Life gets back to normal

Aaahhhh yes - it's been a great day today.  Life is pretty good.  On the down side the weekend has been wet...two dreeky days one after another and the agility STILL hasn't started, but none of that mattered today.  Nope, even Skye's snoring went unnoticed today.

Today, I had some sheep work to get on with with the four pets (yes, I know four not four hundred, but they're my sheep and they're all I've got).  I had to get them out of the front field and into the stable for worming, then into the back field orchard to get some grass eaten.  That's no problem for me and we had little Wobbly moved at the same time, which was, all in all, a very good way to spend a bit of the afternoon.  Only trouble is, I'm a bit stiff now and Abby and Daisy are teasing me about it.  But today, they can tease me all they like because it was me that was called on to move the sheep not them, and that's all I'm bothered about.  Yes, it went pretty well, and I'm sure if I keep on like that, it won't be long before we've got the numbers back up to hundreds.....if not more!

It's given me a dilemma now...sheep or agility?  Both great fun...aaarrrrgh choices, choices.

Take care

Pip xxx

Fitness training?

Well, it looks like little Wobbly isn't any the worse after her outing in the hail.  In fact, she doesn't look like anything much would put her off her stride.  Only a week old and growing well - she's going to be a biggun.  At least it doesn't look like she's going to need us to feed her, which is a relief for the TTs (terrier twins) as Skye was getting set to raid their breakfast and take it out to her.  How she would do that we've no idea but Skye wouldn't let a little thing like that put her off.

I definitely think we're going to have to get one of those things that counts steps for Skye though.  We do need to get her fitter - at present she spends all night and day snoring away on her bed...drives us daft. Breathe out...long pause...loud snore...all night long.  It's a miracle any of us get any sleep at all and I certainly didn't get much last night what with Skye and then I was still excited about the agility starting.  I spent all night practicing as I lay there - and I have to say I was pretty good at it.  I can't wait to start for real though...I just hope no-one beats me.  Not that I'm competitive mind you, no, no, no.  I just can't stand being beaten that's all.

Pie reckons if we're going to get a step counting thing we should only get a really small one as it won't have to count to a high number - she's calling it Skye's "idle-ometer" and has got a bet going with Daisy that it wouldn't get much above 20 a day - supper dish and back...which seems a bit light, even for Skye.  I don't thing we'll be putting one on Pie though - she'd wear it out in a day, and we'd certainly have to make sure Skye didn't hide it on her one day to get her score up.

Oh well, off to limber up for the agility.  Truth be told I get a bit stiff these days so some loosening up won't do any harm and should keep me ahead of the puppy, but I think it'll get better in the summer with some sun and a few decent nights sleep (Skye).  It's just as well we all love her, isn't it?

Take care 

Pip xxx

Here's the culprit caught in the act

Hail? No thanks

Well, you just wouldn't have believed it.  Beautiful sunny day to start with, heaving it down with rain by 8 am and then hail at 10.  Hail, I ask you - not even the puppy has seen that before I don't think, let alone poor little Wobbly.  Not that either seemed bothered in the slightest.  Skye had a moments concern for her, but it was only a moment because just turn her eyelids seemed to get very heavy again.  Poor Skye...Pie reckons she's a proper martyr to those heavy eyelids of hers.  

Anyway, the important thing was that when we went for our walk, Wobbly was fine.  But the really important thing is that....the agility tunnel has arrived.  Very smart in its own little bag.  And the sooner we get it tried out the better - you know, just incase there's something wrong with it.  I expect it'll be tomorrow now (it's pitch black here), but (and this is even more fantastic news) the clocks go forward this weekend.  Everyone else is horrified at the thought if an hour less sleep, and Skye says she's definitely not going to die in a summer because she'll lose an hour of her life. But me? I'm not horrified at all - I've worked out that we're much more likely to be training in the evening than the morning.  I'd lose an hour every day if I could!!

Oh joy, joy joy.  Agility training.....I'll never get to sleep 

Take care

Pip xxx

Wet Wobbly

Well, it had to happen one day, and today was the day.  It started off fine, but soon enough it started belting down with rain and that was it...Wobbly was wet.  Poor little thing didn't seem to mind though - jumping about like a demented westie, although right enough, as Skye has pointed out our little westie only jumps about at supper time.  We're all quite fond of little Wobbly now - Skye positively loves her- particularly now she's realised there aren't any more lambs to come. Only this morning after a particularly lengthy nap, she was thinking she should take some of the terriers food out to it if it was all damp, and was trying to persuade Daisy to part with one of her (many) coats so the lamb could be wrapped up.  But that's Skye all right - generous to a fault, and especially with things that aren't hers.  

