http://www.ourdogferdy.com en-gb ourdogferdy.com 2011-4-1T00:00:00Z ourdogferdy.com http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#90758 2011-4-1 11:20:30 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#71755 Picture A Picture B Would it be that difficult to mistake B for A Id be very flattered if people did so given that A is of course Jemima Harrison dog heroine extraordinaire. Yes if you are going to be mistaken for anyone lets hope it would be someone wonderful highly intelligent and an absolute star in dogs. Lets hope it would be someone like an award winning documentary maker and journalist. So take it as read I am flattered. Such a case of mistaken identity happened to me at the weekend as I was visiting many of the dog events I visit every year. One of the many dog events I have visited pretty much every year since I was about twelve. Read about it in Dog World. Yes the range of dog events I visit on a yearly basis includes charity dog shows Crufts LKA shows in village halls and of course local shows are better still and at this time of year they are frequently put on at Harewood House Newby Hall and W... 2010-7-30 5:22:29 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#65944 Been busy doing all sorts of stuff hence lack of updated blogging. Like me the Kennel Club has been busy busy busy doing all sorts of stuff and guess what Some of it is really quite good. Well to be accurate the Kennel Club Charitable Trust has begun to do some good stuff only taken them 23 years to get around to stuff of moderate substance as opposed to stuff of inconsequence. but let me not be picky. See from the accounts that in 2008 they awarded a total of 163156611 to scientific research. Which is not to be sniffed at. Is it No lets not sniff afterall they were only holding in reserves a mere 1632609804. So they very generously gave 6 of their total reserves to research into canine health issues. No we must not sniff because it really wasnt their fault that they lost 163386389 i.e. twice as much as they spent on research on the investment of those reserves that year. Could have happened to anybody. Now news in 2009 is better. According to the Trusts update WOOF In fact... 2010-5-23 4:17:09 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#60252 as it will be exactly three years since we first learnt about the litter of pups that included Ferdy. Awww By coincidence got an update from Blus mom. And look at how that pup is turning out an absolute stunner. Who needs inbred genes and rosettes and post graduate novice up your bum up your bum classes when wonderful crosses turn out like this Blu is a GSPWeim cross and I am just so in love with her. As would the Ferds be if they met up. 2010-3-10 5:02:27 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#56277 As Alfies very much one the dogs that Bateson is about he can grace this entry. In the wake of the publication of Sir Professor Patrick Batesons report on dog breeding in the UK a number of trends seem to be merging. Complete failure though hardly surprising of the show forums our and champ to engage in any debate about it let alone any meaningful debate. Complete engagement by much of the media with a torrent of headlines explaining that his conclusions for dog breeding are pretty explosive. Some disappointment that the Puppy Contract is not featured strongly and a fair bit of feeling that this is just the beginning of still a long journey. For me there are more than several highlights. The first being that nowhere in the report nowhere does he give the Kennel Club unequivocal praise for anything they have done in their entire 137 year history. In fact in Chapter 7 he is scathing about their inertia and makes ... 2010-1-16 11:28:24 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#56165 The look on the cross breeds face says butter wouldnt melt. The tone of Professor Batesons language says there is nothing to threaten the KC here. But what is it they say about a whisper As I thought there is plenty of knicker twisting going on especially on the Our Dogs and Champ dogs forums. But my favourite summary of it can be found as usual down in a foxhole with terrierman. Brilliant as ever. 2010-1-14 4:31:27 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#56087 Much like Christmas Eve there is great excitement tonight in many a household with the prospect tomorrow of Professor Bateson reporting on his inquiry into dog breeding. Unlike Christmas Eve there is many a household where people dog breeders in the main will be getting quite fretful of that prosepct. Well......... As they used to say in Dads Army They dont like it up em those dog breeders no they dont. So many simply cant move on from Pedigree Dogs Exposed . But they are going to have to now. Weve had the RSPCA report the RVC report the APGAW report and tomorrow we will have the Bateson report. How many reports does it need for them to accept that reform is well overdue and really really necessary 2010-1-13 5:10:40 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#55958 TaaDaa The pink collar is a clue. Blus a girl. So beautiful. She is a cross between a GSPWeimaraner. Ferdy would love to play with her. She will be included in our Dogs Like Ferdy page as I know that is a favourite amongst many a regular visitor here. It being full of cross breeds and all. Blus family are going to have lots of fun with her. Plus look out for a new feature coming soon all about hybrid vigour. 2010-1-12 11:52:44 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#55835 How are you all doing in this Seems to be great for the dogs Ferdy is loving it. Of course he does have a nice range of coats to choose from this his snug sporty number. Furthermore this climate has revealed Ferdys very strong SAR tendencies. He clearly would be very good at searching lost souls out from deep deep snow drifts. As long as they had even the merest morsel of fast food about their person say a KFC coating crumb then he would be sure to dig you out no worries. 2010-1-10 3:41:06 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#55768 Weve had a great time. Just wanted to share these fabulous portraits of both Ferdy and Alfie. They are by a very talented artist called Ian Mason httpwww.ianmasonportraits.comindex.html They can only be described as stunning and we would like to thank him for creating such wonderful work. Ferdy Alfie 2010-1-9 11:41:08 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#54224 Before we go into the details of this matter let us remind ourselves again what this is all about. We are involved in all this because of dogs like sweet Olive above. That being said on to the matter at hand. OFCOM ruled today with regard to PDE landmark documentary at the heart of which was the plight of these poor purebred dogs. The exhaustive findings are hilarious as they highlight to perfection the petty mindedness and sheer stupidity of the senior administration at the KC. I summarise as follows The Kennel Clubs case In summary the Kennel Club complained that it was treated unfairly in the programme as broadcast in that a Mr Ronnie Irving Chairman of the Kennel Club had been asked by Ms Harrison in the programme if he would consider having a baby with his daughter. She then claimed that this was the same issue as inbreeding pedigree dogs. This was unfair because it inferred that because Mr Irving might have in or... 2009-12-9 2:46:52 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#52619 It has been quite a week in the world of pedigree dogs. There has been the recent publication of the APGAW report which concluded as did I more than a couple of years ago that there are serious health and welfare issues attached to pedigree dog breeding. Especially that linked to dog showing. The APGAW report can be found here in full. Then there was the strange situation regarding an Ofcom adjudication on more than a years investigation into Pedigree Dogs Exposed This has come to nought and begs the question why did the Kennel Club feel it justified to squander tens of thousands of pounds on such a futile exercise and for once the dog show press is in agreement with me. Then there was the extraordinary revelation that Caroline Kisko who has got more than a little ruffled about the juxtaposition of pedigree dog breeding with the nazi agenda of creating an Aryan race is married to a signed up member of the BNP. Hilarious. Followed by her interview on APGAW are you keepin... 