Sunday Lunch at Dogs to Stay

The problem with digital camers, not that I'm complaining of course, is that with one it is possible to take so many pictures - as a result I think we must have taken a dozen of Kiva settled down with Taavi whilst Sunday lunch was being served. Maybe you might like to add a comment and let us know which of the 3 pictures below of the 2 of them we should keep on this blog.

The dogs were quite obviously looking forward to it - they had certainly worked up an appetite during the day what with playing in the garden and with the dogs they met whilst out on their walks. Sunday is a good day for our guests as with Louise here there are plently of hands available for stroking the 3 dogs :-).

Taavi enjoyed his dinner, who wouldn't; roast chicken (no bones of course) fresh vegetables and gravy mxed in with a few of his normal kibbles.

Taavi and the cats have yet to become friends - he still sees them as things to chase, thank doG for stair gates. Mylo seems to be enjoying his company and still has a tail whilst Kiva, as is evident from the pictures above, seems to have found herself a boyfriend.

Lappy days indeed.

Taavi's 1st Whole Day

Having settled the three dogs down for the night (not forgetting their yogurt treat of course) things were quiet - well at least until 4.15 when the sound of dogs whining could be heard, not sure who it was or indeed why meant a trip downstairs to check on them. All seemed to be fine other than the 3 of them were standing at the back door, perhaps a toilet break was needed? With the door opened the 3 of them bounded onto the lawn and did the necessary - 2 or 3 minutes later back they were in the kitchen and peace returned.

Now Taavi isn't a dog that "does cats" - he and Sam (our black tom) most definately do not like each other (that will change I am sure) however the cat charging through the cat flap at 6.15 was enough to disturb the dogs again - an early start for me - no matter.

The three dogs most definately get on - Kiva is there for Taavi to follow everywhere, even to settle down together.


Kiva is totally tolerant of Taavi's attentions though does have a couple of hide holes to escape to when things get a bit too much.

Taavi and Mylo's relationship is a totally different matter. Though now neutered Mylo is still most definately a male, however his character is very gentle and as a result he is more than happy to tolerate Taavi wanting to play with him though when he hangs on to his tail Mylo soon reminds Taavi who is boss.

My concerns regarding Taavi eating have proven to be unfounded as he has decided that it is in his best interest to eat his meal when presented with it else Kiva or Mylo will gladly finish it off for him.

Our main walk yesterday took us into new territory - 5 miles across the fields - obviously the dogs enjoyed it - they spent most of the afternoon and evening totally chilled only stirring when I had dinner - the smell of my tuna obviously got their senses going.

The only thing I feel a little guilty about is that I only have 2 arms - Taavi's hufamily is 5 strong so there are always spare hands to stroke him. With Louise away for the evening there were times when I struggled to give the dogs the attention they seemed to want - with Kiva on the sofa next to me and Mylo at my feet Taavi was unsure where his rightful place was. Of course there was a simple solution - if I sat in the middle of the sofa I could have Kiva on one side of me and Taavi on the other - sorted.

The dogs obviously decided to sleep in, a damn shame that the cats didn't as it was they who woke me at 6.00 chasing round the bedroom like a couple of maniacs. The dogs didn't make a sound 'till 8.15 - nothing like dogs that know the difference between a weekday and a weekend - bless them.

With breakfast served a new day has begun at Dogs to Stay, come back tomorrow to read the next installment of Taavi's stay.

Lappy days.

Taavi returns

Taavi, another Finnish Lapphund, had an overnight stay with us earlier in the year - it was essentially to ensure that he got on well with Kiva and Mylo, our 2 resident Lappies. Suffice to say - he's back - but this time for 3 weeks whilst his hufamily are travelling halfway round the world to trace Darwin's footsteps.

He arrived yesterday morning and, as usual when guest dogs first arrive, we went for a walk across the fields. Taavi is a well trained dog and, for a Lapphund, a shining light. As a result the 3 dogs enjoyed off lead runs for the best part of an hour - the intention being to tire them out when they got back to Dogs to Stay. It worked.

Yesterday was, in all honesty, a pretty easy day with them - once the heirarchy had been established calmness prevailed. However the "establishing the heirarchy" was a little fraught at times as Mylo took great exception with Taavi paying so much attention to Kiva - if I didn't know better I would say that Taavi had a crush on Kiva ;-).

A second walk later that afternoon meant for a relaxed evening however Taavi was reluctant to eat his evening meal ("yum, yum" said Mylo - more for me" - yeah right, as if FB) - Unlike our 2 dogs Taavi is a cruiser - being an only dog he is normally able to graze - something he will have to learn is NOT an option at Dogs to Stay.

The dogs were settled down for the night - all quiet until 7.00 when the sound of them playing brought me downstairs. A new day had begun.

Lappy days

Mike and family - if you are able to read this from the other side of the world I trust your journey was a good one and, don't worry about your boy - he is as happy as a lappy could be.

Crufts Weekend

Friday saw Mylo and Kiva do their bit at Discover Dogs (one of the halls at Crufts is set aside with individual booths allowing members of the public to see over 200 different breeds of dogs). We arrived at 11.00 and for the next 2 1/2 hours discussed the merits (and disadvantages) of Lappy ownership. Mylo did his best to show their less appealing side by being somewhat vocal - Kiva just sat there being quiet, cute and pretty. I was amazed at the number of interested visitors - such a shame that many will be disappointed as demand for this fabulous breed still exceeds supply.

