Dec

My friend Cassie finally came round to play a couple of weeks ago. She was really shy but her friend Oscar was great fun to play with. I kept trying to get her to play with me, but she hid under the bench near her lady (Diane). Eventually she did come out for a little run around, but I think she found us red dogs a bit boisterous. Never mind, I'm sure she'll get used to us.

Oscar and Morse had a great time. The only problem was I couldn't get a look in. They kept stealing the ball and chasing round the garden with it. Every time I got close they ran off. I gave up in the end and just played with Mummy.

We've also done a couple of shows recently. Mummy got another red at the first one and a blue at the other one. I had a yellow and a blue. Morse got a green and a yellow. I wonder what Cheryl does with all the rosettes? Mummy has a special board in the garage with all hers on but I'm not sure where ours go. Whenever anyone comes into our garage they are always impressed with Mummy's board. There are lots of different colours and some really big rosettes. I think I'd like mine to go on a board too. I haven't got as many as Mummy yet, but then she is quite old.( Don't tell her I said that.)

The boys had the tent out again last weekend, but they wouldn't let me inside. They said I had mucky paws. Cheek! I don't think my paws are any muckier than theirs.

We also had a new thing appear in the house recently. A strange looking white thing on a stand. It makes a funny noise and blows warm air at us. Mummy loves sitting under it. It makes her coat all dry and shiny and she looked really posh when she had been under it. Morsey wasn't too impressed to begin with. I don't think he liked the noise much, but he soon got used to it. I went in to take a look and he was sitting with his face pointing into the 'wind' with his eyes closed. I haven't been allowed to have a go yet, but I think I'm quite looking forward to it.

Well, I wonder what this weekend will bring for us? Will we be showing again, or playing in the garden, or going for a nice long walk in the big park? Hmm. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see.

Tuesday 9th September

It's been a busy weekend. Last Friday we had some visitors for the evening. I don't think I've seen them before, but they were definitely 'doggy' people. We even got to come in and say hello. We all had a good sniff round, (it was obvious they'd been having something nice to eat) and got lots of strokes and cuddles before going off to play in the garden for the rest of the evening. Then on Saturday Cheryl finished giving us the weekly trim whilst George was busy in the garden.

The big blue pool has gone away for the winter now (more's the pity), I never did get chance to go for a swim. Perhaps I will next year. There's been quite a lot of tidying up in the garden and I think the winter fences are going up again soon. This summer seems to have gone very quickly, but it was nice while it lasted.

Then on Saturday evening some more visitors came. They were here until quite late so we were allowed to stay up until way after dark. There were a few of those loud bangs in the sky again during the day and then some different ones with coloured lights in the evening. Just a few, but they did make me jump.

Sunday morning, and it was show day. Morse was all excited from when we got up, and when George came in for the big black bag, Morsey didn't know what to do with himself. I thought he would burst with all the bouncing and whinging he was doing! It was quite a long journey it seemed and we ended up at the place with the quiet airplanes. We haven't been there for a while and there were some lorries and funny tractor type things there this time. I don't really know what they were doing, but they seemed to be picking up some long metal poles. With all the activity it meant we couldn't go for our usual run at the bottom of the field which was a shame.

Anyway, when the show started there seemed to be quite a lot of dogs there, lots of blonde dogs, but no Cassie or Oscar. (Shame.) The babies went in first, then it was my turn. I tried to be a good girl but there was a funny smell that was very interesting. The other dogs could smell it too and some of them were very naughty. I got a blue and George was very pleased. He said I'd been a good girl, but I shouldn't wriggle so much. Then it was Morse's turn, he was a very good boy and got a red! I was very proud of him. The problem was he was so excited when everyone clapped that he jumped up and down and wouldn't stand still for the man to do his writing. He's so silly some times. Finally, Mummy went in. She also got a red! Then came the dilemma as Cheryl couldn't handle both Mummy and Morse to challenge for best Irish. I was put in the cage and George handled Mummy, and guess what......... she won! She got a lovely big purple and cream rosette. She was ever so excited and bounced and jumped all round the ring.

It seemed to take quite a long time to get home, but I think we all slept some of the way. It was nice to get home and have a long, cold drink and some biscuits.