2009-11-15 5:32:24 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#51870 httpwww.apgaw.orgreports.asp I feel totally vindicated today in taking on the pedigree health issues that I have taken on following on from Alfies pretty miserable health record. I feel also that parliamentarians have listened to concerned pet owners unlike the politically somewhat questionable Kennel Club. The report certainly throws down the gauntlet for the KC and for breeders accredited or not when it says Whilst recognising the work undertaken over the last year we further believe that the KC should make the decision about whether registering dogs or dog health and welfare is their primary objective and focus their attentions more precisely on this when taking the issue forward. So Irving Kisko Lambert et al which is it to be I am also very heartened that a direct quote from me in the report para 2.2.6 is immediately followed by supporting evidence from the BVA no less. And I quote Many veterinary surgeons in companion animal practices state that it is part of ... 2009-11-3 9:37:46 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#51682 Introducing Jager taadaaa His mum says that he is the result of an accidental rendezvous between a Weimaraner and a German Shorthaired Pointer. Here at Ferdy HQ we most definitely approve of accidental rendezvous. Because it means that both parents had healthy appetites if you get my drift. No inbreeding depression there. They chose their partners as opposed to having one chosen for them by the current day equivalent of a Darwins cousin. And there is a good chance that little cute as a leather button Jager here is the result of an act of canine passion unencumbered by human interference or the need for silk scarves. Heres wishing him and his family a lovely time together like we are having with the Fiddler. And how clever of them to choose a sofa to match their dog 2009-10-31 2:41:46 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#50860 Yesterday was the third anniversary of us saying farewell to Alfie. But for those of faith here he is probably running the beaches at rainbow bridge. I spent the day attending this seminar at Leeds University Presented by the Bearded Collie Club Northern Branch. At which I met the good dog people that exist. You know the ones they want to develop a proper understanding of breeding issues and genetics in particular. They want to do all the tests and support the research. The ones that dont peddle rubbish about BARF diets and vaccination. The ones who truly get to the bottom of the problems. Sadly and this is sad for Ferd too Beardies are not the only breeds to suffer from autoimmune disease. Weimaraners and short haired pointers present. And of course we have mentioned here before the issue of myositis in viszlas. See httpvizslamyositis.blogspot.com for a reminder. Thank the... 2009-10-18 2:12:09 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47727 He would like to remind everyone that strictly speaking this is his website here he is having a bit of a sulk. Shiny coat no I cant in truth take any credit for that. Maybe its the occasional tin of pilchards he gets. 2009-8-29 3:18:09 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47616 ...isnt Bo a Ted Kennedy Dog This is he now shacked up with the Obamas. We LOVe Barack. He is the Mongrel of all mongrels. Just like Ferdy a Mutt and proud. 2009-8-26 11:50:53 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47615 To my US contacts I would like to extend my condolences on the loss of Ted Kennedy. An amazing family. An amazing catholic family. An amazing dog family. OK so not Ted. But a Kennedy enjoying his dog. God bless. 2009-8-26 11:45:57 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47606 .......love the breeds that we love Last week I met a really wonderful person who helped out at West Yorkshire Dog Rescue and she had with her a frenchie. Now those who follow this blog will know that ever since watching with a relish Cesar Millan and his pack I have not only fallen in love with Daddy who wouldnt I have also fallen in love with Sid. But why Knowing what I know about their fertility issues reproductive issues breathing issues skin issues and all round ISSUES why would I still hanker after one of them Intelligent answers on a postcard please Of course the chances of me ever getting one remain remote. Answer me this Frenchie people can they have sex unaided Can they self whelp No Then on your ruddy bike. Cute expression or no cute expression. 2009-8-26 10:52:31 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47341 Graveley Dog Show Brothers Diamond Dog Dickie Tummy First and BOB in Working dogs and First in Waggiest Tail. And this only his second show Brilliant does that qualify him for Discount Furnishing Store Crufts Handled well and top line stunning needs to mature a little in rear but all said a promising youngster. Oh and what No chalk 2009-8-22 5:50:39 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#47137 What if Jemima Harrison had not felt there was a case to answer by the KC what if the BBC had not commissioned Pedigree Dogs Exposed what if at 9 oclock that August evening they had broadcast yet again the Vicar of Dibley Christmas special There would be no Bateson review no APGAW review possibly not even the RSPCA report. The BBC would still be peddling albeit in defendable ignorance the lie that Crufts is the epitome of canine health and well being. The majority of Cav breeders would still be wallowing in their denial that SM is a serious and disturbing condition for which they are largely to blame. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club would still be calling for the routine culling of ridgeless puppies. The GSD show fancy would be still blissfully forging ahead with the utterly deplorable and ridiculous notion that the back ends of the GSD show dog are fit for function. Oh and whilst on the subject of fit for function as flawed as that limp campaign is... 2009-8-19 8:48:48 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#40718 .....has been launched today. Created by the amazing Dr Clare Rusbridge. httpwww.veterinaryneurologist.co.uk Sadly too late for Lord Alfred. But a great addition to online resources for those other owners who still battle with their pets epilepsy. 2009-4-28 6:45:40 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#37060 Happy Birthday to the Ferds and all his litter sisters. To celebrate we took Ferdy on his first hunt see Ferdys First page for more exciting details. This is in honour really of one the dog blogs that has achieved cult status yes you all know who I mean terrierman. See httpterriermandotcom.blogspot.com but if strong opinions offend probably best not to. Well the Fiddler is sometimes a little jealous of Mountain and Pearl terriermans terriers because they live the huntin shootin fishin life and are oft seen with a wombat or somesuch between their teeth. Well Ferdy is not daunted we took him hunting ourselves today for a birthday present. What a magnificent trophy So what is good enough for the wilds of Virginia is good enough for YO31 City of York. 2009-2-22 1:05:47 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#36011 Had two updates this week from family and friends. One from Thomas in Holland. He is now a Daddy. Many congratulations to him and his pups. And some news from Ferdys sister Hilda. Shes been having a ball snowwise. Oh and look at her beautiful face. Note to Ferdy. Where is all your wire dear boy He is in comparison distinctly wireless. Shame. 