Update ... Ardnamurchan Penninsula
So as the Glasgow Fair approached we decided to organise a short holiday and thought that the Ardnamurchan Penninsula looked just the place to go. We hired a caravan - a new experience for Archie. We went online and ensured that Archie would be welcomed at all the restaurants that we would be visiting during our holiday. We took the Corran Ferry to the Ardnamurchan Penninsula - again, a new experience for Archie. We found the caravan and unpacked and headed back to Acharacle village for dinner. Our first restaurant was the Loch Shiel Hotel. Afterwards we took a drive to Castle Tioram. On Saturday we headed to Sanna Bay and the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse and had lunch at the Sonachan Hotel - the most westerly hotel on mainland UK. We had planned to take the ferry across to Tobermory in the afternoon but the weather took a turn for the worse and so we spent the afternoon and evening at the Kilchoan Hotel instead chatting to the locals. On Sunday we drove to Glenfinnan Station and took the train to Mallaig for an afternoon - we were welcomed at the West Highland hotel and had a delicious banana crème brulee. Dinner that evening was at the Glenuig Inn where Archie met Isla. Monday we headed back to Glenfinnan to take a cruise on Loch Shiel - another new experience for Archie. After the cruise we met up with the Johnstons and Lita for lunch at the Glenfinnan House Hotel (where the dogs were given biscuits and water) and then a walk to the Harry Potter viaduct to see The Jacobite Steam train cross over. It wonderful and relaxing afternoon. Tuesday was our day to go home but we stopped in Glencoe and again at Tarbert where Archie had a dip in Loch Lomond followed by an ice-cream.
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Update ... Crufts 2015 Qualification
Okay it has been a quiet month or so while we allow Archie's foot/nail to heal completely .. so lots of visits to the Dug Café and short walks. Because of his accident we had to pull out of Scottish Kennel Club Championship show and miss Archie's first attempt at Crufts qualification for next year. So Borders Union Championship show in the Borders was our back up. It was a wonderful day and Archie was the only Lagotto there. No worries, he still beat the other dogs in the competition to take Best Postgraduate Dog, then Best of Sex and finally Best of Breed. A great day where we caught up with lots of old friends and made lots of new friends who came up to chat and ask what breed he was. One lady actually came especially to meet him after seeing him on Facebook. He's a very well known lad. We had Open Show the following weekend where we managed 2nd place and the judge knew the breed.
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Update ... ACCIDENT ALERT!!!
It was too good to last ... Archie accident free for more than a month! We were walking him beside the River Leven on Friday afternoon and suddenly we saw that he was holding his front leg up ... upon checking it we saw that he has LOST one of his front nails! Argh ... we rushed him to the vet's and there they confirmed that the entire nail was gone (which was a good thing as they then didn't have to remove anything remaining!). So massive bandgage .. and lots and lots of screaming and drama ... resulted in a very drugged doggy at night. Very cool bandage though! We returned on Saturday and have the dressing changed and this time got a different bandage ... quite the trend setter, Oor Archie! On Monday we returned and the would had healed magnificently and so he didn't need anything else. However, we are keeping his sock on to stop him licking it until it heals more. Using Hibiscrub, Collodial Silver AND Thornit ... so chances of an infection are slim. ha ha
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Update ... holiday to Angus & Fife
Our Spring holiday with the family ... back to Saughmont Cottage where Archie has been coming since he was 3 months old. The weather was terrific ... only one day of rain ... and we made the very best of the weather. We travelled to St Andrew's and had lunch at the St Andrew's Brewery Co (very dog friendly) and afterwards we ended up outside Jannetta's Gelateria and Archie had a 'daim' ice-cream. We also went to Brought Ferry beach and town and although there was no where inside to accept Archie, we found Gracie's ... GREAT gluten free cooking and outside tables under a canopy ... so it was all good. Crombie Country park is very local and so we had many walk (and swims) there too. Abroath is NOT dog friendly although the folks at The Pageant pub agreed to put a table up for us outside ... it was cold ... but we were with the Curly Wurly so w were happy enough. We met up with Hanna & Glad and Ollie for a lovely long evening walk at Carnoustie beach and the neighbouring golf courses. Evening were spend in the warmth of the cottage with the fire blazing and Archie 'turned up' for breakfast each morning!
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Update ... CRUFTS 2014
The BIG event for any show dog ... Crufts! We have been preparing for this and growing Archie's coat although its getting so long that daily matts are a problem. We need a very long coat because he will be groomed/cut just before his class by Emma Jane - a very experienced lagotto owner/groomer. It was a very noisy and hot day and dogs have to be watched to ensure that they're not stressing out. I was also showing another lagotto - Gideon - and we were placed 2nd in Postgraduate Dog. Archie and I were showing in Limit Dog and we were placed 3rd and so I am immensely proud of my wee Curly Wurly. The rest of the day is spent with other lagotto owners and people interested in the breed. We have a very long and a very busy day - helped with Calvados, Whisky and cake! It is a very happy day ... and great celebrations were taking place all around the benching areas.
