She decides

Jess (our working cocker spaniel) is in season. I put her together with Teddy (golden, toy poodle) but she wasn't ready. Yes she would stand for him but at that final, crucial second she squealed and shot away leaving him bewildered and confused. This continued for several days but then her hormones were obviously at the correct level, as she decided yesterday  (day 11 of her season) was the day and wether he was interested or not he was going to "marry' her.

They mated a few times over the next 24 hours so fingers crossed we should have beautiful, cockerpoos in 9 weeks time.

Toffee who spends a lot of time with Jess is in season too. I am not taking a litter from her this season as she bred summer last year so this is her rest time. She has other plans though as she parades in front of Oscar, my Labrador stud. I have locked her in a dog boarding unit for her own good.

A few days off

I have just been to London for a few days. it was lovely and very relaxing. We went to see Absent Friends at the Harold Pinter theatre which was very funny and I could relate it to some of my friends lives.

The atmosphere in London was very warm and friendly. Lots of people were happy to chat and almost everyone was smily.

One lady visitor was fascinating outside a shop. We stopped to chat with her. The shop is Abercrombie and Fitch. She encouraged is to take a look. How could we resist.
The entrance had a line up of young men with very well toned torso, waxed and oiled. There were a number of girls with gingham, short dresses on. They were all very, very welcoming.

As we walked beyond this entrance I noticed just how dark it was and no windows. More bodies populated the shop and they were all very well versed in their welcoming greetings. We wondered but to be honest I couldn't wait to find the exit, which I might add wasn't easy. How things have changed as there was no opportunity to focus on the product for it's colour or quality as it was so very dark and the intention seemed to be to distract you but I can only assume this approach is successful as they seem to grow from strength to strength. The young were certainly enjoying the experience and they are their customers of course.

What fun!

This is Cocoa, he is with us on holiday. What a lovely gentle nature he has. he is a very calm boy and doing well with his basic training. I think he is enjoying his holiday and i am so pleased we have under floor heating in the dog boarding.

Oscar, Jilly and Toffee came to play with the puppies this morning. They are all snug and resting now.

Play time!

We have cocoa back for his holidays. Is Toffee eating him?.

They have such fun as I have 2 puppies still available and Toffee and Jess love to play. When ever I can, I have them all playing in the run of the dog boarding. It was lovely and sunny yesterday so quite warm as the building faces south. The under floor heating in their sleeping area is on a thermostat so I don't have to worry about them getting cold as they know where the heat is when they want a warm up.

I have the builders in today as we are doing the final polish of the granite floor, in the sleeping area, ahead of putting the specialist sealant on.  I am looking forward to the weather improving so I can concrete the run as it is not easy gathering droppings from the gravel.

The horses are doing well through this winter. If anything, they are a little fat. We are managing to keep them working between myself and my sons. Our big boy needs the regular work as he is so big and rather aged. These in themselves are not a problem but he did have 4 years of doing nothing and it has proved very difficult to bring him back into work and get him fit. 3 years so far.

We toy with replacing him as my eldest son wants to do more but as I have no funds available and he is such an honest horse, he gives his all to whatever you ask him to do and we both trust him. These facts will make him very difficult to replace.