2009-2-4 11:06:13 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#35913 Please let me introduce you to Mutley. He is such a sweetheart dont you think But is it me or does he look like he could do with being placed in a really good home My very good friend CP who currently takes care of him assures me that he HAS a very good home but I would rather like to see more evidence of that. His colouring would match with Ferdys quite nicely. 2009-2-2 6:10:53 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#35631 One of my bestist canine heroes is Shelley. Who knows only too well all about epilepsy as her gorgeous Olliebobs suffered. She set up Ollies Fund much mentioned here. Her wonderful Bracco Jacob ran off after deer near Audley End in essex last week and we are all desperate for news of him. We must pray hard for their safe reuniting. Please St Anthony. Please. And St Jacob for that maater. httpwww.doglost.co.ukPage.aspxdatapzp8JrdCfxmOYLL7ThMH8cgDIBGNb3527OBXgIvucPT1ZF5GXNTxJvszpZ4KNYlurx 2009-1-27 6:13:59 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#35347 of Wood Green. She contacted me in a bit of a state as in my last post I had not made it clear to which Sheila Atter I was referring. So just to clear it up she would like it known that having watched PDE last summer she is not now nor has ever been the Sheila Atter in pedigree dogs. Sheila Atter of Wood Green would never now have anything to do with pedigree dogs. There Sheila of Wood Green I hope that clears things up. Ferdy says sorry to you. 2009-1-22 5:51:48 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#33969 Ive been away for a bit because there is just so much happening in the dog world. But Ill report on that soon. I want to introduce you to a new member of my extended family. One ziggy diggy Diamond of a dog. Hes attached to my neice The Rainbow as you can see. He was of course taken on by my Bro against my best advice. Being a line bred show dog of the mini bull terrier variety. But they went ahead anyways. And personality wise he is adorable like a little white pet piglet. Phenotypicallywise well he is of that mutantish shape we all know and love that is the Bull terrier. Genotypicallywise of course we are yet to find out. I wish them all the best. The Rainbow neice told me a secret she keeps kissing this ugly bugs dog in the hope that he will transform into a handsome pointer prince like this a proper dog. Keep kissing Ames you just never know. 2009-1-14 4:45:08 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#33760 After a lifetime of soaking up years of totally uncritical coverage of Crufts and loving every second of it even Peter Purves I first encountered a hint of something sinister as early in my own dog showing career as my first trip to ringcraft. When you have never been to such a thing as a ringcraft lesson my advice is to expect the unexpected. I was not prepared for the snorting and heavy breathing for a start. No that wasnt the rather rotund Akita handler but two bulldogs. It was that encounter that immediately made the Emma Milne penny drop. She being one if not the first Vocal Vet who had warned me one morning on breakfast telly that these dogs had problems. But it is only when you actually meet them that you can easily see what she means. They were hot they were bothered and they were struggling to breathe. But that I was told was just bulldogs. I was not prepared for the sex lesson I got over the coffee break when a very nice lady who had the most wonderful Newfie get the jar... 2008-12-13 2:08:58 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#32414 It seems that despite the credit crunch we were all determined to make this years BBC Children in Need a huge success and even the Ferds got into the charitable spirit. Just look at how much he enjoyed wearing his ears and pudsey bandana. I think it almost looks like I have digitally put them on him but no it is for real. I was going to donate a pound for every minute he kept them on but that would have ended up being about 12pence. httpwww.bbc.co.ukpudseyfundraisingbuystuff.shtml 2008-11-15 11:45:52 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#32080 Congratulations to all in the US on the milestone election of Barack Obama to the White House. But did you realise the stir you would be creating over this side of the Atlantic in your choice of President Youll have got that Alison Smiths knickers in a right old twist what with the President Elects promise to get his girls a puppy. Possibly one from a shelter. Possibly turn away now Ms Smith even a mixed breed. Even worse likely to be some sort of Doodle. As initial presidential decisions go Mr President Oprah had it right you are brilliant. Of course the White House has a long history of dog loving which is fascinating in itself. And of course Mr President you wont have too much trouble getting your doodle mix from a shelter because according to Ms Smith and her ilk rescues are always deluged by those designer mixes. Her paper ran a piece earlier in the year saying that the DogsTrust had been inundated by designer mixes through their rescue centres. I contac... 2008-11-8 9:08:13 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#31675 Many is the day I wish I had been born into a different life. Yes one with people that do for you one where you cant actually see the end of your garden not because of all the over grown shrubs but because it actually extends to over the horizon one where I could have immediately said yes to this. He is a Great Dane German Shepherd cross and is in urgent need of a foster home for a few weeks. If you can help please contact infoblackretrieverx.co.uk To drool over this gorgeous boy some more go to httpwww.blackretrieverx.co.ukHome.html Wonder if I could swap Ferdy for him.........ONLY KIDDING FERDS 2008-10-28 9:08:13 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#31545 helps your canine health and welfare campaign on its way. Not often I blog twice in one day but breaking news breaking news Mars the owners of the brand Pedigree have pulled their sponsorship of Crufts. OMG. That in commercial terms is serious and an absolute disaster for any organisation to lose that level of funding. They make the point that they will continue to support the KC but only in endeavours that reflect the broader dog owning community. This is the equivalent of that sign flicked at me a few weeks ago outside the Yew Lodge Summit. I really believe that the top team at the Kennel Club should resign. Under their stewardship their business and their brand may just have entered an unrecoverable position. It is total mismanagement. But it is great for dogs and remember Ferdys non PC KC ABC name........Aramaic Magnificent MARS. I am off to celebrate this development no not gloat I am not much of a gloater and get several mars bars to enjoy st... 2008-10-24 7:05:07 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#31516 Following the broadcast of the landmark documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed to five million people here in the UK in August there has been an unprecedented flurry of activity from all sides. Congratulations Jemima Harrison by the way on the subsequent awards and recognition. More to come no doubt as the true impact of that film emerges. With that flurry comes a whole new language and you know I love new language even though no doubt my often misuse or poor spelling would get the Amises in a right old tiz. Here are some new terms to ponder. The Malvern Dog bred by a beverley who must be avoided made famous in the film as he was passing on his genes to any generation that wanted them despite him being perhaps not the ideal sire what with his MRI scan results and all. The Yew Lodge Summit Such an ideal location. Where Margaret Carter despite an amazing track record in supporting the health of a breed was ousted for blowing the whistle. Never mind Margare... 