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Update ... The Cotswolds (& Crufts)
Whilst visiting Crufts (NEC, Birmingham) we are blessed to be able to visit and stay with family who live in Gloucester and we always try and combine a holiday with our Crufts visit. This year, we also had another Scottish lagotto competing at Crufts - the beautiful Skye. She and her owners were staying in The Cotswolds for a holiday too and so we were able to meet each day for walks and lunches and shopping. Both dogs and humans had a wonderful time and we visited Bourton on the Water (great lunch with the dogs at the Kingsbridge), Stow on the Wold (dogs were welcomed into the Cotswolds Chocolate shop), Symonds Yat (again a great lunch at the Saracen Head Inn) and Stratford Upon Avon (a not so good lunch at the Dirty Duck). We also managed to find a gluten free 'cream tea' at Bensons in Stratford Upon Avon. A wonderful time was had by all.
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Update ... The Peak District (Dec/Jan 2014)
We were very kindly invited to celebrate a 50th Birthday Bash with a good friend in the Peak District over Hogmanay and the New Year. The celebration took place at The Gables in Peak Forest, and we had 17 dogs in attendance at one point along with 20+ adults & children! It was a wonderful week-long event and although the weather was not fantastic, we had days that we could fly kites with the kids and walk the dogs thru some spectacular scenery. Nice pub lunches with the Archie too. No major fights or mishaps ... pretty amazing considering the numbers concerned. But our one accident involved Archie ... he snapped his dew claw right at the base where it joins his leg and was in agony (wouldn't even let me look, let along touch, his injured leg) ... we rushed him to the vet's and his unceremoniously clipped it off! No anesthetic ... no kind word ... JUST SNIPPED IT OFF - an old-fashioned vet, to say the least. To say Archie wasn't too happy about this is a BIG understatement and you'd have thought he was being mauled by a pack of grizzly bears! Anyway, very quick recovery and a roll or two of cohesive bandage and he was as good as new again. Wonderful holiday ... with wonderful people and dogs.
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Update ... Findochty (Nov 13)
November is always Archie's winter holiday. And again, we find ourselves back at Gihone in Findochty (Fin-ech-ity). Archie and I travelled up on our own so he had the front seat in the car for the whole journey. We left very early and arrived mid-morning and it was glorious on the beach ... just the two of us ... and a seal. Next day ... a BIG Atlantic storm hit the NE coast of Scotland and boy, it was a whopper!! Didn't stop us going out but we had to make sure poor wee Archie didn't get 'blown away' and end up in Norway! Rest of the week we travelled all over the NE coast. We played on Nairn beach and had lunch at Basil's. Inverness was very busy and Archie had lots of people chatting to him outside at Costa Coffee ... lunch was 'al fresco' at Pizza Express. We always make sure that we were welcomed with our furry friends at pubs and restaurants. Back to the Mash Tun (photo) in Aberlour and we found a new dog-friendly pub ... The Cairn Inn, Carrbridge. Archie is always exhausted at nights after clift-top walks to the Bow Fiddle Rock in the neighbouring village, Portknockie (photo) and is ready for breakfast the next morning (photo). He had a window seat at the cottage ... to watch the world go by ... a happy laddie ...
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Pets As Therapy
Archie has been accepted as a Pets As Therapy (PAT) volunteer dog and has his earned his official disk. We are now a PAT volunteer team and can go and visit various places. We have agreed a weekly visit with Hill View Care Home and Norwood Residential Home. We will also try and fit in a weekly visit with Robin House, which is a Childrens Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) hospice for children. CHAS is a charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people who have life-shortening conditions for which there is no known cure and operates two children’s hospices. |
Another GROTTY WalkSunday 18 August ... Loch Lomond. Today we had Archie, Eve, Fenix, Gideon, Jonah and Lita. It rained a little, but it didn't dampen our spirits or the dog's fun and we finished the day with a delicious lunch at the Ardlui Hotel where our canine pals had some Scottish Tablet ice-cream.
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Pets As Therapy ... becoming a volunteer teamOn Sat 17 August Archie PASSED his assessment to become a volunteer dog for the Pets As Therapy charity. The assessment took place at the Pets At Home store in Stirling. The assessment is carried out by a Trained Assessor to ensure that the volunteer dog is healthy, friendly and entirely suitable for this type of work. Dogs need to be able to walk on a relaxed lead, without excessive pulling and without the use of head collars, harnesses or check chains. They have to remain calm during the assessment without excessive commands or restraint. They have to happily accept, and not be overly worried, about being stroked and handled and having their paws, tail and ears touched. The assessor will also check that the dog will take a food treat gently without snatching. And finally, the dog will have to respond appropriately to a sudden noise or disturbance in the room whilst being tested as they should not be overly fearful of this and recover quickly. The assessment is for both dog and owner, working as a team and both Mark and I will be joint volunteers. Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983. It provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other establishments from volunteers with their pet dogs.
