Mac the Labradoodle

Dog show 2011

2011-07-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have found out what all the excitement and planning was about! We are having lots of dogs to join us for a Dog Show! twig has come to stay as well so there are three of us dogs here. It is very busy but on the day I had a new handler. She is called Alice and we got on really well. I first met her at school when she was in the playground and we hit it off straight away. She entered me for some of the classes in the show and although I didn't win anything I felt great running across the ring with Alice.

New tricks

2011-07-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

We are learning to jump through hoops. it is very easy as we have been jumping through gates for years but I think this is for something special.

I love doing this as I get a treat each time I do it right but sometimes I get so excited I just run round instead of through the hoops. Both Hamish and I are really good at jumping - it must be in our genes (whatever they are!)

New friend

2011-04-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

We had a visit recently from my female biped's son and his wife and they have a dog! He is a bright young chap.......just needed keeping in his place. His name is Twig and we all had a lot of fun in the garden. He stayed overnight with us and brought his own bed.

Winter has changed to Spring

2011-04-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

The last few months we have had cold weather and lots of snow and ice. Both Hamish and I enjoy this knod of weather as we have thick coats and run about a lot. It takes the bipeds ages to get ready to go out as they have to put on layers of clothes and hand warmers and head warmers!

Now the Spring is here and the sun is out so I expect I'll get my coat trimmed.

Developing my football prowess

2010-11-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Last year I practised my noseball skills and you can see it on U tube. http://youtube.com/watch?v=AheFPbD7rnQ

This year I have been practising catching the ball like a goal keeper. I am now very good at this skill as you can see.

What should I practise next?

National Stress Awareness day

2010-11-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to get near the computer for some time as my female biped has been soooooo busy on the computer. She keeps talking about National Stress Awareness Day which I believe is today so hopefully she will be less busy after today! She was speaking on radio 1 extra this morning and it was wierd hearing her speaking form a box in the room but she wasn't there with us!

All her colleagues throughout the country see to be busy letting people know about how to regain some control in their lives and feel good inside................I feel good inside most of the time....especially when there is extra chicken for my meal and lovely long walks with my bipeds....life is good!

Dog Show!

2010-07-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Now i know what is was all about - we hosted a Fun Dog Show! All the dogs in the village and even some form a distance came to our field and were judged for waggiest tails, cutest puppy, oldest dog (17 amazing and still got all her teeth!), longest tongue, cutest ears etc..........
The judge was my great friend Linda who has me for holidays and cuts my hair,
Hamish and I were looked after my another friend while the bipeds helped with the arrangements. We weren't allowed to be judged as we were host dogs but we got a medal for being the hosts.......another one for the trophy cabinet.
Afterwards we walked around the village to see more scarecrows and some were very unusual - up on chimneys, over doors and sitting in wheelbarrows.
It was a great day and we got a packet of treats each just for being there......another result!
Now everything that came out to go in the field has to go away again - something called tidying up and Hamish and I always seem to be in the way.

Something's going on.....

2010-07-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been odd. there hasa been lots of activity in our field. The bipeds have had people staying in our home and they have all been clearing the field and putting up tents and banners with pictures of dogs!

I do not understand what is happening.

Today we went for a walk in the village and there was a lot happening. Some bipeds had brought large, wise-looking flying creatures but we had to leave when i started growling at them becasue I didn't understand why they were sitting on branches and everyone was looking at them with interest.

There were also lots of scarecrows like the ones in the farmer's fields - how did they get out of the fields? I don't think they can walk - perhaps they fly like the birds.

I wonder what this is all about.....................?

Getting tidied up

2010-07-10T09:43:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of Hamish, my brother a few weeks ago. The bipeds decided he was getting a bit scruffy and needed tidying up. I know all about this experience. We go to see Linda who runs our holiday place as well as being a dog groomer. We spend the whole day there and in between washing, drying resting and playing we get our hair cut (in some quite surprising places), our nails trimmed, our ears looked at inside and generally made very smart.

Hamish was a bit nervous about the new experience but did OK.

This is how he looks now!!!!!

Summer 2010

2010-07-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

It is summer here in the UK and we have had very hot days and nights. I have been drinking lots of water and seem to get tired much more so I sleep a lot. I love summer 'cause the bipeds are outside a lot and the door is always open so Hamish and I can run in and out as we like.

We rest in the shade and I am the one sleeping when the photo was taken.

Haircut

2010-05-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited the grooming place and Linda used her scissors, comb, shampoo and drying place to remove my winter curls and thick coat with the result you can see.

It feels good and will be better when the warm weather arrives.

Since Hamish has arrived I have had even more exercise as we regularly race around together and am now slim and fit so I look really good.

You can decide for yourself...................

Haircut

2010-05-16T13:28:00.001-07:00

Family birthday

2010-05-16T01:45:00.001-07:00

It was Hamish's first birthday yesterday and he had a cake, presents, bones and treats. The good thing about it is that I got some as well.....result!

New neighbours

2010-04-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

We appear to have new neighbours. They are called sheep and seem to have coats like me! I got confused by these sheep last year as I saw them in a field whilst out on a walk and really wanted to play with them as they looked like me.

Now they have moved into the field next to ours. They have baby sheep who do a lot of bleating which makes their mothers call back.

I do not have a problem with these animals but my brother Hamish is fascinated with them. He spends a lot of time looking at them through our fence and it seems to cause our bipeds some concern. I am sure he wil get over it as they are no threat to us and don't want to play with us so best to ignore them.

Hamish got it wrong....again!