I wonder if I'll ever be like Mummy and Morse and get one of those best Irish rosettes? I bet Mummy would be really proud of me if I did.

Tuesday 2nd September

It's the last day of the school holidays,( I heard the boys saying so earlier). I suppose that means I will only have Morse to play with in the daytime now. No more football with Nick nor wrestling matches with Georgie. Oh well, I'm sure they'll be on holiday again soon, and there's always the weekends I suppose.

Last weekend the family all went off together for a day out. There was lots of activity early in the morning so I thought we must be going to a show to begin with, but the bag wasn't fetched from the garage, and there was no rattling of leads. Turned out they were going to the sea side for the day. ( Whatever that is!) I was really disappointed, why couldn't they have taken me? I'm sure it would've been fun. Anyway, off they went with a big bag smelling of food.

We had all settled down in our beds for a lie-in when before long we heard the side gate opening. We hadn't heard the car come back so we were all a bit suspicious, thought it might be burglars or something. Morse barked loudly to frighten them off, but then someone came to the door. I was a bit worried, but then the door opened and a man called our names. We bounced all over him and had a good sniff, then I suddenly realised I had seen him before, he was Cassie and Oscar's man. He must be alright if he belongs to them, so we let him play with us for a while, and got back into our beds when he told us to. A little while later on he came back. This time he had two girls with him. They were really nice too and played with us again for a while, and gave us some fresh water before putting us back to bed. Before too long they came back to visit us again and Cassie's lady came this time too. They all seem very nice and didn't mind us giving them kisses and jumping on them. I thought they might have brought Cassie to play but they didn't. Perhaps they will another day.

When it went dark outside I thought the family must be due back soon because they never seem to be long after dark if they go anywhere, and sure enough, I had just got comfortable when they all came home. They all smelt funny. I couldn't quite work out what it was, but there was a definite hint of fish and chips, and another funny, kind of salty smell. Mummy said that's because they were at the seaside. She said she has been a few times, it's a big place with soft yellow stuff to run on and a huge pond of water which tastes funny. I hope I'll get to see it one day, it sounds interesting. I wonder if the soft yellow stuff is any good for digging holes in?

I haven't seen Cassie and Oscar's people since the other day, so they must have just been looking after us because the family were out. I hope they'll come and play with us again one day, and perhaps next time the blondies will come too!

Sunday 24th August

We all had a nice surprise yesterday, George & Cheryl bought us some new dinosaur bones. One was so big I could hardly carry it, but I managed in the end. I thought perhaps the one Morse had might taste different to mine so I borrowed it to see. He wasn't very happy and took it back off me. So I decided to try Mummy's instead, but she told me off and I had to wait until she went for a drink to try hers. Eventually I managed to get all three in a nice, neat little pile, until Morse (the squealer) barked and told Cheryl what I was up to, and she came and gave Morse and Mummy their bones back. I only wanted them for a little while, I'd have given them back eventually. They've been put away for a while now and we've just had our tea, so I'm beginning to feel a bit sleepy. It's hard work chewing those big bones and carrying them around the garden.

We went to a big show last weekend and I was a good girl again. The journey made my tummy feel funny though. It started off nice and straight, then went all wiggly and I started to feel a bit sick.

There were lots of Irish there again, and I saw some of my friends and made some new ones too. There were some really sweet tiny babies, it was their first time at a show and they were a bit worried, but once they went in the ring they were fine.

Mummy had a disappointing day. She said this lady gave her a special green and white rosette when she judged her before, but didn't even seem to look at her this time. She says she thinks she must have changed a lot in the last couple of years for people to not like her any more when they have liked her a lot before. She still got lots of cuddles and some biscuits even though she didn't win. Cheryl says she's still a special girl and she was very well behaved. There were some ladies who made a big fuss of her too and she enjoyed that.

We had a nice sunny day the other day and George went for a swim in the pool. I went to see what he was doing and he swam round and round the pool making funny noises. The boys said he was pretending to be a shark. I'm not sure if I like him being a shark, I think I'd rather he stayed a George. Mummy jumped in when no one was looking, but they all heard the splash so she soon got chucked out again. She said it was lovely and cool and she likes swimming. I thought about having a go, but I'm not sure I'd get in without getting caught.

