Blue is ready for the weekend

Cheeky monkey

 

 



So a week has passed, Blue is beginning to return to his old self, a bit cheeky and pushing some boundaries, but then that is Blue.

 

 

All his walks this last seven days, starting at twenty minutes, and gradually building up through the week, yesterday he walked for 35minutes with no ill effects.

 

We will continue it this next week, slowly building up, however football in the garden is still a bit of a no no. Blue will still grab his jollyball, and try to instigate a game of kick and chase, but we know best.

 

He has no problem bearing his weight on his front leg, so we think it was a case of jarring, causing some soft tissue damage. Blue remains on a lead when we go out, but that is the norm, he only goes off lead in an empty park, and with the nice weather we have been having, that is seldom.

 

Blue enjoyed his weekly swim, once again hydrotherapy works well with Blue, he had a great time diving in and swimming with his ball.

 

 

Now, recently my wife Sue has been sharing "tweets" with @ediethepug in Ontario Canada who are championing an idea of tying a yellow ribbon on your dogs lead to ask other dog owners to respect your dogs space, this is something we both feel is a good idea, but will only work with a greater airing in social media.

 

Why do dogs need their own space, the list is enormous, but take this week alone, our dog is out minding his own business on a lead recovering from an injury to his paw, which needs rest and gentle exercise. As we were walking through the local park, there were a number of other dogs doing their own thing, so skirting the perimeter and keeping to the outer edge, Blue enjoyed a nice relaxing walk. Suspecting Blue may become the victim of some unwanted attention, one of the afore mentioned dogs not only came over but actually reached us in the middle of the road outside the park, which got Blue all excited and was jumping up and down trying to let the chocolate Labrador know he wanted his space. Sure enough the owner of the lab made no attempt to retrieve his dog, despite all the baring of teeth and barking going on outside the park. Both dogs called it a day and we went our own ways, no harm done, no thanks to the other owner. But if Blue would have gone for his dog, I wonder who would be blamed, not the cute Lab, but the vicious German Shepherd. I know this is only a minor thing compared with other tragedies that are bestowed on dog walkers out minding their own business. If you want to follow the campaign a bit more follow @bluesmummy on twitter.

 

Follow links to discover more.

 

https://twitter.com/Bluesmummy

 

https://twitter.com/EdiethePug

 

 



 

 



Blue is on light duties

It has been a bit of a week for poor Blue, finally we arrived at the weekend, with the forcast being very favourable, so we could spend more time in the garden.

Saturday arrived and our dawn walk began at 5.45am. As it was the weekend, we set off to the park, with his favourite, a tennis ball. After 10 minutes of wandering through the park, it was time to play fetch.

With a sturdy throw, off went the ball, hotly pursued by the eager Blue, as the ball bounced up into the air, Blue was so quick with that pacey long stride of his that he went under the bouncing ball.
As Blue stopped abruptly he gave out a yelp, he collected the ball in his mouth, and like a fallen hero he began a sorry limp back to me.

My heart dropped, what had he done, as I reached him to console him, he leant his full weight against me, holding his left foreleg aloft. After a bit he seemed to be able to bear some weight on his paw. Thinking he may have needed to be carried home, this was quite a relief, at 47 kg, he is a lot of dog to  carry as a live load, co-operation not being his middle name.

The tennis ball, now became his stress ball, it took his mind off the pain. Gradually he was bearing more and more weight on his paw, and at first I was going to head home, but we stayed a bit longer in the park, when we arrived home some twenty minutes later, there was barely a sign of a limp.

A ride in the car down to B & Q, Blue laid in the car for the best part of an hour, without a murmur, just the two of us, while my wife was in the store buying up flowers and things for the garden.

Back home, as we set about planting up the flower pots and beds, Blue was right in there, helping dig the holes for the shrubs, spreading the bark, all injuries now forgotten, which was a great relief.

Alas Sunday come, and the limp has returned, though not showing any stress with it, Blue seems quite uncomfortable when getting up from laying down, he had a 50 minute walk earlier in the afternoon, so we will shorten his walks and cease the ball chasing for a bit, to see if he heals. If there is any signs that all is not well or mending, it will be a trip to the vets, my feeling is that it is a strained muscle, but not a break.

So, for a day or two Blue, will be on light duties.

The day after yesterday

Blue's dawn walk this morning is to be extra special, for the wrong reasons.

Due to the unfortunate altercation with the stranger yesterday, Blue's first walk of today had greater significance, with the memory fresh from yesterdays conflict, (read in more detail yesterday's blog).