2010-03-28T05:22:00.000-07:00

In our garden we have an area to store logs and over the winter it has been covered by a blue cover - the bipeds call it a tarpaulin (I had to ask how to spell that!).
On morning Hamish and I were out playing around and he disappeared for a while then reappered with pieces of this blue cover in his mouth.
I know this was NOT GOOD so I stayed out fo the way when one of the bipeds came out to see where we were. Hamish proudly showed off his handywork by climbing inside one of the holes he had made with his sharp teeth.
Firm words were used like "bad dog" and stern looks were given. The bipeds talked about how the blue thing had come loose in the winter winds and they should have tied it up again. It was then all tidied up and put in the rubbish bin.
I think Hamish was quite proud of his work as he managed to create lots of chewed up pieces and lots of holes.
I can remember doing that with a blanket when I was his age so I suppose it is what we dogs do when we are young!

What's this tube I've found?

2010-03-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

Last week Hamish and I were resting on the mat
and I laid my paw on his neck. I could feel a tube running down his neck and when I pressed it he seemed to breath in an odd manner.
What is this tube?
Do I have one?
Do bipeds have this tube in their neck?
Should I press it for a longer time?

Hamish the hooligan

2010-03-11T01:58:00.000-08:00

It seems that I went through a 'difficult' stage in my development and now I am beginning to understand first hand what it feels like! Hamish is really pushing his luck with my good nature. Every time I go out in our field he wants to fight me, steal my toys, balls and sticks and any time I go to investigate a great smell or interesting noise - there he is - his cheeky face right beside me!

I am feeling quite threatened and it is annoying and at times distressing. Our bipeds do seem to understand and try to be firm with him but he just shrugs it off and goes and does it again! They tell me that I was the same but I am sure I wasn't as bad as this! He chews a lot of things - like the arm of a chair outside, my bedding, my balls and sticks, the bipeds washing and lots more. the books say it could be because he is bored but we play outside in all weathers throughout the day, our food is of a high quality with no chemicals added, we have lots of toys and get lots of practise to do tricks and 'good boy' behaviours so what more does he want?

The bipeds say he will calm down in a few months but he will make my hair go grey by then if he doesn't learn to behave.

I was listening to the moving picture box yesterday - what is an ASBO? does anyone think it would help him?

2010-03-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hamish is getting bigger and we have regular
sparring matches to see who is the bravest. He is very energetic and his running is getting faster but I am still better at catching balls!. Unfortunately he has a habit of getting me by the leg or neck or rump and I have to let go of the ball to deal with his pesky hanging on. It is a very effective technique as he then picks up the ball or toy and takes it back to the biped. the only good think is that we both get a treat for effort!

Hamish is not so keen on water so I get to paddle in peace and quiet which is very satisfying. It is lovely to explore waht is under the top of the water and I often find lovely sticks which I bring out and run about with. Life is great when you find a good stick!

Head to head

2010-01-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hamish and I were sleeping one day. It's great to have a canine friend in the house. He is a bit childish but that is only to be expected as he is just 8 months old and I am now 2 and a half YEARS old and know the ropes much better. As you can see we are really comfortable with each other.

Drying off

2010-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

It was really wet yesterday and after a great run around in the rain here is Hamish and me drying off! I'm the one with my head in the towel - embarassing!

2010-01-24T07:57:00.000-08:00

We play rugby as well!

Cuddles

2010-01-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

Having a brother is fun and I am getting lots of exercise but I have to share my bipeds. My male biped has not been around so much recently as he is working in something called an office and I miss him lots as he is great at football. When he comes home sometimes I climb up on his knee for a hug. It is quite an effort for both of us as I am 32Kg and take up a lot of room - however we both make it work. Everyone benefits from a cuddle!

Christmas has come and gone

2010-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

This year Christmas happened at home and we had snow. The bipeds went to visit friends and family before Christmas and then we had lots of visitors around the Christmas time. Both Hamish and I love people and all the visitors were friendly, dog liking people so we all got on well. However ....................Hamish blotted his copybook...big time! the bipeds went out shopping and we were left at home but........someone left the gate open and we could get upstairs. Now upstairs hold no amazement for me but Hamish is young and wants to explore everywhere so off he went...............upstairs. He was away for quite a long time as I lay on my bed relaxing and only came down when the bipeds returned. He wasn't quick enough and met them on his way down so they know he/we had be up there. Unfortunately he had found our Christmas presents and eaten all the edible ones................turkey and cranberry biscuits, green Christmas trees and chocolate drops and munchy rolls.............disaster!!!!! the bipeds said "bad Hamish" and our fault 'cause we left the gate open then Hamish was sick on the carpet! We both needed a good run in the fields and along the canal after that!

Winter

2009-12-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

I am so glad I have a fine wool coat! the waeather is much colder now and I am still warm outside becasue I have my thick winter coat. Life is pretty good, its good to have a friend and Hamish keeps me on my toes. I can still run faster than him but he is getting better every day. We chase each other a lot and he has started to challenge my senior position by pushing in when I am communicating with the bipeds and wanting to fight when we are in the field. so far i think I am holding my own but not sure for how long!

Big Brother responsibilities

2009-10-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to blog recently as my time has been taken up with Hamish. I wasn't sure at first how it would all work out but everything is fine..............different..............but fine! He is quick learner so is good fun to teach. He used to eat very quickly but the bipeds put us in different rooms to eat and now he is more relaxed. Ithink he thought I would eat his food but.....I eat ADULT food and he gets PUPPY food so no contest.
While in the field we found the plum tree so I jumped up to make sure he could eat some but they seemed to upset his tummy and he had to get some medicine. He is OK now and all functions seem to work well. We go out for walks with the bipeds and he is good on the lead and good at returning when asked when we are off the lead. In fact I have to show I can be as good so the bipeds seem pleased.
Got to go and play with Hamish now..............................

