Good Friday

I was chastised last evening for not having updated the blog since Friday - so here is a quick summary of Friday's activities at Dogs to Stay:


Friday morning began the same as any other with Taavi, having been alerted to us being awake, up and about letting us know that he was looking forward to greeting us by his customary morning whine (not a distressed one of course, more the "please hurry up and come to see me" one). Opening the door to the lounge or kitchen (the 2 rooms that the dogs have access to during the night) results in 3 happy Lappy faces and 3 wagging Lappy tails greeting me - it is such a pleasure to be greeted in such a way - the only issue is how to stroke 3 dogs with just 2 hands - there is a solution though; Kiva lies on the floor, belly up, so that I can stroke her with my forearm whilst stroking Taavi with the hand and, with my other hand I am able to stroke Mylo - sorted.

Walking 3 dogs with one pair of hands can also be somewhat tricky - I have given up with the brace instead favouring Kiva and Taavi on 2 conventional leads and Mylo on an extender. Walks are so much easier now and Taavi and Kiva can be allowed to walk free where appropriate whilst Mylo has the freedom of the extending lead (Mylo is going through a "I don't do recall" phase).

Observing the dogs interact continues to be a pleasure - the combinations of whom plays with who and how seems endless.

Once again Friday evening was much like any other with the 3 of them totally chilled - well apart from Taavi's issue with Sam the cat....

Sofa So Good

Taavi has most definately made himself at home and seems more than comfortable - I'm not sure if he is allowed on the furniture at home but he certainly likes our sofas. The picture below shows him, in my opinion, looking much like Max from 8 Below.He seems to like nothing better than to snuggle up on the 3 seater watching Mylo and Kiva share the ball that he found on his afternoon walk yesterday. No ordinary walk this, but one through the village, passing by fields full of countless new born lambs that seemed to fascinate the 3 of them, en route to the sports field where they were able to run free, oh yes, and scavenge for prey and, in Taavi's case, the odd tennis ball or 2.


Much of yesterday evening was spent with any 2 dog combination of the 3 of them playing with the tennis ball and, when not sharing a ball he and Mylo were quite happy to share a well chewed cow's hoof. Just in case you are wondering the picture above is of Mylo and Kiva and yes, they are the same breed, Mylo is just a tad larger (is it me or does anyone else think he might make a nice fireside rug?).

Louise again decided to give Taavi a brush - after his last grooming I wouldn't have thought that there was much to come out - wrong; my the time Louise had finished we had a pile of fur the size of a football and Taavie looked stunning. Once done with his grooming he decided to join me on the 2 seater.

Just in case you're wondering, I do have other sweaters than the one I am wearing in the pictures above and those taken when Smuu and Sisko came to stay (check back through the post archive).

Lappy days.

Garlic Chicken and Rice

I spent much of yesterday (Monday) stripping the chicken carcass, the remains of Sunday's lunch, and then boiling it down to get the rest of the meat off - as a result the kitchen was full of rather attractive smells (well at least to the dogs). Having finished the boiling process I next drained the water (no nasty little bones wanted) added a clove of garlic to the broth and used this to boil some rice. The result of these endeavours is 8 nourishing meals for the dogs (I normally give then 75-80 grams of this together with some of their normal kibble). Taavi the food cruiser loved it, in fact he was first with a clean bowl.

The 3 dogs are all now perfectly attuned to each other, Taavi is still besotted with Kiva but knows that when she seeks sanctuary under her bush that she is best left alone - cue "I want to play with Mylo and eat his tail". Mylo and Taavi get on so incredibly well, in fact Mylo seems to have recaptured his puppyhood in the way that he plays with his new best friend.

In the evening the dogs again settled in their normal places - well at least until 8.45 - Mylo's time to see what the cats have left in the way of food. Now we are well used to this and, with Mylo on strict rations, we now know not to let him have any of the cats' food, instead he has a dozen or so of his dry kibbles - for a smart dog he is easily fooled.

Eating from the cats' tray is Mylo's cue to settle for the evening, so with him at Louise's feet, Kiva on my lap and Taavi at my feet (far enough away from one of the cats to feel safe) our evening resumed. Well until Taavi wanted to be brushed that is.

I was busy brushing some matted fur from Kiva's haunches - something she tolerates so well - when Taavi made it quite obvious that he too wanted to be brushed. 10 minutes brushing of Kiva equals a bunch of fur the size of a golf ball - 10 minutes of the same with Taavi saw the living room carpet transformed from terracotta to a pale cream - wow, does he shed. Not to be left out Mylo also wanted in on the act (and Mylo hates being brushed) as a result much of today has been spent hoovering the carpet.

As I write the dogs are settled; the sun is shining and in an hour or so they will be getting another walk, on their return they will be treated to another culinary masterpiece.

Lappy days

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 ...