Beaglespace

Chasing my ball in the sun

2011-02-02T06:13:00.000-08:00

My Mam let me loose today and what's more I got to play fetch with the ball! Ruby tried to spoil it by pinching my ball and not giving it back to Mam but after a few rugby tackles I managed to get the game back on track. My Mam seemed really pleased when I brought the ball back - let's just say there were treats involved.
This is Ruby being aloof because her plans to ruin my game have failed ha ha.
Look!!! I can come back when called just like Ruby snooty pants!

Now and then I do get little distracted - I just fancied chewing my ball a bit!
"Come on Mam, throw again!"
I even kept playing when strangers approached - what a good dog I am - Ruby just Rooed!!!

I was very tired after all the fetching - time for a nice rest, though Ruby looks like she might not be ready for sleep just yet!!!!

Still fuming that Oscar got all the praise for coming back - daft dog - I always come straight back (he didn't even know it was called "recall"). He has such a lot still to learn!!!

My life with a stalker - by Oscar

2011-01-20T05:55:00.000-08:00

Hello there!

I can't believe we're back on our blog and already we have had quite an adventure this week! My mam took us for a walk on Tunstall Hills, I love it up there, lots of lovely smells, not to mention the tasty black balls I can eat (Mam doesn't approve, I think they must be fattening or something?!). So there we were, Me and Ruby (the pesky little sister) and Jan (that's what humans call my mam) when all of a sudden I realised I had a stalker. This stalker took the form of an English Pointer, quite handsome Jan said, but being a bloke I couldn't say. Well, at first Ruby thought that it was our friend Peter, but I told her straight away that she was wrong and it wasn't!!!(daft dog).

Well, I'm all for saying hello (as far as us dogs can say anything!!??) but this young pup was only interested in following me around and I think he wanted to dance with me or something because he kept putting his paws on my back and sort of boogeying about a lot. Jan kept trying to tell him to stop - I think she knows I'm not much of a dancer. I did notice that this dog had no collar on and what's more he didn't seem to have his Mam or Dad with him. Now I know I've tried a couple of times to go it alone on a walk but it seems to cause so many problems for Mam and Dad that these days they like me so much I stay on a lead and look after them.

Anyway, this dog stalked me all around the hill and my Mam kept watching for his Mam or Dad but this fella was all alone. It soon got dark and Jan was worried that we were up the hill in the dark and that it was time to go home, so she shooed the Pointer away, hoping that he would go back to his owner. No - he wasn't having any of it he was truly my stalker and wouldn't leave me alone - what's more he was still trying to get me to join in his dance!!!

At the bottom of the hill there is a very busy road and Jan didn't want a loose dog near that so she did a bit of dance herself and put on the "stern" voice she saves for me when I've apparently done something wrong!?! - it's usually Ruby, and chased the dog away and he went into the allottments. Mam said when she got home she would call the human called, a dog warden, who would come to the allottment and take this dog back to it's home.

Low and behold five minutes there he was back again, and we were right beside the busy road, Jan gtried to hook a spare lead over his head but he was even better than me at avoiding being caught. Eventually, after the daft dog played tig with three cars on the road Jan decided that we had better let the dog be my stalker and he followed us home safely and was captured at the side of the house behind the garden gate.

The dog warden human came and took the dog to a kennels in a big van and at last I was free of my stalker - it's hard to be so popular but it's a cross I have to bear!

In the morning Jan phoned the kennels and found out that the dog was waiting for his Mam and Dad to collect him and that he had been missing an hour already before he found us!!!

We're glad this story had a happy ending - Ruby is still confused - bless her - she still thinks the stalker dog was our friend Peter- tut.... daft dog!

This is my stalker trying to get me to dance with him - Ruby as usual trying to get in on the action!

My stalker!

We'll be back soon

2011-01-16T01:04:00.000-08:00

We'll all be back soon with lots of updates about Oscar and Ruby and our continuous adventures!!!

I've been on a real health kick in recent months and have totally neglected the blog, so for 2011 I've decided I can keep fit and complete my blog, at least a couple of times a week - you have been warned .........watch this space.............

Happy Birthday to my baby Ruby - 2 Today

2010-11-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Can't believe Ruby is two years old!!! She was so tiny and so very black - she has turned into a proper little lady. She is really very good and her recall is much improved - showing her brother up, constantly,lol.

Well. she has been spoilt today and as I write this entry, she is sound asleep, dreaming of birthday treats and lots of fuss!

Our Blog award from the delectable Bella & Barry

2010-08-22T12:30:00.001-07:00

Wow! What can I say? I'm such a humble little old beagle you know but it is nice to recognised. Bella and Bary said the award was for me and now Ruby is in a huff to end all huffs = my dad would say "that's women for you" but after all it's me who does all the hard work around here.

Our friends Bella and Barry have told you what we have to do once we've accepted this prestigious award and this is it:-

Here are the rules for this reward:

1. Thank the blogger that gave you the reward.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award onto 15 bloggers that you have recently discovered and think are fantastic!

4. Contact the bloggers you sent the award to, and let them know about the award.

So here we go....

