From Plymouth to Birmingham For A Walk ...

You don't have to be mad to own a lappy but it would seem that many of us are.

On January 11th a mass Lappy walk had been arranged to take place in the fabulous Sutton Park. Now these events attract large numbers of Lappy owners as well as people still waiting to get their Lappy puppy (a six month wait is not uncommon as these dogs are pretty rare).

One couple who had been waiting for ages for their Lappy live in Plymouth - they are pretty dedicated to the breed and regularly attended walks and shows throughout the country prior to getting their Lappy; Tarrka. Jo and George live in Plymouth yet still wanted to come on the first MIDFLAPS walk (subsequently know as Mudflaps) - they stayed with us on the Saturday, meaning we had 4 Lappies overnight; their puppy Tarrka, Taavi (our overnight guest), Mylo and Kiva. The Chinese meal was great, the Rioja delicious, the company great (though Jo can talk) and the dogs well behaved - all of which meant we had a somewhat late night.

Up with the larks (and a hangover) and the dogs got loaded into the jeep for the short trip to Sutton Park where we were to meet up with other Lappy owners .... a truly fabulous walk in a magnificent venue.

Taavi Comes To Stay

It has been a while since our last post and for that I can only apologise, but things have been pretty quiet here, well, until recently.

In April we will be having a Finnish Lapphund stay with us for 3 weeks whilst his hufamily visit the Galapagos Islands (all right for some!) and we thought it wise to make sure that Taavi got on well with Kiva and Mylo.

Taavi and family came to us on Saturday January 10th, a day where here in our little spot in Warwickshire the whole area had been spinkled with a dusting of frost that remained throughout the whole day - the countryside looked beautiful. On Taavi's arrival we decided to head off for a walk across the fields - and with Taavi, by all accounts, being good off lead we thought we would allow Kiva and Mylo the same freedom.

And some say that Lappies can be less than perfect off lead ... well here is proof that, given the right incentive, even the most unreliable Lappy will come back, (Kiva, Taavi and FB Mylo trailing in the rear).

So having confirmed that the dogs would all get along Taavi's hufamily left him with us for the night. He would be reunited with them the next day when we were to meet in Sutton Park for a mass Lappy walk..... Lappy Days indeed

Lappies do carrots

Throw a piece of peeled carrot at either Mylo or Kiva and they will turn their nose's up at it in disgust, whole carrots are an entirely different matter.

Our walk today took us through the village and down to the sports field, we were hoping to see Mylo's girlfriend (the pot bellied pig as mentioned in previous blogs). Sadly she wasn't there, instead 3 horses were awaiting us - and Mylo does like horses. Kiva is less enamoured with them and she let it be known, very, very shrilly.

Back home and through the churchyard - Mylo, as always, up on the bench expecting a treat (well it would be cruel to deny him). Many of the graves had Christmas wreathes upon them, fresh flowers on many and, much to Mylo's delight, on one an empty sherry glass (someone must have had the contents) and a whole carrot (a treat for the reindeer no doubt). For those that don't know Finnish Lapphunds (so called because they come from the Finnish area of Lapland) are used by the Sami people to herd reindeer (much as Border Collies herd sheep). Mylo was obviously considerate and wanted to make sure that the carrot was suitable for them.

Kiva being Kiva decided to help Mylo finish it off....

Lappy days

Kanto's visit

Stress free and relaxed ... says it all really.

Kanto is a real pleasure to have stay with us - he is excellent company for Kiva - they play together so well. For Mylo it's a case of, hey, "if Kanto is playing with Kiva then I don't have to!"

Apologies for the quality of some of these; they were taken through the window.

Kanto decided that he was rather partial to the raised bed on the right hand side of the steps into the garden spending much of his time either sitting (above) or lying (below) on it.


Even meal times were relaxed ... however feeding 3 dogs three different types and quantities was a minor problem. Kanto, who normally eats what he fancies returning to his bowl during the day, had to come to terms that if he didn't eat all he was given then Mylo or Kiva would soon demolish what was left. Kiva had to have it explained to her that she wasn't allowed Kanto's Oscars dried food and had to have her own food and Mylo had to be reminded that he was ONLY to eat his special dietary food.

Well that was the plan, however as the picture below shows Mylo was eating Kanto's whilst he was eating Mylo's - oh well, what would one meal matter?

Kanto was collected by Neil on the Friday, Heather (Kanto's husister) had recovered from her illness - he will be missed.

Lappy days

Kanto returns

Kanto is a regular visitor, he is Kiva's brother and lives just a few miles from us. He is always a welcome guest, Kiva dotes on him and Mylo .... tolerates him (and they say that one can't have 2 males together - pft). Kanto is with us for a couple of nights as his baby husister, Heather, is unwell.

Kanto's activities will be added to this blog during the next 2 days.

Lappy Days

Smilla's flying visit

On Saturday and Sunday December 13th/14th we had the pleasure of Smilla's company. This brown tri bitch is slightly younger than Kiva but is already a familiar face as she is a regular on the mass lappy walks we enjoy. Mylo was somewhat taken by her when they first met and did his best to make her his bitch - no worries this time as Mylo is now a nutless wonder.

As is the norm when our 2 meet a guest, the first 15 minutes were pretty manic - hey they're kids - let them play. Once some degree of calmness had been established the 3 dogs were taken for a walk - much to the amazement of some of our neighbours who had, up 'till then, not seen a dog with such colouring and markings.

The evening and night was relaxed, the hierarchy had been established and the dogs knew where they stood, or sat, or lay.


Morning came, the dogs had been quiet, though they greeted us like long lost friends - well at least 'till breakfast was served. Next came their morning walk - through the village, down to the sports field and back. As we walked past a field of sheep strange grunting noises could be heard - now sheep don't grunt, well at least I didn't think they did - Smilla seemed a little interested (we don't think she has been "up close and personal" with sheep before). Now this was to be no ordinary walk as Mylo discovered a new girlfriend.

The grunting sheep turned out to be a Pot Bellied Pig - a sow that appeared to be as enamoured with Mylo as he was with her - she followed us as far as she could and waited patiently for our return - at the 5 bar gate she and Mylo had a little chat (or seemed to - with Mylo almost talking to her) whilst Smilla looked on in wonderment. If you are reading this Mary - please, no witty comments!!!

Our arrival back home saw all of the dogs relaxed, Smilla sleeping next to Kiva and Mylo in his kennel, probably dreaming of his pig.

24 hours after she arrived Smilla was collected by Graham - she will be missed but is due back in the New Year.

Lappy Days

Saturday afternoon

Below is our standard Dogs to Stay gallery shot, this time with Sisko (rear) and Smuu at the gate to the lawn.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by some glorious countryside and some great neighbours who do not object to us walking the dogs across their fields - 5 acres of secure (well almost) meadow is a great place to exercise the dogs.

Ooops, I have just realised how bald I am getting ....

Time to head back ...

Via the pub of course and Mylo's favourite table

Well, that's probably it for Smuu and Sisko's blog (unless something remarkable happens this evening; cat sleeps on top of dog, dog sleeps on top of cat, etc.).

Tomorrow sees us head south for a monthly mass lappy walk and to hand Smuu and Sisko back to their owners - I think they have enjoyed their stay with us - we have had no angst, no escapes, no accidents (apart from mine that is) and our guests have been totally relaxed. A job well done I think.

Lappy days