Wednesday 17 October 2007

Settling In

Hello chaps, hope you're all well. What about those pups hey? I can't even begin to tell you how good ma smelt when she got home. I couldn't keep my nose away. I'm looking forward to meeting them all, as well as lovely ladies Maggie and Annie, Arthur who is Oscar's older brother and as mad as a bag of frogs by all accounts, and Stella who is Oscar's ma. I reckon I'll know who I want as my new little bro or sis in a jiffy.

I am settling in very well here. I got a lovely new bed last week. I am just too big to fit comfortably on Oscar's old bed, plus ma felt it was quite thin and not ideal for my stiff legs. What she failed to realise however, is that it's far comfier to sleep like this, so the majority of my big muscly body is still on the floor anyway, har har! Do you see how my ears stick up when I sleep? Ma says I look silly, I say I'm just keeping alert for anything interesting.

I have also been doing lots and lots of cuddling with pa. I really do love him so much. He gives the best scratches and ear rubs. Pa says that even though Oscar loved him lots, he was always more of a mummy's boy, so pa is happy that I enjoy his company so. Us boys have got to stick together I say. I honestly am not quite as huge as the photos of me beside pa would have you believe. I know they say the camera never lies, but I do believe it adds 10 pounds and makes me seem like a humongous 'Dale. Yes, I am a tad bigger than average, but I am honestly not a giant! I have longer legs than the standard and I weigh a respectable 28.5 kilos (63 pounds) - all muscle of course!


I have also been making the most of the last few mild, autumn day before the wet, cold weather sets in. I like lying at the end of the garden so I can keep an eye on everything - the house, the tabby next door, cars coming and going. An Airedale's work is never done.

Today however I was a little preoccupied as I had a nice chew on the go. As I don't play with toys, chews are a good source of fun for me.


I let ma take a few photos *sigh*. All I really wanted to do was get my gnashers around the chew, but I understand I have to keep the lady of the house happy. You will see that I will always have green or yellow glowing eyes on photos. I'm not a Halloween ghoul, it's because my eyes are a bit cloudy due to age. I can still see very well though, and hopefully I still look handsome in photos!

Chomp, chomp, chomp. Ma doesn't really like rawhide chews that much, but I seem to work my way through anything else in seconds, and I am not interested in faffing about getting biscuits out of Kongs, just licking a little peanut butter or honey out of them. Do any of you have any good ideas for safer, healthier chews that can keep my huge Airedale teeth busy for more than a minute?

Working up a good mushy mess now. I did end up with lots of rawhide stuck to my beard. Ma says that's another reason why rawhides are bad news. I suppose if I am ever going to grow enough beard to enter Stanley's beard contest, I don't want to have ma chop big chunks of it out when she can't brush the rawhide tangles out!


Ah well, time for a nap. Pa tells me that my new grandma and grandad who live in Spain are coming to stay tonight along with pa's brother, partner and Leo, a little baby human who is only 12 weeks old. Sounds like lots of potential ear scratches are coming my way, jolly good news!

Toodle pip,

Harry x

41 comments:

Noah the Airedale said...

Harry mate, our pinkies aren't keen on those raw hide chews either. We've heard some bad stories about them so be careful ok. I'm pretty sure there was a story about a dale on Planet Airedale about a raw hide chew. Anyway we get marrow bones and they last for ages. Good for the teeth as well. Maybe give one a go.
Glad you've settle in well with your ma and pa. Our pinkies have told us that they're great people so you're one lucky bloke!

Noah, Willow, Tess and Lucy

The Black and Tans. said...

Hi Harry

Great you are all settled, have a lovely new bed and enjoying life to the full.

Molly and Taffy

.

Molly the Airedale said...

We love our marrow bones and sometimes mom gets us those stuffed sterilized bones. The marrow bones are so messy but oh so good and well worth getting cleaned up afterwards!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Stanley said...

Hey, Harry!

So glad you're feeling at home with your Ma and Pa. It sure likes your Pa is just as partial to you as you are to him. (He's a cuddly bear himself, isn't he?)

You are just like I am with your dog bed ~ hanging off of it is the only way to sleep!

Be sure to get plenty of rest before you go meet up with the new pups and Oscar's pup family. I'm sure you'll know pretty quickly who Cassidy is.

Enjoy all the extra scratches, man! You deserve them!

Goober love,
Stanley

B said...

Harry!

I recommend Sam Yams Sweet Potato Chews found here:
http://www.sitstay.com/cgi-bin/sdisp.cgi/EDSYA.B.lg.jpg:EDSYA.lg.jpg:EDSYA.A.lg.jpg

Also they have Chicken Chews but really bully sticks are my favorite and they are digestable (they are just smelly, mom says).

I'm glad you're liking your new home.

Arabella
http://www.photoblog.com/arabella

2shibas said...

