The Tails of Harry and Cassidy The Airedales

Harry 13/03/1997 - 10/07/2010

2010-07-11T19:14:00.002+01:00

Sleep tight our darling boy Harry.

XXX

We are really sorry for the absence

2009-06-29T16:36:00.009+01:00

We are so very sorry that we left you all in the lurch, I just got really overwhelmed with keeping up with the blogging as well as a very hectic life - my boss got made redundant in January, increasing my workload hugely.

All is well with all of us. Harry is still doing really well despite a bit of a creaky back leg, not that he'll admit to it. He had his 12th birthday in March. Cassidy is now 21 months and still a silly puppy in personality, though has grown into a very beautiful young lady (I'm biased I know).

Here are a few photos from the last 6 months.

In February we had a LOT of snow, more than I've seen for years, Cassidy loved it, Harry wasn't all that impressed!

In March we went to Crufts with Cassidy and she did really well, getting a 2nd in Airedale Terrier junior bitch and a 1st in the Airedale Terrier Kennel Club Good Citizen class

She spends lots of time catching up on her beauty sleep!

They have been out and about lots with their pals.

Harry has yet again got sick and tired of me taking photos of him!

Cassidy was very unimpressed that I stripped her right down to her underwear!

Look at that happy face!

But she has kept on winning

They have enjoyed spending lots of time with their human "sisters".

And the gangle puppy has turned into a swan. At the beginning of June Cassidy won the Airedale Terrier bitch reserve Challenge Certificate at Southern Counties Championship show, which means she gets her stud book number and is now Crufts qualified for life. I am very proud of my beautiful girl.

And Harry is as handsome as ever, I just invested in a set of professional clippers and he had a much needed Airecut and is a much happier chap.

I will try to get back into the blogging, but it seems so hard to keep up with the many bloggers, but I have missed reading what you're all getting up to.

Hopefully you can forgive us and sorry for worrying you. Now I just need to work out how to get the blog out of Dutch or German or whatever language it seems to be in on all the buttons etc!

Katy x

More "T"?

2008-12-19T08:05:00.002Z

Hello there everyone, I hope you're all well. Thought you might like to see some more photos from the rest of our long weekend with "T". He's now gone off to his smashing new home, but hopefully we'll keep in touch and meet up again for a walk in the spring.

As you can see, Ma & Pa decided to brave a tree, and so far so good. No watering of said tree by either myself or T, and no stealing of baubles by Miss C.

The girls came at the weekend, so we all had a superb time together, including a bit of Twister. My old joints aren't too creaky yet you see!

"T" relaxed after his first unsettled night in true Airedale fashion!

And he soon got the hang of posing for the camera!

Even when pa decided he wanted ma to take a ridiculously silly shot. He said we looked like Siamese twins!

Us boys caught up on our nap times when Cassidy was quiet for more than 5 minutes.

But then it was back to being bossed around by young Madame for poor old "T" - though I think he secretly liked it!

Toodle pip

Harry x

A Weekend Visitor

2008-12-12T16:19:00.004Z

What's this? Three fuzzy bottoms in our house? What's going on?!

OK, so one is Big Harry, but who's the even bigger boy on the right?

It's our new friend "T". He needed a new home at very short notice, and as we lived nearby, we are looking after him until Tuesday when he will go to his forever home which is about 2 hours away.

He's a real gentle giant. He is nearly 2 years old, and a big overgrown puppy. Mummy and daddy picked him up yesterday, then when they got home we all went walkies, then we came home and we are all getting along brilliantly. Ignore all the junk in the photos, that's our temporary kitchen!

He is a bit sad and confused, but we are keeping him busy with lots of play, walkies and cuddles. Daddy slept on the sofa last night as "T" couldn't settle. I don't think daddy really got much sleep though, tee hee! Hopefully tonight he'll be more settled.

Isn't he cute? Him & Big Harry are like big fuzzy twins. He is great at bitey face, and unlike Big Harry, he doesn't get tired EVER!

He poked his tongue out at mummy. He'd obviously had enough of the puparazzi. I told him he'd better get used to it while he's here.

We will update you on how our weekend is going. We also have our new kitchen now, so have to tell you about that too! What an exciting week!

Nibbles,

Cassidy x

I Want To Be Your Teddy Bear!

2008-12-08T11:10:00.004Z

Hello chaps and chapesses. Well here for your viewing pleasure is the photographic proof of just how much of a fuzz ball I am at present! Even more so since I had a bath the other night!