Would we meet up with the aggressive stranger a second time?

Before dropping off to sleep last night, in my mind we were going to take a different route to ensure their was no repetition of yesterdays events. Upon waking and getting ready my mind had changed.

I decided we would go out at the same time and walk the same route, and deal with whatever life has to throw at us. So with Blue and his Wainwright lead attached off we set, as we rounded the first bend in our street, Blue had already shown a slight reluctance and sheepishness in his walk, or was it my imagination. As we walked along Blue was aware of someone approaching from behind, looking back we saw a lady walking to work, we have seen her many times, so without fuss we made our way across the road, to give her room to pass and reduce the anxiety that Blue always has when people follow behind us. So relaxed was he, standing having a wee without even a sideways glance as she passed by.

Now we made our way onto the main road, the same time as yesterday, a few cars passing by but no sight of the bloke encountered yesterday. We did our walk up to the junction and returned with no repeat of yesterday.

Looking back on events, I do feel Blue was not his normal self, he was not on guard, he seemed less relaxed than before, and at times a little sheepish and clingy. Perhaps yesterday took its toll on him mentally.

German Shepherds are in the top breeds of intelligence, therefore they must have strong memories.

So today we exorcised any demons that may have been lurking, in both our minds, and enjoyed our return home to have breakfast, with a relieved wife who had been very apprehensive from yesterdays events.

Today we are stronger, to coin a phrase we got back on the horse from which we had fallen yesterday, and is if our bond was strong before, today the bond and trust between Blue and me seemed just a little stronger.

I hope this tale helps to inspire others, where things go against them, strength comes from within, and is not just physical.

Perils of an early morning walk

While out on his early morning walk Blue and I had a confrontation with a stranger, the episode only lasted a minute or so, but that is all it takes.

It is 5:45am and time to take Blue out for his morning walk, we ventured out on a damp and slightly misty morning, as per usual we left our road and headed along the main road.

Crossing the road, we see up in the distance, there was a solitary person walking along. As we were walking along, looking back, the figure was still a way off, so there was no further reason to take heed, as Blue is very protective, it is not always channelled in the right way, so I am always mindful of the presence of others.

Minding our own business, Blue did his business, which was duly collected and disposed of in the litter bin, just up the road. Our walk normally takes us up to a junction of traffic lights where we cross over and begin our return journey.

The solitary figure that was mentioned at the beginning was approaching on the other side of the road, thinking, this stranger was lost or in need of some advice,as he crossed over to our side of the road, I reined Blue in close to me, to subdue his protective instincts.

As if before my very eyes, this guy just turned. Impersonating the Incredible Hulk on steroids he was gesturing, shouting, swearing, and Blue wanted a piece of this.

F'ing this and f'ing that he was determined to have a confrontation with Blue, and Blue was up for it.

Now I am no expert, but this was not the behaviour of someone normal, and I was not going to allow Blue to either get hurt or hurt someone, and end up paying the ultimate price.

Shouting at both Blue and this lunatic, "just f'ing leave it!" I managed to bring a moment of order, shouting back at me the stranger told me "I was worse than his F'ing misses"

Distance was my main objective now, so we went our separate ways, continuing to hear the obscenities aimed at anyone who would listen.

Blue was calm, my heart had stopped racing and we finished our walk off in peace.

So you just do not know what is around the corner, it may have been friendly banter to begin with or he may have genuinely been out looking for a scuffle or confrontation, but today Blue and me were not going to join in whatever game he was playing.

Knowing this could have easily been my wife walking Blue, the end result could have been a different scenario, this guy was in excess of 6 feet, aggressive and very intimidating.

So was it a case of in the wrong place at the wrong time, or right place right time, as no one was hurt.

For those that read this and think, if it were me I would have let Blue bit him, just think on.

Blue is not bred to attack, so there may be no stopping him once started, he may also have got injured himself during the attack.

My greatest concern is that Blue would have been labelled an out of control aggressive and dangerous dog, taken from us and put to sleep. I honestly would not have cared for any damage inflicted on this guy, he would have got what he deserved.

The moral of this story is, even the small things in life that get you suspicious are not normally wrong, however you do not have control over the inevitable happening.

Thank you for reading this, me and my little friend, Blue, enjoyed a well earned breakfast, he is now sleeping as I get set to leave for a days work, feeling I have already done one.

Bank Holiday

Finally a Bank Holiday weekend which was dry and gave plenty of opportunity for Blue to enjoy the garden and great outdoors.