I'm getting very concerned that the agility things have been delivered to the wrong farm.  Nothings arrived yet and I'm desperate to get started on it - I had thought yesterday when I went for my wander about that I might have found it heaped up somewhere in the yard, but no such luck.  I just hope that little rascal Pie hasn't put the postie off delivering it.  I'll never forgive her if she has I can tell you, but she says she's never seen him with any big parcels to deliver and she says she'd surely remember that because he'd be much easier to catch hold of with his hands full...Hmmmm that's not quite the reassuring words I was hoping to hear, and on that basis it's looking much more likely that Skye will be taking terrier food out to wobbly soon.  Anyway, I've had a stern word to Pie that on no account is the postie to be terrorised until I've seen the agility things..  I just can't wait - it's almost as exciting as getting a lorry load of sheep delivered

Take care

Pip xxx

Pip goes AWOL

It's hard being responsible all the time.  The sun comes out and something just snaps every now and then.  I'm in disgrace today - both me and the puppy.  Well, if truth be told probably mainly me.  Well, yes probably just me.  Skye was horrified and even Pie was surprised.  But, oh well it's done now and it was really good fun.

We were out in the garden, the puppy and me, and suddenly the wall just looked like a challenge - I bet the puppy could never get over it - not in a month of Sundays (especially since she's not allowed to jump the agility hurdles yet as she's so young).  Anyway, off she went like a rocket and would probably have cleared twice the height...So what to do?  I had to follow her and so off we went, round all the fields.  I had a great time, telling her all my stories about collecting sheep from here, and fishing others out from the burn after Skye had chased them in.....Lambs in this field, tups in here.  It all came back to me.  It brought back all my memories as we wandered round.  Really good fun.

I did get told off when we got back though - only because the puppy came with me, I'm sure, but Skye's really pleased because the puppy told her that she didn't see another single sheep on the farm so the lambing must be off.  If she could have purred this afternoon, she would have done.

Oh well, tomorrow's a new day, and I'm sure I'll be back in the good books by then...Hope so anyway, but I did enjoy showing the puppy around - she'll realise now that it was hard work for me when the sheep were here with them all to look after in all weather.  Respect from the puppy is certainly worth a telling off!

The new lamb is doing well - I don't think it's even seen a cloud yet let alone rain, so it's got a shock coming, but hopefully not for a few days yet.  If I'd been born a lamb, I'd have wanted a good mum like Cripply - she might not be much to look at, but nothing could get past her to the lamb.  Now I've had pups myself I know how she feels, so I'm pleased I don't have to upset her and herd them up every morning like I used to.  My new found motto should be "live and let live"...For a while anyway, after all I've had a lifetime of working and you know a leopard never changes it's spots.

Take care

Pip xxx

Lambing!

Aaahhh bliss  - weekend again.  I always look forward to my weekends.  Skye says she doesn't know what the difference is...One sleepy day is pretty much the same as another and I suppose she's got a point (not that I'd ever let her know that).  But I always have a bit of a lie in on a Sunday which is a nice little treat.

Anyway, good news today - the lambing has started... and finished all on the same day.  How clever us that??  Bit of a surprise for me really as I had thought that we weren't getting any lambs this year, but it looks as though no one told little Cripply because she's had her lamb today.  Nice little thing it is - female - born in the front field while we were out in our morning walk...Nothing like that for good timing!  Well done Cripply we all say...Well, all apart from miserable old Skye who's now convinced herself we've got a full blown lambing underway.  Goodness knows how she's worked that out as there's only 4 sheep in the field, but she's never been strong on either logic or counting so I'm afraid she's in for a sleepless night.  She's been telling little Abby all about lambs and how naughty they are but Abby thought it sounded like great fun and will probably have a sleepless night for the opposite reason...Hoping there will be more.  

They should both listen to me more - there's no chance.  Absolutely none.  But then, I wasn't expecting this one either...