We all had a good grooming this evening. I went first and stood still whilst the brush stroked me all over. I love it and it never lasts long enough. When it was Mummy's turn I pushed Morse out of the way to have another go, but Cheryl wouldn't do me again until both Morse and Mummy had had their brush. While I was waiting I got a bit bored so I took Cheryl's new socks off the washing line and made her chase me all round the garden. Eventually I let her catch me but I got told off because I put a bit of a hole in one of them. I didn't mean too, it was just an accident really. Anyway I still got my second brushing so she couldn't have been too cross.

I wonder what we'll be doing tomorrow? Perhaps there'll be a show to go to, or maybe a nice long walk in the big park? Could be perhaps a game of football with the boys? Hmmm, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Tuesday 12th August

It's been funny weather the last few days. There were some bright white flashes in the sky followed by loud bangs which seemed to rumble on for ages. I wasn't impressed and decided it would be best to hide in my bed until it was all over. Mummy says she doesn't like the bangs either, but she knows they won't hurt us and I shouldn't be afraid.

The rain has also been very heavy, but as it was so warm I've been able to play in it and chase Morse for the ball. The earth is very soft too which has made hole digging a whole lot easier! I've decide to give the hole in the field a rest for the moment and concentrate on the one by the fence in the garden. I'm sure there is something living down there, I can smell it, but I can't find it. I can almost get my body into the hole now and there is a big mound of earth building up beside it.

Yesterday I thought I would help bring the washing in as it was starting to rain. I'd only managed to get one thing off when Cheryl came out and took it all in anyway. She didn't notice the red thing I had taken off and I managed to conceal it until this morning. I gave it a good softening up, but it started to come apart and become all stringy and I got a bit tangled up in it. I got so frustrated I barked at it to let me go,...big mistake. Cheryl came out to see what I was barking at and caught me. Whoops! Apparently I was chewing up her new sun top which had just been washed for the first time. Not only that but I was on her hammock and she wasn't impressed!

I actually think the hammock is a great place to lie and chew my bones, or anything else I manage to get hold of. It's certainly very comfortable and I'm sure the dirty paw marks will brush off, eventually.

I think I'd better be good for the rest of the day or there might not be any gravyy bones for me tonight. Mind you, we must be about due some more of those giant bones soon, there's not much left of the ones we had a few weeks ago. And of course, if I had a new bone to chew I might be less tempted by the washing or the hosepipe. A girls' got to have something to keep her occupied, I mean, I can't chew Morse's ears all the time.

Thursday 7th August

It's been a very eventful time over this last week or so. Last Friday we all got into the car having had baths, haircuts and lots of brushing, so we knew we were going to a show. Morse did his usual bouncing from when we got up and couldn't wait to get in the car. The journey was very long and it rained really hard a lot of the time so there wasn't much to see out of the window. We stopped at a place where there were lots of people and cars, where we all went for a walk and had a drink, then we carried on, on our long journey. Eventually we came to a little town and stopped outside a big grey house. I wondered what was happening because they couldn't hold a show here, but it turned out that we were sleeping there for the night. Once the lady had shown us the room, we all went for a walk down by the river. It was really lovely there, lots of strange smells, lots of birds of different shapes and sizes, including some huge white birds as big as me! We also met some other dogs. There was a little chap who kept wanting to play with Morse, but George said we couldn't go off our leads because we would want to go for a swim.

Later on we walked down into the town for a while and explored all the little side streets and found a fish and chip shop. I thought we were in for a treat, but we still only had our usual food. Then it was bedtime. Mummy and Morse slept in the car, and I got to sleep in the room on my comfy bed. I was very tired from the long journey and soon nodded off.

In the morning we all got up and went back down to the river, and were amazed to see two more Irish like us! They were staying at the same place and George and Cheryl knew the lady they were with. We had a good walk around for a while, then another lady with two Irish came down too. She was also staying in the same house, so they all arranged to have breakfast together. After our walk it was back to the car for our breakfast, then off to the show. It was only a very short way and turned out to be just the other side of the river. We all got onto our benches after saying hello to a few friends on the way in. Morse wanted to go off and explore and was a bit of a pain to begin with, but he soon settled down.