1 – Thank You to our blog friends Bella and Barry
2 – Since I have 2 doggies here are 7 things about each of them…

Oscar

1 He is an independant spirit
2 He loves a cuddle
3 He will eat anything left lying (mobiles, grapes used tissues)
4 He loves to run free but seldom gets the chance as his recall is almost non-existant
5 He was born 2 June 2007
6 He loves to sleep under the throw on his favourite sofa
7 His nick names are Oscy, Poscy,baby boy

Ruby

1 She is definitely the boss
2 She loves everyone and insists on kissing them to prove it
3 She loves to bite Oscars legs, ears and anything else she can get hold of
4 She loves to run free and gets more chances than oscar as sh does usually come back
5 She was born November 2 2008
6 She loves to sit on your knee although she forgets shes almost too big to do that now
7 Her nick names are Ruby booby, rubes and baby girl

Here are my nominations for blogger award:-

1.Bobby @ kind hearts
2. Martha & Bailey
3. Cinnamon
4. Sapphire
5. River
6. Lorenza
7. Dughallmor Beagles
8. Lenni & Ressu
9. Two pities in the city
10.Therapy dog Josie
11. The 'sploring Wolfies
12. It's a dogs life by Kess
13. Beagle bitches
14. Xsara
and last but by no means least and to give encouragement
15. Susie

Thank you once again Bella & Barry xxx

Guess who ate a blackberry?

2010-08-15T03:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, you guessed it, it was Oscar!!!

Not, unfortunately, the fruit variety, oh no, nothing so straight forward for my beagle boy. The blackberry Oscar chose to "eat" was the drastically more expensive type of blackberry, the blackberry bold 9700 to be exact, yes, a mobile phone! My youngest daughters new phone of only five weeks. She had come home from work and went straight into the kitchen to greet Ruby and Oscar, she'd made a big fuss of them and even treated them to a couple of biscuits each before deciding to take her jacket and bag upstairs and visit the loo. For some unfathomable reason she chose to leave her mobile on the kitchen table (we know well in our house that you can't leave anything lying on the table - both dogs know we eat at the table and therefore things on the table are good to eat!!!???).

However, Samantha did leave her phone there! When she returned Oscar had the whole thing in his jaws and was merrily chomping away. Floods of tears later and a phone call to the insurance company and calm returned to the household, though by the look on Oscar's face I think the telling off Samantha gave him had the desired affect...........

Oscar did not suffer thank goodness (other than a very loud telling off lol) and the insurance company are sending a new phone as replacement. Life is never boring with a beagle!!!

Disappearing Act

2010-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is Susie with the ball followed by beautiful Bella, Oscar and Ruby.

The chase is on!

Lots of good sniffing on the beach

A trip to the beach yeaterday turned into a doggie trauma! Oscar had a lovely reunion with his girlfriend Susie. Those two love nothing better than a fiesty game of play fighting! Susie and Oscar even got together and bullied poor Ruby lol (not that Ruby is scared of much, certainly not Oscar and she just loves Susie).

After a lovely game of fetch, Ruby thought it would be a good idea to grab the ball and tease Oscar with it. Ruby ran off with the ball with Oscar in hot pursuit. Before I could get to them they had ran onto the promenade and up the steps which leads to an upper promenade (beside a busy road) with me in even hotter pursuit. This is the very reason Oscar is on a long lead most of the time - I can put my foot on the lead and capture him when he has selective deafness!!!???

Yesterday, however, he had other ideas - all he could see was Ruby with the ball, she was choosing to ignore my shouts in case Oscar caught her. Thankfully, after about 200 yards, Oscar finally took the ball from Ruby and came back to me, once there was no threat from Oscar, Ruby galloped back to a very traumatised dog mam too!?

Just another typical day in the life of a Beagle mama

Perfectly Perky

2010-08-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

We've entered Ruby into "Perky Pets" competition in our local newspaper!??? Well, I was talked into it by my eldest daughter, Sarah. She filled in the on-line entry form complete with perky picture (see above). Only two days later it was me who got the phone call from the paper asking me why we'd entered Ruby!!!!

Talk about put on the spot. Anyway, as you will all know if you read my blog, I can waffle for Britain, lol. In amongst everything I said, the reporter misunderstood Ruby's age lol,I think I managed to sound just about coherent. Thursday night is the night that photographs of entrants are shown and quotes from their proud owners printed. So early afternoon I went to pay my paper bill and had a quick scan of the Perky Pets item in that night's paper. No photo of Ruby, so I texted Sarah to tell her that we mustn't have been successful as Ruby wasn't in the paper.

However, on my arrival home the paper was open at the Perky Pets page and Sarah was pointng, telling me to read the quotes, they'd only gone and printed all my waffle about my baby girl Ruby. HilARIOUS! (APPARENTLY, THEY ARE TRYING TO ARRANGE THAT RUBY'S WILL APPEAR NEXT WEEK)

So all I have to do now is find a good photo of Oscar to enter him too - there's no show without punch - wish us luck!

Holiday Time

2010-07-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Yeay! It's holiday time again, and Mams off school for six whole weeks!!! Hopefully this will mean lots of walks

........Lots of sniffing!

...............And because Mams in a great holiday mood - Lots of treats!!!!!!!

Ruby and I just love treats!!!!!!

............Happy days x

One Windy Day

2010-07-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

What's this???? New trees???

No..........! Mam says it's the wind??!! Looks like a tree to me

Oh, now we understand, the wind that howled all night brought down branches and left them all over our park! .............what a mess, but lots of lovely sniffing to be had.

Look.....New Look Beaglespace

2010-06-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

My Mam has been on her laptop absolutely ages!!!!! Do you like our new, improved background, etc??? Oscar xxx

So disappointed

2010-06-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

I'm so very disappointed that I haven't been chosen to take part in the last ever Big Brother!!!