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Update ... Grot-Walk and Appleby in Westmorland (Aug 13)
Last weekend we headed north to Inverness-shire to visit with Lottie ... well, this weekend (2-4 Aug) we headed south for a birthday treat for Mark and to go on a 'Grot-Walk' in Abbey Village, Bolton. On Friday we travelled south and stayed at the Royal Oak in Appleby in Westmorland and Archie received a 'doggy-pack' which had a ball and treats in it. Great hotel and very dog-friendly. We were joined by Dave (Boxer). On Saturday we headed to Pooley Bridge at Ullswater for a swim and lunch. In the evening we travelled further south to Preston to visit and stay with Susie and Beatie. On Sunday morning all headed to Abbey Village for a 'Grot-Walk' with Marley, Enzo & Bella, Susie & Beatie and then afterwards we had lunch at the Hare and Hounds and 'Joya' made an appearance, she couldn't come on the walk because she's only 9 weeks old. A very tired but happy headed back to Scotland on Sunday evening.
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Update ... Highland Canine Show and Nairn (Jul 13)
We are heading north to Inverness to stay with Lottie. We have a dog show at Dingwall (Highland Canine Society) and Archie meets 'Addy' (Scotland's 1st Entlebucher Mountain dog). He comes 1st AV Import Register and then its off to the Dalmore whisky distillery where we buy the 'Valour'. Back to Nairn for lunch at Basil's on the beach and then a swim and an icecream. In the afternoon we head to the Nairn Agricultural Show ... and Archie meets a Clydesdale horse and various breeds of cattle. I'm amazed at how settled and calm he is and meets a family who are thrilled with him, especially the little girl. Sunday is travelling home via Grantown on Spey and we visit The Garth hotel for lunch, where Archie is greeted like an old friend.
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1st Scot-Grot Walk
The inaugural 'Scot-Grot' walk on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond took place on Monday 15th July 2013. We had 3 'grots' and 1 honourary 'grot'. The day dawned dull and cool ... perfect for our web-footed friends. It was more of a swim than a walk ... but they had a wonderful time. The humans were rewarded with lunch at the Ardlui Hotel who welcomed the tired but happy dogs and humans.
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Update ... Little Witcombe (Mar 13)
As well as heading south for Crufts 2013, we also combined it with a family holiday at Little Witcombe and we stayed Archie's cousin - Dave (Boxer). We saw many wonderful little villages like Bourton on the Water and Lower Slaughter and took walks up the Painswick Beacons. It was a wonderful week spent in The Cotswolds with family ... lots of lovely pubs that welcomed the dogs.
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Update ... CRUFTS (Mar 13)
This year was the first ever for AV Import Register to be allowed at Crufts and so we have spent the last year ensuring that Archie qualified ... which he did ... 4 times! Our very best show was the Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland (GBAS), which strangely was the very first show that I ever entered with Archie in May 2009. Anyway, he won both of his classes (Open and Postgraduate); also Best of Sex and finally and best of all, Best of Breed! It was a great great day and it was our last championship show before Crufts! Anyway, Crufts was a wonderful experience. We had entered three classes (which all the professional dog show folks told me NOT to do because it would impede his chances of 'Best of Breed' .. ha ha ha! Archie winning BOB at Crufts, well there would have been more chances of me sprouting wings and flying to the moon. So against all there better advice we entered three classes (I didn't see the point of taking him all the way to Crufts, only to run him round that big ring once...its his day too); he managed a 4th (Reserve) in Postgraduate dog; he managed a 5th (VHC - very highly commended) in Limit dog and we didn't get any place in Open dog. No matter, we had a wonderful time and my wee Curly Wurly had his tail wagging even though he must have been shattered! (He stood in the car all the way from Gretna Green) and had also been run up and down the Painswick Beacons the day before the show (took 4 washes to get the mud off!!!). After all the competitions, we opened our 12 year old Glenfiddich and distributed tablet and macaroon around all the remaining lagottos. We have already started our training for Crufts 2014 and our first qualifying show is in May at the Scottish Kennel Club. Check out Archie's 'dog-showing' page for more information about his progress.