2008-10-24 9:40:51 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#31218 we said bye bye to Alfie. We gave him one very last hug. But now we can remember all the other wonderful hugs he gave us. Like this one 2008-10-17 6:07:32 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#30776 welcome to ferdyworld Where things like this are very very important. Also of great import to us in ferdyworld are attitudes accepting that some people prefer a cross from a pure challenging poor breeding practices such as the overuse of a popular sire encouraging health testing exposing breeder lies especially those that are told to cover up the breeding from unhealthy stock persistent I should add. Also of great import are our dog heros and heroines Harrison Cuddy Carter Fowler Milne and Evans. Well they do sound like a dodgy firm of solicitors when said like that imagine being the telephonist there and having to sing out that greeting. Also of great import is the active support of research such as that done by the Animal Health Trust gawd blessem and please remember Ollie at www.aht.org.uk 2008-10-10 10:55:09 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#30724 we have press releases flying in from all quarters we have responses flying back forums that are over moderating so it throws all the threads out of wack misunderstandings between friends it is a veritable chaos. But amidst the chaos there is reason coming from K9 magazine httpwww.k9magazine.comviewarticle.phpsid105ampaid1238ampvid0ampnpage oh and just for the record the KC came out today in support of our serene Margaret Carter but critics question their motives on that one. And you have to admit why come out in her support after the deed was done. All is not right in the house of Denmark. What is the status of the banks there 2008-10-8 10:48:53 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#30632 Dear Cavalier Club I understand why you ousted Margaret Carter on a technicality. But it is to be regretted that you systematically failed to see the real morals and ethics at play here. Rules of confidentiality are not there to protect the guilty are not there to prolong poor unethical breeding practices are not there to misguide the puppy buying public. Or at least they werent there for all those reasons until now of course. The Cavalier breed has a very pretty face. Your club membership has two faces. The serene and gracious Margaret Carter. Then there is this face. One of her critics. That is not a nice way to treat one of Margarets staunch supporters. Of course it is easy for Margaret to be serene. She has God on her side. 2008-10-7 8:31:34 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#30523 is the 4th October. Which makes it the Feast of St Frances of Assisi. Which makes it World Animal Day. To read more about this and the UKs ambassador Ryan OMeara go to httpwww.k9magazine.comviewarticle.phpsid105ampaid1238ampvid0ampnpage Oh and also and because of this it is highly unlikely we will get through the day without tears it should have been Alfies 6th Birthday. Go to www.ourdogalfie.com to read about our most wonderful bozo. He took something of us when he went but he has left great memories and for that we thank him loads. In loving memory of him RB as they say and all those dogs lost to epilepsy. 2008-10-4 11:37:16 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#30278 Weve moved. Weve said goodbye to the rural idyll. And said hello to wait for it Red Girls.....wait for it.......yes weve moved to a place with shops Ferdy is impressed not alot. But as you see he can easily relax amongst the chaos of boxes and pictures and stuff. So you can all look forward to some city capers. A la Hamish in Hackney. Though granted where we are does not have the cache of east London. But we at least no longer have a 60 mile round trip to Tescos. 2008-9-28 5:17:51 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#29990 and how welcome is that I hear you say. Well it has been an interesting time here in dogworldUK what with that BBC programme and those vocal vets and those questionable canine charities pulling out of Crufts. So during these turbulent troubled times what has the Ferds actually been up to Yes he what was referred to in that BBC programme as the common mutt Getting even more handsome by the day as you can see. and on the one day that could be construed as a summer enjoyed my makeshift sun shade. Not in the least bit troubled by the rocking of the pedigree dog breeding system by those documentary makers. Then he wouldnt would he Wallowing in his COI of zero and his mixed blood and genes. What a lucky fella. 2008-9-21 4:34:27 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#29664 Re my previous blog there are Beverleys that should be avoided. Then there are other Beverleys that must be cherished. Beverley Cuddy is most defnitely in the latter group. See this and sign it if like me you are concerned about the health of our dogs httppetitions.number10.gov.ukReformtheKC What do you mean I promised to lay off the KC This petition is not attacking them no no it is helping them. If we reach our target number of signatures it will enable the KC to keep the pressure on any of their more resistant Breed Clubs. ltadd smiley wink winkgt 2008-9-14 3:42:38 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#29660 No you are alright. Your eyes are not deceiving you. I did actually blog applause for the KC. No I am not even being sarcastic. I have made a public vow not to be sarcastic about them but instead give them a chance to deliver on some of their recent promises as stated here in a press release. ACTIONS WITHIN THE WORLD OF PEDIGREE DOGS The Kennel Club will make full use of the measures it has within its remit and authority to ensure that all breed clubs and councils encourage their members to undertake health screening appropriate to each breed and that individual breeders reach the highest possible standards of husbandry and welfare. The Kennel Club Breed Health and Welfare Strategy Group BHWSG will continue to play a major role in this. It consists of a number of people as follows Dr Ruth Barbour BA. MB ChB FRCGP Chairman Prof. Mike Herrtage MA BVSc DVR DVD DSAM DECVIM DECVDI MRCVS Dean of Cambridge Veterinary School Prof. Sheila Crispin MAVetMB BSc PhD DVA DVOpthal DipECVO ... 2008-9-12 2:36:04 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#29329 STREUTH what a time in the dog world NOT to be connected to the internet. A slightly more paranoid person than myself would be forgiven for feeling that Virgin Broadband was conspiring with the kennel club to keep me quiet and out of the fray. So there is a lot to catch up on. Lets start with grammar. What is the collective noun for a group of scholarly geneticists and veterinarians A clog as in clever A stella as in stars or perhaps plain and simple a learned intelligent cohort No. Apparently according to Ronnie Irving the present Chair of the KC it is bunch. A bunch of scientists. And he will not be told by them which dogs he will mate with which and if he wants to mate brother to mum by heck he will. As far as I am concerned he can carry on mating which to what I dont care. As long as I have the right to tell anyone who will listen do not under any circumstances get a puppy with an inbreeding coefficient of more than 6. Me I want zero yes I am very much in a zero tolerance mo... 2008-8-31 3:21:49 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#26849 is it gets in the way of time that could be spent exploring the nether virtual world of other peoples lives. Or in my case other peoples dogs lives. Here is a