Oh, Harry. You look so happy in your new home and you are so lucky to have such a great ma and pa. Enjoy the peace and solitude while you can because baby fur sibs can be a total pain! (But theyre worth it!)

Welcome home!

Wiley & Fievel

Ferndoggle said...

Bully Sticks!! You need some big Bully Sticks or Moo Tubes. They keep us busy for a super long time.

We also like big raw marrow bones or beef rib bones.

Yum!!

Sherman, Penny & Lola

Princess Patches said...

Hi Harry, You are one handsome Aire-boy even though your eyes are a little cloudy. We love your eyebrows! We sleep that way on our beds, a lot too. Must be an Airedale thing! Mom bought us each a raw marrow bone last Saturday and we are still working on them. Rest up because it won't be long before Cassidy gets there.

Poppy & Penny

Ruby Bleu said...

Hi Harry,
Wow...sounds like you are having a grand old time in your new home!!! That is pawsome that things are going that well!

And handsome, my dog you are so handsome...those bushy eyebrows are the best.

I hope you have a nice visit with your family and I can't wait to hear all about your visit with the puppies!!!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

Clover said...

Hi Harry!
You do look handsome in your photos! And you look so happy!
Have a fun time with your company!
Love Clover xo
P.S. I'm leaving something for you on my blog today!

Gus said...

Harry: regarding the hugeness of Hairy Harry...just tell them it is all the perspective. I got away with that for several months until it was time to see the vet for shots. Now I am on a per-PET-ual diet. Lots of green beans and sweet potatoes, but I love them, so that is ok. You are not old...you are mature!

kissies
Gus

B said...

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that - i'm not really that good at geography unless i've been there (how does it smell like in the uk?). I guess I'll have to do some studying.

mom says that they are actually cheaper online and hopefully you can find some place that ships for free.

Faya said...

C'est super...tu as l'air très heureux et comme ça nous aussi on est heureux. Quand je dors j'ai aussi les oreilles comme toi et Véronique m'appele Flying Faya...bon. Oui je trouve que les photos nous grossissent un peu. En plus Katy est sans arrêt en train de te photographier.... pauvre Harry...
Bisous, Faya

Miriam said...

Hey Harry,
this is exactly one of my favourite sleeping positions, too. And I am not an Airedale, I am Tibetan. I followed Oscar's blog and mom and I are very happy he send you to his humans to comfort them. It is a very good idea, I think. We are so excited how your life will change with Cassidy arriving soon!
Habca

Snowball said...

Hi Harry,

You seems to like the garden a lot. Did your new Grandma and Pa's brother and other hooman coming for visit gave you lots of treats too?

Luv,
Snowball

Lesley Rigby said...

Gosh Harry you are such a sensible boy - I wish I was so clever!

Enjoy your visitors - they will love you.

Very BIG Hugs (I love you). XXXXX

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Hi there Harry!

I think the camera does lie, cos I thought you looked bigger than that, but I weigh 24 kg, well 23 on a good day, and you are not much more than me!

AnyPup, there is more of you to love I say! I am pleased you are bonding with your Dad, I love mine to bits too!

And the funny thing is, I sleep just like you, half way out of the bed! The hooooomans are always laughing at me!

love and many licks, hope to meet you someday next year perhaps?

Marvin xxxxxx

Unknown said...

Hi Happy Harry! Glad to see you are settling well. My mama loves, luves, lubs your eyebrows! Can't wait to see you meet your new lil sis, Cassidy!

Anonymous said...

Harry-we sleep the same way on our beds! Our person used to have wire fox terriers and says she also loves Airedales (not as much as standard poodles, we hope)

Johann The Dog said...

Gracie wants to share her favorite chew - a raw marrow bone! But don't get the ones that have too much fat or grissle, just bone and marrow. Gracie can go for hours on those!

So glad you are loving your new family! We love them too.

Woofs, Johann

Lorenza said...

Hi, Harry
Glad to see that you are settling pretty well.
I don't know if the camera makes you look bigger than you are but sure you look big!
Maybe you should try the marrow bones. They are great! And they last more than a minute!
Enjoy your visitors!
Have a good night
Lorenza

Kirby said...

Hi Harry,

I love to sleep on my bed just like you. Nothing beats the half on half off method. He he! I'm glad you're settling in so well. I love rawhide bones too, but mom does not. She alternates large bully sticks and sterilized bones with the rawhide so my beard isn't always filled with rawhide chunks and gunk. Mom does use Growl and Meow Foaming Face Wash to rinse off my face and get rid of the rawhide residue. It smells good, so I don't mind getting my face cleaned up. Have fun with your guests this weekend and keep on chewing!

Your pal,
Kirby

Luckie Girl said...

Hey Harry,
I love rawhide too. Mom says I'm a terrible chewer and I am contented to chew all day long. Have you tried Bully Stixs? I heard they are da bomb!