Update ... Inverness (Mar 12)
Oh my goodness ... time flies ... I'm amazed that it was last year that I last posted! Update on Archie's diet/allergies ... well he continues to do well with his revised non-beef, non-lamb and non-duck diet ... although we were horrified to learn that his sensitivity diet by Royal Canin will be changing from fish based (blue whiting) to duck all because of non-sustainable stocks!!! Argh, suddenly the search is on to find a suitable replacement. I bought four LARGE bags of the blue whiting and tapioca to tide us by for a year (£270 it cost). Last year saw lots and lots of holidays for Archie ... Pennan , Carnoustie, and a couple of holidays to Findochty. We spent Hogmanay at Carnoustie too ... he's a lucky wee lad. Next holiday is in a couple of weeks at Inverness. Archie spends sunny Spring days out front in the lawn which overlooks the golf club ... playing with a BIG green ball. We visit Lottie again and spend time at the beach.
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Update ... Findochty (Nov 11)
Only 2 months have passed ... but we're back at Findochty! Archie loves it here ... the beach is only about 100 yards away from the cottage and there are cliff walks to Portknockie and Buckie. Weather was fantastic and just added to everyone's enjoyment ... especially Archie as he spend even more time in the sea.
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Update ... Findochty (Sep 11)
An Autumn family to Findochty (fast becoming our favourite place and hopefully our retirement village). The weather is both wild and calm ... We walk to the neighbouring fishing town, Portknockie and back. We spend lots of time at the bay and Archie meets dolphins and seals ... not sure what they make of him though. Another visit with Lottie and a riverbank walk.
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Update ... Pennan (Apr 11)
A family holiday to 'The Doctor's House' in Pennan. It's a HUGE house and it has an even BIGGER garden and Archie has a wonderful time exploring and playing. He even has his own 'wing' to live in for the week. Days are spent at many beaches and coves ... always swimming. And evenings are beside roaring fires. We visit Lottie during our holiday too.
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Update ... (Feb 11)
Its been a long, long time since we last posted anything ... not too much to report ... Archie's tummy continues to behave on the new vet diet although he's about 2 kgs overweight ... you'd never know it though, as he's just solid and strong and when I question the vet, they are more than happy with his weight ... It feels like I'm feeding him nothing, just one cup of dry food a day.
Update ... Carnoustie (Nov 10)
Well this Autumn/Winter holiday was a loooong time in the coming, but well worth the wait. It was very cold, but unusually, it was dry! We had one day of rainy weather, which we were expecting and so decided to shop that day. Archie, Jack and Toby spent each day at the beach ... the favourite definitely being ... Lunan Bay.
Update ... Monachyle Mhor (Sep 10)
We recently took a friend - Hammar - from Paris stay for a short break and we decided to take him for a drive and ended up at Monachyle Mhor for lunch ... great fun trying to find it ... and Archie was being admired by a couple there having lunch too and they ended up taking a few photographs. He was a professional photographer and very kindly send the photograph of Archie ... posing outside ... here it is ...
Update ... Cochnohill (Aug 10)
Well July has past in a flurry of rain and well, more rain! As August approached, we organised a hillwalk up Cochnohill (close to Glasgow) with a group of friends (met whilst studying French language last year). We hoped and prayed for a good day ... even a dry day ... and the morning dawned bright and sunny. Archie has never been hillwalking - sure, he gets out and about for an hour or so every day to the park, but never a proper hillwalk. He bounded out the car almost as though he knew that this was a new adventure. He then dragged us up the first part which we had to keep him leashed on but once he was off the lead ... he was gone! Bounding over grass and boulders ... finding hidden streams, puddles and birds ... a million new scents and noises ... he was a very happy dog. At the top of the hill, there is a loch (hidden until you crest the summit) - what a fabulous site for a picnic. Archie, of course, was in the loch ... he swam and swam and swam - coming out for a bit of tuna sandwich occasionally. At the end of the picnic, we had a leftover orange, which we soon discovered made a game of hide and seek for Archie ... we'd throw it into the long grass and because of the scent, he'd usually manage to find it after a bit. We eventually had to head home, but it was hard to leave such a beautiful place and the sun had been hot and bright and had lulled us into a sleepy and relaxing euphoria. Archie didn't know that the adventure was coming to an end so he was still happily bounding through the grass and streams on the return journey ... head to the ground, bum in the air (tail wagging furiously). He got the car and collapsed on the front seat! He did manage to eat his dinner once he got home, but he was totally knackered and slept for the remainder of the night ... a great day and we have organised another walk in a month, this time to Aberfoyle with a rewarding pub lunch at the end...
Update ... Dumfries & Galloway (Jul 10)
Okay, so I've not blogged in a while - apologies. Health-wise - everything progress well on the Royal Canin Sensitivity Control - although we had a hiccup and immediately took him to see our vet - Alex - who must have thought that we were ever so slightly sensitive ... anyway, no meds, no big story ... just let his stomach sort it out and of course ... it did! I've actually introduced him onto Burn's Pork and Potato, which I mix 50-50 with the Royal Canin and he's loving it and going really well on it. We haven't had a holiday with Archie since late May when we took a weekend holiday to Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. We had a wonderful time and the weather was kind and the cottage was delightful. Unfortunately the next holiday will be in early November at Carnoustie...we can hardly wait. This weekend we will take a car-trip around the Trossachs, but I'm sure we'll get out and about and Archie will find a loch or at the very least ... a puddle!