I have a new brother!!!

2009-08-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Last week I went with my bipeds to Wentwood where I was born. When we arrived I met some old friends and my new brother. He is very small and has the same Dad as me but a different Mum. He is 12 weeks old, has sharp teeth and isn't always too fussy where he piddles!

I was not sure about him to begin with but I am getting to know him over the last week since he has been living with us and he is OK. We share the same place at night and during the day there is plenty of room for me to run about on my own or play with him. His name is Hamish and he is quite bright as he copies me when I sit, give a paw and lie down.

I have been sharing my toys with him and am really enjoying playing with some I had forgotten about.

I am a STAR!

2009-06-30T01:50:00.001-07:00

My female biped took me to a large auditorium after she had spoken to lots of people about my Views on Management (!)
[My views on management of my life is that the bipeds have got most of it right - a bit more throwing of the ball would be good but otherwise they seem to have the balance OK.]
After the people had seen some of my pictures and heard Ann's take on them they got to meet me! I sat well (with a toy in my mouth to contain my excitement) and posed really well for photos. It was good fun and when we returned home we had the windows of the car open and it was brilliant!
This is one of the pictures - something to do with my IT skills I think.

Hot weather

2009-06-30T01:45:00.000-07:00

This hot weather is great! the doors are always open and I can run back and forward form the cool of the house to the hot of the patio and grass. I have taken to sunbathing on the back step and it realy warms me up. My bipeds keep commenting on my wool coat and how it must be warm but I pant a lot and drink a lot and rest when I get too hot or tired...............so no problem!

Snow pictures

2009-05-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

My biped recently found some pictures of me having fun in the snow. It is really weird stuff! You sink into it, if your run about in it. The snow sticks to my legs; some of it is called ice and if you are careful, you can stand on it but it is very slippy! Great fun - I wonder when it will come again?

Changes

2009-02-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

I can report that I feel healthy and well again. The ice and snow have disappeared - wonder where it went? My home environment has changed as the bipeds have removed the gates in the hall and another room. I can now go anywhere - if the doors are open..........great! Last week the bipeds got out tins with paint in them and spread it all over the walls in the hall. They didn't want me to help so I stayed in another part of the house. When they had finished the gates had disappeared and I had a rest in the area where they had been working.

I think I am now able to 'wait' and 'stay' better so I don't need to be gated in. It's great to be 'grown up'.........I feel much calmer and 'in control'...............most of the time!

Tummy upset - visit to the vet

2009-01-31T13:30:00.000-08:00

I have to report that I have had some gastric distress recently. I was sick at 5am two mornings running...very odd! I was put on a light diet of chicken and rice and we went to the vet for a prod around my ventral area (very technical!). The vet thinks I may have some inflammation - whatever that is - and approved of the light diet and gave my biped some anti acid pills to settle things down. I felt better the next day and for a couple of days then I was sick in the afternoon and had the opportunity to examine my food after it had been eaten - very interesting! I consumed some of it again - waste not want not - and sat outside for a bit with my towel around me for the pathetic effect!
Feel OK today so hope that is the end of that!

This toy is alive!

2009-01-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

I was given a very weird toy around the time we had that green tree in the house. It is a red/yellow ball and it has a tail like an animal and............it moves!! It wriggles around the floor and the tail moves about very enticingly! In the picture I have the tail in my mouth trying to quieten it down. I've shaken it, dropped it (quite hard) on the floor and tried to chew it but it just moves off and wriggles all over again! It's quite fun but definitley odd........sort of alive!

I have got a new video and it shows off my pawballing skills! It's on YouTube and I plan to have another one 'cause I had great fun paw and nose balling in the snow...................watch the space!

A Labradoodle at the White House?

2009-01-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

My biped told me that there may be a dog like me at an important place in America called the White House. The bipeds there are called Obama and have young bipeds who would love a dog like me. I find young bipeds great fun as they are so quick, sometimes noisy and great to play with just like some of my quadruped friends. Perhaps he or she could be my e friend?

Yesterday I had a great play in the fields with Dudley the black retreiver but he is a Top Dog and I spent a lot of time on my back in the mud! We rolled about together ad chased each other and I got really muddy but it was such fun. when I came home the bipeds got the big bath out and I had a great wash. I love the shake afterwards!

I am sure Mr Obama's dog will have lots of fun like that too - go for it Mr Obama!

Happy New Year 2009! ( A guid New Year to ane and a')

2009-01-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

A guid new year to ane an' a' An' mony may ye see,

An' during a' the years to come,

O happy may ye be.An' may ye ne'er hae cause to mourn,

To sigh or shed a tear;

To ane an'a baith great an' sma'

A hearty guid New year.

This is a Scottish Greeting to welcome in the New Year.

One of my bipeds is Scottish and I am Welsh by birth and my Male bidped is English and apparently the Scots have the lead in this area so I donned a tartan cap and scarf...............

to accompany my dark haired male biped ( dark and good looking is a requesite in this activity!) to FIRST FOOT.

This involves going for a walk just after midnight and arriving at the front door with a piece of coal or wood (we have a wood burner so I was in charge of the wood which I regularly collect on outings), something to eat and a bottle of liquor. We knocked on the door of our home and were welcomed with enthusiasm.

I promptly devoured the food (not sure if that was the correct etiquette but it was very good!) and the bipeds drank from glasses - I was offered water.............great!

I wish everyone a good 2009 and hope it is as good as today, which was brilliant - good food, good walk, met great friends, had some good exercise and felt loved by my bipeds and gave lots of love back.

Lots of paper!