selection of places where I spend a good portion of my working day. httpuk.blog.360.yahoo.comblogWjFltNk8eqsFx8ManH08VlOQugcq1ampn25480 that belongs to Buddy a gorgeous white german shepherd who sadly suffers from epilepsy but despite that he enjoys a great life with his family who have it turns out the most excellent taste in baby names. Then there is httpredgirlsinscotland.blogspot.com this belongs to a couple of Vizslas who are very adept at blogging they have an enviable turn of phrase and are very funny especially on the subject of urban envy. Even the photos are funny... and for those of us prone to bouts of urban envy here is the vizsla blog par excellence httphamishinhackney.blogspot.com This one is littered with pics of Hamish in the most glamorous of places he gets to walk in St James Park an... 2008-7-12 5:01:55 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#26794 I know that many better educated people frown deeply when presented with mottos or little sayings or cliches. Quite rightly. But I came across a blog this week about a woman who moved from London to Northumberland and didnt quite like what she found. Mud loneliness long distant supermarkets the scarcity of essential resources such as fresh basil and LBDs. Of course for those of us with BIG DOGS its a fantastic place to live wide empty beaches save for the whingy bags who have moved up north from London what do you mean I am one of them Anyway what I want to shout at this wife of the north is when given a load of lemons.......... make margaritas. I know its a terrible little piece of hokum but I like it and of course I love margaritas. So Judith OReilly think on lass and read this httplittlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk Julie is someone who makes sublime margaritas. Her blog is a blog of nothing but sheer joy. She also makes these DONT ANY OF YOU DARE ADD YOUR NAMES TO HER... 2008-7-11 12:02:47 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#25824 Look whos here........ .....only Ferdys baby brother He is just eight weeks old and his name is Louis. He has a wonderful white paw and Ferdy would just luuurve to take him out and show him stuff. That makes it sound perhaps like he is ours but no we were sent these great pics by his new family. We havent yet ventured into the twodog territory but you never know. Lots of love to Louis and his family. 2008-6-20 5:51:44 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#25222 Whilst on my adventures of a virtual kind e.g. blogs and forums etc I have had many an exchange with people on a variety of dog subjects from dog Agility through to canine signs of the Zodiac and dont forget our wonderful entry for Q qualzucht The entry for E must certainly be ethics. Are there ethical considerations when getting a dog Would some purchasing decisions be more ethical than others We can agree I am sure that certain sources for getting puppies are most definitely more ethical than others but which I ask this because obviously now with the Fiddler Ferdell being 17 months old we are thinking along the lines of a brother for him but from whence should that brother be begat This gave me food for thought httpwww.k9magazine.comviewarticle.phpsid105ampaid1238ampvid0ampnpage As the article explains Staffordshire bull terriers are the most likely breed to end up in our big brand rescues. I call them big brands because there is sterling work being done by expansive hosts of ... 2008-6-7 3:16:13 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#25002 Dear Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club I see you have got your priorities right as usual. A report is produced following a high level workshop the House of Lords no less in which we are informed that possibly between 30 70 of Cavs may suffer from the painful and debilitating disease Syringomyelia. And your response Is an open letter to CAWC expressing you appalledness at the report being leaked what a whole 24 hours prior to the agreed release date. Please see their web site httpwww.thecavalierclub.co.uk With such a nuanced understanding of what is important as illustrated by said letter no wonder so many of those poor pups are in the state they are. Please get a grip of the important things in their short lives and address the bloody issue rather than the messengers. You are in grave danger of becoming a complete laughing stock. Yours faithfully A well meaning noseyparker sorry folks for the bad language actually wanted to say something altogether more serious 2008-6-2 10:54:45 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#24142 I have been trying to train Ferdy to STOP on the command of Haltz but from now on I am going to use Qualzucht . There a several notions how this term translates most of which are very emotive. I am just going to use qualzucht like I use gestalt or zeitgeist. Though these are all german terms I dont feel you need to translate them they perform effectively just as they are. But I can easily explain qualzucht for you by using my lovely assistant Lucy. Here is Lucy today Here is Lucy a few years back well quite a few years back Qualzucht is the process through which Lucy here has been turned into Lucy above. Qualzucht is being challenged in countries that have ratified the European Convention on Pet Animal Welfare because they are concerned that breeding practices have had a significant deleterious impact on some breeds of dogs. Sadly some dogs like Lucy of today struggle to breath keep cool and even move ably because o... 2008-5-12 2:19:51 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#23985 Dont you just love the web A week or so ago I was pondering how I got into dogs as I dont come from a doggy family and remembered getting my first dog book aged 7. I googled it. Up it came on amazon and here it is..... Written way back in the seventies by Wendy Boorer who I believe is still active in dogs. Of course this book fails to extol the virtues of cross breeds and it gives scant attention to genetic disease in pedigrees but just look at which breeds are the first in her list of breeds yes my god POINTERS. That is clearly when the seed was sown. and here is my very first dog. Urgh hes a bit scary like something from a Speilberg horror film where familiar things turn nasty on their unsuspecting owners. I called him Dax. He is from Hamleys in Regent Street circa 196667. Sadly not Steiff. But he now lives with my mum what a great age for a Dachshund and no back problems just some stuffing coming out of his head. 2008-5-8 3:52:25 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#22619 that Cesar Millan is great for dogs. I know some may find parts of his practice unpallatable but I am no longer one of them. We are now adopting the no touch no talk no eye contact with Ferdy and it is working very effectively. Of course there is still lots of affection and fun and games but only when we are calm submissive sorry I mean only when he is calm submissive we have to be calm assertive. This is Wilshire the firedog who came under Cesars spell and it was a great lesson. Now Wilshire has his own website httpwww.wilshirethefiredog.org He has been my favourite Cesar client so far. But come on good fire service people of Wilshire Boulevard I see from his web pages he is getting a little fat 2008-4-9 4:49:26 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#22364 You may have guessed already but I am not the Kennel Clubs biggest fan. However credit must be given when some credit is due. They have released this press statement today about skin tacking httpwww.thekennelclub.org.ukitem1763pgdtlartnewspghdrartpgftrart Yes a common practice is for some breeds to routinely get cosmetic surgery very shortly after birth or as their eyes go on to develop entropian. The cause of this is the very loose skin that some breeds such as Shar Peis are bred with. Basically they have a skin size about