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Update ... Aberlour (May 10)
Weather has taken a turn for the better - thank goodness - and we're heading north to Aberlour for a week. This is our first time at this cottage and it turns out to be a little gem. Secure garden - or so we thought - but both Archie and Jack work out their escape routes within a couple of minutes of being in the garden. Also, there is a burn/small brook at the bottom of the garden and Archie very quickly susses this out and we don't get him dry anytime after that! It is a lovely week and we get out and about to the north of Scotland beaches each day ... swimming, digging and going for walks. Evenings are spent relaxing infront of the open fire. We also get to see Lottie again - and they're still friends. No more holidays in Scotland for quite a few months (probably October/November 2010) ... but next year we'll stay in the Scotland for our summer holidays so the dogs will get out and about more ...
Update ... Lovely Lita (Mar 10)
So, we've discovered that we're both off at the weekend, the weather seems promising enough and Archie hasn't been visiting anywhere or anyone for a while ... time to get in the car to see Scotland's newest and cutest Lagotto Romagnolo ... the lovely Lita. She's now 7 months old and a bit of a cutie-pie. After the initial greeting ... a little whine and growl ... they've decided that they're buddies and settle down for a rolly-polly and a bit of a cuddle! After lunch it is time for a walk along the canal and as usual Archie decides to have a dip ... or three! It is freezing cold and it's not long before he's back out shivering and shaking. Back at the house, we dry him off as best we can and wrap him in a fleecy blanket, kindly provided by Lita's mum. This isn't quite what Lita had in mind ... she's ready for another play ... and poor old Archie just wants to curl up and sleep and keep warm. She's soon settled down beside him too ... having a nap.
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Update ... vets and tummy bugs ... THE RESULTS!!! (Jan 10)
Okay - so here are the allergy test results...Archie is allergic to beef (cow), lamb, duck, dairy, barley and soya beans. The vet had only reckoned that he'd be allergic to one or two things, but it now makes sense that he was reacting to so many different foods that we were trying to get him settled on. He can stay on the Royal Canin Sensitivity Control food from now on. So, two months down the line and £500 lighter in the pocket ... we've got a result. We are absolutely delighted to see our wee boy settled and happy again and pooping normally. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes - it has kept our chins up on a lot of occasions when there didn't seem any good end in sight. If anyone's dog you know is experiencing loose stools on a regular interval (every so many months apart), please don't delay and have a go on this special diet food and see if there is a change for the better ... it will save you time and money and hopefully mean a quick recovery for the dog. This is one of the reasons that I've kept you all up to date with what's been happening for us and the different things that we've been trying. Take care and stay healthly and safe
Update ... vets and tummy bugs (Jan 10)
Well, good news at last! Back at the vet's last night and Archie has gained 3lbs ... we're now calling him 'lardy lagotto'. He was just a pile of skin and bones for a while, so it's great that he's finally gaining again and back to his robust self. He does seem to like the new vet diet - Royal Canin Sensitivity Control (blue whiting and tapioca) - but it will be a shame if he doesn't, cause it's all that we can give him for the time being. 2 lots of bloods were taken again last night ... vet bill reaching £500+ at the moment ... but I'd happily pay more if it means that we get to a solution and a way ahead for him. Anyway, bloods will be tested and we'll find out exactly what foods he has allergies to and also they will check his pancreas (liver and kidneys already checked and okay), but the fact that he is currently gaining weight, seems to indicate that the pancreas is working fine. Fingers crossed ...
Update ... Hogmanay at Carnoustie (Dec-Jan 2009)
Because of Archie's recent health problems, we weren't sure about taking our annual Hogmanay holiday at Carnoustie, but since being to the vet's on 23rd December and subsequent change of diet .. he's just a different wee dog and much more like his old-self! So, we left for Carnoustie on Wednesday 30th December and braved the snow. The East Coast has definitely much more snow than the West Coast. Travelling was without difficulty and we reach Carnoustie by lunchtime. Late afternoon the snow began ... and it snowed ... and it snowed!!! Beautiful from inside the cottage and Archie had an absolute blast when he was outside ... digging ... using his nose as a snow plough ... rolling in the snow and making 'snow-dogs' ... jumping up and catching the snow flakes as they fell ... sticking his head deep in the snow with his butt in the air wagging his tail like a thing demented! We also manage to get to the beach on a couple of occasions when the snow ploughs had been past the cottage but Archie didn't venture into the sea thank goodness. Beautiful and relaxing week with far too many chocolates and a roaring fire each night. Archie still seems to be improving but it will be good to get back to the vets next week for his follow up blood tests and to know for sure that things are okay with his tummy and that all we have to tackle is his food allergy.