2008-12-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

I didn't need my cunning plan! some of the wrapped parcels were for me!
I uwrapped a reindeer with red shoes and a red nose...........then there was net full of dog treats.... and a ball with a crazy ferret attached to it that appeared to have a mind of its own.......after a few throws of that it gave up! There was a great ball with treats inside that sounds like a duck...........(must find out about duck communication classes), even the paper was quite fun.................... I like this Christmas time!
I also got a pink pig which grunts when you squeeze it - great fun!

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

An interesting tree has appeared

2008-12-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

My bipeds have erected a green tree in the house! Then they hung round balls on it and they are not for me to play with apparently! Then they put lights on it and it looks fairly important so I thought I'd get in on the act as you can see. It is always a good idea to put yourself in the heart of what is going on then the bipeds can't forget about you! I think this is a good plan........don't you?
they have now put boxes covered with paper around the tree and I just love tearing up paper...............I have a cunning plan...................!

At the seaside

2008-12-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

We recently went in the car to the seaside.
My bipeds had a meeting and afterwards we went to the beach. The waves were loud and quite large and the smells on the beach were great! I had a super time running around.
It is winter now and the bipeds need to put on lots of clothes but I am OK - my coat keeps me warm and I don't feel the cold on my feet.

Boot Sale

2008-12-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

I was taken to a field with lots of cars and lots of people and lots of 'things' to buy.
I think it was a test as I get very excited meeting new people and jump up at them. I did quite well I think.

We're back!

2008-12-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

It is some time since my biped blogged as she has been ever so busy! I have been to a few meeting places with her and we have checked out some more service stations. It is surprising how few have no poo facilities for dogs - we dogs travel widely these days!

We are back to the colder weather and it takes the bipeds ages to get ready for our walk as they have so may clothes to put on. My favourite bits are the gloves they put on their hands. I pinch them when they are busy with the other clothes and then we have a chase..................................great fun!

video

2008-10-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my biped and I were filmed by some very nice people and the plan is that we will have a video on the internet! We walked along the canal and played in the field with my ball and very soon I will be able to put in the link to MY VIDEO! It has something to do with National Stress Awareness Day which my female biped is involved in and I know she has great fun with me..................I'm not sure if I am the problem or the solution...............?
Here is the link.........http://www.new-you.tv/portal/web/new-you/worry

2008-10-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today we went for a walk as usual. I met some great dogs and some interested bipeds and then we went into this woodland place. I had a great run around, rolled in some interesting smells and then sat down to look around. I got to thinking that it would be great to have this place as my empire.

Changing season

2008-10-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

The weather seems to be changing. There are lots of leaves to play with, berries to eat and a lovely freshness to the air. This is called Autumn.

Fright and Flight

2008-09-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today I was out walking with my biped and was off the lead running along the side of the Grand Union Canal. There were the usual ducks, moor hens, canal boats and great sniffs. We passed my three Jack Russel friends an dturned back after about a mile. On the way back I needed a drink so, as usual, I went towards the canal but I misjudged my speed and slid into the canal.......headfirst! I may be part labrador but the poodle part of me is strong and I prefer to just get my feet wet! I paddled to the edge and tried to get out but had to be unceremoniously helped out by my collar. Frankly it was quite traumatic and I just stood stock still at the side of the canal for a moment or two before having a good shake. There was a pounding in my chest which according to my biped is my heart working very fast. I then felt I had to career back and forward very fast along the bank to get everything working again at the right speed! After three or four very fast runs up and down I had another shake and was back to normal.

Apparently this behaviour is part of a primeval body response when you get a shock or surprise.

I had quite a surprise when I fell in the water and responded by running (flight). The other option is to fight but there was no one to fight with!

My biped is very interested in all this inside body working stuff and likes to explain it to me. I'm just glad no one else saw me fall in...................embarassing!!

Taking a break

2008-09-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

This week I have been out in the car with my female biped. She went to a meeting and I got to inspect the area around the meeting place. Nice grass, a great smelling tree, interesting shrubs a pleasant brook and a bin for poo. This meeting was near one of these roads where cars and lorries go very fast and all in the same direction. I believe they are called Service Stations and the dog walking area was really excellent.
This got me thinking that perhaps I should start a guide for bipeds (since most dogs can't read) of the best and worst Service Stations in the UK.
I know that my bipeds have star ratings for Service Stations on these fast roads as we often pass some and have preferred stops so I think dogs should have preferred stops too.
Perhaps some dogs/owners would like to share their expereinces and we could pool our knowledge and create 'A Dogs' Guide to Service Stations and other travelling stops'.

socks

2008-09-07T13:58:00.001-07:00

One evening I was sitting with my biped and I managed to remove one of his socks! I have to admit he didn't put up much of a fight. They are quite stretchy and I tried wearing it then pulling it about a bit...........as I do!

We then had a competition to see who would get it:

Jumping

2008-09-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have been jumping for ages - gates, wooden fences, wire fences, styles etc but recently the bipeds seem to want me to jump over posts when they ask me. It is easy, as they are not very high and they give me a treat when I do it............. so I oblidge. My ears fly out like wings and I think it is cool!

Visitors

2008-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

We had some biped visitors recently and I think I did OK. I am learning not to get quite so excited and if I sit down, visitors will pat me. However it seems I was not as attractive as usual as I had found some really good fox smells and rolled in them with great enthusiasm. I was encouraged to get in the bath and had a thorough soaping and rinsing then a towel down. For some reason one of the bipeds thought I should wear the towel like something called a cape then they took a very embarassing picture!

