Big Paws Only Dog Forums

As promised, a quick, front yard picture of Bell with her trophy and rosette won at Crewe open show on sunday.

Andy

I know how you feel, I still feel the same way about Annie and its over 2 years since she left us. There are times even now when something happens out and about or in the home and it reminds me of Annie. They have so little time with us yet steal a huge great chunk of your heart when they go.

Andy Bell & Hovis

From a male point of view and as my 23 year old son is back for the summer prior to heading for college to be subsidised for yet another degree, all I can say is, You can budget for dogs and at least they dont ask to borrow money!!!

As they say, "many a true word spoken in jest" LMAO

Andy

What I can't understand about all this is surely with cafe's and restaurants as well as other shops, access for any sort of Animal, excepting service dogs should be at the owners discretion. Why have a law banning dogs? where is the freedom for the individual shop owner to decide?  I regularly visit a Cafe in a village near to where I swim Bell and Hovis, the food is great and the Cafe owners are dog lovers. There is a sign in the window saying "Dogs Welcome" and they even welcome my 2 Newfoundlands! There is freedom of choice for everybody in that you know when you enter there may be dogs inside and you can therefore choose to dine there or not. Strangely enough its usually the busiest Cafe in the area. There are other Cafes I know where the No dogs rule is acceptable, I would hate to think what my two would catch if they ate there

Hovis says she's not really trying till the stuffings all over the floor and furniture.

LOL

Andy

Hi Friends,

Hovis and I are back from our long walkies and we've had a super time. On Wednesday, Dad was looking at the weather forecast. He said a naughty word and then told us we were going long walkies on Thursday because it was going to rain on Saturday. The 2 legs keep worrying about rain. We don't mind sharing a tent with him even if he is wet!

Thursday morning came and I knew something was different, Dad was filling the wagon up before we set off, even Hovis was happy, because she got the panniers to carry. We set off for the Supermarket as usual and I was pleased to see that Dad remembered to get the Pork Pie and some sausages, it would be worth the sitting and big brown eyes later!

We set off through Settle and up the big hill, We kept having to stop for dad, he was complaining about the rucksack and having to help pull my cart, it was uphill for about a mile so we stopped for water and a cup of tea at the top.

After the climb it was plain sailing till Dinner time along a nice wide track, I was a good girl and walked along the track, but Hovis kept playing and running around so dad put the panniers on the cart.

We stopped for dinner in the middle of the moor, with views of  the Three peaks in the distance. Dad had a lie down so Hovis and I played for a bit till we met some Mountain Bikers who stopped for cuddles and strokes. After, Hovis was being silly and wanted to pull the cart so it took a while to get hitched up. We were soon off again, after a mile and a half Dad said naughty words when he
realised the leads had got left behind where we had dinner.
We enjoyed it though, as I got to play in the streams and pools
when we left the wagon and walked back for the leads.
Back with the wagon it was a steady descent down to Malham Moor. at the top of one rise we first saw Malham Tarn away in the distance. Dad said we were sleeping there. It was just after this I had my accident, It wasn't my fault, the wagon wasn't watching where it was going and dropped two wheels in a rut, before I knew it both the wagon and I were playing dead with 4 wheels and four paws in the air. The indignity of it all and all Dad did was laugh and take pictures.

Camp Newfie was set up at Water sinks on Malham Moor, where, in the best traditions of British exploration, we set up camp and had a cup of tea. Whilst Hovis and I protected the camp from the natives, Dad was cheating, Mum turned up in the Landrover with bottles of cold beer. we were allowed a paddle though whilst Dad cooked Tea. We enjoyed Dads sausages.

That night we slept out under the stars, I curled up under the awning whilst Hovis lay beside dad, on the tent! Dad says that next time Hovis will have to be staked out further away as neither he or the tent will take much more. In the morning as dad unzipped the tent door I put my head in and gave him a good wash, that soon woke him up!

Breakfast done, we set off once more, Dad said I was a very good girl, as I pulled the wagon all by myself and we didn't stop until we'd completed the main climb of the day. We stopped for water, tea and doggy treats in the shade of a dry stone wall. You could see all the way back to Malham Tarn. Hovis and I played for a while then mugged another mountain biker for kisses and cuddles. We followed the trail back down to Attermire and then on through the lanes between the fields and the coaching road back into Settle and home. Dad says we can do it again soon.

Love,

Bell and Hovis

This weekend might well come as a shock for Bell and Hovis, I'm introducing them to the delights of fell walking.

If the weather is fine, I'm hitching Bell up to her cart, putting saddlebags on Hovis and we're going camping! For this first expedition, we're heading off into the dales on a 10 mile walk with overnight camp, following the Settle Loop of the Pennine Bridleway.

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway/article.asp?PageId=3&ArticleId=7

I can't help wondering what will be going through Bell & Hovis's minds when they finally realise that they're not returning home that day and are expected to sleep out under the stars.

I'm taking the Camera so I'll post some piccy's

Andy