Here's the new arrival.  Just got to work out what it's called...Wobbly is Daisy's suggestion

Take care

Pip xxx

A knotty little problem

Sometimes my job is just impossible.  It's like herding cats (no offence Tinker).  Being Top Dog means I have to keep everyone under control around here, but I tell you it just can't be done.  If it's not Skye making mischief, or the puppy digging holes, it's one of the terriers misbehaving.  Sometimes I could just scream at them all, or better yet just disappear to a remote farm with a few sheep.  At least they behave.  Well they would do if they're weren't pet sheep, which is all that's left here.  Aaargggh...

Most of the trouble comes from the little terriers though.  I'll give you an example - yesterday Daisy came back from her walk and had rolled in something smelly - she'd only had a bath the day before as well the little devil.  Then in trooped Pie smelling of badger - she'd obviously found an old badger set to explore.  What a pong.

You'd think that was their problem wouldn't you? But it wasn't for long though as they both immediately stretched out on our nice clean beds - they were banned from the upstairs kennel so were stuck downstairs - which meant I had to listen to Skye grumbling and moaning at me all evening for being too soft and letting it happen - and even the puppy was moaning to me about the stench, and she likes Pie.  I'm going to have to do something with those terriers I can see that, but what?  They don't seem to bother about things like a collie would.  Tell a collie off and we're mortified - desperate to make up.  Even old dozy drawers Skye.  Tell a terrier off and they look at you as if you're from the planet zog - "what...me?" And zoom off as fast as possible.  Skye says they're the doggy equivalent of premiership footballers (she loves watching football) and I should red card them, but I reckon they're more like teenagers so we'll have to hit them where it really hurts - the supper bowl...Maybe if I let Skye and the puppy hoover up their food for a few days, then I could get them to listen to me.  Yes, I think this calls for a bit of cunningly my part, and surely I can outthink terriers?

That's what I'll do - brains above brawn every time.

Take care

Pip xxx

Pie has her say

It's Pie here.  I've spoken to Pip and she says I can write to everyone today.  I've got a lot of things to tell you, but first of all AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I want to make sure everyone understands that I was definitely not lost the other day.  Absolutely, definitely not.  Skye is winding me up all the time...Asking if I need someone to stay with me in the garden, or across the road to the front field, or across the kitchen to my supper bowl.  She's cruising for a bruising if you ask me - people make the mistake of thinking just because I'm little I won't pulverise them into the ground if they're not careful (Skye).  Those slatherey great big collies think they're so clever but they need to think who keeps the place safe around here?  It was only the other day I send a couple of scrap collectors scurrying back to their van when they had the cheek to come into the yard.  I may be small, but I've got big teeth and I know how to use them (Skye)

That's enough of bossy boots Skye.  The week's getting better as the memory of my night out is getting more distant.  I wish the wind would calm down and I could get back to my normal hunting route, but there's no way I'm going over the Moor in anything other than a light breeze for quite some while...

On the plus side though I have been able to concentrate on chasing r creatures closer to the farm which has been good fun and just earlier this week I managed a crafty snack at the postman.  I thought I'd got away with it but he snitched on me so I got into a bit of bother for a while...But I never let little things like that slow me down.  I'm out the door and it's off, off, off.  All systems go, but these days I like to wait for a bit of breakfast first - Daisy read the other day that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so now we both make sure we never miss it.  Ever.  Porridge is our favourite, but a bit of toast comes in handy too.  Life's not so bad really - even lardy old Skye can be good fun.

Here's a picture of us contemplating another busy afternoon.  Note how clean the doodle (Daisy) is for a change

Got to go..zoom, zoom

Pie xx

All calm again, thank goodness

Thank goodness.  Things are getting back to normal now it's getting less windy.  It's been a tough couple of days, worrying about everything moving about. Skye says I'm just a worrier, but what's wrong with that I say...I've never been caught out by a moving tree but I'm sure it's only because I watch them so closely.  Pie agrees with me.  She says the only reason the postman doesn't come into the house each day is because she shows him her teeth and barks at him every day.  A lot. So that's the point proved as far as I'm concerned, but Skye won't have it...and rather annoyingly keeps saying that a- she's never seen a tree walk, and that b- the postman is bound to have a kennel of his own to go to (which will be a whole lot more peaceful than ours as it won't have a lunatic terrier yapping every lunchtime).  What does she know though?  Anyway, Pie says if the postmans kennel is so peaceful she should go and stay there.  Here, here, I say 

