HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

Wow cant believe this year is nearly over!! thank goodness...mind u i do say that every year...2009 was a mixed year...it started with the rehoming of Bert (my PBGV) then went onto some great agility achievements for Hoochi...who after many eliminated runs finally understood what i wanted and we started going clear...by the end of the season we had qualified for the DINAS finals (my goal) and won into grade 4! I am sure there is alot more to come but i just cherish everyday i have with him and of course my other 2 dogs, Peps (who turned 9yrs this year!) and Cola xx

I also started a dog grooming course which i love...and i go onto level 2 in January...cool...

Happy New Year to all my friends at home and overseas who read this blog! and hope 2010 is going to be a fab year! mind u it will be my 40th next year!! OMG ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Here are some piccies from this year

Happy Christmas 2009 xx

We wish you a Merry Christmas....we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lots a love Sue, Peps, Cola and Hoochi xx

I've PASSED!!

Today was my last day on my Dog Grooming course L1...i had a lovely sheltie to finish of my course with and also my tutor asked me if i wanted to do Hoochi again! so he was my last dog!! lol...we all passed the course...really enjoyed it and will miss it but luckily due to the kindness of my parents i am able to continue onto Level 2 in January...

The photos of Hoochi dont do him justice! thats the problem when you have a black dog! lol

Phoebe meets Hooch n Troops!

Phoebe met my gang today...this was the second time but we have to be careful as Cola doesnt really do other dogs let alone pups! she did have a pop when there were treats being handed out but it was over in a second...unfortunately Phoebe didnt sit still long enough to get any close up photos!

Phoebe trip to Garden Centre

On Tues i met mum for a walk with her new pup, Phoebe! she is now allowed off lead and had a great time with all of my dogs! including Cola!! Cola actually liked her from the onset which is good news as she can be a nasty piece of work when it comes to puppys! After Phoebes adventure on Chertsey Meads we went for a coffee at the local garden centre and met up with my bro...as u can see from the photos, Phoebe was nakered! she stayed like that for the whole hour and met loads of people if she all but knew!! lol

Photos were taken on my mobile so not great quality!

Hoochi looks like a poodle!

Hoochi Before - looking worried!

Hoochi After - what a smile!

Peps comes to the Dog Groomers!

Wow i never thought that a labrador would need to visit the groomers! I took Peps into college today and she had a fab day...everyone couldnt believe that she was only 9yrs especially as there was another lab in that was 10yrs who looked years older! Peps had all the grooming that a dog would want including a lovely bath...massage...and finishing with going home smelling lovely!! the other dogs actually sniffed her when i took her back to the car! ha ha lol next its Hoochi turn on Sat!!

I have also 2 visitors staying the night whilst there mum goes on a booze cruise to France! One is a Otterhound and the other an Irish Terrier both on the endangered list!

Update

Cola's eye is healing well...touch wood no more problems to date! phew...im continueing with the eye drops for another month (havnt told Cola that yet!) lol

Pup is growing fast...still very cute...naming her has been a nightmare and to date she is called 'Pheobie'! we took her to the garden centre last week and she fell asleep whilst we were have a coffee! sooo sweet...she has also been to Pets at home...and is very much getting into the habit of being carried!! she definately knows the person who feeds her and as soon as mum goes upstairs to the kitchen there Pheobie is waiting for her dinner! no matter what time of day it is...definately food orientated!

Hoochi's hair is growing...i have been banned from cutting it by my friends...and its been very hard...so now each day his coat is being brushed! much to Hoochis dislike! hence why i clip him...

Peps is Peps...nothing much changes apart from she gets older! will have to take her back to the vets soon as she is still fusing about her anal glands!! ahhhhh

North Downs Show

Hoochi last show of the year...North Downs...havnt done this show before but as it was only 15mins from home it was worth having a go!! i went to see how our contacts were coming on and i realised most of the issues we have are due to my handling!! what a surprise...we ran in the 4-7 agility first and it was a lovely flowing course (hoochi still being G4) hoochi was barking in the queue so i knew he was up for it..and he went like a rocket and went clear in 33 secs! my friends were surprised that yes i could actually run when i needed too! He ended up in 6th place which i was over the moon about as we had finally broken the elimination curse and all dogs above us were Grade 7!