Spending time with my male biped

2008-07-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

It is good to be with your bipeds and here are some pictures of me with Andrew. You can see how tall I am now, especially when I stand on my back legs.
I like to hang out with him in the kitchen - boys together and he said this picture was good for his cred as he is doing the cooking. I am always hopefull but only get fed twice a day plus treats when we are training together.
You can see me sitting really well and walking to heel which usually gets a treat at some point!

Weekend Away

2008-07-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

My bipeds took me in the car to my home country - Wales! We went to be with a group of their friends and I was the only dog! We had our own quarters and I had my own little garden - it was great! We went to the beach and watched bipeds windsurfing and jet skiing but it looks too complicated for me......................

While I was there I heard about a missing black pudding. Apparently a whole pudding was bought from a butchers and when the hotel people got home it was missing..................everyone looked at me!!!!! I looked back and didn't know what the problem was. The next day my male biped found it outside the fence of my garden - uneaten - wish I'd known it was there!

I'm writing a book

2008-07-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

Now that I am one I have decided that it is time to share my thoughts with the world. One of my bipeds is a staff and management trainer and I think I can shed some light on this subject so we have agreed to cooperate in a joint venture. I will provide the comments and she will add pictures................much the same as this blog really................ so should be quite easy..........I hope!

I notice a lot when I am out walking, running, jumping and sniffing and it all seems relevant to the way bipeds could work better together. We've got the first few pages started and I'll keep you up to date on the progress.

Apparently we need something called a publisher. My biped has already published one book but as this one is different we may need a different publisher so if anyone wants to publish my book, just let me know.

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-06-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am one year old! On my birthday I had a special cake to eat. It was made from my favourite food and had a light on top! After some pictures I ate it all! It seems it was just for me and the bipeds didn't want any............result!

Here are my birthday pictures.......................

New Car

2008-06-13T05:13:00.001-07:00

I have much more room in the new car. I have my own area at the back, smoked wondows to keep out the sun, and I can look out the back or the side or the front or just lie down and sleep - not bad eh! The bipeds have come up trumps!

Last week I went on a long journey and even although it was hot I have my own fan! When we got there I sat under a tree and we had a picnic - that seems to be sitting around and eating all done outside. Then we went back home - can't see the point really but I expect the bipeds know what they are doing?

Meeting friends

2008-06-07T03:57:00.000-07:00

I was out walking along the tow path today and met some very chatty ducks. They were quacking loudly and very animatedly but unfortunately I hadn't a clue what they were saying or what they wanted. I think I need to go to a class in duck talk as I was interested in what they had to say. I met a few of my friends on the walk, Toby the spaniel and Jasmine the labrador. She is looking really good these days and we shared a few licks as well as tumbling around while the bipeds chatted. They seem to like chatting.......licking and tumbling is much more fun!

I also saw some birds called geese and they had lots of tiny baby geese with them. They were very cute but stayed very quite as I walked by. I hope I didn't frighten them but I am just so interested in animals and bipeds. I walked past very quietly and was rewarded with a treat and a 'good boy'. Can't be bad!

Yummy weeds

2008-06-07T03:51:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a lot of activity in the garen these days. My bipeds get the noisy machine out and cut the grass and they spend a lot of time pulling out perfectly good plants they call weeds. They seem quite juicy and worth a chew but I enjoy shaking them about as well. I like sitting in the shade when it is very sunny - very cool!

Writing my blog

2008-06-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time I got involved in writing this blog so I went into the office, climbed up on the chair and took a look at what was what. I don't think I have the right kind of paws for the thing with letters on it and even if I had no one has taught me to spell all the words I have learned! So I will choose the pictures and the bipeds can get on with the words.

Hair cut

2008-05-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been unbearably hot. My coat is very warm in winter and extremely hot in summer. My bipeds have been taking me for walks in the early morning and late evening when it is cooler. Yesterday I went to visit Linda - the biped who cuts hair all over my body. We spent the whole day together and she really spruced me up! I had my nails clipped and cleaned as well as my long floppy ears and she clipped off al lot of my winter coat - it felt fantastic! Perhaps you can see a difference in my picture?

Since I have had my hair clipped the weather has been much cooler - apparently there is some Law which dictates these sort of happenings! I notice I am not the only one who has had a haircut!

Car shop

2008-05-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

My bipeds took me on a journey to visit a large shop with lots of cars. I wonder if we are going to change our cars and if so which one? I usually travel in the boot of Andrew's car and it is very comfortable as my bed is in the back. I can look out of the back window or lie on my bed and I enjoy travelling this way. The other car we have is quite different and if I was in the boot I would be in the dark. I usually travel in the back seat but my harness is very uncomfortable. So far nothing has changed so perhaps we are not getting a different car.

I have won a prize!!!

2008-04-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

I went to school this week and we had a progress test. My biped and I had to walk around the ring, going this way and that, with my trainer telling us which direction to walk. I had to stop and start and sit and stay and lie and stay and wait and run to my biped when she called. Sometimes I get confused and sometimes I forget to sit straight. It was all very hard because I had to do it without the usual nibbles. I only got these at the end which seemed a bit unfair. The nibbles are the best bit!
I was really surprised when they called out my name and I was given this magnificent trophy for being the 4th best dog. Trella - who is a real swot and very, very good was best dog.........again!

Do I have a problem?

2008-04-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

I like bricks! In fact I adore bricks! They are so exciting! If they have been in the garden first of all I lick them clean - really clean - then I bark or yelp at them and jump on them and I can even pick them up in my mouth and run around with them!

What I want to know....................is this normal?

My bipeds seem to think it is rather unusual and I suppose I like that as it makes me different to other dogs. They say I am different anyway because I am so excited by bipeds, quadrupeds, bricks, sticks and reeds. I jump up on bipeds and quadrupeds, lick bricks, nibble sticks and reeds and just have a great time. Life is wonderful.