Soon it was time for me to go in the ring. I tried very hard to be good, but I seemed to have to stand still for a long time. I couldn't have been too bad though as I got a white in my first class and a yellow in my second.

Then it was Morse's turn. He looked ever so smart and was a good boy this time. He didn't sit down or act the fool (like he usually does), but the judge still didn't like him. He didn't care, he was just looking forward to our long run at the end of the day.

Then it was Mummy's turn. There seemed to be a lot of lady dogs in her class but she was confident she would do well as this lady judge has given her a best Irish setter before and also a best puppy when she was a little girl. I think she must have been over confident and didn't move round the ring as well as she can. I saw her put her nose on the ground a couple of times, but other than that I think she was good. When it came to the choosing I thought she had won it because the lady seemed to keep looking at her and then walked up as if she was going to choose her, but unfortunately at the last moment she wasn't chosen. She was quite disappointed, but Cheryl told her she can't win every time, and she has had two reds in the last few weeks. There will be another show soon, so another chance to compete again.

When all the Irish judging had finished I discovered that my daddy had won best Irish setter so we all stayed to watch him compete for the best dog in the show. It was starting to get quite warm, but it was nice to laze in the sunshine. He didn't win anything else, but I was proud to watch him running round the ring with his lady, Marita.

Once it was finally all over George and Cheryl took us over to a part of the park where we could have a good run. It was great fun. We found some Gordons to play with and a couple of red and whites. We chased one another round for ages and rolled over in the grass. Then it was back to the car for a drink before going to the house.

Next morning we set off for home after saying goodbye to the ducks and the big white birds called swans. It was nice and sunny so I sat up and watched the fields as we drove along. There were lots of cows, and sheep and I also saw quite a few horses, plus plenty of dogs out for their morning walk.

We had gone quite a long way, but hadn't reached the motorway when we had a big shock. We were driving along through a little village when suddenly I heard Cheryl scream and George shout and the next thing we knew the car had turned suddenly and stopped. Almost immediately there was a bang and the whole car shook. Morse barked in surprise, Mummy and I just didn't know what was going on. It turned out that a man driving a big tractor with a trailer on had turned across the road in front of us, and if it hadn't been for George's quick thinking and driving skills, we could all have been really hurt. Everyone was really shocked, but none of us were hurt. We had to stay there for a while for the man to write things down for George, but it seemed the car was okay to drive home although it made some funny noises when we went around corners.

Eventually we got home safe and sound, and I think we were all glad the journey was finally over. it was a relief to get back into the our garden and be home.

Later that evening the boys came home, and after a romp around the garden and a quick game of football, we soon forgot the traumas of the weekend. I think we're all having a rest this weekend, it'll give me a chance to play in the little field and get back to digging my hole. It's getting really big now and since all the grass has been cut I've found lots of balls I'd forgotten we had. I even found a bone Morse thought he had hidden. Well he's not having that back, finders, keepers, that's what I say.

Sunday 27th July

I was right, we did go to a show yesterday. It was really nice except for the rain, we all got very wet, but at least it was warm. We made some new friends and saw some old ones again. I was a good girl and got a lilac coloured rosette and a yellow one. Morsey, got a lilac one and Mummy got a red (again!).

We have a really nice little tent to lay in at some shows and I like to sit and watch what's going on or have a sleep on my comfy bed. Here's a picture of me and Morsey in our tent...

It wasn't a very nice journey home as it rained so hard I could hardly see anything out of the windows. I was glad to get back into our own garden and have my tea. I think I must have been quite tired because I fell asleep quite soon and it was dark when Cheryl came to put us to bed. I had a quick trot around the garden with Mummy and Morse, but all I really wanted to do was go back to sleep.

This morning I was wide awake though and as soon as the birds started singing I was up and ready to play.

It's been much nicer today and we've played chasing games, and chewed our bones and had a good sniff around the little field. The grass is very long in there now and it's surprising what you can find if you dig around.

I was going to help bring the washing in, but Cheryl took it down before I had finished playing with my bone. Perhaps I'll help next time.