Update ... vets & tummy bugs (Dec 2009)
Well, Nov and Dec haven't been great - healthwise - for Archie. We thought that he had a tummy bug but it seems very likely that he has IBD or food allergies. We had to rush him to the vets on the evening of 23rd December and there he was given steroids, antibiotics and varies pills and potions to try and settle his gut. The vet - Mark - took bloods right away and said that he would test them immediately and would call later that evening with the results. He called and told us that everything was fairly normal with the results and so it did look very likely that it was IBD. He had also given me lots and lots of samples of a vetinarian diet - Royal Canin Sensitivity Control - to get him started on. This food had an almost overnight good result for Archie and since being on the diet his health has just improved so much. Mark and I are delighted but still anxious that things might resort back to where they were. Archie seems to love the new food - Blue Whiting and Tapioca - yum yum! Unfortunately there were no treats at Christmas though as we simply don't know what he's allergic to and what might attack his gut, so for the time being it is boiled potatoes and also sweet potatoes (which he loves) to supplement the dry kibble. Back to the vet in January for more blood tests for allergies and pancreas etc.
Update ... vets and tummy bugs (Nov 2009)
Well, the latter half of November hasn't been great for Archie. He's caught a really nasty tummy/bowel bug (hoping that it's not Giardia). He's still eating okay but doesn't seem to be processing the food with his usual cast-iron constitution. He's definitely getting better and so we're hoping that it was either just a wee bug or maybe he developed a sensitivity to the food he'd been eating. Just trying to get him back on track at the moment .. each day he seems a bit more like himself. So hard when your pet is unwell ... you spend most of the time second-guessing yourself.
Update ... Carnoustie (Oct 2009)
This is Archie's 2nd holiday to Saughmont Cottage, Carnoustie. He settled very quickly and adapted to a life shared with a herd of sheep ... although he did like to give one or two barks each day ... maybe it was just his way of saying 'good morning'. The weather was changeable (two days of heavy rain which led to local flooding) but it didn't stop us getting Archie to the beach or Camperdown Park in Dundee. He loves the water and there are a few videos of him swimming in very unfriendly seas. At Camperdown Park he usually meets new doggies ... and has a great time chasing the pigeons and gulls. Each night he would just lie exhausted by the front door ... just to be sure that we didn't leave for an outing without him.
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Update ... Happy Birthday (Sep 2009)
Happy Birthday
Well, it's here .. Archie's 1st Birthday!!! We decided to go 'all-out' and get him the ultimate in doggy treats .... a chocolate fudge donut ..... well, you don't turn 1 year old everyday you know. Accompanying that was a bottle of doggy beer ... although it didn't smell very tasty. Archie loved the donut but the bottle of doggy beer was quickly sent to the garbage. We paid a visit to Pets At Home and he choose a large football which he now tosses all over the house and usually at one of us when we have a cup of coffee in hand ...
Update ... (Aug 2009)
Can't believe that I haven't managed to 'blog' anything from May! Since Archie's meteoric rise to fame he hasn't been at any more shows ... quit while you ahead is our moto! No, we will continue but we've all but stopped for the moment - I'm hoping that he will settle and we'll get a bit more practice in before we start back. Meantime, he's been on holiday to Elgin and Carnoustie and perfected his love of anything aquatic...puddles, beaches, rivers, you get the idea. It's been a lovely summer watching him grown and we've had a wonderful time. He now will happily walking off lead during our walks and comes to heel whenever asked.
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Update ... GBAS (May 2009)
It has been a very busy time and although we have been up to lots and lots with Archie. We have withdrawn him from obedience classes and we are now taking him to Ringcraft classes instead. The biggest difference between the two being that at obedience classes you train your dog to sit whereas that is the last thing you want your dog to do at a dog show. He must stand stock still whilst the judge is going over him and feeling bone structure etc. So he's been at Ringcraft classes now for a few weeks and we do a very quick 1 or 2 minute training session each day. He's getting better at allowing you to look at his teeth although he's still not that keen on letting males 'go over' his back and croup etc. Hopefully he'll just grow out of the male thing! Anyway our very first show was at the Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland and this was held in Perth at the end of May. He won his class and although not perfectly behaved I think the judge (a female, thank goodness) cut him some slack as she asked how old he was and when I said "8 months" she exclaimed that he was still a baby (which I think he is!). He seemed to like the show and did perform very well, although it was a long day for us both. He moved around the ring very well and didn't squirm too much.