five times larger than their body size and some of them cant see through all those folds. At last the KC are tackling the tacking. I am pleased about that and maybe more pups will be bred that look like this little chap he is a shar pei mix breed and looks as if he can see at least. Though his skin still looks a little on the large size. Whatever next heh The KC promoting the benefits of having a crossbreed 2008-4-4 1:56:03 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#20748 As an independent knows her own mind kind of woman Im pretty impervious to the power of media hype. Yes I surely know when Im being spun alright and I consciously battle against being manipulated. I mean I was already buying free range long before HFW heated up his campaign the Honda ads have absolutely nothing to do with why I have Honda I researched and found that they had been found to be reliable. And the fact that I am now researching into Fawn French Bulldogs has absolutely nothing to do with the that regal one I mentioned on the Michael Owen documentary. Nor the fact that in the background of some shots on Cesar Millans show can be seen his very playful very engaging Fawn Frenchie Sid. And look whose been snapped lately showing her dog Diva... That is Patty Hearst. They did rather well at Westminster. Frenchies are very expensive three or four times more than many other pedigree dogs. I enquired recently to ask why this is so and was told that amongst other things t... 2008-3-2 2:30:07 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#20704 It wasnt until we got a dog took great pleasure in choosing his name and then started living with him that I realised you develop lots of nicknames for them too. I have to add Ferdell to my nickname mix for Ferdy. It is pronounced stressing the second syllable. Shock horror poor Kingsley Amis will be turning in his grave yes I pronounce it americanised as in Verdell the absolutely adorable Griffon Bruxellois in one of my all time favourite films As Good as it Gets. Of course becareful with the lovely little Griffons I believe Syringomyelia is known in that breed and they too can have the Chiari Malformation. Poor little things. Im pretty hot on my dogs in fiction Hooch obviously a big favourite also Dodie Smiths....no not 101 Dallies but her wonderful Bull Terrier Heloise in I Capture the Castle and of course Paul Austers story of Mr Bones broke my dawg loving heart Timbuktu. This is a reference to Kingsley Amiss The Kings English which contrary to what all the ... 2008-3-1 1:35:22 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#20370 A big frustration in taking your dogs photo even when they are as handsome as handsome is the dreaded red eyes it makes them all look like demon dogs. Now of course you can get red eye correction. But look Ive tried it and it still is a bit spooky.... ......oh and that black splodge against the fantastic sunset we had recently is not a flying saucer I just mouse clicked my red eye corrector in the wrong place. Also need to apologise for my spelling on an earlier blog. So just in case you think our friends Ivar and Francesca went to Aude to rinse chateau neuf through their hair coiff I did of course mean QUAFF. 2008-2-23 4:40:16 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#20314 Oh I forgot to add a royal portrait to commemorate his highnesss birthday 2008-2-22 6:07:35 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#20313 Today has been Ferdys birthday and he has had greetings from the great and the good........look even Prince Charles has got in on the act. Well ok I am exaggerating slightly. But yes this picture was taken by us with our camera. I am not a Royalist we just happened to be walking through the village when he and the lovely Camilla were in town. We just happened to have our camera with us and well it only seemed polite to join the crowd. And well we would have looked out of place if we hadnt waved and cheered. Ok so perhaps the sprinting over to their helicopter to wave farewell was not really necessary to be hospitable but.........ok ok it was fun. They went into Maurice the butchers and got some Rothbury sausages. Which in fact is exactly what Ferdy will be having for his birthday tea some right royal butchers sausages. 2008-2-22 6:00:31 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#19665 Friends will tell you that I have become interested in dog diseases since losing Alfie to epilepsy in 2006. Acquaintances will say it is more of an obsession. Enemies might say..... who cares what they say Whatever I am whether it be interested obsessed or paranoid I know that too many dog diseases exist and not nearly enough is being done about them. Take myositis here is a link to more information about it httpwww.vizslamyositis.blogspot.com It is hard to believe such a ghastly condition can affect such beautiful creatures. Some breed people will be doing a great deal to inform and invesitgate others will not be that concerned and many will be trying to deny that the breed has such a problem. How can they be so unmoved Just look at what that disease does to those poor things. Please lets all own up to the fact that breeding pedigree dogs is risky lets share information more openly so that the full risk can be assessed lets take action by supporting the work of the Animal Healt... 2008-2-7 12:35:09 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#19583 When you dont blog for a while you can get quite guilty and then give up rather than just apologise for letting people down. And of course so many subjects have stacked up to blog about meantime I dont know where to start. So Im going to start with Kylie pretty much a random choice Here she is reunited with Oliviers Rhodesian Ridgeback Sheba. Kylie has written very movingly about how Sheba helped her in her recovery and says the dog has become a love of her life. Though not much of a celebrity watcher I am a sucker for any good dog story. Tis great pity then that ridgeless ridgeback pups are not the love of their breeders lives because they then may be saved from inexplicable and indefensible culling. Yes culling is inscribed in the breed clubs Code of Ethics Some ethics those. I have written to Purina and Pedigree to ask them not to sponsor any events that include Rhodesian Ridgebacks because the practice is barbaric. I await their respon... 2008-2-5 12:35:32 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#17739 Very talented friends of ours Ivar and Francesca bombed off to live in France in the Autumn thus enabling them to no doubt eat lots of fruit des mer and coif plenty of Chateau Neuf du Pape. Very sensible. Yesterday they informed us that after their whirlwind romance of some 33 years they are getting married today. We are so thrilled..... 2007-12-22 1:17:42 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#17149 Introducing Albert Albert belongs to friends who have just moved to Whitley Bay well actually it is my exhusband and his lovely partner Lesley. So he might say that friends is stretching it a bit but that is all in the past. Look at their lovely baby is so cute and of course being collie will undoubtedly be clever. We cant wait to meet him. 2007-12-3 5:55:04 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#16742 Ferdys sister that is. Her family have sent me some pics of her and her big sister Amber. They look like they are very close. The colour combination is rather lovely chocolate and amber. I have often wondered whether having two dogs would be twice as much fun or double trouble. May be they can let me know. 2007-11-21 5:04:32 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#15411 2007-10-12 3:30:15 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#15409 Ferdy will soon be 8 months old so we have begun to up the walks a little bit. That meant that today we took one of Alfies favourite ones for the first time in well over a year and I knew it would take us past his last boot tree. A long time ago in the woods Alfie found a very old steel toed hob nail boot and not only began to play with it he also would run and ram it into the backs of our legs. So I got it off him and hid it. I thought. A few days later he found it again and there was a repeat performance. So I knew Id have to hide it better and wedged it up a tree. Of course next outing Alfie remembered the tree and went baying towards it. I gave in and took it down and let him play with the boot for a short while. Then for safetys sake you understand hooked it up to yet another tree. And so this old boot managed to follow us round the woods for months periodically being played with and then placed carefully back on a branch. Each and every time Alfie remembering or scenting I suppo... 