Erin

Karen and Allan have decided on a name :o)
'Puppy' will - some day! - answer to the name Erin.

Erin is doing well. The first week since she left the resuce center has been tough. It seems that Karen got more worm than dog sent over from Ireland! Erin has been very poorly from round worms, but she is improving every day and will soon be ready to chew shoes up and tease Kes and Fly like any other healthy puppy.

"Puppy" Meets More Friends

It was a quieter day for "puppy" today. Not feeling so hungry - not feeling so lively - but sleeping quite well after a very noisy night!!

Karen wanted to take Kes and Fly for a good walk so Kath looked after "pup" for an hour.
She wasn't feeling so sleepy as lots of new friends to meet. Allan called in on his way home to help out.

She looks quite big when alone





but Spice seems to dwarf her here!

Very dense fur. Any ideas what her parents may have been?

A Special Puppy Day

Today was a very special day for both Karen and Allan. For quite some time they have been searching for a new dog to join their family and yesterday they made their now usual weekly visit to Second Chance Rescue in Chellaston, Derby.

Second Chance are slightly different to the usual rehoming centres as they also regularly take in a number of dogs and puppies from Ireland.


When they arrived to look at this week's dogs, one small puppy caught the attention of Karen straight away. A beautiful little girl, sable and white and approximately 9 weeks old. She had arrived at the centre just that morning along with three other puppies from Ireland.

After spending some time with her, Karen put a reserve on her but this was subject to "puppy" passing the vet's examination due later that day. During that evening Karen telephoned the centre and was delighted to find out that "puppy" had received her first vaccinations and had been cleared for adoption.


This morning Karen and Kath excitedly went to the Rescue Centre to finalise the rehoming.

"Puppy" was very pleased to see Karen and wasn't at all worried when lifted out the pen away from the other 3 pups. A thorough run through the paperwork by Jo Fairbrother who explained everything very well and off "puppy" went to her new home after being micro chipped.

"Pup" travelled home very well - we expect she must be used to travelling as she had covered some distance from Ireland to Derbyshire already!

A lovely sunny day - so "puppy" was introduced to both Kes and Fly in the garden. It was nice to see that "puppy" already has good dog manners and she certainly seemed to find her feet - in every corner of the garden!


After exploring and playing, Pup had a late lunch and almost a nap - but life is just too exciting for "pup" to close her eyes for a second! Top Lodge Dancing Dogs will be dancing for this Charity at their Summer Fun Day - date to be finalised.






NB Please note the Rescue Centre is currently looking for donations to raise £10,000 or building materials to help restore their Main Building. PLUS Newspapers and Blankets always needed.

Kath and Spice on 'Big Welsh Bite' Poster

The Trio will be performing at the Food & Agricultural Show 'Big Welsh Bite' at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd on the 31st July - 2nd August. Kath and Spice are on the poster advertising the event. See it here!

Happy Memories

It is funny how little everyday things can remind us of dogs from the past and the happy memories they gave us. The latest series of Britain's Got Talent made Kath think of her first dancing dog Ginnie. Ginnie once performed in 'Brilliant Creatures'. The host was Stephen Mulhern, who was also the host of BGT.

Ginnie gave Kath so many wonderful memories. She was the most successful dog in Heelwork to Music and Freestyle in England having won more competitions than any other dog. At 14 years of age she finished on equal points in the Crufts Heelwork to Music Competition 2007.
Ginnie performed 24 different routines and competed 54 times. She placed 1st 32 times, 2nd 14 times and 3rd 5 times.

Ginnie was a remarkable dog and paired with Kath, she became extraordinary.

See more about her performance in Brilliant Creatures here!

Home from Ireland!

The last few days have been incredible - rain was forecast but they never saw rain during daylight hours! Cool breeze but dry, clean dogs!

They spent the last afternoon at the cottage cleaning - well 5 dogs and 4 people will be a bit messy!!! They did lots of washing and all was dry for packing before tea.

During their last meal, they received a text from Irish Ferries. The ferry was booked for a 14:30 sailing from Dublin - a 4 to 5 hours drive from Ballyliffin. BUT due to bad weather it was cancelled. They were allowed to choose from two other sailings on the Cruise Ferry - Ulysses. However, the two sailings available were 8:05 and 20:55.

The decision was made to get to bed as soon as possible - and to leave the cottage at 3:00 Sunday morning. Going to bed early and in daylight is not easy but with a few hours sleep they left the cottage. Just one wrong turn (the Sat Nav seemed to work slower in Ireland!!!) and they were soon travelling in good time for the ferry. Arriving in Dublin in time for the dogs to have a run and stretch their legs before breakfast and their trip across the Irish Sea which was easily sailed by the larger slower ferry.

Nice easy journey back from Holyhead - apart from narrow road driving by Kath just as they arrived in North Wales!!! With stops for the dogs to run again, a special treat of fish and chips and a stop en route (Tarporley) beautiful Ice Cream which is where they took the photo of the piglet and mum and dad :-)

Holiday now over - back to work tomorrow.

Angus and Hamish's Scottish Tour

While Kath & David and Karen & Allan were away in Ireland, Lesley & Roger took Angus and Hamish on a trip up to Scotland. Here is the Beardie boy's Scottish diary.

Day one was a long drive and a chance to get a lot of sleep ready for our holiday.

Day two was a lovely sunny day, just right for a swim!

Angus and Hamish enjoy a dip in the sea

Day three, a nice long walk in the woods.

Lovely woods with a stream running through - more water!

Feeling a bit bedraggled now

Now that's a big tree Dad!!

Day five, another sunny morning so we are off to Glencoe.

Dry at last!

We are ready for our walk up the hill in Glencoe

Day six, had to go into town top do a bit of shopping

The view over the bay

Despite our Scottish bloodlines we did not like the pipes very much - too scary!!!

Ah well, the end of another perfect day, and time to go home tomorrow.

We hope you have enjoyed our diary!
Love Angus and Hamish

The last day in Ireland

The dogs love Ireland and all the long walks. Today the walk went through a beautiful gorge to a waterfall. Yipeeee more water for the dogs to play in! :o)

Tomorrow will be a day on the roads - time to return to Derbyshire...

Famine Village

It has been another good day in Ireland with plenty of time for long walks by the beach and sightseeing in Famine Village.

The weather has been beautiful and the dogs enjoyed a swin at Doagh Beach. The handlers decided to stay on dry land! :o)

Ballyliffin Beach

The Euro Dog Show in Dublin was a great experience . Tipp, Amber, Spice, Kes and Fly impressed the audience and made Kath and Karen very proud, but our travelling friends have enjoyed to get away from the crowded halls and the city. They have spent the day in Balliffin in the North of Ireland.

Both dog and handlers enjoyed the long walk on Ballyliffin Beach.

Especially when the sun came out!

Time to relax

Karen, Allan, Kath and David + dogs have had a day on the roads. They have left Dublin and is travelling North to enjoy a restful holiday in Ireland. The picture is taken 6 miles from the cottage that they will be staying in.

Last day of Euro Dog Show

Today was the last day of the European Winner Show in Dublin.

The two 'oldies' - Tipp and Kes (both 11 years old) got to close the show. Tipp performed his Irish routine and Kes 'Bicycle Race' in the Main Ring before the BIS final. It was very popular and enjoyed by a big audience.

Time to leave the show and enjoy some well deserved time off.