I'm not sure Pie will get over getting lost in the wind...she's hardly been out of sight today, and has been asking Daisy if she can buy a large ball of string from the internet.  She wants to hold onto one end of it to help her find her way home if it happens again.  Hmmm, I'm not sure that's her best idea, but she's worried that the rabbits will get out of control unless she keeps going across the moor to chase them.  Skye (rather unkindly in my mind) says she knows exactly what she would do with a terrier and a ball of string, so she's going to keep an eye out for the postie when he brings it.  She's not talking to me now though as I (innocently) pointed out that that meant she would have to stay awake for at least part of the day....oh, life's all go around here.

Anyway, more importantly I've told Pie we need a postie truce for a few days...at least until he brings all the agility gear...surely we'll have some ordered by now?  I wonder what we'll get?  I expect Abby will have to get first go, but I can't wait till it's my turn.  And I'll have Skye's turn as well.  And Daisy's.  It's soooo exciting.

Take care

Pip xxx

Wind - force 10

Windy?  Strewth, I should say so.  It's been blowing a gale here for the last two days. Seems like months because I don't like the wind, as you know...It's the way the the trees move about.  Anyway, I've not been out in it much at all, trust me.  Skye says even she's staying inside in case she gets blown away.  Mind you, I'm not sure the wind is that strong....

Little Pie though doesn't seem to worry about much and she was off into the back field last night at about 5pm chasing rabbits, or whatever she does back there.  As she left she said she'd be OK as she could run under the wind.  Oh yeah....

6pm passed, no sign of her at supper time.  7pm, 8pm really windy now and pitch black, but still not sign of the little one, so they had to go out looking for her.  They weren't best pleased by the sound of it, but fortunately they didn't need me - I'm always thankful for small mercies. It took hours and hours - at one point Daisy was worrying that they'd got lost in the dark, and who would look after us all now?  She was complaining that we should have streetlights like they do in the towns, then Pie wouldn't have got lost in the first place.  I soon put her right on that one though with one word - torches...I don't know how they work, but they're fantastic.  You get daylight peeping out of the end of it, and just enough to to see where you're going.

Anyway, eventually at about midnight she was found, looking miserable.  She reckons she would have been fine and was just hunting, but Skye reckons she'd got confused with the wind and dark and couldn't see where home was until she was fetched.  Imagine that!  Out all night, with no comfy bed to stretch out in, AND no supper either.  She certainly tucked in well to her food once she was home, midnight or not.

We were all pleased to see her back safe and sound - little rascal.  Hopefully she's learnt that she should stay in when it gets really windy.  Like me.

Take care

Pip xxx

Things aren't so bad after all

OK, perhaps I was a little over the top the other day, after all we did get a walk, but it's hard waiting when you just want to get out and run, run, run.  I think I'm becoming more like Pie every day - full of energy and mischief.  I tell Skye she should try it - she might start to make progress on her waistline, but she just rolls her eyes and says people prefer cuddly dogs. It's obvious to her.  Just look at Daisy...No one sends her out on long runs and she's never had to do a days work in her life.  Skye says she's just catching up for all the hard days working when she was younger (!).  She must have been much younger though because none of us can remember it.

Anyway, it's been sunny again since then, so I'm sorry about the rant.

Abby has been off to her agility lesson again.  Lucky devil - it's sounds like really good fun, but I hope we'll get some jumps and tunnels at home to practice on soon.  I'd love to have a go at that and show the youngster that there's life in the old dog yet!  Listening to her talking about it, I reckon I'd be really good at it all.  I mean jumping - no problem, running - love it, weaving - dead easy, tunnel - piece of cake, doing what I'm told - second nature to me.  And that's it.  Great fun.  Abby tells me there's labradors and all sorts to race against.  I couldn't believe it, I didn't know labradors could run.  But maybe they get food at the end - that would probably speed them up.  Maybe we'll have to get Skye started to give them a chance...

Oh well, that's cheered me up no end.  I mean, I'd still prefer sheep to look after, but the agility sounds OK to me for now.

Take care

Pip xxx

Disruption and disappointment

Its outrageous.  You'll never believe whats happened today.  Not in a million years.