Next was the G4/5 Jumping...we ran first very fast course with only 6 weaves (much prefer 12 weaves) and he went clear but again i knew that it was a course that suited a really fast dog...Hooch ended up 2nd!! soo pleased as again he is only G4 and it gives me confidence and hope for him next year...wooohooo go Hoochi go! all he wanted was his cheese when he finishes! ha ha

Dog grooming course

BEFORE

AFTER

As you can see i hope i am improving in my hairstyling skills!! Here is a before and after piccie of a georgous rescue x breed that i groomed this week

Even Hoochi has put his coat on!!

This brill coat is from Equafleece... www.equafleece.co.uk
Its a bit big but Hoochi is a funny size and the one below this is just an inch too small!! he does love it though...must remember not to clip him for a couple of months!

New Puppy!

This is my parents new cocker spaniel pup! ha had u worried if i had got another woof!! lol...isnt she georgous...she's called 'Sandy' at the mo!! not sure if she suits this name or not...but as u can see she knows who 'mummy' is as she was sitting on my knee but got off to go and sit on my mums feet!! she is sooo cute and loves cuddles already...she had a 3hr trip home yesterday and only managed to throw up once!!


This is a photo from my mobile! as u can see Sandy has worked out to fall asleep outside the crate then she doesnt have to get shut away! lol

Update

Cola eye responded brill to medication...so out of the woods for now..she is off to see opthomolagist next week...thanks everyone for asking about Cola x

Cola eye!

Well i wonder if this is going to b a recurring problem but Cola woke up on Tues with her bad eye shut!! rang the vets and of course our opthamologist is on hols this week so i took her to my vets who said she had iritis! its inflammation of the iris...so her eyeball now is fully dilated and she definately could have gone out for halloween as she looks soo wierd...she is back to vets tomorrow and meant to see our specialist on Mon but with her not being insured when this started i am reluctant to have another 100 pound bill as its already cost over 300 quid...fingers crossed its a one off but if not it could b a decision for removal as that may b the final outcome anyway...lets see what the vet says!!

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY PEPS xx

Hoochi new agility toy!

Hoochi new toy arrived today in the post! very exciting...as i have been looking for a little toy for Hooch (as he is sooo weeenneee) and wanted something he could tug with...hoping to use this toy for his contacts! ill let u know if it works...

check out: http://www.bungeedogs.com/

DINAS finals Hoochi run

I have finally found a copy of Hoochi run at this years DIN finals at Ipswich Showground..hope this link works!
http://agilitymovies.com/dinas_aug09.html

If you click on my name under the Small Grade 3 finals...coolllll

Wow learnt something new today!

I never knew i could send photos from my mobile to my email addie!! Wow brill...hes my first attempt! Not brilliant quality but still very cool....Photo is of woofs on Common at sunset! very pretty

Bath Time!

Cola and Peps had bath today!! they smell lovely now...

Hooch missed out!

Cola sees the Opthamologists!

Yesterday i took Cola to see the opthamologist, who was brilliant with her...he confirmed that there was nothing in the eye! fab news...but he was concerned that where the foreign body did penetrate the eye was right by the iris and lens...at present this hole is being sealed with blood etc....and seems to be holding and healing...so fingers crossed it remains there and the hole seals itself! She has to go back in 3 weeks and have eye drops in everyday! ha ha if anyone knows Cola she is not one for being poked and prodded!

One bit of advice to everyone never stop one insurance policy without the new one starting!! wont do that again in a hurry....

Cola and eyeballs!

This has been a stressful week...poor Cola was on her way back to the car after a walk on Sunday and i noticed that she had one eye closed! not a normal thing for Cola!! anyway i decided to have a look at home and was concerned as the pupil was constricted and very cloudy! Off we went to the emergency vets...they charge 90 quid just to see your pet!!! god im in the wrong job!! lol....anyway after spending 200 quid we were told to see our own vet on monday and she would need to see an optimologist to have the stick removed! dont know why they kept calling it a stick!! ha ha as u need a magnifying glass to see it...saw my vet on Tuesday and she was hoping that she could remove it but its gone too far into her eye ball....

So we are off to the specialist tomorrow and fingers crossed that it hasnt done too much damage and he can remove it safely!! eyes are not to be messed with ...i am just frustrated that this is the only appointment all week as i was kept being told it was 'urgent'!! luckily Cola is used to pain and disguises it very well....

The bad news is...yes there is more bad news...i stopped my pet insurance last week as i was trying to save money and transferred to another insurance company so im not covered! the one time for something to go wrong has happened....and it may cost a considerably amount of money to get her eye fixed....ill update tomorrow x

The Bernese Mountain dog!!