I would, of course, have missed my family and even Ruby, being away from home for thirteen weeks - but I just wanted to let the world see how brilliant beagles are.

I'll just have to try next years Britain's Got Talent!

Oscar x

Old friends

2010-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today was a lovely sunny day, just the kind of day for a nice long walk with old friends and that's just what my Mam organised for me and Ruby today.

She took us to meet our friend Mary and the gorgeous, delectable Susie (she loves me, you know!)at the Quarry. I was so good!? well, that's what my Mam has been telling everyone we've met today. I was soooooooooooo pleased to see my old pal Susie that I forgot to misbehave, eat things I shouldn't and be generally defiant.

Here are some photos to mark the occassion!!!

Please note that I was without a long or short lead attached, just running free like I used to in the good old days x

My Oscar's Birthday - 3 today

2010-06-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

My lovely boy is three today!!! He has had two lovely long walks and both times he has played fetch off-lead and thoroughly enjoyed his birthday. I even cooked him some cumberland sausage and chopped it up for treats when he brought his ball back.

I can't believe he is three already ....where did the time go?

All in a day's beagling....

2010-05-24T01:20:00.000-07:00

It looks really nice and warm out there, can we go for a walk Mam ....pleaseeeeeeee!

Pretty please!

Where did that ball go???

Where did that Ruby go?????

Time for a little relaxation

And some......

No worries at the Quarry......

2010-05-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

For the last few days we have visited a different walking venue, the quarry! It is an old, filled in, grassed over type of quarry and a very good spot for off lead play for two naughty beagles!

Oscar was excellent, though as you can see, still with lunge lead attached (just in case!). Ruby has proved herself to be a very good girl, and is at last getting the hang of the fetch game. I even had my youngest daughter, Sam (Samantha) in tow, so lots of fun was had by all - even the sun was shining - yeay!!!

Smaller photos than usual as we used Sam's camera

2010-05-04T11:30:00.001-07:00

After chasing Ruby all over the local park for days now (such a naughty girl) I have decided she needs to be on lead just like her brother Oscar (also a naughty dog - well, as far as recall goes). So I hatched a plan that might work and not pull my arms completely out of their sockets!!!

Two collars, one coupling chain and one extender lead. As you can see from below it was a rousing success (if you don't count the few incidents where Oscar and Ruby looked like a Push me-Pull me). I haven't given up altogether on off-lead play but I'm giving my stress levels a time to lower!!!

There is something in the air!

2010-04-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

There is a funny smell in the air, Mam - I think I like it!

I think I can smell it too, Mam!!!

I think it might be coming from this here hole!

Yep, definitely coming from inside this hole, over here Oscar!

We could be onto a winner if only I were thinner
I'd scamper down this hole even quicker than a mole
But alas my girth is big and it's much too much to dig
If only I were thinner we'd have had rabbit for dinner!!!

***********************
Here are some views from Tunstall Hill - a nature reserve in Sunderland and a fantastic dog-walking territory

The Missing chapter - George

2010-04-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Since starting my blog it has troubled me that I have written about my two beagles Oscar and Ruby but not about my first beagle, and indeed first ever dog, George.

Since I was 5 years old I'd always wanted a dog but circumstances meant that it wasn't possible, even when I got married and had children it really wasn't a practical idea in the house where we lived. So after a house move and when my hubbie finally caved in to my begging, we set about looking for a dog. I wasn't worried about which breed but Phil my hubbie had a fancy for a beagle and I was happy to agree.

Through the Kennel Club website we found a breeder and set off to meet a beautiful six week old beagle pup we named George. He was gorgeous and we fell in love there and then. Two weeks later we went to fetch George home and we were so thrilled to have a new member to our family.

Over the first few months George settled in no problem and we couldn't help loving him to bits. He was such a little character, the way he ragged his favourite soft toy, and raced about each day having his mad half hour and generally endearing himself to one and all. He loved his walks and loved to meet new dogs and humans alike.

The only down side was that George had a series of episodes where he seemed to be suffering from sore limbs and he would act as if his neck was stiff and walk like a very old dog. The vet advised steriod injections and these worked like a miracle cure, so much so that in a matter of hours George would be back to his normal self and be full of energy.

However, after suffering a further episode the vet suggested that it might be wise to check out George with the help of an x-ray to see if there were any visible neck problems that may be causing the problem.

An appointment was arranged and I dropped George off at the allotted time giving him a quick pat on the head and leaving him to have his x-ray. Two and a half hours later I received a phone call from the vet telling me that George had passed away under anesthetic. To say we were all devastated was an understatement. I felt as though my heart was smashed to smitherines, it felt so unfair, so wrong, after all he had only gone in for a routine x-ray. I so wanted to believe it wasn't true, alas it was true and we all cried and cried.

George we discovered later had a disease which affects about one beagle in a thousand each year called steriod responsive meningitis. He was a ticking time bomb and could have collapsed at any time. Some beagles out=grow this condition but sadly not our beautiful George.

George was only 8 months old - here are some photos of his short but we hope very happy life

The amazing Beagleasorus

2010-04-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Two thirsty beagles snapped having a drink in the beck - what a strange image they make - it looks like they have morphed into a very strange creature indeed!