When we woke up this morning it was beautiful...really sunny, not a cloud in the sky.  For some reason, little Pie was sleeping down with us last night so she was up and about early looking forward to a days snouting about.  Even Skye had forgotten about her laziness and was keen to get out.  We were all looking forward to our walk.

Then it got a bit later and the Princess appeared from the upstairs kennel, saw it was a nice day and started limbering up for her walk.  Skye had finished her exercises too (well, she had stood up).  We were all set...

Then we heard lots of tractors and commotion coming from the sheds and that was that.  No walking until they'd finished apparently because someone can't be trusted not to get in the way (step forward Abby and Pie...).  And when did they finish? When it got dark of course, and cold.  Outrageous.  I'm going to complain to my union rep - we sheepdogs need plenty of sun.  Truth be told, I'm not sure I've ever had a contract, but I'm certain it would have definitely included walking on a sunny day.  And not having to listen to Skye's snoring all day.  And not having to put up with Daisy breaking wind all over the place.  And definitely not having to listen to tractors rumbling about ALL DAY.  Even the cows got out into the sun...how unfair is that?

Aaahh.  Trouble is I've just remembered that Skye reckons she's the union rep round here - I think the hens used their block vote ages ago on a promise of extra tasty hen food for all, which needless to say didn't happen.  She's certainly not going to kick up a fuss about a lack of exercise.  And even if she did, to be honest who ever listens to her ranting on these days?  Maybe the hens still do, but only because anything's a break from scratching about for worms.

Oh well, its bound to be pouring tomorrow so I expect we'll get led straight out into that...something to look forward to.  Not.  Stupid tractors.

Take care

Pip xxx

Roll on summer

Oh yes. Things are settling down nicely now.  Lots of lovely sunshine every day and only a handful of sheep to look after. Maybe Skye was right - perhaps summer is here.  

There's certainly no preparations going on for any lambing so it looks as though we're getting a year off there.  I never thought I'd say it, but I'm actually quite pleased - the old bones were getting a bit sore after last year, and it's a big responsibility for me without any help from Skye or the Princess. Pie was keen enough to help but you know what, that was often what I woke up worrying about at 2am...Poor little Pie - but God loves a trier and no one tries harder than her.

Hmmmm...on that front though, we haven't seen her for dust since the weather picked up.  Well, she's in for her supper and a bit of pampering in the evening, but that's it.  We hear her often enough though - yap yap yap usually from the back field, and when we get out she's always over to see us - full of what she's up to.  Drives Abby daft.  She'd love to be out too, but I keep telling her that that's Pie's job frightening everything away so just leave her to it - and just be thankful that it's not Skye doing that job.  We'd be overrun by the weekend, although I suppose even the r creatures would eventually get fed up of her grumbling and move on.

Anyway, supper beckons - I've just heard Pie at the back door so it looks like food's up.  Daisy is always pleased to see her back, but I'm never too sure whether it's supper on the way, or the little dog she's pleased to see.  OK, ok, let's be truthful then...It's the supper dish.  No one comes between Daisy and her beloved supper dish.  Not even the heroic hunter from Hetton herself.

Looks like a night of tall stories beckons.  Just as well she hasn't got long arms when she's telling us what got away.  You'd think they were elephants

Take care

Pip xxx

Nothing gets past Pie

My terrier friends

Even Skye knows one into five doesn't go.  Last night there were five dogs here.  This morning there were still five.  There was only one difference though.  A fairly important one.  Little Abby has got a new chew.  But there's only one...

Mind you, it's not just a normal chew - this is the Rolls Royce of chews - not your average run of the mill Rolls Royce though.  This was the most majestic ever seen.  Little Pie was the first to realise - she misses nothing and had had one before she came to us and had told us all about it.  A stags horn.  Lucky little Abby we say and she's got it tucked away in her crate so we've got no chance of swiping it. I've got a plan though. I've got Daisy on the case - if anyone can sneak into the crate I'm sure it will be her...She's very determined and greedy too!  A perfect combination for this job...

Apart from that we're all well.  Very well.  We had five out for our walk and five back in, which is always a victory with little Pie.  She loves to go hunting and usually manages to find something to chase.  But I think we're going to ask her out for a while to catch 'r' creatures which should calm her down.  That's what she really likes and I know she's good at it, but rather her than me I say.  They go out with a torch at night and rummage though the sheds...Oh no, no, no. We hear all about it when she gets back in but to be honest we'd rather not - too brave by half that little rascal. 

