Second Wind

All was quiet for a little while until Chips got her second wind and decided to see how far down into a can of catfood a dog tongue could reach...

but somehow, I got caught in the photo and somehow I had a guilty looking face, when clearly only Chips is capable of jumping up onto the kitchen unit.

Then, TJam found a half empty box of mushrooms, and Chips licking her lips.

And TJam was shaking her head at dogs getting their second, bin raiding wind at the ripe old age of 10 (Chips is 10 you know!)...

when she saw this. A chest print the size of a 22kg collie cross - as individual as a finger print - up against the kitchen unit. Since Chips makes a clean spring onto any height, and I just go up on my back legs, I was clearly busted.

I know when I'm beaten your honour.

Duty Calls

When my big friend Beanz is scared of fireworks or our fire popping, I make her feel more secure by tucking her into her bed and keeping her there.

She is quite a comfy bed.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

If you've dropped something
In a muddy puddle,
Who ya gonna call?
Our helpful little friend TABOO!

Ornamental Cabbage

When TJam came home from work, there was something very wrong (see exhibit 1). I played dead so she would know it wasn't me...

Exhibit I

TJam said, "Oops, did you knock that over with your tail? I should have remembered to put it back up on the side out of your way!" (at least, that's how I remember it. Or she may have gone, "(*&^% what are they doing on the floor?! but I prefer my version best)

So I pulled my best, "Oops, it's just one of those things right? not a problem?" face... (exhibit II)

Exhibit II

However, on closer inspection (exhibit III), it became apparent that the ornamental cabbages had not only "fallen over", but had most definitely been chewed up. There is only one possible culprit and (thanks to regular video evidence) it is not me.

Exhibit III

So, not only am I innocent, but Chips is very very guilty. Which puts me even higher up the "who's a good dog" scale than she is! Yay!

Quiet Reflection (or not)

We have had a brilliant walk this week. We set off with Nero and his pal (Nerospal)...

I had a little stop off in the lagoon. I imagined it was orange sauce.

Next I perfected my Indianna Jones and the Bin Raiders pose. I might ask TJam if we can have it as our header. I just need a proper hat.

We went right up to the top of the hill. Suddenly I noticed Nero and his Pal were having some thoughtful time alone:

I wasn't having any of that, so I bundled in for a bit of fun and games. Chips had the same idea at the same time.

That said, I do like a bit of quiet time myself, so I took myself off to a corner to survey the landscape (and check for sheep) and reflect on ...

... well, that's private. A dog has to maintain a certain air of mystery :)

Yawning at Art

TJam saw this tractor doing its work, and got all arty and carried away with texture or somesuch. She likes to zoom in on this and look at the contrast of the pre and post plough. Me, I like to imagine the taste of it when they fertilise it and Beanz and I will run all over it, eating muck and being chased by TJam, who has no chance of catching us.

Then TJam got a shot of Beanz and was lining up a reflection or whatever.

She has been watching too much TV and a photo of me is conspicuous by its absence.

Kindle Orphans

Us animals are becoming Kindle orphans: Bready, Bamgee and Unliz are all hooked!
(note to Brazil - a Kindle is like a computer that holds all your books, just in case you were wondering)

but it's ok because I chewed up Bready's adapter plug.
Dogs 1 : Humans 1
That'll teach TJam not to ponder the fact that I haven't chewed anything for a while.

Welcome home from wherever you went.
I will only half hide my handy work with this enormous squeaky toy.
And do not leave us alone again...

Beach Trip

We have had to battle TJam to get access to the computer so we are going to try and catch up slowly with all our thrilling adventures. (I can get away with saying that because of poetic license).

Our first adventure was going to the beach. Beanz got the feel of sand under her toes and thought she had turned into a greyhound or something. She ran rings round Bamgee. She was like the wind!

Next, the humans tried to get all artistic and represent themselves in sand art.
I enhanced TJam's picture by scratching her eye out.
Nice touch.

Bet you couldn't even tell which was the sand art and which was the real picture.

At the end of the day, I posed for the camera and TJam went on that big roller coaster in the background. She loved it although she might have a mild case of whiplash. She says it was worth it.

Finally, we had a bag of chips (with a small c, we did not eat me) and drove through the illuminations. TJam and Bamgee did not take photos- they were too busy listening to their Christmas CD and going "ooooooooooooo" at the lights. Beanz and I snored our way through it. It was very boring for dogs.

Kip

And here is our new friend, Kip! He is a stunt double for Spit The Dog!

Waiting

We are in a field waiting to meet a new friend ...

Trip

Today TJam and GingerTed left us dogs in the miserable British weather and headed off to the States. They have apparently arrived safely with their host.

September in a Nutshell

Somehow, September has sped by and we have hardly blogged. Blame the humans. So, my take on September is this:

1. Bamgee has swung by for a while and while she has been here, she created a rainbow:
2. I snapped my dew claw and the vet clipped it off. Now it is bothering me and I am not supposed to lick it.