We're tagged - thank you Sapphire

2010-04-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

The game's rules are:

1. Open your first photo folder
2. Scroll down to the tenth photo
3. Post the photo and tell the story behind it
4. Tag 5 more people

This is one of my favourites of Oscar at about a year old - We'd had an extra long walk and Oscar climbed onto the new sofa and looked so heavy eyed and he'd been extra good at coming back to me that day, we couldn't move him and snapped this shot instead

Sorry all....The last post was an April Fool!

2010-04-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

I must be mad.......

2010-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Say hello to my new baby, Daisy! It's my anniversary pressie from my hubbie Phil. It was a total surprise and I thought it was a joke but oh, how beautiful is she?

A day out in this weather? I thought, is he mad? Oh but I wish we had had a camera to capture the look that must have been on my face, when we rolled up outside the kennels.

I couldn't believe how gentle both Oscar and Ruby have been with her. I couldn't have wished for a better response. So the crate is back in place in the kitchen (thank goodness I didn't get rid of it!) and toilet training is on again!!!

As you can see she is more like Oscar than Ruby, as she is a fallowfield like his lordship. She is dark at the moment but more lighter shades will come through over the next few months

I can't believe I have three dogs now - boy are my hands full, though of course Daisy won't be out and about for a few weeks yet. Wish me luck!

How Strange!

2010-03-30T05:51:00.001-07:00

I was awoken this afternoon by a very impatient Ruby! She said I had to come and see the new beagle!! A new beagle???!!! Mam never said anything about that!? Although come to think of it, she never said anything about Ruby coming till it was too late and she was already here.

Come on Oscar, hurry up

Ok, ok I'm coming (a dog just can't snooze in peace around here anymore!)

Quick, it's over here in this cage

Come and see Oscar....it's a very small beagle

Well, Ruby I'm not sure it's quite up to breed standard.......and it is awfully small for a beagle!

This beagle is the right colour but I can't see a tail

No, definitely no tail...........

Ruby and Oscar escaped into the living room whilst I was emptying the kitchen bin and discovered Sarah's hamster, Jeremy. It seems all animals in our house have to be tri-coloured!

I only wonder what poor Jeremy thought at the sight of two giant hamsters!!!

Sibling Squabbles

2010-03-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ruby started it!

She nipped my ear with her really sharp teeth!

I got a lucky break and got the better of her for once!

She got more than she bargained for ha ha!

Ruby went all huffy so I did my Tommy Cooper impression to cheer her up!

Oscar where are you???

2010-03-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is Oscar's new trick - Now you see me, now you don't! You would think he might feel claustrophobic, you might think he would get too hot, you might even think how can he breathe but no - He absolutely loves hiding under the throw and snoring his head off. It cracks me up every time I walk into the kitchen and see this fluffy mound of fleece throw that is Oscar.

My Happy Boy

2010-03-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

What a lovely Spring afternoon, temperatures actually in double figures yeay!

I've been very brave in letting Oscar off on his long lead in the park, as I usually only allow this kind of fun up the hill. It makes me smile to see just how happy my boy is when he gets this freedom. There he was chasing after his ball and then showing it off to all his pals and leading them on a lovely run!

Favourite photos

2010-03-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is a shot of Oscar at about twelve months old - he'd had a long walk and been fed and was just settling down for a nice snooze - however, those eyes still have a little glimmer of mischief in them - that's my boy!

This is a favourite because it is funny - I think it looks like Oscar is showing Ruby the art of sitting nicely for a treat.

This is a shot of Ruby at sbout three months old lying contentedly on top of a sound asleep Oscar snuggled in a blanket.

Running Wild (always) and Free (almost)

2010-03-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

There go my little darlings, slightly futher away than I would have liked. Yes, that's them, the little specs in amongst the crocus'. I decided to let Oscar have some freedom in the park. Usually, I only let him off on an extra long lead up the hill, but today the sun was shining and I thought, why not!

They both had a lovely time chasing the ball, Ruby, of course, does not quite understand the fetch game and Oscar has to chase her and grapple the ball from her. Oscar will fetch the ball back for a small treat. Here they are - Ruby tormenting Oscar by running faster than him with the ball firmly gripped in her jaws!

Oscar and Ruby had such a good run, especially Oscar, that after their dinner and at only 5.30pm................

One sound asleep Oscar, complete with curly paws .....so cute

One almost gone Ruby - peace came really early in our house tonight, time for Mam to put her feet up and reflect on a lovely walk in the sunshine.

What happened to the last twelve months???

2010-03-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

How did this little pup turn into a fiesty little madame we all know and love as Ruby!?? I was glancing through some old photos and thought I'd share

Totally Terrific Tuesday

2010-03-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

We met Bobby!

We met Pip aka Hippy Pip!

We met Susie - Oscar's lady love!

We met Henry!

We met Barney who had just had a magnificent haircut!

At last it actually feels like Spring! Although still mighty cold on our early morning walk, by afternoon the temperatures were almost in double figures!!!! A lovely stroll in the park and lots of doggie pals came along to enjoy the sunshine

Sunday Stroll Photo Shoot Extraordinary

2010-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

My Mam took advantage of the fact that my Dad was home and he could hold my lead, leaving her free to take even more photos than usual!

She even caught us on camera having a little scrap - Ruby does tease me on my lead from time to time - but Dad always walks me on my extender lead - ha ha I managed to catch her - she got such a shock!!!

Wet,Wet,Wet...........