Hopefully we'll have some news on the stags horn tomorrow.   Terriers are pretty useful friends to have I think.

Take care

Pip xxx

Waiting for the call

A successful hunt 

Normal service resumed

What a cheek - Daisy letting everyone know I nodded off yesterday.  But who would have imagined she's a budding author?  Certainly not us. Clearly she has many hidden talents...very well hidden if you ask me.  Anyway I've wrestled back control of the key board, and as we all know...possession is 9/10ths of the law.

It's been a good day today.  Nice walk in the morning.  Forty winks in the afternoon (although I did make sure Daisy was nowhere to be seen). And supper to look forward to after that.  Yes, I think I could get used to this life of leisure now I'm getting a bit older. I wonder if I might be able to squeeze onto the next spa day?  Just to see what it's all about, you understand, and on the strict understanding that no sheep EVER found out.  Just a light nail trim and polish perhaps?  Perhaps I'll have a word with Daisy about it, now we're fellow writers...

There's more good news as well...Mandy heard from the man looking after one of the Scottish boys last night. Looks like a trip to the highlands might be in the offing to see how he's getting on. How exciting is that?  Caravan trip Pie reckons.  I've only ever made it into the caravan once, but it's pretty good...even got a bed in it, and carpet. Wonder where we'll all sleep?  I can't wait.  Not like Skye, she's already grumbling about how she'll get into the caravan and up the hills - she hates hills so goodness knows how she'll cope with those. Probably go on strike like usual, until we head for home.  Pie says she's got the answer though...why not just leave her behind to look after the cat, which is more room for the rest of us in the caravan, and less pain for our ears from the grumbling.  Perfect, she says.  Only problem is Skye hasn't got the first idea about how to feed herself, let alone feed Tinker...,but, I'll just have to give that some thought.

Pie says have look at the highlands outfit she wants - those Scottish 'r' creatures won't know what's hit them

Take care

Pip xxx

Best not to show them this one though?  They might die laughing...

Daisy has her say at last

I've got to be quick. I've hijacked the blog while Pip is having a snooze. It's not fair - she gets all the fun writing whatever she wants, but not today.  Today, the worm has turned (well, I'm not a worm I know, but you get the idea). Today, Daisy the author takes to the stage (well, I know it's not a stage either, but...)  

These collies think they're the bright ones around here, but us terriers know a thing or two as well. I mean how clever do you have to be to run about in the rain chasing a bunch of sheep?  Doesn't seem as if it would take long to pick that up .  Everytime I walk past them I stop, say hello, bit of chat, bit of gossip - and we all know what terrible gossips they are so of course they come straight over to see what's what.  They don't seem to get a lot of news in the fields so I 'm sure if I told them there was a new sheep feeder in the shed, in they'd go.  They're very greedy as well you (but I might have a bit of form as far as that goes so best to move on I think).

And also...while we're talking about intelligence, just ask yourself who gets to sleep in the upstairs kennel?  I know I have to share with old ratty but us terriers stick together (well, we do until there's a snack to steal then it's speed that counts...unfortunately)

But I suppose Pip isn't that bad. She doesn't boss us about at all and never steals our food.  I sometimes think that ratty could do with a bit more bossing about to be honest but Pip just smiles when I mention it and sends me packing. I shouldn't grumble though because it's not a bad life.  I get trips off to the spa just when I start looking a bit scruffy, and sometimes best of all, Mandy gives me a trim at home.  A girl likes to look her best after all.  Although Skye says I'm going to have to stop rolling in smelly muck to get the full benefit (I'm sure I heard about that being good for your complexion though, so I'm just going to ignore her. Heavens, I don't want to get wrinkes after all).

Crikey, Pip's waking up so I'd better make myself scarce.  Just time to post a couple of my favourite photos, but I'll be back

Love

Daisy xx

No collies here...

Spa day with my mum...aaahhhh..

Nothing for me to worry about on the tummy front yet then?

Meet the puppies

Let me tell you a little about my puppies.  Seven little bundles of joy born last June.  Well, OK, it all started fine, but no-one told me how tiring they were going to be.  The first few days were no problem  at all - easy street.  I just got them squeaky clean, settled down for a good rest and wondered what all the fuss was about.

