Near disaster

Yesterday, on my walk with Tess, we did the reverse Witch's Cottage (so called because the children when young were convinced a witch lived there -- it does have that sort of feel about it. I suspect though it is simply a holiday cottage in a small glen...). Towards the end of the walk, there is a difficult gate to close. I struggled. Tess panicked, wriggled and the next thing I knew she was bolting down the road, leaving me holding her new collar and lead. Luckily, I was able to catch up and reunite her. But it was a scary few seconds. She has gone back to her old collar.
Fpr this morning's walk, I did the two puppies in tandem. We went further (avoiding any tramps across fields and gates). They are now asleep. Eventually all this walking will help with my writer's bottom.
But there is also something uplifting about being out in the early morning with the birds singing, the air fresh and no one except other dog walkers or runners about.

Lots of people, including Donna Alward are at the RWA National conference in Washington DC. SOme day I will make it, but for now, I will live vicariously! Besides I am under the deadline kosh.

New Regime

As my deadline looms ever closer, I have started a new regime. Up and out walking with the puppies (separately to get them to heel), back to fix breakfast and then a closed door with a blood or fire only sign. The children (particularly the elder two who are off for the summer) are old enough to help out.
Then after doing my word count, it is time for another puppy walk and the Labrador has to get walked as well separately.
All this exercise will be good for my writer's bum.

Carol Townend stopped by for a cup of tea on her way back from the RNA Penrith confernece. I understand a good time was had by all.
It is the RWA conference later in the week, and I will be livng vicariously...My fingers are firmly crossed for friends' books which are in the finals.

Ack ducklings!

Yesterday, Tess & Hardy were playing in the dene, running about and discovering the stream.. Tess bounded. A duck squawked and then I heard it -- the unmistakable peeping of ducklings.

A flash of yellow followed by brown. Quickly followed by a very bemused puppy.

Tess & Hardy were called back to play on the back lawn and I discovered that Tess was not carrying a new plaything. My husband went to find the ducklings in the undergrowth. This took sometime.

Once discovered, the mother duck and her ducklings had to be separated from the duck flock which they had joined (ducklings were trampled under webbed foot) and herded into the duck pen. (We did miss Joss here as he knew what to do -- the puppies stayed bemused on the back lawn.)

We have 3 ducklings -- one yellow and two brown. They are with their mother in the apex duck house. 3 other ducks wanted to join them last night, so they had to be let in. This morning, it was fun and games trying to get the big ducks out and keeping the ducklings in the pen...

Ducklings are cute and I will try to get photos. They are also dumb. The mother duck is Imelda who has previous convictions for losing ducklings.
I do not want to think about the combo of ducklings and puppies. It happened so I will deal with it.
I was, however, good and resisted the rescue kittens that were at the vets this morning. Gorgeous, but not with my deadline. My question as to why the RSPCA rescue kittens etc are expensive was answered -- each one is vaccinated and microchipped. Older cats/dogs are neutered. My vet does the RSPCA work in the area. And the kittens were awfully cute...SIGH.

TPing the living room

Hardy & Tess were too good and quiet this morning.

Normally there is the patter of tiny paws as they do various checks around the house, have a morning play etc, but this morning silence.

I went and checked.

Tess has learnt how to open doors and opened the bathroom door. Hardy did a snatch and grab on a toilet roll.

The Andrex puppy has nothing on two determined border collies!

A quick hoover around and the evidence was removed. Next time, the toilet paper will be stored in the upstairs bathroom where it is safe...

Summer Sale at Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk is having a huge summer sale and has included many Mills & Boon titles at half price in its offerings. Among my books, both Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife and An Impulsive Debutante are at £1.84 and the duo with Helen Dickson -- Christmas by Candlelight (A Christmas Wedding Wager) is £3.49. So now could be a good time to pick up selected M&B books that you may have missed!

Playdates for puppies

Tess & Hardy had a playdate yesterday. Daisy the Labrador came over. Daisy is about a year old and has two older Labradors as her pack. She plays well with Chile and came over to help teach Tess & Hardy their manners. This was her second visit. She was a bit rougher with the puppies this time, but still gentle. Chile played a bit and then turned his back and laid down. He did not go off the lawn even though he was free to do so.

Hardy was a fluff bag who gave a whimper every now and then and stuck close to where we were having coffee. Tess decided that she would play big girl dog games and was quite willing to challenge Daisy for various toys. I think she thought Hardy was supposed to be guarding the toys once she obtained them from Daisy, but Hardy was far too busy having his strokes and pats. So then the game would start again with Tess being very willing to play tug with Daisy.

It is fascinating to watch the subtle communication with pats of the paw, and little whines to signal if a game would start.

Both Tess & Hardy are much better on the lead now. I walk them separately (if you can call it walk). Every time one of them starts to go before me, they have to sit. I move forward and then they are allowed to walk on. It seems to be working, although it is a bit stop start. At least they are not getting in the habit of bounding forward and I am not pulling them backwards.

Happy Fourth of July. We are having a barbecue.

Bees and the puppies

Yesterday Tess & Hardy were very naughty and ran into the bee garden, straight in front of the bee hive. I remained on the edge of the area, hoping that nothing untoward would happen as I had no wish to play chase the puppy in front of the bee hive. Unfortunately they both got far too close. There was much yelping and whimpering as both emerged with a few bees clinging to their fur. I cleaned Tess off, getting stung on the ankles. I am not sure if she was stung The bees had obviously decided the puppies were the target. Hardy went the wrong way and went back in the bee garden, before coming out again and running for the house. He was definitely stung.
They are both fine with no ill effects. Although Hardy has decided that buzzing insects should now be avoided...
The bees appear to have recovered as well. They had eaten all the sugar syrup and are busily drawing out the new comb. I have put a queen excluder on and a super, just in case they should decide to lay down some honey.

I am blogging today at Totebags about the new RWA readership survey. It makes for interesting reading if you happen to be interested in the make up of the readership and what they use to read. For example only 5.4% have read an e-book, and only half of those use a dedicated e book reader. But I would imagine that it is 500% increase from the number who read them in 2005. It all depends on how you look at the statistics.