2010-02-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

We couldn't go far today because lots of water was coming down from the sky!
Our Mam decided it was a day for STAIR FETCH

Mam threw the ball again and again and we had great fun trying to catch it and fetch it back to her - up and down the stairs we went, phew! We were exhausted. After about twenty minutes we were both huffing and puffing - just look at Ruby's tongue hanging out!

Mam said we'd have to wait a few minutes before we could have our dinner (I was once sick after playing stair fetch and then eating - tut tut)

Soon we were in doggie dreamland - oh happy,happy (if rainy) days...........

Naughty Beagles....how embarrassing

2010-02-24T02:15:00.000-08:00

I love my dogs, I really do but oh how embarrassing they can be!

I had a phone call from an old friend who I have kept in touch with but haven't actually seen for over four years. It was lovely to hear that she was going to visit on Monday afternoon. I knew we'd have lots to catch up on and that an afternoon of relaxing, girlie chat was on the cards, then you add in the beagles.......

On arrival my friend was of course given a huge welcome by Oscar and Ruby, lots of excited barking and licking and general excitement that a new human had come to see them. We had lunch and Oscar and Ruby gave us a wonderful display of play fighting - to the non-dog-owner this can appear quite surprising. After lunch I suggested we leave the table in the kitchen and go through to the comfy sofas in the living room, leaving Oscar and Ruby to have a nice sleep as they usually do at this time of day.

On exiting the kitchen, I took the cardigan and coat which my friend had hung on the back of her chair and hung them in the hall, just in case the dogs fancied snacking on a sleeve or two!?

I had expected to have to go back into the kitchen and settle the dogs after a few minutes but all was calm and quiet so I thought they had exhausted themselves with their fun fighting display. However, after 20 minutes or so I thought I should check on them as things were TOO quiet!

Oh dear!!!

On entering the kitchen I found that my friend had left her handbag hanging on the chair (I hadn't noticed this when I had removed her coat and cardi). Only it wasn't on the chair any longer, it was on the dog bed, with it's contents strewn across the kitchen floor!

Talk about embarrassing!?

My friend was really very understanding and laughed when she saw what had happened (bless her) I obviously don't know whether it was Ruby or Oscar or indeed both of them but I felt awful. They had completely destroyed a plastic biro pen, a bottle of menthol oil was broken in two and it's contents across the tiles (very strong menthol aroma still present in kitchen!)thankfully they hadn't attempted to eat her mobile but had chewed the corner of her leather purse. The remains of a female toiletry items half chewed was right in full view! and change from her purse had rolled everywhere.

Needless to say Oscar and Ruby got a strict telling off and knew they had done wrong. After clearing up the mess and profuse apologising from me, we once again went back to our chat........ low and behold we never had another peep out of Oscar and Ruby till tea time.

Added to my shopping list this weekend -

1 purse
1 bottle of menthol oil
1 pen
package and postage and yet another apology from the naughty doggies mam!

Be back soon

2010-02-24T01:49:00.000-08:00

We'll be back on the blog after a long break! Decorating, Catch up with old friends and birthday celebrations have taken over - today is the day we get back on track - hope everyone is well!

Decorating but still time for a game of fetch

2010-02-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

Throw the ball Mam!

Please, please throw the ball Mam - Now!

I got it Mam, I'm fetching it!!!

Do we get a treat for bringing it back then?

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Ruby got it first and now she's gone to show that big dog MY ball!

It's no good Mam, Ruby's got my ball and she won't let me bring it back!

Who me? I'm going to bring it back - just checking it out first!

What a busy couple of days - half term and I'm busier than if I were at school! We had our house rewired three years ago and I am tackling the decorating in the last room, a bedroom, to be re-done. In the past three days I have dismantled two large wardrobes, a chest of drawers, took up and disected a large carpet and removed all of the above to the local tip. I have also stripped anaglypta wallpaper, with several layers of paint encrusted on it!!! So the best part of the day has definitely been taking Oscar and Ruby for a good game of fetch up the hill. As you can see they thoroughly enjoyed it, came back very tired and slept whilst their poor Mam got back to the decorating, hey ho only painting to go tomorrow and thats it for this week.

Love Is.............

2010-02-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Having such good friends x

H A P P Y
V A L E N T I N E ' S
D A Y

TO ALL OUR FRIENDS, DOGGIE AND HUMAN ALIKE - HAVE A LOVELY DAY!!!

It's a Dogs Life - and It's not half bad

2010-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

A Nice sniff about on a lovely long walk, the day may be gloomy but theres nothing like a good sniff to keep Oscar and Ruby happy!

Followed by dinner of course - this part only lasts about thirty seconds lol!

Followed by a nice roughty toughty game of tug!

Then it's time to look for somewhere cosy to lay your head

Slightly strange choice for Oscar - he does this all the time - doesn't look comfy I know!

Oscar and Ruby join me for a spot of tv - desperate housewives dvd box set - fab!

Peace at last - all cosy together on the sofa! Not a bad life really x

A Classic "Before and After"

2010-02-11T01:32:00.000-08:00

These are your "before" shots!

You will remember that this is Oscar's Lady Love, Susie, and this is how she looks at the start of every walk. A proper young lady dog who takes great care of her appearance (ok, her mam Mary takes great care of her appearance). Now Susie is a game girl, she likes nothing better than a wild race around the park and if there is mud to plodge in and balls to catch she is there. I think thats why Oscar loves her so much.

These are your "after" shots!!!

Yes folks it IS the same dog!