Then, after a few days they opened their eyes.  Then, after a few more days they got up and about on their little feet.  Then, after a few more days, my peace was well and truly shattered - they discovered the garden.  Life was just all about counting to seven, then starting again.  One, two...aaaargh.  Just as well it was me, because at least I can count.

Daisy and Pie spent all the time trying to get them out to play near the pond and Skye just wanted them outside so they didn't waken her.  I did get some help from Mandy and little Antonie thank goodness, but the others were definitely pushing their luck.  We were in and out all the time keeping them out of trouble - real team work it was and really tricky too because they were very determined little rascals - and the terrier twins were just as determined that they were going to get them out to play.  Mind you, that changed a bit once the pups outgrew them - even I felt a tiny bit sorry for them then, surrounded by great big boisterous collies

Anyway, the puppies were great fun really - Skye's always grumbling so we never listen to her complaints.  We had the two Scottish boys - great big strapping brutes they became, vicars number one and two, the naughty girl, Whitey, and little Abbey.  I didn't really have a favourite, but I was pleased little Abbey was the one we kept.  Well, I will be when she stops her infernal chewing.

I've got lots of photos, but here's just a few to start with

The calm before the storm...

Me, very pleased with myself

The gang

The wrong name, puppy?

On no, no, no no.  It's a disaster.  We've made a mistake, a terrible mistake. The puppy has got the wrong name so I think we're going to have to rename it...It's in disgrace again - chomping it's way through the skirtings.  And just painted as well.  It's about as bad as it gets - even Skye has noticed and has said something has to be done or we'll all be in the outside kennel.  She's VERY worried - the indoor kennel has radiators, and she's very partial to her radiators. 

So, a new name then. Chewy seems to fit the bill best.  Dozy perhaps?

Daisy thinks we should just be drafting a "For sale" notice, and let someone else choose her name - which isn't such a bad idea.  Hmmmm. Pie could run into Berwick and get it copied and put up - that should tire her out for a few days.  Skye and I could split the winnings, no, the sale proceeds.  I could buy some sheep.  Two birds with one stone...

But no, I mustn't day dream too much. And she is family after all so I suppose we've just got to make the best job we can.  We need to put someone onto "chew alert".  But who though?  Skye's no good - you could chew though a stick of dynamite and she'd sleep though it...Daisy doesn't get up early enough...All you see of Pie in the morning is a pair of heels disappearing round the yard corner.  The cat?  No - too selfish to help, and I've got sheep to worry about so can't be watching her all day.

Well, it's a tricky one.  I suppose I'll have to give her a talking to - after all, I am her mum.  Yes, that's the thing to do.  She's bound to listen to me...surely?

Take care

Pip xxx

Back online

Hello everyone it's Pip here.  We're back online.  We've got a lot of news to tell and things are still as busy as ever.

Well, it's a year on, and what's changed?  Most importantly is that I've had some puppies.  Seven.  Seven, and me a first time mum!  I had a lot of help looking after them - it was more of a double act really - Mandy kept them when I had a rest, and we had a lot of help from Antonie who stayed for a couple of weeks as well.  They've all gone now thank goodness, except for little Abbie so life is getting back to normal.  As normal as it can be with Pie zooming about the place all the time as usual, Skye snoring away as usual, and little Daisy rolling around in smelly muck as usual.  Sometimes I could wish I'd gone instead of the pups...an only dog...think of the peace...

It's been a good winter this year, no snow at all which is good as I'm not getting any younger and you skate about so much when it's cold.  Mind you it might have slowed Pie down a bit.  She's had a really good time chasing about all over the place.  This rabbit hole, that rabbit hole...you'd think she'd get bored, but not her.  And then every time she's back, we get to hear about it in detail - every single tiny little minute move by move.  And there's no interrupting her until she's finished.  Abbie loves it, but not Daisy and me. Lucky Skye we say - deaf as a post snoring away like a foghorn.  Maybe she's not so daft after all.

I'm off for a rest. Out of practice with all this typing so I might let the others have a guest spot occasionally. 

Take care

Pip xxx

PS here's a picture of me keeping an eye on the puppy.  As you can see, it's tiring work