Hammer said...

Hi Harry
We're really happy you're settling in so well. My mum has a real soft spot for 'older dogs' and all 'older' animals. She can't take in any more animals though coz she has to look after the 5 of us and we still have to find Beau, and then she'll have 6 furkids to love and care for. Take good care of yourself
Love from Hammer and his family

Amber-Mae said...

Heya Harry, you're having a time of your life! Didn't I tell you that Katy & Martin will take very good care of you & pamper you with all those delicious treats, beds, cuddles & ear rubs? Hehehehe... You are one lucky Airedale! Oh yeah, I've noticed that you are HUGE! I mean, Oscar was smaller in size but maybe that was becoz he was only 1 year plus but still... You weigh 28kg? You're light... I'm smaller than you but I weight just as much as you or maybe a kilo heavier. I need to loose weight man!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Of course I think you're handsome Harry. :) You got the cute bushy eyebrows. :) That's alot of hooman coming to visit. :)

~ Girl girl

Scrappy and Pebbles said...

Awwww Harry you are sure living a wonderful life. Hope your visitors give you lots of well deserved tummy rubs


Scrappy and Pebbles

jaffeboy said...

A good chew is always the best. It beats any toy.

I'm glad you are settling in well. Your Ma & Pa are the bestest so I'm sure everything will be up up up from now on. Can't wait to meet your new sis/bro.

Asta said...

Hawwy! Awe you Kidding?? do we think you'we handsome???don't you have miwwows in youw house?? You aw extwemely handsome..and not that big at all..I think Stanley is much biggew, and I can see youw lean and muscly body! Mommi doesn't let me eat wawhide..it gets gooey and also she heawd of doggies getting it lodged in theiw thwoats..pleez be caweful..I think the ideas ouw othew pals have had awe welly good!
Daddi's awe gweat!! I hope you have a tewwific time with all the guests giving you eaw wubs..(mine do that too when I sneep)
Can't wait to see which pup you pick!
smoochie kisses
Asta
pee ess
Enjoy the gawden you sweetie!

Putter said...

Hi Harry! Hi!

I am so gladdest that you are settling in so wellest! Aren't marrow bones the best???

Your Friend,

Putter ...:)

Putter said...

Hi Harry! Hi!

I am so gladdest that you are settling in so wellest! Aren't marrow bones the best???

Your Friend,

Putter ...:)

Anonymous said...

It's lovely to see you all helping each other! I'm so pleased it's going well - Harry looks, well, as happy as Larry!

Sophie Brador said...

Harry, You are totally handsome in every single picture. I especially like your sleeping one. I do exactly the same thing.

My mom gives me raw bones that she buys at the pet food store. She buys them frozen and then runs them under warm water for a few minutes, just to take the chill off them. I love them!!!!! She says to get the quarter sawn ones and not the big knuckles. The big knuckles are really rich (or something) and give me a major leaky bum.

Hope that helps.

xo
SB

Agatha and Archie said...

Harry you sleep just like Archie!!! Can you have marrow bones or will tha upset your tummy ?? Love A+A

Nessa Happens said...

Harry - you seem like a solid chap to us! Take care of oscar's mum and dad - oh and Pooka says to tell you he prefers his papa too, which makes his papa very happy since I, Nanook, am definitely a mama's boy.

Joe Stains said...

we looove Nylabones! They make big tough ones and they make the chewycorn, which is Tanner's all time favorite!

Juno said...

Harry, I must say you're so handsome! (*blush) I just love seeing your pictures, especially with pa!

Momo xoxo

pee ess: thank you for your barkday wishes to my mom! :)

Nat said...

Great to see you guys making the rounds.

Pappy's Fella

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

Hey Harry, I see that Arabella has already mentioned Sam's Yams. They were recommended by the WFT yahoo group I belong to. I think the "Big Boyz" sweet potato chews sounded good. J1 was looking for a UK supplier but she hasn't found one yet so she ordered some from the US via Only Natural Pet Store (http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/). The shipping was expensive though and they haven't arrived yet. I'll let you know what I think of them! J x

Myeo said...

We are so happy that you are settling in real well. Yup, you look real HUGE but we believe you.. its all muscles :P

Love
Boy n Baby

Mojo, Digger and family said...

Harry, sorry I missed you on Sunday at the trimming session. We were looking forward to meeting you but all our plans got a little muddled this weekend after our sleepover. (did someone mention hangover? Surely not)

The rawhide thing is tricky, as I adore them. We stick to the long thin cigar shaped ones as they don't unfold when wet like some of the other shapes. Mum made Dad throw out a 'wrong' one the other day and I was not impressed.

Great to see you sleep half in half out of your bed too. My bed is huge but I still hang out of it. I like the rush of blood to my head as I get better dreams that way.

big hugs
Mojo