We had a nice walk in the park this afternoon, it was still muddy, the sky was back to a murky grey, and as you can imagine it wasn't only Susie that got dirty. It was a nice walk because a lot of Oscar and Ruby's doggie pals were out and about. Here are some shots of them too.

This is Lady and a little yorkie whose name I don't know (looks a bit like Pip but it can't be him cos Hippy Pippy is on his travels!)

This is Bobby aka Grumpy Bobby (such an unfair label for such a nice chap lol)

The ever friendly Barney

This is a very bad shot of Hetty, she is another of our friends, she is a lurcher and very difficult to catch on camera, her brother never stopped racing around long enough for me to even get a bad shot - I'll have to try again with these two because they are gorgeous too.
Oscar and Ruby went home tired, Oscar even got to have a little chase around himself as I dropped his lead for a few minutes so he could chase a ball with Susie and Ruby. Poor Oscar he didn't stand a chance at catching Susie as Ruby insisted on trying to nip his back legs and his tail. It's a strange sight watching a beagle trying to run with his tail tucked between his legs LOL

Back at home, dinner eaten and ready for a snooze, all in all a good day

Is it a Bird, is it a plane.......

2010-02-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

What is it, Mam?

Yes Mam I can see it too!

Behind you Mam - Yes it's up there.......

Yes it's the SUN!!!!! hURRAY!

Today at the park the sun did indeed shine, for a short while there was even some warmth to be had from it, that was until of course the sleet started to fall,but look even more flowers are sprouting!

Ruby was a very good girl today, every time I shouted her name she came running - Oscar are you listening!!??!!

Coming back to Mam

What a good girl Ruby!

There's nothing like chewing a good stick

2010-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Those two beagles of mine were on a mission today. A mission to find the tastiest, brownest, stickiest type of stick! I couldn't believe it - there must have been something in the air!!! From entering the park today all they both did was hunt sticks.

They fought over the best ones???!!! Oscar was so wrapped up in his stick hunting and chewing that he suddenly stopped and planted himself on the very muddy ground and chewed away. I tugged and tugged at his lead but no he was having a chew before he would move ( in the end I bribed him with a treat, just to get him on his feet again lol)
It was a miserable day again on the weather front, one of those dark, dreary type of days when you just hope for a bit of sunshine but instead you get damp horrible stuff.
Then I spotted a dab of colour on the grass and realised it was a very early crocus, I was so thrilled I took a photo to prove it. February 8th and already signs of spring!!??!!

Welcome to a new doggie neighbour

2010-02-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Say hello to Maggie, she is absolutely adorable. She is a fourteen week old Cocker spaniel who belongs to Catherine, whose Dad lives just across from us. Catherine called around today to show off Maggie to my youngest daughter Samantha. Sam wasn't at home but both myself and eldest daughter Sarah insisted she brought Maggie into the house. Who can resist a puppy!?!

We let Maggie get accustomed to the room before introducing Oscar and Ruby. Poor Maggie was horrified to see two, what must have seemed enormous dogs, coming at her to give her the once over. She crawled straight onto my knee for refuge and lavished me with puppy kisses - how cute is that. Made me want to get another beagle puppy - luckily for all concerned I regained my senses lol!

Maggie left soon after with a firm open invitation to visit any time - oh so so cute!

Dirty weather,Dirty dogs

2010-02-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

Talk about muddy weather! The park is an absolute mud bath! Even the paths in the park are awash with mud. Ruby has a nasty habit of jumping up if anyone shows the least bit of interest in her - one kind word and whosh up she goes - most of the time this is ok, her paws being just a little dusty - but whoa not in this weather - at this rate I'm going to be paying for half of Sunderland's dry-cleaning lol. Thank goodness dog walkers have the sense to wear old clothes for their doggie walks and for the most part just laugh off my apologies. Dogs...who'd have 'em......ok me x

Oscar's Lady Love

2010-02-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

I thought it only right and proper to introduce everyone to Oscar's lady love Susie. Susie, as you can see is a lovely girl - a dog that actually smiles. She is a huge character and Oscar loves her very much. Ruby thinks susie is great, Susie's not convinced that Ruby is lol. I think Susie is a proper grown up lady and Ruby is far too bouncy still! Oscar started to play with Susie when he was very young and their playful fights have had people thinking a full scale dog fight is in action!!! They would grab at each other and then hang on for grim death lol then just as suddenly they would stop and chew the nearest stick. Some of the noises were very scary!

Since Oscar has been on lead they don't play in the same way - Susie is a little afraid of Oscar's long loose lead, can't say I blame her lol Hopefully one day Oscar will be sensible and listen when I call him and he can be off lead and free again. I hope so.

The gorgeous Susie

Hello Dolly

2010-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

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Always time for treat!

This is our friend Dolly, she is a working basset hound and a friend we haven't seen for such a long time, months and months! So it was especially nice on such a rainy, dark day to bump into her and her mam Anne. Dolly is another hound with wondering tendencies, and although Anne says she still has her naughty times when she disappears after a smell, on the whole she is doing well.

Later in the afternoon, we met Mac who very sensibly had his waterproof coat on.
It has truly been a very, very wet day here in Sunderland, but I still think I prefer it to the snow lol

Upside down Dog

2010-02-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a recent photo of a very laid-back Oscar! This is not his best angle but to be honest he quite often falls asleep on his back, legs akimbo. It doesn't look very comfortable and whats more Ruby doesn't seem to do this, just Oscar! It always results in a bout of sneezing after he wakes up too -- strange dog lol!

