Beyond Adolescence - part 4

[SpanielsGalore]

Didn't realise we were that close to the end of part 3. 😂

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Forgot to say, so pleased that Twatdog is healthy. Do you want to swop?

Not sure what set Twatdog No 2 off. We’ve walked that part of the wood several times before, and almost every other day in this heat, as it’s cool. Even before he decided to play hide and seek, he went further off piste than normal (although still in sight), plus recall wasn’t as sharp (although I never claim it to be bullet proof). Foxes scent?Deer scent? (Although not where I saw the deer) .

@Silverbirchleaf Not right now - mostly because he is being a good boy. 😁Ask me again in 24 hours when he might have changed my mind!!

Possibly could have been a bitch in heat had been walked nearby at some point. I often find that's the scent that otherwise good boy's react to the most! That and deer.

Although Twatdog has never really reacted to a bitch in heat. Probably because he has no idea what to do - whenever he see's his Golden girlfriend she tries to hump him or, in a worst case scenario, he mounts her head.😐

It's really hot here again and not really much of a breeze. I might need togo into the office tomorrow and I am absolutely dreading it not only because it'll be muggy and nasty but also because DDogs will be horribly manic when I get home!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I hope you have managed to get out of going into the office tomorrow. If not, will your DH be home for the dogs? Have schools broken up in your area yet?
Can't believe DWS is one already. That means I have been on MN for over a year now. I wonder how many hours I have wasted on here in that time.

@Struckbylightning How's Merry's weight gain going? Is she still enjoying the added extras?

I've weighed my pair today. K is now down to a respectable 8.9kg. P is down to 11.8kg and is looking very thin, so I am going to double the amount of oats and pasta she has been having.

Not much happening here. Several uneventful dog walks a day. Perfect weather for walking - warm enough for shorts and tshirt and low humidity.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/dog-dies-after-being-kicked-by-royal-mail-driver/ - bloody hell! Poor bugger was no where near him on the CCTV and never stood a chance! 😞

@SpanielsGalore DDogs are staying at home with DDs as DH has to go in as well for the same meeting! DDs broke up about two weeks ago but they’ve been spending time at PIL and with my parents given the recruitment situation at work (aka I needed peace and quiet to bid for jobs to ensure I’m not made redundant).

Poor P being a bit thin! Is she back up to ‘full strength’ (not proper spaniel strength, but better than she was), yet? Or still a work in progress?

Hope everyone has nice weekend plans! Due to be a bit cooler here (only 24!!), so we’re going to go to Eastbourne as dogs love the beach and come back.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks That poor dog. 😢

Sorry your job situation is still uncertain. When will it all be sorted? It seems to have been dragging on for months now. It must be incredibly stressful for everyone.

Your schools break up early. They break up today where I used to live.

P is a constant worry. She's still very clingy and nervous. She's fine on walks, but is awful in the car. If she's no better after the weekend, I'll take her back to the vets.

Your weekend plans sound better than mine. As does your weather. It's almost chilly here.
I have gun dog training with K on Saturday, which will be interesting. We haven't practiced anywhere near enough, although she did 'get it' last night. But it probably won't matter anyway. Last time, she did one retrieve and then point blank refused to do any more.
The rest of the time will be spent stripping the wallpaper in the hall, stairs and landing.

@SpanielsGalore I haven’t had her weighed again, but she feels as bony as ever! I have increased her food plus she gets an egg, sardines or other goodies added and she’s loving it. DH had a good moan about how much more expensive sardines in olive oil are, compared with other oils. He ordered them online in the end.
It’s still so hot here!! I couldn’t even contemplate stripping wallpaper…

@Struckbylightning I just tagged you in a thread about a puppy BC! Hope that's okay. BC are basically a different beast, so figured someone who's just been through puppyhood might be able to provide more specific advice than my standard 'don't fuck up socialising' lines 😀

@SpanielsGalore should find out in the next two weeks! It's been about 24 months, perhaps a bit less, since we found out about the possible redundancies so it has been going on a while...

DDs go back a bit earlier as well! Typically in school again in the last week of August.

Poor P. Sorry to hear she's still not 100% 😞Is she eating properly or is she being picky as well? Perhaps K is just too good and doesn't want to waste her time doing something she knows she'll excel at...

