In which Fred and Elsie go on a doggy playdate

Fred and Elsie went on their first doggy playdate this weekend.  These doggies are the same ones that Fred and Elsie went and visited the morning they both wandered off for four hours in the morning.



Meet Dexter:



 

 and Rascal:





These two are very different dogs from my two sooks. They run around, play with sticks and are qutie vocal in their playing.

It was a pleasure to watch and experience what it must be like to own two very different dogs. I've never thrown a stick to a dog in my life. But Dexter soon sorted me out and very quietly hinted I might want to play with him by dumping a stick at my feet.

Here they are with hubby and their Boss playing with sticks:





Here is Elsie trying to figure out what the "stick throwing game" is all about. She looks so attentive like she's in school!



And if it's stick throwing school then Dexter surely gets an A! Look at that straight Sit!



And that crazed look on his face. I've never seen a puppy so excited about getting a stick!



 There were lots of barking, growling and running involved. Here's Freddie taking a break from his playing. I love how his tongue's just lolling to one side:



And another quiet moment in between play:



I was very excited when I spotted Freddie trying to do a dominance romp. But taking a look at these pictures it looks like he was trying to mount from the wrong end. Does it still count if he's trying to mount another doggy's head as opposed to coming from behind? Or is it just about who's on top?





This picture made me laugh. The sheer wickedness in that smile from Elsie as she romps my way with Freddie busy trying to pretend he's Top Dog in the background is just hilarious!



Here they are later having fun. Dexter looks so sweet grinning up at Fred



And even later, some Boy Bonding Time:



Or maybe they're plotting together to figure out how they can get into the chook pen



Fred: Ok Dex, here's the Plan. I distract my mum while you head on over to the pen, and then I'll lead mum to Elsie and come around from the other side. While she's busy with Elsie we'll be able to make the Biggest Haul! Whaddya say?

Here they are all running together, with my doggies showing what rough play is all about







And this shot is just amazing.

It's a plane!

It's a bird!

NO! It's FLYING ELSIE!



Here are the boys again. They seemed to get on really well together. Interestingly Elsie spent half her time sniffing around the place and chewing on bones, while Fred spent most of his time being chased and romping with Dexter and Rascal.



 No girls allowed, Elsie!



I reckon she preferred it that way. After all, she's a Princess Comfort Hound and doesn't really play with dirty noisy boys anyway.

By the time I'd thought to get my camera out she'd realised that while the boys spent their time playing she could soak up all the human attention without sharing. Sneaky girl!

All in all I'd say it was a very enjoyable playdate for all concerned! Even if Freddie still hasn't figured out the Power Moves for Top Dog.

romping in the grass and other shenanigans

A few weeks ago we finally got around to getting the electric fence put up. This resulted in two dogs who are now terrified of coming out of their dog house. For the first few weeks Elsie would go inside the pen, go straight into the dog house and all you would see of her would be her black nose until you came home in the evening and let them out.

The poor girl refused to pee, drink or play in the pen. I think what happened was that she must've got hit a few times when they were playing since Fred is so rough and she tends to bound along all the time.

We're pretty sure Fred got hit a few times too because the first night we came home when he saw us he was shivering like a leaf!

After the first week, they refused to go in there willingly, and had to be dragged in. Elsie more so than Fred. I must say for a while there I was starting to feel a bit like I was a bad parent. However since I started walking in first, they have now started to get over their fear and follow me into the pen. Little baby steps.

Hubby has also got around to starting on the new dog house, since the original one was only big enough for one dog (i.e. Elsie) and we'd come home every night to Elsie in the dog house and Fred sitting outside it. My only regret is that I didn't take a picture of Elsie in the dog house - I swear all you saw of her when she was in there was her little black button nose!

Here is the new house, with Freddie looking on indifferently wondering where Elsie has gone:



And here are the puppies romping in the grass. You can just see the roof of the original dog house at the back.







It's funny watching them play. Elsie always has such a look of glee on her face as she runs!



Here's one of her in motion:





Here they are later. I love how Elsie looks back at me all cheekily as if to say, "should I go up and scare him from behind?"


And even later, Fred yawning after a long day's work (as you do)



And a cute pic of the girl contemplating what life is like in her new electrified pen.

In which Fred pines after a goat and Elsie takes it easy

This weekend was met with a little drama, as late on Sunday afternoon we had an unexpected visitor come to our front door:





Meet Betty the Goat. Apparently she was a feral, let out by farmers a while ago. A quick call around determined that no one wanted her, and suggestions were thrown about such as, 'feed it to the dogs, they can get some good practice', to, eat it yourself!

I finally heard from one neighbour who said he'd been after some goats and would happily take it off our hands if we didn't want it. So next morning we did just that, and drove her up to her new home where she got renamed Betty.

She did however get to spend one night at our place. We put her in the dog run to make sure she didn't wander off, and kept the puppies inside.

Here is Betty inspecting the dog house:



And this is what I saw after I took the photo and turned around:



I had to laugh when I saw him, with the condensation around the glass.

Interestingly the dogs didn't make a racket until the goat got nearer to the dog pen. After which Fred started off a bark and Elsie did a low growl. Fascinating to watch/listen.

We put the dogs inside to keep them out of trouble and Elsie promptly forgot all about the goat. Fred, on the other hand, kept up a constant whine, and kept on following me all around the house hoping that I'd let him out.

It was almost as if he was trying to say, "come on mum! I can catch this one! I can help provide for dinner for once! Let me try!!"

Here are the puppies earlier in the day enjoying their bones and generally taking it easy on the weekend (as opposed to during the weekday when they sleep, play, chew on bones and sleep some more)

What a happy chappy..
 



mmMmmm... bone!



Oh yeah!



Fred: "No, you can't have it. It's MINE!"



mmMMMmmmm



OHMYGOD It's soooo goood...



Fred: "Yawn, I think I might just go take a nap.."





Fred: "Huh? You don't think I should have a nap?"



Fred: "What do you mean I should go and do some work? Hrmpff. I'll just stick my tongue out at you for that suggestion."






So both dog beds have now been replaced with the new black covers, which cost quite a bit each.  And then I happened to spot this:
 


Fred: "It wasn't me, I swear!"



Elsie?

Elsie: "What are you looking at?"

 
  And then later in the piece, here is my Elsie working *very* hard... 





very, very hard...



Gosh life is tough on the farm..