RESULT (reported in the newspaper): 1st AV Import Register Harvey's Gaesten Supersachie, very outgoing 8 months male, strong and firm in body, needs to settle to assess properly, he has plenty of time. |
Update ... Fun Day at High Ercall (Apr 2009)
We decided to take Archie to his first Lagotto Romagnolo event which was a fun day held at High Ercall on 17-19 April 2009. We travelled down to Shropshire on the Friday afternoon - this time uneventfully - and arrived at The Tiddley to meet up with Kay, Derek, Carole, Sally and Lynne. It is a local pub and well known to be 'dog friendly'. When I opened the door of the pub I was met by three fluffy bundles of brown curls - 3 gorgeous 16 week old sisters. Kay and Derek had brought Beatie - a 2 year old to the pub too. Anyway, Archie was far too playful and rough ... what can I say, he's a Glaswegian Lagotto! On the Saturday morning we attending the Village Hall for the Lagotto Funday and we took part in grooming, agility, truffle hunting and showing. All very informative and interesting. Archie took to the agility quite well, but I was more interested in learning how to groom a lagotto as I'm still learning and told by others ... will continue to be learning for years to come. It was a lovely day and the weather was kind. There were lagottos of different, colour, size, temperament and sound! You could tell the 'Rocco' litters as they were all very, very vocal. Archie met his brother - SuperTed - but I don't think they recognised each other.
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Update ... Aberfoyle (Mar 2009)
This weekend we travelled to Aberfoyle and walked through the woodland paths there. On the Saturday we had Toby with us and although he is 13 years old, he managed a good 5 or 6 miles along a fairly flat path - he seemed to enjoy himself although my mum reported that he was dead to the world most of that evening! On the Saturday evening we visited Monte and his parents and arranged a Sunday walk for the following day. Again we returned to Aberfoyle and choose a different set of paths, this time a bit longer and a bit more strenuous ... we were very, very tired at the end of walks but it felt great to be out in the sunshine again, abeit very cold.
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Update ... Carnoustie (Feb 2009)
We had a weeks holiday at Carnoustie on the east coast of Scotland. Each day we walked along the beach and met all sorts of doggies and their owners. We went on walks through Arbroath town centre and everyone wondered what breed of dog Archie was! We found a lovely beach called Lunan Bay and it felt like we could have been at Big Sur in California - apart from warm sunny weather, that is! It was a lovely holiday and everyone ate far too much ... including Archie. Evenings were spent in front of the fire eating popcorn and chocolate. The weather was beautifully dry and cold but with bright sunshine most days and clear, cold and starry nights.
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Update ... Inverness (Feb 2009)
So, the UK has been 'snowed' under lately and this is especially true of Scotland too, so not too many long walks. For 'valentine's weekend' we travelled north to meet with Lottie and her parents. We last met Alasdair and Carole before we got Archie and they were a source of information and funny stories for us both. Although they tried to warn us of the many strange and weird 'lagotto' traits, we still opted to get Archie and we're thrilled that we did. He has been hard work but I think we're starting to see a bit of progress (actually lots and lots of progress in fairness to Archie). You have to keep reminding yourself that he's only 21 weeks old. He's completely house-trained and wearing big-boy-pants most days now. Anyway, the weekend was fantastic. We travelled with a friend - Chris - and stayed at the best B&B (Greenlawns, Nairn) you could hope to find. We had Archie walking along riverbanks and beaches and through woods and towns. We had a marvellous time with Lottie, Carole and Alasdair and their friends. Archie was fairly well behaved at the B&B, but he's still just a puppy.
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River Clyde
Loch Lomond
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Update ... River Clyde (Feb 2009)
We haven't been up to much lately as the cold weather is keeping us indoors most weekends. Since our last blog Archie has had another 'scissor' cut (and a bath)- and this time I was a little bit more confident. Certainly he wasn't as wiggly as first time and hopefully through time and patience trimming him will be painless and quick. At the weekend we took him for a walk down by the River Clyde and he played with a soft ball - although we spent most of the time retrieving it from where he left it! We also took another trip to Loch Lomond on Sunday. It was bitterly cold although that didn't stop him from taking a quick dip. We haven't let him swim yet as it is very cold, but he seems to like the water and so we are hopeful that when the weather warms up that he takes to the water ... well, like a water-dog. At the weekend we are taking a trip to visit Lottie (the other Scottish Lagotto), so hopefully that will mean more photos of two Lagottos!
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Update ... 1st haircut (Feb 2009)
Yesterday Archie was given his 'first' scissor cut. Quite nerve wracking for us both. Very pleased with the result but it wasn't easy keeping him occupied or still for any length of time - thank goodness that is it over for a month or so. Today we decided to walk him first thing as the weather is meant to deteriorate this afternoon with heavy rain/snow and gales - yuck! So this morning we headed to our local country park and Archie had a great time snuffling through the light snow fall on the ground, still no truffles though (we live in hope!). He met another couple of dogs - great for his socialisation - and he came each time called from playing with them. He discovered a 'burn'. For those non-Scots out there, a 'burn' is a small flowing stream. He showed absolutely no hesitation heading down the embankment and jumped right into the fast flowing water. He also discovered that he can jump, quite successfully, from one embankment to the other, right across the burn. After that we headed home with a very wet and tired Archie. We had a wonderful cooked breakfast and even Archie had his very own small plate of breakfast too, completed with baked beans ... well, this afternoon is meant be windy anyway!