Friday25th July

What a day! It's really horrible outside all wet and windy. I couldn't believe it this morning when Cheryl got our bath out and put me in it! I was wet enough already, but she made me even wetter and put shampoo on my legs and tail. Then it was Mummy's turn, she got even wetter, all over her body. She looked really funny all covered in soap suds standing in the ran. Once she'd had her bath we went back into the garage to get dried off. I just got rubbed with a big towel, but Mummy got the hairdryer as well. She really likes that, she goes all sleepy when she's being dried with the dryer. I think it must be Morse's turn next but it's raining so hard now I think Cheryl will be getting pretty wet too.

We went to a nice show last week where it was just Irish Setters. I was in before Morse this time which is unusual but I was quite good and got a green rosette and card. George said he was really pleased with me because I'm only just out of the baby class and competing against the bigger girls now. Morse was a bit naughty and kept sitting down again. He's got really crafty now, he stands perfectly until Cheryl thinks he's going to be a good boy, then just when the judge comes to look at him he sits down. He thinks it's really funny but I don't think Cheryl does. He still managed to get a green like me though and he is in the big boy's class these days.

Mummy ended up in the ring on her own. The other lady dog didn't come and there were only 2 of them entered in the first place. I think Cheryl was a bit disappointed because it doesn't really mean much to get a red when there was no-one else there. Still, Mummy's had lots of reds before and her rosette board is nearly all red and big multi coloured rosettes now. I'm surprised it stays on the wall really, it must be very heavy.

It's been a bit odd in the house this week as Nick has been away so I've only had George to play with. Yesterday he was riding up and down on a strange board thing with wheels. I wasn't too impressed to begin with and barked at it to see what it was but it didn't make a noise. He stood me on it and rolled it along a bit but it felt wobbly so I got off again. Then when he'd finished playing on that he took me for a nice walk. We went down the road to the park where we met some more boys that George knew from school. They seemed to like me because they all made a big fuss and stroked me.

Nick comes home today so perhaps I'll be able to play football with him tonight. I still haven't managed to get in the big blue pool and to my disgust I saw them emptying the water out yesterday.

There's been another big blue thing in the garden all week and Georgie had spent a lot of time in there. It's a bit like a mini house with a bed in and books and all sorts. I stayed in there one night until quite late, but then I heard Jess down the road barking and wanted to go an investigate. I haven't been back in since.

Well it looks like it will be a bit boring today if the weather is going to stay like this. I think I'll go and curl up in our bed with Morse and have a sleep.

Friday 11th July

Lots of activity in our house this week. We were all banned from the hallway, but there were lots of strange noises. There was some really loud machine, then a sort of shushing noise, lots of hoovering, then it went quiet for a while.

Ever since, there has been a funny smell which makes me sneeze. Cheryl seems to have lots of little splodges of green and white all over her arms and legs.

Mummy decided to go and investigate and stood in a sort of tray on the floor. Unfortunately she got caught as she left green paw prints everywhere she went after that. I don't think I'll risk it, I'll wait until we're allowed back in.

There's been a man in the house today doing something interesting in the kitchen. He keeps taking these funny looking pieces of wood in there and then there's lots of banging and we can hear him muttering something about it not fitting. I can't wait to see what he's been up to.

At the weekend the family had a barbecue in the garden. I like it when they do that because we get lots of little treats. The occasional beef burger, or if they're not quick enough, a few sausages. Mummy managed to poach 3 sausages before George even knew she was there. She didn't share them though, I thought that was being a bit greedy really.

The boys have got a new play thing in the garden. It's a kind of net between two poles and they hit funny little white things over it to each other. Everyone has been playing with it, but they had to move the net because all the white things kept going over next door's fence.

I thought I would sit and watch them for a while to try and work out what they were doing. After I while I thought I'd help out by catching the white things they missed. That was great fun, particularly as it meant Nick had to chase me to get them back again.

Morse didn't want to play this new game, instead he just keeps laying in the way. Eventually he went to sleep directly under the net, so they just played around him.

The neighbours came round the other day to see us. The man is very frightened of dogs and the lady was really surprised when he managed to stroke Mummy. After he got used to her we were allowed to go an meet them too. It wasn't long before we managed to persuade him to have a game with us, and we all ended up having a wrestling match on the grass. The lady said she was amazed and hopefully the man won't be so frightened any more.