I'd like to know if any other dogs like bricks?

Watching the world go by

2008-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

I was out at the gate, waiting for my biped to take me for a walk and I realised how tall I am getting. I used to be unable to see over this gate which is 100cm high but I can see really well now! I am quite nosey and like to see who is about. I know a lot of local dogs and their bipeds and it is good to see them.

A great biped

2008-04-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

We had a visit from a biped friend recently. He has a dog on his boat home and is very friendly to me. We have visited him before but this time he came to eat with my bipeds. After they were fed he threw my ball and we had lots of fun together. A good guy!

Digging the garden

2008-04-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

I was watching my bipeds dig in the field recently, but I had to stay away and watch from a distance so the next time I was out in the house garden and they weren't looking - I did some myself. First I got rid of green plant things, then I found some bulbs and excavated them, then I got down to work using my nose and feet and soon I could fit my head into the trench I had dug.................pretty good eh?

Snowing again

2008-04-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

We had that wonderful, white, fluffy stuff the bipeds call snow recently. I love it! My water bowl looked like a cake with icing and I ate a ball of snow - lovely!

I've been to a pub

2008-03-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

On Easter Day we went on a journey to visit part of our family. We all went on a very long walk which ended at a very nice pub. They are dog friendly people because they had a bowl of water ready for me when I arrived and even allowed me inside while the bipeds were eating.

The smells from all the different foods was excruciating but I had eaten my meal before we left so I just settled down at their feet (that is a different smell) and waited until they had eaten and talked and talked and eaten and talked..................Then we walked back a long way and after a refreshing drink we set off home.

We all slept well that night.

Snow at Easter

2008-03-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

The white, cold, fun stuff the bipeds call snow is back!
Apparently we had 5 inches and it made the morning outing great!
I just love rolling in it and eating it and skidding around in it!
I am so lucky as I have a woolly coat and as yet have not felt cold.
Even my feet must be insulated as I can skip around on ice and snow and don't get cold...............bipeds need boots and coats and hats and scarfs cause they are naturally naked. It's good to have an inbuilt coat.

Thank you Mum!

2008-03-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

Recently the bipeds were talking about something called Mothers' Day and I got thinking about my Mum Fudge. She was everything to me and my brothers and sisters for 6 weeks - loving, supportive, nourishing....so soft and gentle! I then realised that I have never put her on my blog and decided to rectify the omission immediately! She is a Labradoodle with a fine coat but I definitely have her eves and beard.

Love you lots Mum xxxxxxxx

Good hair day

2008-03-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

I spent today with the bipeds who cut out tangles
in my hair and trim my tail and beard and generally spruce me up. Although my bipeds comb and brush me my hair seems to get quite tangled and it takes an expert to sort it out. The Top Dog at the hair kennels really knows her stuff and her quadrupeds are a Dalmation and an Alsation. I guess my hair will settle down but everyone says I am very soft and cuddly - I think that is good? Apparently bipeds get their hair fixed as well as I heard mine talking about it. That seems a bit over the top as they only have hair on their heads not all over their body like mine. I doubt I will ever understand them!

My trainer was on the TV!

2008-03-12T06:45:00.001-07:00

We have a box that shows moving pictures in our house
kennel and there were lots of pictures of dogs this weekend. Something called Crufts was happening and lots of dogs looked very smart. I liked the ones that rushed around with balls in their mouth - I do that a lot - but they seemed to be in a relay? I also liked the seesaws and tunnels - they look great fun! At the end I could not believe my eyes as my trainer was on the picture box with her dog infront of all these people. Her dog is very well behaved and did all sorts of tricks and steps - like a dance. When I see Mary this week I will have to show her how much I liked seeing her.
My bipeds kept saying that if we worked at the training stuff we could do some of the tricks. I've been practising all week but I think it is going to take a long time!

I passed! University here I come!

2008-03-03T14:07:00.001-08:00

I went to my class last week and had to do all my sit, stand, walk to heel, turn, stay and come routines. It was really odd 'cause I had to do it in a ring on my own - I kept wondering where all the other dogs and bipeds had gone! It was just me walking round with Andrew and doing our thing.
Here is a picture of me and two of my classmates.
Maisie is a Colliedoodle and Trella is a Spanish Water Dog - we are the blondes in the class!
We all passed and Trella won best behaved - sort of an 'A' to my 'C'. I suppose we have completed Key Stage 1 and will go on to Key Stage 2 now

A new friend

2008-02-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

Today we had a visit from a colleague of my biped who brought his dog. She was really lovely and is called Gretal. She is quite special as she is going to be a guide for blind bipeds. She is living with foster bipeds until she is old enough to go to guide dog school where she will learn so much stuff! I like to run and chase and she was up for it just as much as me! We ran and chased and play fought until we were exhausted. After that the bipeds talked and the visitor drew pictures - I hope he draws a picture of me!

I don't think she is pleased!

2008-02-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

Today has been interesting. I went for a great walk and met my friend, who is Top Dog called Blade. We hung around together - well I hung around him - and the bipeds walked and talked. I had a good rest and then had a look around the place the bipeds cook their food. I found a silver and black thing which she often puts to her ear and took it outside to the field and tried to see if it was easy to chew. When my female biped found it she was not very happy - what a fuss about a thing you hold to your ear!