Blue loves it when we do the garden, he gets to play some of his favourite games, but one that he never tires of is his favourite, chase and catch the ball.

Games and the rules in the garden (According to Blue)

• Weeding; if it comes out of the ground and is green, it is a weed and must be removed
• If it does not come out of the ground easily, it must be dug out
• If flower beds are turned over, sample holes must be carried out as trial pits
• Any hand tools placed on the floor must be carried off to safety
• Work must not interrupt play time
• Work must cease when I am bored
• If you kneel on the ground, you are fair play for some rough and tumble
• Lush lawns must not be cut short, it is my bed which I allow you to care for
• Use of hose-pipes is forbidden until water sampling is carried out
• Security perimeter patrols maintained (No cats, squirrels or birds allowed)

The above list is not exhaustive but gives a flavour of the rules of the garden and games played in the eyes of Blue.

Like many German Shepherds, Blue has a big thing about water hoses. Once we use the outside tap, he will worry until it is turned on, if it isn't he will stand and stare at it.

One other strange game that Blue plays, holding the ball firmly in his teeth, he will beat his own sides in turn by shaking his head and twisting all in one movement.

Blue is back

After a bit of a break from his blogging, Blue is back.

Last time a blog was aired it was a chronicle of our holiday to the lake district. That story is still unfinished and I will do one more blog for the remainder of the holiday, there is still some fun stuff and great pictures to share.

Since then there have been many things going on, a bit of illness, which Blue has now fully recovered from, Christmas has been and gone and more recently we enjoyed two weeks in the Scottish Highlands. 

Blue still enjoys his swimming every week at Aquadoggies, though his favourite yellow ball has gone to meet it's maker, but the new pink one is just as good, and shows Blues feminine side, though not too much as he has a reputation to maintain.

Old favourite needs to be retired

Loving the new pink ball !

Morning walks are getting better now the lighter mornings are back, Blue has one week going out with me and the next with my wife Sue. So at least one of us gets to have a lie in, Blue still insists on rising about 5.15am each morning. Come rain shine or hail, a dog has got to do what a dog has got to do.

So apologies for the break in sharing the adventures and life experiences of Blue hope you enjoy the stories that follow.

Lake District (9 of 14)

Following our adventurous day yesterday climbing Castle Crag, today we would spend a bit of leisure time in the holiday cottage, well not too long, Blue does not do staying in very well. "Boring"

Blue loves the outdoors and all the smells and adventures, though not always knowing when a rest would be beneficial to recharge the batteries.

Today our faithful friend helped us decide that the outdoors was missing us, so we set out for a visit to an old friend, Honister Pass. So we set off down the same road as yesterday, south from Keswick. The Borrowdale Road would take us once again past Seatoller. There is a lay by just before you head up the hill to the Honister Slate Mine.

So we parked up and began our adventure for the day, now the threat of rain was more imminent and the weather was more akin to February rather than September, it was cold damp and miserable.

Just by our parking choice there is a stream that meanders through, streams are made for wading,dipping,splashing jumping and many other things in Blue's eyes.

There is one small problem, sheep! Where ever you roam you never seem to be more than a stones throw from a woolie, they sometimes lurk behind walls and hedges, waiting to surprise with a bleat or a baa.

So the lead needed to stay attached to Blue, this was the start of things not going to plan, Blue had only one thing on his mind, to do all the afore mentioned  things in that stream.

Gander rising

Testing the water

Wahey

Launch control

Still waters, dog in motion

So an intense 20 minute play in the stream, then Blue was ready for his walk, which would be a mixture of track and road walking, strangely today either the sheep were well camouflaged or they had better things to do, we see no more than a handful while playing and walking with Blue.

As mentioned earlier things did not go to plan, there was a difference of opinion, on how Blue is captured in these photos. What is more important, to capture a photo until you get that perfect shot, or action shot, or, enjoy the moment with him and forget the camera.

One way or another, the truth is getting the right balance, and as hard as the truth maybe it is about Blue, primarily and our capturing the images secondary.

So the camera was put away, and the day continued, quietly but continued. 

We returned back to the cottage after being out for close to an hour, and settled for a nice relaxing afternoon, this suited Blue, back in his comfy bed, Bless.

Done streaming

The urge to return to the great out doors did not return anymore that day, but reluctantly Blue joined us for an early evening stroll, which he took the opportunity to do his business, before settling in for the night.

So today was a fairly quiet one the scale of things so far on this holiday, tomorrow will be a new day and a new adventure, the camera may have a day off.