Hope your house renovation work is coming along well - looking forward to more before and after photos 😁

Pups had lepto boosters yesterday, so we had one up in the night to poo, one up in the early hours to vomit twice, and then very sloppy pops from one on our lunchtime walk after them both being very quiet this morning. I'm assuming it's all related.

We're going swimming in the lake again tomorrow with the dogs. I'm actually worried it's going be cold, only forecast to be 20!

The weather right now is good for me though, nicely warm in the middle of the day/evening but cool overnight and in the mornings. Just could use a bit of rain. Although the dogs don't mind the late evening walk to the allotment to water.

Hi everyone! Currently on a short break in Wales in the middle of nowhere. Lodge with an outside jacuzzi, walks with nobody around, glorious weather and lots of books! Hope all are well!

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Hope all okay on the job front. Worrying times.

@SpanielsGalore Hoping P is okay.

Puppy BC - border collie? We need pictures of this adorable ball of fluff.

@SpanielsGalore Hope gundog training goes well. Had my agility lesson yesterday. It went really well and was really good fun. Was nervous at first incase Dog decided to gone as walkabout again, but he was fine. I did have emergency Babybel (x2), toys etc in my bag though!

Going to a Barndance this weekend. Glad the weather will be slightly cooler.

@VanGoSunflowers Have fun in Wales.

@Struckbylightning I had the same moan as your DH. My friends were all telling me they could get them for 40p in Aldi and Lidl. And I was having to buy John West ones for £1.40 in Tesco. Annoyingly they stocked their own brand in everything except olive oil.

The sun has only just put in an appearance here. It's 17° inside my house, so I have no excuses for not getting on with decorating. I have stripped all of the top layer today. I'll need to get the steamer out to remove the backing paper. That probably won't be as easy.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Will keep my fingers crossed for you. 🤞 Is your DH's job safe?

P is eating, drinking, toileting fine and she's OK on walks. I'm wondering if the pancreatitis is back. Or never fully cleared up. She's been squinting a bit today, which was the only sign of pain the vet noticed the first time she had it.

K is a stubborn little git and will jolly well do what she likes, when she likes. 🙄 😂

You'll have a bit of a wait for photos. Everything takes a few months up here. The carpenter has a 4 - 6 week wait. (I'm going old school and having a dado rail fitted.) And I need to find someone to do the wall above the stairs for me.

@tizwozliz Hope Big and Little Pups feel better soon and you all enjoy your lake swim.

@VanGoSunflowers That sounds idyllic. Is Pablo with you?

@Silverbirchleaf Thank you. 😊 Glad agility went well. I am going to stock up on sausage and cheese tomorrow. K will still probably refuse to do a retrieve though. She seems to think it's strictly a garden activity.

@SpanielsGalore Frankfurters are our treat of choice for agility.

@SpanielsGalore yes he is with me, he’s had a great time. More off lead freedom than he’s had in a while bless him! Heading home today but it’s been lovely

@Silverbirchleaf Thank you! I'll know either way within the next two weeks so at least it's nearly over!!!

Glad to hear agility went well! How often are you going?

@SpanielsGalore Yes, thank goodness. He found out last year (more senior and they did those grades first).

Oh P! 🙁I really do hope it's nothing - poor girl is always in the wars. I'm sure you love K being stubborn and having a mind of her own. I do love a sassy dog but I'll keep my fingers crossed she isn't too stubborn at training and does more than one retrieve!

@VanGoSunflowers that sounds lovely! Did you take DS with you as well, or was it a owner/Pablo break? I have to say I do love going away without DDs and just the dogs as I feel I can give them my undivided attention - I know that sounds terrible...but it's also always so obvious the dogs love having a bit of time just with me.

@tizwozliz hope the girls are feeling better today and you enjoy the day at the lake!

It's beautiful here and such a lovely breeze at Eastbourne this morning. My parents came with us, so Satan had the time of her life terrorising my rabble. Think we did about 5-6 miles, although not everyone did the whole thing. My legs ache now though and DDogs are yet to demand lunch so they're clearly tired as well...

In theory we go weekly to agilty, and I alternate between a one-to-one, and a group lesson. However, several have been cancelled recently due to the heat.

Girls all better now thanks. Possibly now overtired and whiny.

