Holidays with dogs

Hi, we have updated our links, with some place in the lake district that except dogs. I really like the look of Low Nest Farm, it would make for a great long weekend break!

Merry Christmas from all at Roan Cottage.

Holly opens her eyes

Roan Cottage finally gets heat!

Baby Holly

Dad (Chester), Baby (Holly), Mum (Jessie)

Daddy Chester

Puppy Day 2

Day 2 of the Roan Cottage Pup, still no name, the front runners are Fern, Willow or Holly. We got to the Vets for a check up today, hope she is ok, not sure if she is getting enough to eat!

The first Roan Cottage Roan

Jessie give birth to the first Roan Cottage Roan at 14.30hrs today. The Chocolate Roan girl is as yet unnamed, however her kennel club name is "Roan Cottage Yule tide Joy". Mother and Pup both doing well. Further pictures and postings to follow.

Crufts

Crufts 2009 takes place from 5th - 8th March 2009 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Internet at Last

Well Roan Cottage finally has the Internet at last, thanks to Virgin Media! We also have a television and a telephone, although people are that used to phoning our mobiles now that the phone never rings! As for the television, it sits in the corner collecting dust! We are now waiting for our log fire to be install on the 15th, just in time for Christmas.... What started out as a holiday home has turned into our main home, as we are as I type awaiting the arrival of Chester and Jessies puppies, or should I say pup, as the Vet only thinks there is one. Jessie was due last Sunday and is now over due, but the Vet wants her to wait till Friday before we do anything.

So its been a busy time, we have put down a new slate floor, built whelping pens and painted everything. Uncle Anthony (Chris's little brother) has re-pointed our sandstone walls, with Uncle Paul (Chris other little brother) providing the plumbing for the washing machine, which was kindly donated by my little brother and sister in law. Its a real family project with mum sorting out our curtains and Kath and Christine doing all sorts of things.

In the middle of all this Chris started a new job and I had my graduation, as well as pickling everything that you could imagine could be pickled and making 9 Christmas cakes.... I think its something to do with the country air!!! I will start posting pictures again soon, including I am sure lots of puppy pics. The debate has now also started about names and whether I am aloud to keep them!!!

Look for Chester

If you look closely you can see Chester asleep under Jessie!

Chester

Chester Update

Just a Chester update, he had his last injection on Saturday as well as being micro chipped. Not a peep out of him. He is as I type fast asleep on the back door mat by my feet after spending the last mad half hour playing with all the toys and the other dogs (except poppy who just sleeps through all the noise!). He has learned to Sit and Lay down when asked and also is very good at shaking paws. Will try and post some new pictures at the weekend.

Our Friends in France

These are our friends in France, Mozart (right) ,the cat Moustique and Virus (left), they all live in the Loire Valley, were the weather looks much better than in Seaham! Bisous to Patrica, Mimi and Sonia, miss you all xxxx

Puppy Pee

Luckily Chester is doing much better than this, we still have the odd accident but he knows where to go now.

Credit Crunch

MAN’S best friend has become a victim of the credit crisis – with hard-up families in areas across the country abandoning their dogs or having them put down.Rescue centres in Cornwall have reported an increase in the number of animals handed in by owners who have either been evicted from their homes or are struggling with rising interest rates and fuel and food prices. Animals are also facing neglect because their owners are having to take second jobs or work over-time to meet costs.And with summer approaching, sanctuaries are dreading the influx of strays when families abandon their pets rather than pay for boarding kennels.Cambourne-based Sue Smith, who runs one of the county’s canine campaigning groups, said: “People are looking within their families to reduce their outgoings, and non-necessities and dogs are becoming the invisible victims.“It’s soul-destroying. To some people dogs are their family, their life and their passion and they are pleading with us and desperate.”

PET STREET

PetStreet.co.uk is a social networking website, but unlike MySpace orFaceBook, PetStreet has a specific purpose ­ its members have a passion forthe animals that share our lives. It¹s free to use, every owner has a pageand then can open pages, and upload photos, for all their pets. Once signedup, people can talk to people and pets can talk to pets and so ideas,information and experiences can be shared. PetStreet was set up by Maurice Melzak ­ a zoologist and film-maker with a huge interest in the important role of companion animals in our lives. One of the things that makes PetStreet unique is that there is a clear editorial voice. The editors blog raises all sorts of issues that often generate a great deal of discussion on PetStreet. Examples include Dublin City Councils recent attempt to ban tenants keeping certain breeds of dog,VAT on vets bills, dogs electrocuted by lampposts in London or the Teesside man given an Asbo for a string of offences, including throwing dogs into the path of oncoming traffic! Many issues are raised by PetStreet members ­ one, Rachel Sanderson, a passionate pet owner living on a farm, was not allowed to rehome a dog because her farm was not enclosed. This opened a vigorous debate on the criteria used by rehoming centres. Another member, a young man who keeps Staffy-type dogs was tired of being compared with less responsible owners. So raised the question of a PetStreet campaign where kids who want to keep these dogs are educated and encouraged in responsible dog ownership. PetStreet also has a poll to gauge public opinion on pet-related issues. A current one asks if it is too easy to own a dog. There are also fun items like cartoons and a themed Pet Idol competition where members can upload photos of their pets to be voted on by other members. PetStreet is only just beginning, but its clear ethos of ethical and responsible pet ownership is beginning to strike a chord with pet-loverseverywhere.

http://www.petstreet.co.uk/

Tug

No Chester thats not helping your suppost to be on the boys side!

All aboard