3. TJam made a blackberry and apple crumble with blackberries from the fields and apple from her nan's garden. Yum. None for dogs I'm afraid though.

We have generally been hanging around and walking and stuff like that that. The humans have partied, and we have guarded the house.

Chilli and Progress

The humans will be having chilli for dinner. Bamgee is living on the edge balancing all these kidney beans in one pan. In the old days I would have hopped up on the cooker and eaten the lot while noone was looking but I am so much more civilised than that these days...

Good Dogs

Pin and Huddersfield Town came on a walk with us to the top of one of our favourite hills.
Beanz and I were on our best behaviour and there are no comedy stories to tell. TJam says thank goodness but I can tell you are disappointed so I will store up my brownie points for some sculldugary and shinanigans when the humans least expect it...

Spot the Cat - Part ...

Spot the Cat, Part... I can't remember

I have been working hard today, helping tomatoes ripen.
I had a little game of spot the cat to help me relax after all that exersion.

New Home

We are just admiring Bready's new home. Our favourite bit is the garden. And being allowed upstairs just this once.

I've Been Framed

No, it's not some comedy video clip (anyway, we have the dubious honour of being rejected by You've Been Framed... must dig out that clip of Carlsberg falling off the settee...)

I wondered why Chips leaped out of bed when she heard TJam coming down the stairs this morning. Leaving me handling stolen goods that I did not steal, even though it looks like I did.

Luckily, TJam knows that, whatever else I DO do, I am not big on stealing utensils off the counter. Foiled, Chips. You can't pin this one on me.

Ice Cream? In THIS weather?

A few days ago, we met TJam's oldest friend, Towny Farm, TF's beautiful children, Ice Cream, Hot Chocolate and lil Blue Algae Boy (that's their spy names, not their actual names of course).

We went a nature reserve, and it was pretty nice when we all set off.

As there were 3 children and 2 dogs, we seriously needed some doggy maths. That does not make a whole number, so we needed the 5 minute timer to make sure everyone got a turn at holding me (and they had to put up with Beanz too haha).

Of course, we had a downpour. It is the British summer after all.

Once we had gone all the way round the lake, it was time for light refreshment. TJam suggested ice cream and Ice Cream agreed. Towny Farm and Hot Chocolate looked horrified, did a double-take and gasped, "In THIS weather?!"

After the ice cream the humans needed a hot chocolate to warm up!

Meanwhile, I posed on the decking with Blue Algae. He was very good at walking me.

Beanz sat and looked out over the lake. I think she was secretly dreaming of chasing those ducks, but dogs have to stay on the lead in a nature reserve...

Humans Go Ape

TJam has pretty much highjacked my blog today.

At the weekend, she and Bready left us dogs to guard the house, and then they went off and had loads of fun. They did not take us because they said we would not have enjoyed it. On this occasion, I concede they are right. TJam says thank you Bready for a fab birthday present...

Public Safety Announcement

As per Beanz's "falling in the canal" post, I would like to make a public service announcement.

This is how you should walk along the canal bank.
We have all learned her lesson.

Stay away from the edge, or you might fall in here.

You can't really get out unless you have a strong human to hand
(which luckily we had).

Oh We Do Like to be Beside the Seaside

We went for a lovely walk with Dr Noisette and Mr Jeep (his spy name is open to suggestion). I have to tell you that there were hundreds of RABBITS that I was not allowed to chase, even when they ran right across the path in front of me. We also saw a llama and loads of cows (that I was also not allowed to chase).

Here, we pose with our lovely human friends.

We took a picture of us in front of a typically English shelter kind of thing that they have on beaches. The dog poo bin features too!
(I look very alert because there was a piece of stale bread just next to the shelter. I was hoping to double back for it but I didn't get the chance.)

You may notice that, even though it is August, TJam is wearing a winter coat. Yes, it is that warm. NOT.

TJam had a go at cooking though, as a gift for Dr N and Mr J. No one got food poisoning, so that's a bargain. Banana muffins. The smoke alarm didn't even go off.

In other news, TJam has lost the remote control for the TV. If anyone has seen it, we would love to hear from them.

Not Enjoying Rubber Ducks

Usually I take every opportunity to sneak upstairs, where I am stricty NOT ALLOWED. There is cat food up there. It might go off if I didn't tidy it up every now and again.

However, I am not so happy about it when I am on the lead and TJam TAKES me up the stairs. That can only mean one thing...

I don't know why she does this to me.

I am only wearing a little amount of eau de fox poo.
See? Nothing came off me. It was hardly worth the effort.

Perspective

When TJam lays down, I look much bigger.

The rugby pitch looks much wonkier.

And the clouds are just cool. Although does this mean it is not long dry?

Some Days

Some Days I am not interested in the recycling and some Days I just am.