Saturday 15 December 2007

Exciting Walkies and Skating Parties

This morning we went on a drive in the car. As I told you in my last post, I do enjoy being in the car as long as I can have a bit of fresh air blowing in my face, and today I did. I know you can't see it, but I assure you I was safely strapped in with my car harness even though I do look like I'm doing a bit of back seat driving.

Cassidy was being a Miss Goody Two-Shoes sitting all nicely. When J's car seat is in the car she adores sitting in that, then she can just about see out of the windows, but today it was in the boot. She did grumble a bit about that, but soon settled down to enjoy the ride (minus a view!). Looks, she's got a little car harness too. I think she'll soon grow out of it, so anyone who is about Cassidy's size and would like a car harness, let us know and you can have it once she needs the next size up.

When we got to Nightingale Wood, pa was being annoying and he clipped Cassidy onto my lead, so I had a crocodale beside me no matter which way I tried to go!

I tried going this way and that but to no avail. She was well and truly attached!


I know these photos are a bit blurry, but we were moving pretty fast! See, she's lining up for a crocodale attack here!

I asked pa to take pity on me and he did. But he went one huge step better than that! Now I was never allowed off lead by my previous owner. A lot of people say Airedales are very unreliable off lead, so maybe the breeder told her that. Ma and pa let Oscar off from being a young whippersnapper, and he was generally a very good boy. As Nightingale Wood was quiet and is a safe place, pa said I could try going off lead! Ma was nervous, but pa said he reckoned I trusted them enough now not to disappear.

This is me first going off. It's really not representative of how well I did. Yes, I ran off this first time, but when I realised ma and pa were calling me to give me cuddles and liver treats and that I could then go and explore again I did really well and had about 20 minutes off lead. How fabulous is that?!


More blurry photos because I was running up and down like I was the puppy. I was so, so happy, and ma and pa said it was lovely to watch me having so much fun.

To quote my little sis, look at me go, whee!

The young miss stayed on her lead today as ma and pa wanted to concentrate on me, plus you've heard about her (lack of) recall at puppy class. She is improving lots though, so hopefully in the new year, we'll both be able to romp with gay abandon!

We came home and had a snooze and some food, then it was time to get ready for Butchy & Snickers' ice skating party! Gosh, we're going to sleep well tomorrow!

Cassidy is wearing her very pink padded princess coat. I have to admit that she does look rather sweet.

I look rather less chic, but at least I'll be warm. I'm not planning on doing to much skating in case I break my hip or something. I don't want to be in hospital in traction for Christmas!

I took my hat off while we waited for Air Ruby as I wanted to feel the benefit of wearing it once I was in chilly climes.

Hope to see lots of you at the party! You can all check out my improved but still nicely bushy brows!

Toodle pip,

Harry x

48 comments:

Asta said...

Harry
how wondewfully fun fow you to go womping off lead..it must have been a weal tweat!!!I must say you both did look gweat on that doul=ble lead too, but i undewstand about the shawk stuff,hehe
You look so vewy dashing in youw hat and scawf..I can't wait to see you,just because you won't skate it doesn't mean you can't cuddle and have a gweat time!!!
Cassidy..you welly look like the pwettiest little pwincess in that nice wawm coat..I bet you'll dazzle all the boyz and have a gweat time with all youw giwlfwiends..U'm sving some smoochie kisses fow both of you
love
Asta

Molly the Airedale said...

We are so glad that your mum and dad trusted you enough to let you off-lead, Harry! My mom was holding her breath the whole time!
The two of you look awesome!
See you at the pawty!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Bogart H. Devil said...

You two are PRECIOUS!!!!!

I'm very impressed with ya Harry, mom says she remembers those Crocodale teeth vividly and that you must be an awfully patient good boy to be attached to her!

Good job on the off-leash, as well.

And that last photo - ohmygosh I'm gonna die of cuteness!!!

Peanut said...

We are so happy you got to go off lead. How fun for you Harry. See you at the party.

Faya said...

Ces promenades sans laisse sont les meilleures n'est-ce-pas Harry ?
Bisous à tous et on se voit sur la glace,
Faya

Deanna said...

Oh, you look so cute in your hat and scarf! And of course little C is cute!

Ruby Bleu said...

Yay for you Harry...off leash...how exciting!!! I wish there was a place like that around here so I could try off leash, but alas there isn't :( I'm so proud and happy for you!!!

You pups look warm and toasty - and little Miss Cassidy looks adorable in her coat! I'll see you pups soon!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

Lorenza said...

Hi, Harry
I just can imagine how happy your were being off leash there! Your are a good boy and won't run away!
You two look great. Ready for the party!
See you there
Lorenza

Lacy said...

woofies Cassidy and Harry...good fing u pa let u wun off lead, dat cassidy wuz bout to start playin bitey face...me happies u 2 had fun on u walkie...howww cutie ms cassidy lookies in her pink coat and u lookie handsome as ever in ur hat and acarf, harry...see ya at da pawty..

b safe,
;)lacylulu

JAZZ AND DIXIE said...

