGalore K and Vinny look so alike 😍

@YorkshireFelix In this weather I don't blame her for not coming out again! I'm glad she's still going to her group though❤

I would say I am impressed that you didn't buy chocolate...but now you're making me feel bad for not having the same level of restraint and self control. You sure you don't want some chocolate?

Even Twatdog is judging my chub these days. Exhibit A below - Twatdog curling his lip as he looks as his chubby owner 😂

He is so handsome, even if he is a judgemental sod. It took me all of 5 minutes after my post to start regretting not buying a nice little (large) sweet treat…

Loving all the photographs.

More likely after your chocolates! (Although I know they can’t eat chocolates)

@YorkshireFelix did you crack and buy something?

Oh he’s very judgmental. But then I judge him for having teeny tiny ears that are utterly pointless. So we’re a judgmental household 😂

@Silverbirchleaf for a retriever he’s actually not a bad scrounger! He never stares at me when I eat salad (rarely) but if it’s something naughty he sits there and judges!

Hope everyone has some exciting walks lined up. DH Is taking DDs to see PIL so I have a human free day planned which will consist of nice coffee, dog walking with friends (off to see my friends Mali) and then Indiana Jones on the sofa! 😃

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I have my coffee black but I do think the beans I like won’t taste anywhere near as strong with milk in. They do a dark Italian roast which is very strong though!

@YorkshireFelix I hope your DD gets the help she needs soon. I will keep fingers crossed for you!

Took Pablo a walk this morning and wondered what happened with my largely well-behaved pupper 😩 NO listening ears today 🤦‍♀️ I think it might be time to go back a few steps and start again as he approaches ten months 😂

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Glad TD is happy to get in the car again. That's N's method of getting in too. Although in her case, it's because she can't jump. And fortunately she's about half TD's size.

I am mostly joking about breeding K. She's definitely the sort of dog where you can see why people breed to get another like their existing bitch. But she's not tested and proven to be a good example of her breed, so it wouldn't be for the right reasons. And she's so small, it would seem cruel to put her through it. And if something went wrong, I'd never forgive myself.
But wouldn't it be lovely to have four little K's running around the place. Peeing and pooing all over my new kitchen carpet. 😂

I would like another puppy in a few years time. The breeder kept her sister and is trialling her, so I'm keeping my eye on her progress.

I hope you have a lovely peaceful no humans day.

@YorkshireFelix Sorry your DD is having a hard time. I hope the referral works out for her and she can go to school with her friends.

Well done for resisting the chocolate last night. I went to Tesco and put more crap in my trolley than real food.

I always think V is a bigger headed K. 💖 Or should that be a normal sized headed K? He has a tiny little pin head. It makes P's look huge.

@VanGoSunflowers Welcome to adolescence. 😁 Hopefully Pablo will find his ears again soon.

Raining here again still. Might take the oldies for a walk round the block, just to get them out and K for a longer trek. I bought prawns yesterday for help with teaching stop at a distance, since they worked so well last time. (I wouldn't treat myself to a steak as couldn't justify the expense, but spent £6 on prawns for the dog. 🤦‍♀️)

P is being weird today. She took a toy outside with her first thing and buried it. But she had to wait until no one was looking. Going on past experience, she'll then spend the rest of the day giving away the hiding place by guarding it. The problem is she won't go to the toilet as she's obsessing over the toy. She managed to come in for breakfast, so I have rescued the toy. Her reactivity to noise has ramped up again. I am guessing it is all connected to her leg hurting because of the weather. 🤷‍♀️

@VanGoSunflowers ahhh Pablo!!! As Spaniels says, you've hit that stage! Keep lots of nice treats handy, and don't be afraid to resort to bribery if you need to 😁

@SpanielsGalore N is also an older woman so has the excuse - Twatdog is just a spoilt prince!

Tbh they are very very good reasons not to breed her, but there is no denying that she is a beautiful girl. But as you say, if the breeder kept her sister there's always the chance you can get a niece or nephew at some point. Four little K's...or more 😁There's a woman near me who breeds Cockers who recently had a little of 8.

I'm a bit worried about breeding DWS. It's still nearly three years away, but all the dogs\kennels that I would usually consider suitable for studding are all related to her too closely - so I'm going to have to look a bit further afield than I usually would. The problem is that now that finding a good stud is so bloody hard. Look at the health scores on this dog. Stud Dog. Even better scores than Twatdog. Shame about the COI. Immediately rules him out. Sigh.

Sorry that was a very long rant, but with DDs and DH out I've been checking out recent litters and saw the above stud and it got me thinking (and worrying).

I am loving my human free day though. No rain. No wind. Didn't see anyone on my walk other than my friend (who's Mali is just the most beautiful, perfect dog I have ever met). No queue in the coffee shop. Now I've got the first Indiana Jones film on, dogs asleep in various place around the house and a nice box of chocolates. Perfect Saturday.

Do you think that perhaps P is due a season? My girls sometimes get a bit...possessive around their seasons. Poor P though ❤Have you got anymore appointments coming up for her?

I thought we might have got out too late and missed the best of the day but the sun opted to show it's face again so we got a vitamin D top up.

So we've had a nice walk and the pups have had a swim. Little pup managed to run into a fallen wire fence, made her yelp but no damage done as far as I can tell so far.

I swum first thing so i feel justified in doing not much at all for the rest of the day

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks That's another reason not to breed. K's COI is higher than breed average. Hopefully some good stud dogs will be produced in the next three years that you could use for DWS.

P was spayed last year, so definitely not coming into season. She's just weird, bless her.

@tizwozliz Poor Little Pup. Glad she appears to be OK. I was stroking K the other day and discovered her chest and front legs are covered in cuts and scabs, presumably caused by the barbed wire fences she keeps crashing through. So then I started worrying about tetanus and I don't even know if dog's can get it.

Gosh you've both had busy days! I've borrowed some loppers, so have been out in the garden. I cut a lot of trees and bushes down a few months ago and they've been piled up in the garden ever since. I'm now cutting them into smaller pieces to go in the brown bin. Feeling a bit guilty, as it seems a little robin has been nesting in them.

I can’t believe some of you have had sunshine. It has poured down on all our morning walks recently and yesterday it was blowing a hooley too. I am so sick of squelching through mud. At least Merry has a short coat so is fairly easy to towel off. Even the garden is a swamp.

Sorry just realised I didn’t respond to whoever asked about getting them to sit under the heated blanket - possibly you @SpanielsGalore? We had a faux fur one so V absolutely loves it because he loves anything furry. It’s quite easy for me because he has to be touching me at all times so I sit down and he sits down next to me and I wrap it around him 😄 Only problem is as soon as I stand up he follows me so I have to sit there for ages.

@SpanielsGalore I'm assuming not over 12% high though! 😁

Awww bless P for being a little weirdo. Has she settled yet? Or did she find the toy that you rescued and take it back outside?

Don't feel bad about the little robin! It's just one of those things. We have birds nesting in the chimney and at one point we'll have to block it up because we're losing so much heat up it (and lots of blood feathers and bits of stick keep coming down it).

@tizwozliz hope little pup is okay!

@Struckbylightning I know what you mean! I'm sick of mud as well - the woods are a complete no-go at the moment and it's miserable at it restricts us to about 3/4 walks as I try and avoid the playing fields. Sadly, we had today as sunny and then tomorrow it's back to wind, rain and sleet...

I'd love to see a latest photo of Merry (and her ears😍).