A Pup in a Pub

Today I had a delicious meal in a local pub - and Sue was with me! Now that the chill of winter has really set in, I've been looking for local places where I can enjoy a meal indoors, with my dog, rather than getting pounded by the freezing wind as it comes off the sea. I had no idea this pub, called Hugh McCann's, was dog friendly. It is a traditional Irish pub - the decor is full of rustic charm.

As soon as we arrived we were greeted warmly, and spoilt for choice with where we could sit. Sue got served before I did, a waitress bringing her a bowl of water. I chose a corner booth, somewhere where Sue could look around without tripping anybody up. She did bark a little bit, frustrated that I wouldn't let her off the lead to explore.





She was already tired before we had arrived, so by the time the food came she was settled. That's it, Sue, just stretch out those ridiculously long legs and relax.



I hadn't eaten for five hours so in my haste I hadn't remembered to take a picture of the meal before I ate it, but here is my (partially eaten) pulled pork burger. It was gorgeous! That red sauce had a little spice in it, too, and it was wonderful.



And the January diet is going well - I had the Ferrero Rocher cheesecake too!



There are so many rooms in this pub, we had a look around after the meal. I'll have to come back and take better photos next time.



Before we left, Sue met a new fan! She had to get her picture taken.





This is definitely one of my new favourite local places. So much cosier than a chair outside.



I also was able to break in a couple of new things I'd bought for Sue. Her beautiful bandana is by BaNBo and her lead is by Four Paws Collection.

Wordless Wednesday #96: In the Land Rover

Sue and Bruce Go To School: Week 4

So it was a surprising class last night - Sue was actually paying attention to me. I think that my theory about the magic sausages is correct as I had sausages with me from the same batch as the ones I had for Fly when she magically learned how to pose. I was able to get her to sit, down, leave it and touch, and we started working on stay and walking on the lead. I was very happy.

(And you can't really see it in this picture but I got Sue a new collar and lead set from Blonde Dog Designs. It has Suffolk sheep printed on it!)



I also managed to get a picture of another classmate, young Elphaba.



As for Bruce, he was a bit more distracted last night, but he still did a great recall.



Overall a successful night for Team BC.

Happy First Gotcha Day, Fly!

On this day a year ago, Fly suddenly came into our lives - literally within hours! After Pip's forced early retirement from work, we were talking about perhaps getting a puppy. And then Fly just happened to need a new home. Taking on a new, adult dog, one that you knew nothing about, and one that you needed to do some work, was a gamble. I'd said I'd take her before I even met her and within four hours she was there in our kitchen, sitting on my mum's feet with her nose in the air. I knew then I'd made the right choice.

I took her out into the field today for some Gotcha Day photos. Fly doesn't really know how to sit and I haven't taken the time to teach her. She's also nervous of the camera, refusing to look directly at it. But today, for whatever reason, she was sort-of posing.



She wasn't staying, though, so I switched from my 50mm lens to my 24mm one. That way I wouldn't have to get so much distance between us. Her camera caution seemed to have vanished - she was posing and everything!





The cure for not knowing how to sit, or stay, or pose, is freshly cooked sausages.



She really wanted those sausages.



All of a sudden I had a dog who would sit, stay and pose for a good 90 seconds, all with no training! The following photos are all taken in the same spot.

















...And she's moved. I was very surprised by this development! She poses!

We were on an old lane that used to run from the farmyard to a nearby road but has since become redundant, grown over and become a bit of a bog. I don't use it for pictures because it's usually so wet but I had my waterproof gear on and Fly was already so filthy she could pass for a tricolour so we just went for it. It's encouraging that even after ten years of photographing the farm, there's still a fresh angle to explore.

Fly decided to pose here - I said nothing and just took the pictures like she wanted, and provided sausages.





Fly's sudden stay was so good, I switched back to my 50mm lens. I chose the posing spot this time.



I'm definitely taking more pictures here in the future! It's just off the yard so it's not even far away.

The location may be good, but Fly was the real star here. She trained herself to pose in five minutes and not only that, she was enjoying herself enough to pose unprompted. Absolutely extraordinary!



Happy Gotcha Day, sweetheart. We love you lots! ♡

Snow Morning

Wednesday was a snow day - well, morning. It was sort of white for a few hours. But even the lightest dusting of snow can transform the landscape, so of course I was out with the dogs and my camera as soon as possible. As long as Holly had a ball she was happy.



But happiness is delicate sometimes - annoyance incoming!







We made it to the field and Sue went off to explore, leaving Holly and I to pose, fetch and repeat.













Until... ambush!





Sue returned, and didn't bother to fetch the ball. She just waited until Holly had almost returned to me before intercepting. To Sue's credit, she was persistent, and to Holly's credit, Sue's ambush didn't work once.





My little cross-eyed attack puppy. Bless.







But playtime was about to get a bit more complicated...



The sheep, who had been grazing at the bottom of the hill, out of sight, had wandered towards us and all at once we were spotted and approached at speed.



Sue was very excited about this. I had to watch her extra carefully in case she gave chase.



Holly, meanwhile, was running circles around me (and, by extension, the sheep), trying to work out how to get close enough to me to give me the ball without being attacked by giant woolly nibble monsters.



Eventually she dropped the ball, but she had competition for it from Liz.



Cilla is still very flighty around dogs and didn't come too close.



Olive is a bit braver.



I love this photo! One of those happy accidents you can never plan for. Sue's paw in mid-air, her white-eyed look at me, poor Holly cross-eyed as Sue grabs her collar (and maybe her neck?). It just cracks me up!



Holly and Flora have a stare-off.



Another fetch because it's fun!



Liz kept following me. She has really come out of her shell - ever since I got her she has been quiet and kept to herself but in the last month or so she has become a really cheeky troublemaker!



What's Holly staring at?



Oh, it's Flora again.



Liz still wants that ball.





Holly can only watch.



I love Rosie's knees. A random thought, I know, but look at them.





Holly worked out that she could escape the sheep by going under the gate. But being out there meant to fetch, so she came straight back as Sue and Millie looked on.





The gang at the gate. I had already fed them but they were hoping I had forgotten.



More yard photos!



This one may not be completely in focus but I love it.



Holl Doll.



And Sue.



They really had fun on their snow morning.



Sue's first snow!