Oh Harry how happy you look prancing about like a young boy. Being off lead is fun. We only get to be off lead in the dog run though as mum is very worried that we will get wiff of a scent and take off!
You guys look very warm and ready for skating. Hope you had fun.
Licks
Jazz and Dixie

Anonymous said...

That park looks like a lot of fun! And well done for being such a good boy off your lead as well.

Can't wait to catch up with you both at the party!

River

Stanley said...

Harry Boy!

You are having some great adventures and obviously loving life! You were great off lead (if you came back at all). My girl took awhile before she trusted me off lead (I was never used to a lead before, but never went anywhere with my first family). I come when she calls at the park about 95% of the time. Way to go, buddy!

Love your kicky hat & scarf combo! Those will keep you warm for sure!

Tell Cassidy that she is precious in every stinkin' photo, but I know what you mean about the landsharking. Stella is a pro!

Goober love & empathy,
Stanley

ToFFee said...

That sounds like a great day Harry!

Better be careful on the ice.. heard it's slippery...

Mom just loves cassidy's pictures..

Wuffs!
Toffee
p.s. i'm sending my cards this week. I hope you receive them soon.

Jackson's J1 and J2 said...

Hey pals, don't you look cute in your get up for the skating pawty! See you there... J x

Xsara and Tani said...

Great party!

Mojo, Digger and family said...

Hey Cassidy, I love the way you come up and sit nice for the camera when Harry is off doing his 'deaf dog' stunt. Sweet move, because I bet when Harry is behaving, you aren't! Keep those humans on their toes, huh?

I wasn't let off the lead on walks at first, until we started our first puppy class at 14 weeks. The lady who ran the class told my parents to let me off straight away. Apparently when puppies are very young, they are unconfident enough to stick near their humans (their pack). Once they get older, they get more confident, and if let off for the first time then are more likely to go off and do their own thing. My problem was I was already past the unconfident point, so I do stretch my humans' patience at times.

I get put on the lead on and off in walks if there is a road nearby, or dogs and children I shouldn't bounce upon. But poor Harry, never being off the lead before! I'm sure there's no such thing as an ureliable breed, just an unsure owner. Thank goodness you're with switched-on humans now, H.

xxx
Mojo

Princess Eva and Brice said...

Hello Harry and Cassidy, very nice to meet you both! We really enjoyed the videos of you guys playing. We love to go to the dog park so we can run off leash! Nothing better! You also look very fashionable in your skating party outfits. Hope you had a good time. Eva says she can relate to Cassidy's experience at puppy school. She was very bad at the recall also, but now she is very good about it. We got your wonderful Christmas card yesterday! Thank you ever so much!! You both look so cute. Have a safe and happy Holiday Season! Belly Rubs, Tasha & Eva.
P.S. We were so sorry to hear of Flake's passing on to the Rainbow Bridge. We know what its like to lose a member of the pack. She is in a better place now, but we know it is still a very difficult time. We send your heart-felt puppy prayers. T & E.

Amber-Mae said...

Oh, you sure can be trusted off-leash Harry! Soon, Cassidy can be too. You both look great in your sweater & scarf. Will see you there!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Gus said...

You guys look like you are ready for fun....and congrats to Harry on the Off lead thing. If airedales are bad off lead, what do you think wires are? And JRTs....no way!

kissies
gussie

Persephone and Buster said...

Nightingale Wood looks so bucolic! Betcha it's an ideal place to take off in hot pursuit of small animals, leaving the humans anxious and hyperventilating!

The tandem lead reminds us of those Greek pugilists, strapped to large boulders within an arm-length of each other. The choices are harmony or destruction!

Cassidy is so cute!

Cheers,

Persephone & Bozo

Lesley Rigby said...

You both look so adorable. Such loved "Little" doggies....it is great to see!
Harry, I think it is wonderful for you to be allowed off your lead. Freedom at last. Be very, very good though, and make sure you always return. Kisses on curly heads xxxxxxxxxxx

Finni said...

Very cute pink party frock Cassidy! Hey Harry, being off-lead is sooo much fun, isn't it?
Finni xx

Sophie Brador said...

Harry, You are such a handsome devil in your ascot. It must have been fantastic to run free for a bit. I get to run free too, where it is safe, and it is the absolute best. I can see how little Cassidy would drive you bonkers, but she's so darn cute!

xo
SB

Bruno the Airedale said...

Harry really great to see you off your lead for the first time, bet you really enjoyed yourself, may it be the first of many, xxx

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh Harry!! How marvelous!! You were doing some great football maneuvers when you two were attached!! And how lucky to be let off! You look like you are having the timeof your like!! The hat and scarf combo ar equite smashing too!! Love A+A See you at the party!

the many Bs said...