2007-10-12 2:55:34 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#15408 Today I am just so excited because a lady called Monique from the Netherlands contacted me. She told me about her dog Thomas who incredibly is so like Ferdy yet is a Flat Coat RetrieverGSP cross. Monique has sent some pictures isnt he gorgeous. I love the fact that in the background of his pics are fabulous european buildings like the Brandenburg Gate. Thomas gets to go to places like Paris for his holidays whereas Ferdy just gets Whitehaven. The only downside to finding out about Thomas is that now the competition for Best of Breed has suddenly got a whole lot hotter he too meets the standard perfectly. 2007-10-11 2:45:55 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#15128 Today would have been Alfies 5th birthday. It is nearly a year since we had to let him go. We dug out some video footage of him and toasted his memory but it was shocking to see just how sick he looked now that we have a healthy dog to compare him to. But it reminded us of just what spirit he had with his helicopter tail. What a boy what a boy. Ferdy got lots of hugs today because you know what they say If you cant be with the dog you love love the dog youre with and we do and we do. 2007-10-4 11:56:41 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14741 When researching into the health of a pure breed of dog it is essential you remember that all values are relative. I caught a large part of A year in the life of Michael Owen the other night which focused on his recovery hard bloody graft and his setting up of racing stables and stud wow lucky him. Sat next to his lovely wife whilst being interviewed was an extremely regal looking French Bulldog. I had not realised Frenchies could be so handsome and always partial to a subject for googling instead of working you understand I googled them. This is taken from the breed clubs website Frenchies have the potential to live about 13 14 years and are generally a healthy breed. However spinal abnormalities can be problematic and sometimes fatal. Elongated soft palate and narrow airways can cause breathing difficulties and occasional allergies and skins problems can occur. Ears and facial wrinkles are susceptible to dirt and dust and require regular cleaning along with the area under the tail.... 2007-9-23 8:45:26 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14715 First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ferdy and his sisters seven months old today. We have received inadvertently on their part I am sure the most fantastic 7month birthday present from the GWP club no less. They have updated their website www.gwpclub.co.uk and announced they are forming a health sub committee. This is great news and a positive step forward for the future of this most wonderful and comical breed of dog. Wait till they hear some of my fundraising suggestions.......the best of which is to create little knitted GWP pups and sell them through paypal. Watch this space.... 2007-9-22 11:36:07 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14535 Small brag here. Thropton Village show was a major success for us. We won that all elusive RED rosette. Ferdy got first place in the Cross breed puppy class. See his picture on the show page. What a star Yes I know there were no other entrants but go to many a snob breeders website and see them brag about getting Best Puppy when there were no other entrants. This is common accepted practice I believe. Tee hee. What a joke. If it had been a champ show we would have qualified for Crufts 2007-9-16 8:59:24 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14487 The most observant among you will have noticed that Ferdys nicknames on the front page have changed. This is not because we are going in for a seasonal approach to the names we use for him. It is just that those given to him when I first created his website have not stuck. You cannot assign nicknames they must be earned or even deserved. So over the past few months he has acquired a whole new set. The whole point of nick names is that they almost choose themselves depending on behaviours attitudes and events. Ferdy is the fiddler but also the bubbacubs. Alex hates that one because it is way too Pasa Dena Dog Deli for him. But when Im on the sofa with Ferds and he is nuzzling up to me he is my little bubbacubs ooooh please pass the sick bucket. But he is....he is so sweet. 2007-9-13 3:21:12 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14534 Getting ready for another big show this weekend. Give Ferdy a good rub down to get his sleeky chocolate coat gleaming. Are we heading off to Darlington No. That is a very very big show and I dont want to give Ferds a fright and the judge is not partial to solid chocolate I hear... though the size of her backside makes you wonder. No for all those reasons we wont be going to Darlington. Well those and the small matter of there not being Wiremaraner classes No we are hitting the heady heights of Thropton village show dog rally. 2007-9-13 8:54:55 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#14085 ....as they say. When a dog is a dearly loved member of your family you make many choices because of the dog. The consequences of this can be mixed as our bank holiday weekend testifies to. With our friend Lynne up from ubertrendy Notting Hill for a stay we wanted to impress her with a nice day out. Choices were Cragside National Trust Alnwick Garden Duchy of MoneyGrabaland or Belsay Hall English Heritage. Lynne suggested that we let Ferdy make the decision which for him was pretty easy Alnwick Garden dogs not allowed anywhere Cragside dogs allowed in estate only not in the garden nor the house obviously Belsay Hall Dogs WELCOME in any part of the 31 acre gardenestate. Good we will go there then. We headed of for the expected old grand house experience faded grandeur dusty drapes now never touched writing desks with dried up ink wells all photography prohibited signs you know the type of thing. But that is the last thing we got. Instead we were treated to a dog show of sorts ... 