Park run this morning and swimming this afternoon (and this morning for me). Felt warmer in the water than out.

Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow, no need for an early start to beat the heat.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks When I was made redundant it was a pretty much instant thing (company insolvency). I'm thinking having it hanging over your head for ages is far worse.

@Silverbirchleaf - I once forgot to take any treats to a class and realized half way there, so I stopped at mcdonalds and cut up some burgers. Was probably one of our most successful classes (cheaper than a lot of dog treats too!)

@Silverbirchleaf I didn't realise you went so often! Is DDog good or does he sometimes wander off and do his own thing? Mine would definitely run off and do whatever they wanted!

@tizwozliz pup looks very happy in that photo and that water is incredibly clean. We had a lay in today as well, only 15 at 7am which was bliss. We've been up before 5am for most of the summer as my lot really cannot cope with the heat 🙁

Oh it's been really irritating. They think they're being transparent but honestly it makes it worse. I'd much rather it was quick and clean but I think they hoped by announcing early people might take redundancy and/or early retirement...not sure that's worked though!

Hope everyone had a good day! DDogs had three walks today because it was so cool and they have not made a peep all afternoon. It's bliss. 😍

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks yep just me and Pablo, it really was lovely and he was golden the whole time which makes me not dread the break I’m taking them both on in the summer. The one I took them on last year when Pablo was about 5 months was an ordeal!
He was really well behaved, listened to every command and only had to say them once each time and he was off lead 90% of the time. He’s now 15 months old though and I know we’ve still a way to go before he’s fully mature. He still had bad days now and then!

@VanGoSunflowers oh I bet Pablo loved it!! It’s nice when they finally grow up a bit and you can stop worrying so much isn’t it?? Where are you going in summer? Hope it’s somewhere suitably Pablo friendly with lots of dirty puddles 😃

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks Glad your DH's job is safe. That's one less worry at least.

(Un)fortunately training was cancelled, as one of the trainer's dogs was injured and needed veterinary treatment. I wasn't too upset, as we hadn't practiced enough. And the money saved will buy the paint for the hallway.

K's a funny one. She will do all aspects of the training almost perfectly in the garden and will do all of the obedience side of the training on walks and in lessons. She just won't do retrieves.

@VanGoSunflowers Your holiday sounds idyllic. My P is 5 and she still has bad days. 😂 Usually when some form of prey is involved.

The increase in oats and pasta have worked their magic. P has put on 0.5kg. She still looks ribby, but not half starved any more. She's still very clingy and is doing quite a few play bow stretches. Which could just be stretches or could be a sign of pancreatitis.

K vomited 3 times yesterday afternoon. I am hoping it was because she ate something manky on the beach. But she's 5 weeks post season, so obviously pyometra is a concern too.

I'm not having any more dogs after these. I can't cope with the constant worry. 🙈 😂

The wallpaper stripping is coming along nicely. It's also answered the question 'Do my smoke alarms work?' I'm having to leave the front door open whilst I use the steamer. 😂

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks yep and it kind of sneaks up on you. You’ll just think “oh he hasn’t done <insert bad behaviour> for a while” or you can get lost in a book and not know he’s there even though we are in a strange environment. We are staying just outside Lincoln and the plan is to go to Sherwood Forest one of the days at least. Which is weirdly quiet once you move away from the main part.

@SpanielsGalore ah no at K throwing up yesterday! Is she ok today? Hope the wallpaper stripping continues to come along, it’s a horrible messy job without the right tools I find!

@VanGoSunflowers - just to be aware, the ground nesting bird ban around Sherwood extends to 31st August (not the 31st July like e.g. the Peak District) so it's short leads only

@tizwozliz thank you, that’s good to know - I didn’t realise!

The lake we swim in is just outside Lincoln and they have a swim with your dog event on the 22 August if you're interested and around then.

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks I’ve not been but there’s a ‘Canine dip and dive’ at Sevenoaks, although this is a pool, not a lake.

@SpanielsGalore When I see the ‘should I get a dog threads, with my 2.4 children, full time job, and professional golfer (therefore away as lot) husband?’ I often think that people forget you’re introducing another ‘person’ into your family with their own wants and needs (and worries) and it’s not just an animated furry toy.

Glad P is doing well, and hope K is better now.