Harry, we are proud of you for being a good boy off lead. you have earned that privilege. and Cassidy looks so so so so cute. we're gonna go get ready for ice skating now too. we'll see you at the party.

pee ess - we got your christmas card in our mailbox today. we sniffed it very much!

woofers.

Noah the Airedale said...

Harry mate, I see you're still having little sister probs...hmmm she was going in for the attack in that photo, I could tell.
You were very good to listen to your ma and pa. We're not very good at listening when we're off lead. That's why we have so many adventures..lol.
You two look great in our skating outfits.

Hugs
Noah

Ps. D says Cassidy is looking very very cute.

Kirby said...

Harry,

You lucky dog, running off leash, that is the best! You looked like you behaved very well, and that makes you a rolemodel to Cassidy. BTW: love the hat/scarf combo. Very chic. And Cassidy's princess coat is too cute! Hope you both stayed warm at the skating party.

Your pal,
Kirby

Kien said...

Hey Harry..

u 2 sure look having so much of fun.. especially car ride.. and cassidy so cute n being so nice in the car!

Cheers
Rossi

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Don't you just love big walks? We do. You both look really cute in your scarves.

Thank you for the card you sent us!

Steve and Kat

Myeo said...

Hey Harry

You did well off leash. Great Job!

And Cassidy looks so cute in her pink coat.

Love
Boy n Baby

Girl Girl Hamster said...

You sure look happy to go whee offleash Harry. :)
You 2 look so cute getting ready for the skating pawty

~ Girl girl

Boo Casanova said...

harry, did cassidy turn into shark yet? the cow at my house turned into shark as soon as he starts warming to me. u becaref!

wet wet licks

Boo

The Black and Tans. said...

Hiya Harry

Well done for having a free run without crocodile teeth chasing you. You are indeed a good chap for returning to your Ma and Pa.
I am good at coming back too but Molly is hopeless, we are working on it though!!!

Taffy

Simba and Jazzi said...

Have a great Christmas and New year. Can't wait to catch up with all the blogs when I get back.

Simba xx

PerfectTosca said...

Harry you are such a gentlemen off lead! And you are doing such a good job of raising Cassidy. What a find you are for your Mommy and Daddy! I just want to lick your face!

PreciOus said...

Well done Harry! I'm sure you will keep on improving your recall while off lead! Soon Cassidy will have no chance to crocodale attack on you. *Giggle*

Snuggle,
Precious

Anonymous said...

Wooo H & C - Wasn't the ice skating so much fun!!!

We received your Christmas card today. It is pawsome! Thank woo so much,

Hugs,
Sitka

Snowball said...

Cassidy, you are a very well socialised pup as you have been going to pawty since such young age. You brother, Harry, really took very good care of you during the pawties.

Luv,
Snowball

Clover said...

Hi Harry!
You and Cassidy are so cute! I love all the pictures in this post! I am glad you got to run around off leash - good for you being a good boy too!
Love Clover xo

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Harry....you got to go off lead???? Isn't it the best fun in the world??? You have such good parents to allow you to experience that joy!!!

Hey, New Dale is named...drum roll....Stanley. Yep...the possible choices were Stanley, Sidney, Winston, Jackson, and Charles. Stanley won...with Gooberstan's blessing. For the purposes of the blog, he will be referred to as Babystan (BS!!!). At least for now! He sure doesn't look like a baby. Mumsie wants to thank you and your family as wonderful Airedale representative that highly encouraged her to look for a Dale for Big Bruvver. Babystan will be living here till Bruvver goes back to school in the mid. of Jan., unless he keeps howling in his crate. Then he might stay here. He'll be with us this summer and till whenever Bruvver moves OUT. At this point he may be here till he's 85. We're just takin' it one day at a time. He's a very laid back chap...not like Lacie and me!

Wiry, Dale, and Lakie barks....

Scruffy, Lac and BS!!!!!

Johann The Dog said...

Wow, off lead, that's pawsome! Big congrats Harry! And you know how proud I am of you two wearing your car harnesses! Woofs, Johann

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

I think yu look grayte in yor scarf! It maykes yu look all distingwisht like.

:@}

Luckie Girl said...

Hey Harry,
It looks like a wonderful day for the two of you. :) Cassidy is really hyper. hehe....

Joe Stains said...

Harry we LOVED seeing you enjoying yourself like that. Cassidy sure is a cutie in that coat.

Randi said...

Hi Harry & Cassidy!

WOW! Good job being so dependable off leash Harry! An old chap like you wouldn't disappoint at all! I am trustworthy too..so I can be off leash most of the time....

& you little sis Cassidy looks like such a sweetie pie in that pink coat! I love Pink..its my most favorite color!

& Thank you very much for the Christmas card...I LOVE IT!

Love & Licks,
Randi

Kapp pack said...

Got your card today! Thanks! You are so lucky....we NEVER got to be off lead....apparently huskies are known to run away...as Sky has proven three times!(but that was a long time ago)

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann

Girasol said...

i see you had a great day. I like your scarf.
i got your card last night...thank you so much.