We had a lovely walk this afternoon, though it was very chilly out and once again the snow has arrived, though up till now not a lot. We met some of our doggie friends
From top, Barney, Bobby,Pip and Lady

Getting back to normal at last

2010-01-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for all your good wishes, I think I'm on the mend. I think I've had the Norovirus, which used to be known as winter vomitting disease. It all started on Thursday evening and continued till late Saturday, even then I still felt weak and listless. Today I took Oscar and Ruby to the park and quite enjoyed being out and about with my dogs instead of couped up inside feeling sorry for myself! On return I felt hungry(I'd almost forgotten that sensation)
The dogs had great fun and Ruby was behaving excellently, coming back each time I called. The park was full of families playing with sledges, a proper winter wonderland scene! Although, sadly we didn't meet any of our doggie friends.
However, there is a sad footnote to this post - my poor hubbie now has virus and is suffering on the sofa, bless him- roll on summer

I must have broken a mirror

2010-01-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

My poor babies have had to do a lot more of this over the last two days. Without going into too much detail I've had a nasty bug and retired to my bed as my bad luck continues! Not only have I got a scabby face but I've had to spend far too much time in the smallest room of the house!! Poor hubbie got the short straw and had to take two excitable dogs out in the newly arrived (grrrr) snow.

Danger - Beagles can trip you up

2010-01-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

He may look innocent but watch out, Beagles are a tripping hazard! I found this out to my cost yesterday afternoon, hence no new post as I was a bit sore and feeling very sorry for myself lol!

We were having a lovely walk in the park, I had turned to call for Ruby, who was very good and started to run back to me straight away, as I turned back in the direction we were going, Oscar, on lead in my right hand, crossed in front of my feet and bang down I went. As I had hold of Oscar's lead I couldn't get a hand out to save myself, the ground just lumed up in front of me. I hit hard on the ground hurting the bridge of my nose and banging my mouth. I look a proper state but I'll be fine. Oscar fared a little better and just seemed a little bemused lol, wondering what all the fuss was about.

Barney

2010-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day for Barney our doggie friend. Last week he had a lump removed which had to be sent away to the lab for tests. Today Barney got some good news - his lump had been pre-cancerous, but all was taken away and the vet is happy that the problem is sorted and no further treatment is necessary. All Barney's human and doggie friends are sooooooooooooo relieved. This is Barney today, off-lead again since since stitches have healed and happy as ever.

Another sorry tale- The legendary Roast Beef Saga

2010-01-24T03:49:00.001-08:00

This is another sorry tale that demonstrates my reasons for now keeping Oscar on lead most of the time.

One day I took Oscar to the beach, it was meant to be a lovely long walk, with some fun on the beach too. However, things went pear-shaped (or more correctly beef-shaped) straight away.

As we approached the beach, near the promenade slipway, I let Oscar off lead. He is usually pulling hard at this point because he knows we're at the beach. Just as I released the lead another dog shot past us at full speed with something in his mouth. Oscar took off after this dog in hot pursuit, he likes nothing better than a chase. As I got onto the beach I could see the two dogs chasing in circles and I could hear the other dog's owner scolding her dog and screaming drop it, leave it at the top of her voice. When I got over to her I asked what it was her dog had in his mouth, and just then he passed and I saw for myself. It was a rancid old moth-eaten lump of rolled beef. Her dog had been scavenging in rubbish bags disgarded by the pub on the prom. Goodness knows how long it had been there!

Both dogs continued the chase completely oblivious to our shouts until her dog must have tired and finally came back to his owner, and promptly dropped the beef joint at her feet. Before I could get there, Oscar quick as lightning, had snatched up the joint and made off victorious.

This is where I felt completely helpless. Oscar will never give up any trophies like this, he has even eaten items of clothing in the park. To date he has eaten, vests, knickers, yes, I did say knickers, though his particular favourite is gloves.
So I knew there was a good liklihood that he would eat this thing too. I shouted, I coaxed, I cajoled but he wasn;t giving it up for anything. Other dog owners watched and some tried to help, Mary and Christine and others offered tempting treats, balls,, anything they could find in their pockets but it was no good. In the end Oscar ate the roast beef joint, which was liberally covered in wet sand by now. Once it was gone he did look proper sorry for himself and was immediately sick! Later that day he got no dinner (I thought it best to give his tummy a rest). I think the after-affects were punishment enough. Now you might say - Oh he'll have learnt his lesson, and he won't do that again. Beagles do not learn, they just follow their nose. It's a good job I love him!

This is Oscar in his off-lead days in the park with the gang-if only I could talk and he could understand he could have all this fun once again.

Poor Oscar

2010-01-22T16:24:00.000-08:00

Poor Oscar ..... we were having a lovely walk today in the park when we bumped into a nice dog we know called Marcy and her friend name unknown. We have met these dogs before on our travels,the dogs have always seemed friendly enough, Marcy bounds around like a typical lab- the other dog, well she seems more timid. Whilst passing the time of day with Marcy's owner the other dog started to give a low rumbling growl at Oscar. Oscar ignored this and was standing by my side watching the world go by. All of a sudden the growling stopped and the dog launched herself at an unsuspecting Oscar - poor boy got a fright and showed some teeth back - all was soon over and we thought it was all noise. I asked if the dog had ever done that before to any other dogs and the owner seemed as puzzled why it had happened as I was, at that we went on our way. Oscar seemed fine and had no obvious marks on him, we met other friends, human and doggie, then made our way home for tea.