2007-8-29 2:44:26 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#13884 Ferdy is six months old today. Happy birthday to him and all his sisters. Now his show campaign can begin in earnest. Are we polishing him up and scraping off the dried on liver cake from his ears once more for Scottish Kennel club this weekend Well no because I feel he moves a little too close behind. Well that and the small matter of him not being 100 GWP nor 100 Weimaraner. Well be heading for the much more prestigious Glendale Show. Could be a long day however because the companion dog show begins at about twelve and the Mounted Fancy Dress isnt until half three. No Im not entering us into the mounted fancy dress the only way we could do that is if Ferdy gets a piggy back ride from me. No it is just that since moving up here from north London one of my most favourite finds has been the equine fancy dress contests. There is usally a little lad on a chestnut pony entered as Noddy and his pony is the car and there is always a little girl dressed as a princess ridng a plump grey w... 2007-8-22 5:29:56 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#13436 Yesterday was to be Ferdys launch day on the show world. Were we heading for National Gundog at Malvern No of course not him being two weeks off six months old. Oh that and the little matter of WeimaranerGWP cross classes not existing at champ shows. No I brushed him scraped the bits of dried liver cake mix from his ears he had licked the bowl clean after I had put a batch in the oven wiped his eyes and took him off with a brand new collar to the Powburn show obviously. But it was cancelled due to foot and mouth. What a let down but wholly understandable. We just cant have that again. I am still going into some small rural businesses who are only now recovering fully from 2001. And if it is a leak from a government lab well all hell will be let loose I hope. Well theres always Glanton next week if the ban on such shows has been lifted. 2007-8-5 3:05:13 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#13185 Googled e collars this morning and didnt need to do much more research than that to know that they are at best distasteful and at worst downright wicked. Poor Louie he may look happy now but did his collar really have those metal terminals pressing on his neck I am going to attempt to get Ferdy to the same standard of obedience but without any type of remote collar. There may be a great deal of remote hollering involved in my methods but that will just hurt my throat. NOT HIS. 2007-7-28 11:20:59 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#13158 We have at last today got the right cable after several trips to the most unhelful Jessops no wonder they are slowly going out of business to link the movie camera to the pc. So hey we will be hitting You Tube over the weekend with some boring videos of Ferdy the Birdy dog. You know You Tube I have a new account there which doesnt shy away from telling me every time I log on that I have no subscribers and I have no friends how the hell did they find that out I love You Tube was put onto it by the Italian Spinone Forum. I love doing searches for pointer puppies or Drahthaar or whatever and trawling through the funny moving ha ha and banal footage. The people that contribute to that have great senses of humour. My favourite film can be found by searching for Remote Collar Training. A fabulous GSP doing fabulous heelwork based on ecollar training. Hope that isnt a cruel method. Ill have to do some research. Louie certainly looks happy enough. The Italian Spinone Forum is very fre... 2007-7-27 6:17:27 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12955 Took Ferdy up to Simonside woods this morning. anyone that knows it will tell you it is the most magical place and can be seen from as far away as Newcastle. We had a lovely pleasant walk with some whistle training thrown in. Didnt get wet either. Oh would just like to say thanks to the people who presumably sometime over the weekend took the trouble to wrap up their childs dirty nappy so well and knot their dog poo bag so neatly. So thoughtful. Just a couple of questions though Why didnt you take them home with you Was it that in all the fuss of putting little Joshua or Nicole back in the people carrier you simply forgot them Was it that you were yourselves in desparate need of a number two and had to rush home Was it simply that you have a dislike of fellow forest users and wanted to let us know what you think of us was it that you have absolutely no respect for the environment nor the workers at the Forestry Commision or National Park who will have to take them away for you Wh... 2007-7-23 4:49:21 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12957 We celebrated by having a day out. We went down to the Tyne and walked from Royal quays towards the Fish quay. Not quite because that would have been too far for Ferdy. Well thats my excuse. The walk takes you though Redburn dene which is spectacularly landscaped and passed the marina. But part of the quayside walk is totally ruined by other dog owners who refuse to P.U.P. Please can we all try and pick up the poo. The path was revolting in some sections. What is the problem We wont have a problem soon if we dont do better North tyneside will slap a dog control order on us and we wont have to pick any poop because we wont be able to go any where to let the dogs do it. Please Please P.U.P. It really is a cool thing to do. The return walk meant of course we were heading back to the shops where we sat outside Costas for coffee and then took it in turns to go into the shops. Well Ferdy didnt obviously he stayed outside and had many admirers. I have been having a bit giggle this af... 2007-7-22 5:08:20 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12914 ...is in my opinion WALKING THE DOG. If Ferdys exhileratingheart thumping incident ridden sojourn today is anything to go by. Im pretty sure that if we could come up with some uber trendy dog walking gear for both members of your team then it would be sure to catch on. Shortly after entering the woods on our clamber up to the carriageway we were both stunned into statuary by a brindle whippet careering towards us at really high speed followed by a red greyhound. They were heading with some purpose straight at us. Then I realised that they werent canines at all it was a baby and mother red deer. The fawn brushed right by us but Mum diverted down the bank. Ferdy and I were both spun round like proverbials. Then the baby realising mum had vanished darted back towards us and this time sent Ferdy into a panic. His little body was rigid with that should I chase should I flee dilemma. I started to call him and then used the whistle so he came back to me. And in a panicky clumsy fashion I ... 2007-7-19 12:46:18 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12329 getting bigger all the time ey ey ime. Today he cocked his leg for the first time It will be great when he starts to do this all of the time because he frequently squats and pees on one of his front paws currently. So with cocking we hope comes greater accuracy. I know I know with cocking comes other issues but it is one day at a time with a 20 week old dog. His new teeth are coming through too. So puppyhood is slipping away fast giving way to wonderful adolescence no doubt. So blog entries may get a little more exciting. Weve worded and frequently sing the Ferdy jig and it goes something like this Oh Ferdy McGerdy McGill Magogg Magoo Why do you use the carpet to do your daily poo when you could venture outside and do your business there Oh Ferdy McGerdy McGill Magogg Magaire Oley Well he likes it................... 2007-7-6 11:10:09 AM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12088 you would have seen me today try to coax little Ferds out into the driving rain to do his business. Being a dog with his sleek shiney coat and being used to the indoors he was not too keen. So over my pyjamas I put on my waterproof got the big golf umbrella and enticed him out with a large biscuit. So there he was widdling etc happily away covered by the big umbrella so that no raindrops would fall on his lovely little bod. It was an image I am sure that conjured up the Raj. He is undoubtedly a little Lord Fauntleroy. I know I know it is not good to spoil them........ 2007-6-23 3:17:35 PM http://www.ourdogferdy.com/page8.htm#12027 Gonna kick off a blog but as yet Ferdy will be four months old tomorrow not a lot to report. Lots of growing lots of mouthing and lots of widdles. Fortunately lots of laughs too and lots of joy. Ferdy loves to eat empty snail shells loves to play with HIS toys and my shoelaces. He has a very neat sit and a good down and comes to a whistle any whistle even ones on the TV so we wont be walking him near train lines 2007-6-21 2:51:44 PM