Wow...this was my first grooming dog! i had not even seen one of these dogs before let alone groom it!! What a great introduction to my dog grooming course....our 'client' was a 3yr old Burnese who had underlying health issues, didnt like other dogs (aggression) or people really!! ha ha talk about throwing us into the deep end...but i like a challenge and after muzzling the dog and spending some one to one time with her she was great...after she had her walk in shower!! yes we were provided with wellies...and i still got soaked! ha ha we removed her muzzle and never put it back on...she left the grooming salon a very happy pooch...lets hope we see her again soon...

Well as the agility season has now finished i have been cleaning the house...boring...walking woofs for longer at the weekend....and meeting up with friends and family...

My parents are going to see their 5 week old cocker puppy next weekend...ahhhh and choose which one they want! ha ha they will never decide....as for names any suggestions grately received!

Hey just think only 10 weeks till xmas!! ha ha....and the clocks change in a couple of weeks....ooo its all fun this time of year...and to top it off we have to get through the firework nightmare!! dont worry i have my DAP collar all ready to put on my gundog! just need to get some zylkene now and we are sorted! Having to fit in dinner with friends before this all starts off and we are chained to the house! i have 3 dinners planned for the next couple of weeks so that will be nice to catch up with agility friends and family!

Hoochi has had another haircut but i have promised to leave his top knot alone which i have done...for now! lol....hell soon be looking the model pooch when i have mastered all the grooming techniques...i think he cant wait! lol

I have also heard from my best friend, who emigrated to NZ 3yrs ago...she has since had another child who i have not even met yet! had to add in the below photo as the kids are sooo georgous....and of course my BBF

Where did the summer go!!

Well its nearly October!!! omg did i fall asleep during the summer!!!

News to date:

Hoochi has finally broken the elimination spell since his win at DIN and went clear in his g1-7 jumping at Burnham...lovely run too...we are now back on track! Burnham was a fab show...only 5 rings and a practise ring (which we needed!) and such a friendly atmosphere...will def be going back next year..

Now i got a phone call yesterday morning from Jane who is at Stour Valley this weekend...to say 'guess who i have seen!!' it could only be Bertie!! My pbgv which i rehomed at the beginning of May...he was taken to the breed rescue and i had no idea where he would end up (small world) but i did tell the rehomer that he LOVES agility and if he could carry this on that would be gr8....well he was spotted by my friend, Soph yesterday who couldnt believe how white and clean he was!! (what is she suggesting)...he was very happy with his new home and has now bonded with his new dad! so lovely to hear...and the other brill news is he now trains with Kathy Napper at Chart club at least twice a week...it made me feel that this journey with him was now over for me...he has formed new friendships with his new doggy friends and humans too...and i can now 'let him go'...i was pleased that i wasnt at this show as it will be good to see him in a years time when hopefully he wont remember me tooo much and working well with his new G1 handler! not sure who is more scared! His new dad having to compete in G5 or Bertie running with a new person! He couldnt be at a better training club for him and his needs!!

Bert EPI is also now under control and he has finally put on some weight too...it was soo funny as i was getting told how clean, and white and healthy he looked! which was fab news for me...someone has finally managed to get this condition under control and cares enough to do so...go Bertie go.. xxxx

Other news:

I start a dog grooming course in October at Merrist Wood...cant wait...it is putting my career in a totally new direction...and i believe the right one..plus my little Hoochie will finally get a decent haircut!! ha ha...u should see him at the mo...he has been shaved!!

DINAS Hooch is a little Star!

Last week was our yearly holiday at Dogs in Need in Ipswich...its an international show that has competitors from Holland, Germany, Ireland etc...to give u some idea there are 800 caravan units!

Hoochi was a little star...we started the week with a 2nd in the G3 agility then a 3rd in the G3 jumping! this made us top of the leaderboard for the finals on Thursday! its sad i know but i did take a photo of this! Next day was also our qualifiers for the finals..and Hooch managed a respectable 6th in the G3 jumping (a course that i missed walking!) We qualified in 3rd place...this gave us a running order of 13 for the finals!! Thursday came and little man did a lovely run but got 5 on the dog walk contact...oh well maybe next year he will go clear! he did have one of the fastest times though...

We ended the week with a 1st in G3 agility! wooohooo finally winning into G4 which was my goal for the week as well as getting to the finals...couldnt have asked for more...

We had a brill time camping with all our friends and their woofs and glorious sunshine all week! bloody marvelous...here are some photos of the week...