Friday 29 November 2013

Itchy, touchy, scratchy and limpy




No not anything from the Simpson's, but a summary of Blue this week.

Itchy

Blue had been a bit itchy in recent weeks, so for a while after his shower we decided to omit the body lotion spray, which helps to reduce the wet dogie odour after his weekly swim.
As it turns out this has made little difference, though it is amusing when you touch his side, without effort you get his "itchy spot" and the back leg comes up in response. Even when he is being blow dried, as soon as the air touches the itchy spot, he lowers his back and raises his rear leg as a reaction.

Touchy

This week is my turn for taking Blue out on his inaugural morning walk, I used to call it a dawn walk, but the sun is still not up when we return home, not at least for another hour this time of year. As we exited the front garden, spinning like a top, back arched and doing a rat-a-tat machine gun bark, the scent of foxes, got Blue's juices going, he was then re-acquainted, with an old foe, the "Milk float" which Blue had calmed down a bit, but out of nowhere he decided that it was a mortal enemy that must be warned off, and as we walked along the bottom alley on the way home, a black cat appeared from nowhere, and tore off down the alley, with Blue eager to follow in hot pursuit, though the lump holding the lead was not as sprightly as him or the cat, and soon the alley was feline free.

Scratchy


Though not related to the "itchy" saga above, Blue has been scratching his ears a lot recently, what is also noticeable is that he has made his ears sore and lumpy. We will keep a close eye on this, it may be that the central heating is making him a bit warm, and the ears are getting scratched both out of a reaction but also habit. Blue normally likes to have his ears massaged.
Not sure how we ever discovered this, or what his last slave died of, but it does come in handy keeping a watchful eye on his ears. If they get worse or show no signs of healing over, it will be a trip to the vets, that will be interesting with Blues bedside manner at the veterinary clinic. Blue has no longer got the temperament for up-close, manhandling.

Limpy

To complete this set, on arriving home from work yesterday, as is customary, unless he is being taken out for a walk, Blue likes to play his favourite game in the garden, football.
Running catching, chasing, jumping are all part and parcel with the ball in his mouth or fetching it to parade around, so very proud of himself.

As is quite often the case, two or more balls are required, and in this particular incident it was in pursuit of a ball that went under a shrub, that Blue came out without a sound, but a limp.
Mortally wounded he made his way to me with the limp getting worse each and every step. Arriving at my side he collapsed at my feet, summoning enough strength to lift the injured paw for me to inspect, no bones broke, no penetrations could be felt, he would survive. But it meant the game had finished, and he was ushered back into the house where he was given bed rest.
In the past when Blue has had a similar incident rest for  24hrs or 48 normally gives enough time for a full recovery, and this was once again the outcome.

So Blue has had a varied week, and continues to be a great companion, and a pleasure to share our lives with;

Below are a couple of pictures involving Blue this week

Blue 1-0 Football

You can shower me but I will not let go of the ball!

I'm still not letting go!

Blue leaves some of his fur in the pool

Blue find "Ironing" boring!

For more pictures of Blue check out my Flickr photo-stream














Saturday 16 November 2013

Blue on a walk in Annat


While on holiday this year in Scotland there was memorable moment on our walk.

We encountered a bit of boggy ground and Blue did what Blue thought best, it was amusing at the time but could have had serious consequences, but apart from a bit of soggy smelly bog, all ended well.




Tale of Blue and the boggy ground

Hope you find the tale amusing, and continue to follow the adventures of Blue.

Friday 15 November 2013

Facial expressions of Blue

Recently took some pictures of Blue and below are a few of his more expressive ones.






and in contrast some profile shots









Blue is keeping well, continuing to fill the house, supervise the garden and patrol everywhere he goes.

We now have had to turn the phone ringer volume down to silent, as Blue howls when the phone rings, no problems for us while we are at work, but not sure what the neighbours think, though they have yet to complain. He is not digging the dark morning walks and hasty evening walks before the sunsets, but he does still enjoy his weekly swim and playtime in the garden.

For more images of Blue checkout the link below to a dedicated set on Flickr

Check out a dedicated Set of pictures of Blue

Saturday 2 November 2013

Not exactly Humpty Dumpty

Strange title, but here the tale goes.

 Each evening after dinner is done, Blue has a ritual which must be obeyed, resistance is futile, as proved in the past.

 Last night into the dark back garden we went, as is customary the football would be Blues focus of attention. With the Sue's first throw of the ball,Blue knocked it straight into a clay "Owl", sending it tumbling to the floor, breaking into two halves, oh well accidents happen.

 Changing tack I kicked the ball hard, so that it would bounce off the garden wall, with a thud it rebounded with Blue in hot pursuit, unfortunately Blue was not quick enough to prevent the ball, striking an ornate "Rabbit" figurine. As the rabbit tumbled to the ground, his fall was broken by his left ear, well to be more accurate, his ear was broken off upon his fall.

 So two strikes and we have two casualties, but for Blue the game is still to be played. Without any further casualties the game lasted for 10 minutes or so before retiring to watch a film on the TV. (Scream4, the least said about that the better).

 Blue has been keeping in good health, enjoying his weekly swim, thankfully taking very little notice of the fireworks going off in the evening, but finding the shorter daylight restrictive.

This week I have resumed walking Blue at the crack of dawn, well actually we are normally returning home long before the sun makes its daily appearance. Normally we are out shortly after 5.30 am; Blue likes to get up and do his business early.

Blue is still very, very protective, and in darkness or poor light, his senses really are on full alert, this week we saw cats scattering upon our approach, a cyclists having to swerve out of the way as Blue took exception to him riding past, me nearly being dragged into someones garden, to follow god knows what. It is also customary for Blue to announce he is out on patrol as he leaves the house in the morning. As we leave the front door he barks in a rat-a-tat machine gun bark, and looks around to see if anything has dared moved.Surely loved and appreciated by our sleeping neighbours.

 Oh and then there is the feasting of discarded food tossed aside in the night by those souls returning home from the pubs and clubs, with takeaways they are unable to finish. On Thursday, Blue dived into a hedge and came out with a whole piece of fried chicken in breadcrumbs, unfortunately for him as he let go to get a better purchase, i was able to pull him away from it. Much to his disgust!

So what has the title "Not exactly Humpty Dumpty" got to do with Blue.


The Owl and the Rabbit have been put back together again.
Owl and bunny glued back together 

and returned to their spot in the garden
Not such a cross bunny

Owl be back

Blue shows his caring side, checking to see if the rabbit is ok

Happy little bunnies

Now it is time to relax