I wonder where we're off to this weekend? I haven't seen any sign of scissors yet, but then I think Cheryl has been busy in the house so maybe they will come out tomorrow.

Tuesday 1st July

We've had a really exciting weekend. We all had baths on Friday so I knew there was likely to be a show, but I didn't bank on the rest of the weekend.

On Saturday we had our breakfast and went to play in the field, then George and Cheryl seemed to be doing something in the car. They were backwards and forwards, putting something in the boot. Then some boxes appeared. Then the dog bag came out! "Ah ha! We're definitely off to a show then", I thought.

After lunch, we finally all piled into the car. There was a strange new thing in the back with us, some kind of cover for us to lay on, but it was a bit slippy. We had our comfy bed on top though, so we were soon able to settle down for the journey.

I asked Mummy where we were going, but she didn't know. She thought it must be a long way though because of all the stuff on the back seat.

We drove off and soon got onto the long, fast road. I always go to sleep when we're on that sort of road. Once we get back onto the little roads and there's something interesting to see I have to push Morse out of the way to get a decent view. He always wants to sit where I'm sitting.

We seemed to have gone quite a long way before we stopped for a little while. It was a strange place, lots of people and cars, but we managed to find a little grassy place where we could stretch our legs for a while.

Then it was back into the car again. Eventually we turned off the fast road and went down a very narrow road. There wasn't much to see, just very high bushes and a few trees. After what seemed quite a long way, we finally turned down a track by a house. There was a little white pony coming up the road pulling a lady in a kind of box. In front of her was a collie running backwards!

Just to the side of the road were some big white birds with red faces, and at the bottom of the road were lots of cows.

A lady came out to meet us and took George and Cheryl into the house. After a short while they came back and took us all out of the car. We walked back u[ the track and along the road a little way. Then George opened a gate into a really big field and we were all let off our leads. It was great. Morse and I played chase whilst Mummy went off to explore. There was so much room to run around I got a bit lost for a while and couldn't find George & Cheryl or Mummy. I was just starting to panic when I heard them calling me. When I got back Mummy was in big trouble. She had found a stream at the bottom of the field and decided that she would go for a swim. She wasn't too popular having only had a bath the day before, but luckily it wasn't a muddy stream.

That night Mummy and Morse slept in the car in a sort of little house next to the big house. I got to sleep in the big house with George and Cheryl.

It was a big room with lots of strange smells. I think perhaps there had been dogs there before. It certainly smelt like it to me.

In the morning I was woken by a strange noise. I heard George say the cockerels were up too early as it was only 4 o'clock. A couple of hours later we got ready to go for a walk. I was very excited about going back to that big field, but what a shock when they opened the door. There was a huge ginger cat sitting at the top of the stairs! I wasn't sure whether to run away or hide, but decided that I would hide behind George's legs until she'd gone, just in case.

She didn't seem to be in too much of a hurry to leave, and had a good stretch before ambling of down the staircase. I was relieved when she had gone. I got the distinct feeling she was not very friendly.

We went back to the field for a nice run, and this time Mummy didn't go in the stream. Then it was back in the car and off down the little roads.

It wasn't long before we reached the show and we were soon all on our benches laying on our comfy beds. Morse went in first this time, but didn't come back with a card. Then it was my turn. I had to go in with the big girls this time because now I've had my first birthday I'm not a puppy any more. It was my first time in this big class, and I was pleased when I got a green card. Then I went in again and got a yellow card. George was really pleased and I had a chewy when I got back to the bench.

Later on Mummy went in her class. She didn't get a card either, so it was just me this time.

It had been a very long day so we all went home as soon as Mummy came back.

It was a very long journey back and there seemed to be a lot of stopping and starting, but I was so tired, I just curled up and went to sleep. When we finally got back I was pleased to be home. We had our tea then the boys came and played with us for a little while in the garden.

It's been raining ever since so we haven't been able to play for long outside, but we had an enjoyable weekend and I am wondering what next week will bring. Whatever it is I hope there aren't any more big ginger cats!