Questions answered

2008-02-26T02:03:00.000-08:00

I have had a really interesting question asked - see comments on last post. Tiptree wants to know more about Labradoodles! I certainly get noticed when I am out with my bipeds. If you look back at my blog you will see that my Dad was a standard Poodle and my Mum was a labradoodle so I am three quarters Poodle and quarter Labrador. I have lots of poodle traits - I sit up really straight, don't over eat, love water but only to paddle in and my Labrador traits come out in my love of carrying sticks.

My birth place was Wentwood Kennels and the biped there was very knowledgeable about our breed and how I would turn out. I have changed a lot since my puppy days - see earlier pictures - and still have more development in the coat department to go apparently. You can contact my biped on her e mail for further information if you like. If you get a Labradoodle perhaps I could visit and give it some helpful advice?

Dog/Biped School

2008-02-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

I have been going to school with my bipeds now for 7 weeks and I thought it would be good to list my achievements. I find it really hard to concentrate in class as there are so many interesting dogs and bipeds. The Top Dog biped at the class is called Mary and she is really great! I will do most things she askes me to do because she really say it as it is. She has taught my bipeds to get me to : sit, stand, lie down, wait, stay, return a toy to their hand and walk to heel as well as sit at their side looking up. Haven't I learned a lot!

I still get very excited when I am out as I love meeting new dogs and new bipeds.

On Thursday I have an exam to see if I can do all the things I have learned so wish me and my bipeds luck!

A find in the garden!

2008-02-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

Our garden is just full of amazing finds! I was routing around, as I do, and I found this piece of purple pipe. I love the colour and the taste! It had some of that nice soil I like so it kept me occupied for quite a while

Grooming

2008-02-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

I had a new experience today. My biped took me to a new place

where a very nice female biped teased out all the knots in my coat. She must be very patient as it took a long time and sometimes it was uncomfortable. Now I am all tangle free and very soft. My bipeds made a great fuss and took these photos..........hope you like them!

Digging

2008-02-06T02:21:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of digging - usually on my own but today my bipeds seemed to want ot get in on the act. they have a special tool to help them but I jsut use my nose. I have done so much digging recently that I have scraped my nose and it is pink - but it doesn't hurt.

New Tricks

2008-02-03T14:26:00.000-08:00

I am going to a new doggy school and I am learning some great tricks. There is something called 'heel' and I have to sit real close to my biped's left leg and I get a great tasting treat! Then there is something called 'paw' and you can see me doing both at once just to make sure I get the tasty treat!

Blade - top dog!

2008-02-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

I've written about my friend Blade before. He is a grown up labrador who is 6 years old.
He is a fantastic swimmer and is top dog as far as I am concerned. He came to visit our field and we played with my pawball. I let him have first shot because he indicated quite clearly that that was how it is...................he is great! You can see me here watching him play with my biped and my ball.

The sea

2008-01-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

This was amazing! We went to the edge of the water and it was moving!

It flowed in and out and I couldn't catch it!

It tasted odd, not like ordinary water. I ran up and down and had a great time................what a wonderful place.................the local dogs are very lucky. By the time wel eft it was getting dark.

The Sea!

2008-01-18T13:30:00.001-08:00

Christmas 2007

2008-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

We went on a very long journey in the car and I slept most of the time. We stopped and I got out to go to the toilet and have a run. When we arrived it was a new place but my bed was there so it felt OK. People arrived, some of whom I had met before and some I had not. I tried to be well behaved but I found a red hat and wore it on my foot ....................didn't like it on my head!

I got some new toys and had great fun.

2008-01-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

The hard water had got as far as the canal. the bipeds that usually swim there were no where to be seen. Perhaps they don't like hard water in their swimming pool?

Walking on thin ice

2008-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

One day I went out and it must have been cold as my biped wore even more clothes than usual.............of course I just wore my usual coat. when we got to the field all the water had changed.

It was hard and I could even walk on it................but once I fell through! I tried eating the hard water and it was good. The smells in the field were better than usual..............I like this cold stuff!

2008-01-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

We live near a hill and there are usually sheep on the hill but today they had gone away and we climbed the hill. It was very windy at the top but the smells were great!

This is me on my way down with my biped.

Me and my bipeds

2008-01-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

White flakes from the sky?

2008-01-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

I went out for my evening trip to the garden and everything was white!

This stuff was falling from the sky......it tasted wierd.......sort of cold and light! I frolicked around and left my footprints for my bipeds to see......great fun!

bipeds called ducks

2007-11-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

I recently noticed some different bipeds. They seem to glide on the water and often go around in groups especially if a human biped is throwing white stuff into the water.

They are really cool as the can walk too - but they seem very slow. I went up to talk to them yesterday but the slid into the water with a quacking sound. Like other similar bipeds I have seen they can soar into the air as well.................I have continued to practise my high jumping as maybe that will help me fly too!?

Catching up in November 2007

2007-11-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

During my walks I go through lots of fields and often see very large brown quadrupeds. I am always put on the lead and you can see how interested I was in one of them in this picture. It looked at me very strongly and I looked back tehn I went off with my biped to see what interesting stuff was in the next field.I regularly meet friends on my walks and we have fantastic fun.

Tess is a black labrador and she loves me to chase her ................so I oblige..........

then there is Jasmine she is 5 months old like me and is a very cute retriever. We play fight and I am very gentle with her and usually give her a little kiss when we leave.....

My hero is Blade....he is a large golden labrador and is training to do the doggy swinmming Olympics! Every time I see him he is in the canal, swimming up and down, up and down.......he takes his training very seriously...............then for fun he turns in to gardner and rearranges the reeds at the side fo the canal. One time he ended up with a really black face................his biped seems really cool about it and shows him good places to get out so he can shake his coat and get out the water.