Only after tea did we realise that Oscar's ear was bleeding (he does have big ears being a beagle and the three little teeth marks were on the underneath side of his ear). Bless him, he was very brave as I washed the wound gently with anti-bacterial soap and applied savlon. It looks nice and clean so no real harm done. Poor boy was standing minding his own business, hadn't even given this dog a cursary sniff and he got into trouble.

Oscar got big hugs from me and sympathy kisses from Ruby aaaaahhhhhhhh.

The imfamous Grape Incident

2010-01-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Well, today was quite uneventful, a nice quiet on lead walk this morning in the rain, and a good off-lead run up on the hill this afternoon, again in the rain-you may be able to tell from this that I'm not at all a fan of winter weather!

So let me tell you instead of one of Oscar's imfamous escapades, of which there are many.

It happened when Oscar was just over a year old. We had been out for a nice morning run, followed by lots of housework by me and a snooze for his lordship. Again followed by another long run in the park on the afternoon, after which, having eaten his tea, Oscar settled down to a nice sleep, as dogs like to do, and I set off to do some shopping, as woman like to do!

Upon my return I found a kitchen floor covered in shredded white kitchen roll, and my daugther scolding Oscar for raiding the kitchen waste bin. I had had a very busy morning clearing out the fridge of unused,out of date food, cleaning my kitchen hob with copious amounts of kitchen roll(now shrewn right across the kitchen floor).
My daughter was so outraged at Oscar's naughtiness I started to see the funny side, that is until I remembered that the bin also contained the hardly-touched zip-top bag of grapes I'd had to throw away that morning.

Now grapes, if you didn't already know, are poisonous to dogs and can cause renal failure! Thankfully, I had read about this and knew I had to act quickly. To cut a very long story short, I had to rush Oscar to the animal hospital at Heworth, where they made him sick, violently sick apparently. They then had to keep him overnight (I might as well have stayed too, I got no sleep for worrying). They had to do lots of blood tests and observations throughout the night but thankfully he was allowed home the next morning. Then there was an agonising three day wait for a second blood test which thankfully gave the all clear.

This was the first time Oscar had ever raided the kitchen bin and the last(I haven't had one on show since then lol).

As you can see life is never dull or easy with my Oscar the Beagle! but we all love him to bits! Below is Oscar complete with bandage from the drip he also had to have overnight at the animal hospital.

Back to scraping car windscreens brrrr

2010-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

Hello, yes we're back to cold bitter mornings! A swift walk around the block had to suffice this morning, what with windscreens to scrape lol. Ruby was a good girl today and remembered that I am her mam and she has to come when I call - not something beagles are all that good at.

Oscar, of course, is very rarely anything else other than a good boy these days being on his lead most of the time.

I must reveal I discovered something tonight that was news to me - on Sunday I took Oscar and Ruby to the beach - remember, Sunday it was actually sunny and quite warm unlike today (did I just moan about the freezing fog again?!). Whilst there I met Christine and John who look after Oscar and Ruby for me at holiday times. We were chatting when I realised that John was having a slight altercation with a man and his wife about dogs jumping up?! John had spoken out because the man had actually kicked out at the dog. I thought their young dog Peter must have jumped up at the couple and they'd complained. Through a mutual friend, Mary, I discovered that it was indeed Ruby who had jumped up and caused all the fuss.

Can't some folk be ever so miserable - I mean have you seen my baby girl - who could object -- after all she only wanted to say hello. I found it slightly embarrassing that my little pooch had been the cause - beagles, what can I say.

One of our doggie friends the gorgeous Barney has had a little operation recently and is waiting now for test results. We all are keeping our paws and fingers crossed that he will get some good news soon - Barney is a three-year old springer spaniel and such a smashing dog -I'm sure he wiil be just fine x

2010-01-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

At last, the sun shone and it actually felt like dog-walking weather yeay It was soooooooooooooo nice today that I decided to take Oscar and Ruby to the beach to have a good run (a tired beagle is always a good thing)

Let me fill you in on a few facts about my lovely doggies - basically, they are sometimes NOT all that lovely We have had Oscar and Ruby from pups Oscar spent the first 22 months of his young life, having a rare old time running rings around me. Although there were times when his recall was exceptionally good, unfortunately, there were more occassions when it was just plain rubbish Nose to the ground he just would not come back, unless, of course, he wanted to As a consequence, Oscar is for the most part on lead for his walks - the exception being the beach where I allow him to run free (except for the 15 metre flat lead still attached - call it my safety net)

Ruby has been a star A star that is in the recall stakes- notice the use of the past tense - just recently Ruby decided to put her nose to the ground and not listen to my calling her back. At the moment she is still free - but if this behaviour doesn't improve, I'll have two little darlings on lead

Today was a good day for both my beaqles - they met their doggie friends,Susie, Jasper, Peter and Jenny, and a few new friends too. Oscar loves nothing better than chasing his ball - he even brings it back sometimes. Ruby had a little selective hearing towards the end of the walk but on the whole she was a good girl.

Later, with the wewther still bright, I took them both for a walk up the nearby hills, which has resulted in two very sleepy dogs tonight. Good job done

Welcome

2010-01-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hello, and welcome to my blog BEAGLESPACE.

Life is never dull with a beagle in the family but with two beagles it's a mad, mad world!

Here I will start to record our daily trials and tribulations..... oh and of course the good bits too.