The 2 dogs were petted and stroked continuously, happy to be shown attention to without complaint. Mylo's barking was, I discovered later, due to needing a toilet break - my fault entirely for not understanding him.

On Saturday evening one of the most dedicated wannabe Lappy owning couples travelled up from Kent to stay the night prior to their visit to Crufts on the Sunday - Lappy day and the grand finale.

On Sunday Paula and Adam dropped off their 7 month bitch, Inko, (http://livingwithalappy.blogspot.com/) for me to look after for the day when they too visited Crufts. Despite Mylo and Kiva both having qualified for Crufts we had made the decision not to show them as Mylo is a little overweight (and hates the show ring experience) and Kiva would be in season (the little madam actually ended her 2nd season 2 days before the start of Crufts).

My day with Inko was .... noisy, she is indeed a vocal little madam, bright as a button but oh so very fond of the sound of her own voice. Mylo tolerated her superbly, Kiva too, though she did seek solace occasionally on the other side of the dog flap that Inko was totally unable to work out how to use.

Paula and Adam, along with Louise for whom they kindly acted as taxi drivers, arrived home at 7.00 - just in time for a Sunday roast - the dogs had already eaten ...

Time to Say Goodbye

Smilla is due to be colected later this morning - she will be missed. Yesterday saw her much more relaxed - I think she has finally settled in, ironic that she is soon to go home.

The 3 of them get on so well - Smilla and Mylo seem to be devoted to each other ...

Kiva probably glad of the respite as Mylo seems to want to follow Smilla everywhere leaving kiva to be her hormonal self - however that doesn't mean that they dont like to spend time together as a 3 some ...

Much of yesterday saw the kitchen full of wonderful smells as I prepared a week's food for the dogs, the smell of chicken cooking, rice boiling and garlic and chicken stock simmering away was too much of a temptation for the pack - and the 3 of them spent much of the afternoon sitting next to the range hoping for a titbit or 2.

Tesco's offer of 3 packs of meat for £10.00 meant that Lou and I enjoyed roast chicken on Sunday, as did the dogs, complete with obligatory vegetables - the remainder of the joint saw Lou enjoy chicken sandwiches for her Monday lunch. In fact we roasted 2 chickens so that there would be plenty of meat for the dogs - in fact, once the rice (boiled in a garlic and chicken stock) had been added there was enough food for 5 days meals for Kiva and Mylo plus one for the 3 of them (who says that feeding dogs is expensive?) working out at about 30p per meal per dog.

Monday evening saw Smilla (and Kiva and Mylo) enjoy the Dogs to Stay speciality ...

Lappy days ...

Smilla's Visit

Once again I must apologise for my delay in posting ... busy, busy, busy.

The 3 dogs are getting on superbly, though Kiva is a little hormonal still, there is a calmness here at Dogs to Stay only broken when the 3 of them decided to play humping.

Smilla wants to spend most of her time in the kitchen - only venturing into the lounge to join Kiva and Mylo occasionally - perhaps the coolness of the kitchen floor is the attraction - however seeing as she seems to be totally besotted with Mylo I find it a little strange that she chooses to be on her own so much. She's not off her food though, as the 4 pictures below demonstrate.

Smilla normally eats dry kibble with a spoonful of Nature Diet (something that Mylo once loved) however given the choice she appears to prefer whatever Mylo and Kiva are having as, having finished her's first she waits to finish any bits that Mylo or Kiva might leave; "mmm, their kibbles taste much nicer than mine!"- hey, she's on holiday!

With most of the snow now melted walking the 3 of them is a little easier though with Kiva and Smilla on the brace one is reminded just how strong these dogs can be. Mylo just ambles along doing his best to tangle his lead up with theirs ...

Now - if we can just get Smilla to suss out the dog flap life would be perfect ...

Lappy days

Smilla returns

My last post made mention of the small amount of snow we had, well that changed pretty quickly and today, some 8 days later we still have 4 or 5 inches left from the heaviest snow I have seen for many a year. The dogs have loved it, as have the village children who enjoyed several days off school - though walking the dogs on what has now become sheet ice can only be described as "interesting". Today was no exception - though made somewhat harder with a third dog as Smilla is with us for a long weekend whilst her hufamily spend some time in Italy.

This is her 2nd visit, and she quiet obviously knew the score - though Kiva was, at first, somewhat miffed to see another bitch in the house - yup, at long last Kiva is experiencing her 2nd season (better late than never) so things are somewhat hormonal.

After the customary 10 minutes of angst when any guest dog arrives the 3 of them soon settled in, everyone knew their place in the pack and peace returned. Graham and Chris left once Smilla had settled and then it was out in the snow covered fields for a walk ...

As I write the dogs have been fed, well; Kiva and Mylo have - Smilla has decided to leave hers until a little later, they have had a couple of walks and spent much of the day playing in the garden.

Pictures will be added tomorrow (memo to self; charge the camera battery)

Lappy days