I haven't gone into the canal yet - well not really...........I slipped when I was at the edge so that doesn't count! I paddle a lot in shallow water areas and that feels really good........I'll stick with that for the moment

2007-11-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well folks.......I've had my first bath! My bipeds brought in a large bath and put warm water and shampoo in it as apparently I had rolled in something which I thought was great but they were not so keen! The bath was OK and although I don't look as if I liked it. I didn't mind too much. We had great fun with the drying towel and it did feel fresh afterwards................however I think I prefer smelling dog like.....

2007-11-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have been nagging my biped to get my latest pictures and activities on the blog. She has been really busy and I have had a dog sitter for a few days recently. She is a nice lady who takes me out for great walks. Everyone we meet comments on how I am growing so I've sat up very straight to let you make up your own mind...............I couldn't resist the sausages!

Stay

2007-11-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

We had a visit from a friend of my famale biped. She was called Pat and was such great fun.
After they had a chat and drank out of cups Pat sat down and played with me! She was energetic and I got so excited I jumped up on her knee.....................you can see so much more from these chairs! I guess I am too big to jump up on knees but the bipeds laughed as well as telling me to get off.
Last week at my doggy class I learned a new word.................STAY. I seem to have to sit or lie in one place while the biped walks away. WHY? If I do it right I get a nice treat so I am doing it right 'cause I like the treats.

4 months old

2007-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

The weather seems to be changing with more rain, wind and its colder.....................doesn't make any difference to me! My all-weather coat is waterproof, windproof and warm! All the same, after an exhilirating walk through the fields, it's nice to come home and stretch out for a snooze.

I am now 4 months old and learning to do things when the bipeds ask. If I do it they give me edibles so it is really a no brainer. I have got into trouble recently when I meet big, grown up dogs. They are so cool and often let me play with them.......we tumble around and chase and when the bipeds want to go I don't want to leave the dogs so I just go with them. My bipeds call me but the other dogs are such fun - it is such a difficult choice. If I don't come I end up on the lead walking with the bipeds - OK but not as much fun. Everywhere we go, there is so much to learn adn explore.

I went to my first pub recently after a long car journey. The bipeds got food and drink from the people in the pub and I got food and drink from my bipeds. We sat outside in the autumn sun and lots of passing bipeds patted me and asked my name - it seems to be Mac Labradoodle but I answer to Mac

Boys day out

2007-10-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I went out in the car with my male biped and we travelled for an hour. I was in my crate and just rested most of the way. I like travelling.
When we arrived I went to inspect the grass and had a short walk around - good smells!
We met his friends and they patted me and made a great fuss of me................I like his friends. They went off for a chat, we had another walk and then we went to a station with trains and lots of noise and met the female biped and we all went home. Supper, trip outside and bed concluded a very pleasant day. I wonder what I'll do tomorrow?

I need to chew

2007-10-10T02:50:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but I seem to need to chew. I have quite a few toys and some are a good chew but recently I have found the basket they are in is evem better!
I also really enjoy digging in the garden, but the bipeds don't seem to appreciate my digging skills. I am really good and so far have excavated some flowers called pansies from a blue pot, finished off the geraniums and have now started on a large tree! I think it will take a long time to get to the bottom of it but ...........hey.........I have all the time in the world, I think?

Rain, rain and more rain

2007-10-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

Last night and today it has rained continuously. After breakfast my biped took ages to get ready for our walk. First she put on some socks, then shoes that stretched right up her legs, then a jacket with a hood and only then were we ready to go out! I just went as I was. The rain falling was great but the puddles in the field were just ace! The smells seem to be better in the rain but we didn't meet any other dogs or bipeds on our walk today. Even the bipeds that sail in the canal were absent. I wonder where they are? We came home and I got dried in my towel then had a rest after all that fun.

Just as I was eating my lunch a biped came to the door and presented me with a huge bag of food that should last for ages - I'm not going to be hungry for a while! The box it came in was great for chewing and playing with, until eventually it went in the green bin.

2 new bipeds

2007-10-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Today started well with a great walk through the fields and then it just got better.

We had a visit from 2 new bipeds who came from Winchester and were very friendly and brilliant fun!

First of all we played a game called dog in the middle but I only got the frisbee once.

Then the female biped climbed on a thing called a trampoline and soared into the air........cool!

Then I joined her and we bounced together....................very odd experience!

Poetry

2007-10-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

My biped said it was National Poetry Day yesterday so I thought I'd have a go with a simple rhyme that will strike a chord with many bipeds.........
One, Two.....I've got your shoe
Three, Four...nip out the door
Five, Six......shake it to bits
Seven, Eight.....if you're too late
Nine, Ten......you might never see it again!

Dogs and sheep

2007-10-03T02:47:00.000-07:00

Another day, another walk, another meeting with new quadrupeds.

These guys were friendly after we sized up each other. We were out with our bipeds walking on a nice path of stones with great smells when we met. Everyone says I am big for my age and I certainly felt comfortable with these guys.

Further on I saw some NEW quadrupeds! They have white wooly coats, sort of like mine but they seem tio stay in fields and eat grass.......................why? Apparently they are called sheep and eventually bipeds and quadrupeds eat them!

I hope no one is going to eat me! However some of the really big dogs look as if they might like to try!

I think I might be in trouble! (again)

2007-09-30T03:28:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic walk this morning...................we did some training walking with the lead, slowly and then off to the fields, past the horse, the bull and the cows. I found a place to sit which felt really good.
When I got home I dried off and had a lovely rest. I then felt full of energy and went out into the garden with a box I found.......................it isn't a box any more................I hope the bipeds were finished with it!

Then the flower pot looked as if it could do with some pruning so I got on with the job! I hope the bipeds like it!............but then again I am not so sure....