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Update ... First Winter (Jan 2009)
This morning we decided to brave the weather and risk a walk in our local country park. Glad we did as from about 3pm this afternoon it has been horrendously wet with gale-force winds battering most of Scotland. Archie was on top form today and met with many other dogs. He met with another 'Archie' today who was out and about with his owners, Susy and Tom. They were interested to hear about the Lagotto and their heritage. We swapped dog-friendly holiday-accommodation information (Greenlawns in Nairn, Blackhills in Elgin etc.). Archie stayed right by our side and didn't wander off, even though we must have chatted with them for a good half hour. Archie loves puddles and muck - he seems to seek the wettest areas out deliberately! He came when called and was rewarded with kibble. Lots of people asking what breed he is. He ended his walk with a paddle in water - not for the timie as it was very cold. This afternoon we took him to a birthday party and he was very well behaved and even had a little birthday cake.
Update ... Hogmanay at Carnoustie (Dec 2008)
We are spending Hogmanay (New Year) at Carnoustie. We are staying at Saughmont Cottage for 3 nights and this is Archie's 1st holiday. This is a cottage that we have stayed at many times before but this is Archie's first time away from home and we were a bit nervous, but have to say that this was unnecessary as he was very well behaved throughout the holiday. Carnoustie, as well as being very famous for its golf, also has a beautiful sandy beach. Being a water dog, we thought he would be in there fast, but he didn't so much as go for a paddle because of the extremely cold weather! Anyway, he explored the beach and any other dogs or people that we came across. He is very different with children and is quite calm when they're about him. Lots and lots of people ask what type of breed he is, or they assume that he's a labradoodle (heaven forbid). Weather was bright and beautiful but very cold and a small dusting of snow on one morning. The log fire was constantly burning to keep up toasty at the cottage.
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Update ... December at Loch Lomond (Dec 2008)
Archie at Loch Lomond
Today dawned bright and beautiful but very, very cold. We had thought about heading to a beach, but because of the really cold weather, we opted to go for a walk beside Loch Lomond . He was very curious about the water and did venture just a little into the loch, but because of the cold he didn't stay too long! Anything and everything is open to his curiousity today and he spent his time zig zagging in front of Mark and I. On the way home, he slept soundly and snuggled up warm back at home.
Update ... the last 6 weeks (Nov-Dec 2008)
Archie at Loch Lomond
Okay, so we're into our 6th week with Archie. It's been an eventful week because he's now out and about on a daily basis. We've taken a few trips to our local country park and he's been off the lead but thankfully he is quick to return when called. He travels very well in the car - at the moment on my knee - but I guess as he gets older and bigger that he'll move to the back seat. Night-times are great. He's had four 'dry' nights so far and this morning we managed to get to 6.30am before he woke us up wanting to go out ... so proud of our wee chap.
First Day ... out and about (Nov 2008)
We now have had Archie for 5 weeks and today was his first trip outside. We took him to our local country park beside Loch Lomond. The last five weeks ... have been tiring, exhausting, funny and fantastic all at the same time. Archie has proved to be fearless of many things and he challenges us on every occasion. We were expecting a shy and retiring puppy - and he is completely the opposite. Quite the adventurer! He is smart and within the first week would happily sit and give a paw for a reward. He doesn't like the word 'NO' and after reading the many blogs about Lagottos, this isn't that unusual. They don't like to be told what NOT to do, rather be positively praised for what you want them to do. Anyway, we are a week from Christmas and are hoping that it will be an uneventful day - but we have fourteen dinner guests and I'm sure he'll be very excited by everything.
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... there and back again (14 Nov 2008)
On Friday 14th November we began the journey from Scotland to Horsham, England to collect Archie. It is a fairly uneventful 8 hour journey - until the last few miles!. We are driving on the M4 (about 5 miles) just north of Bracknell. We crest a hill and there in the middle of the road is a dead badger! We hit FULL ON and it just about wipes out our car but we manage to nurse our poor car to our overnight accommodation - the Travelodge Bracknell. Next morning the RAC attends and informs us that we will be relayed by to Scotland by recovery van. I call our breeder - Gael - and she very kindly offers to bring our new puppy (his very first outing) to Bracknell (about 50 or so miles north from her). So, our poor car is loaded into the Recovery Van and we begin a very long and slow journey north. Poor wee Archie is very unwell for most of the journey and we are thankful when we finally get home. The Sunday is spent at home resting and recovering. He is a brave and strong wee man and this is apparent from the very first. I just want to cuddle him as he's been so unwell, but he's beginning to settle and is soon up to mischief which is a good sign.
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