Yes, I know this was supposed to be my turn to post, but that little minx of a sister of mine just can't bear to be left out of the action. You'll see she's not always so photogenic as she was in her last post though!

But she does give nice kissies, and I suppose that does count for a lot.

And she's also really good at bitey face, but I definitely have the biggest mouth and teeth!

It's my head that seems to have got the fuzziest, so I do appear a bit "top heavy".

My legs are still quite short from when pa clipped them in the summer when I was getting all itchy and scratchy.

I do think I look rather cute, and I am getting even more attention than ever when we are out for walkies (and far more than Cassidy!) as everyone just wants to give me scritchies and cuddles, and I'm not complaining!

So I hope all of you that like me being a fuzzy wuzzy teddy bear are now happy. It'll be clippered off in the spring when I'll probably have turned into a tumbleweed with legs!

Toodle pip

Harry x

Cassidy, Cover Girl

2008-12-02T12:38:00.003Z

Hi hi everyone, we got photos to upload, whee!

I am now 14 months old (well, nearly 15 actually!) and as you can see, I am looking all grown up. Well, I suppose I am still a bit of a leggy teenager, but I am getting there, although I still make lots of time for acting like a very silly puppy, tee hee!

Mummy took these photos last time I went to Wales to see my mum, brother and my breeders. I like posing for the camera!

This is my serious face. The background on this photo isn't very attractive and the light behind my beard makes it look a bit funny.

I look a nice rich tan on this photo, but I'm not really standing properly. I could hear my mum barking so was quite distracted.

I love the pretty flowers on this photo, but I really do look a skinny ribs on this one!

This is my favourite. I am standing nice and alert (there were pheasants in the field next door!).

Big Harry had a bath last night and he is now bigger and fluffier than ever. I will get mummy to take some photos of him today and he can post them next time. He certainly shouldn't feel the cold this winter!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Grr, No Photos

2008-11-27T16:22:00.003Z

Hi hi everyone!

Grr, silly blogger just won't let us upload any photos. The add photos screen all looks really weird and before we even try to add any the thingy at the bottom says "uploading photos".

Anyway, we are fine. Big Harry is much happier now all the bangy fireworks have stopped (well, until New Year anyway, but shhh, let's not tell him that yet!). He is a big woolly bear at the moment, but mummy and daddy say he can keep his fuzz until spring so he stays all toasty warm and his joints don't get so stiff. I am now nearly 15 months old, whee! I still act like a silly puppy most of the time though.

We had daddy's brother, sister-in-law and their baby who is 16 months old come to stay last weekend. Everyone thought I might be a bit boisterous, but I was a little angel even if I do say so myself. I gave him lots of kissies, let everyone know when he needed his nappy changing by sniffing his bottom, and played fetch nicely with him, even though he is worse at throwing the ball than mummy (and that's saying something, tee hee!).

Mummy and daddy have decided to risk having a Christmas tree this year, so I will try really hard not to try and eat it or steal any baubles. We are not going to put it up until the weekend of 13th/14th December though as we have our sparkly new kitchen fitted starting on the 8th December and we will have to stack all the pots and pans etc in the lounge. We have been told we will have to stay in the lounge behind the baby gate while the kitchen fitters are here in case they leave the front door open, but we're both fine with that as long as we can nosey at what they're up to and get some ear rubs from them.

Well, we'll try to upload some photos over the weekend.

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Redecoration!

2008-11-06T11:10:00.004Z

Hello there,

I thought you might all like to have seen why ma has been too busy recently to help us get any blogging done!

As you will see, the living room and hall have undergone major redecoration! They have both been working very hard to get it all done, and I think the end result is jolly nice. It certainly feels much cosier in there now.

Cassidy even got a posh new toy box, as ma deemed her old plastic crate not in keeping with the new "grown up" lounge. Young Cassidy has PROMISED not to chew it, and she's been true to her word so far....

The big round dining table has gone. It was always too big for this room really and awkward to fit anywhere. We donated it to a very nice family who were in need. They also took the old little sofa. We are glad they have gone to a nice family who had fallen on hard times.

The new table folds up to the size of a sideboard (one leaf of the table is up in the photo) and takes up much less space.

We've also got a new TV cabinet. And some rather groovy wallpaper, as you can see! Pa did all the wallpapering himself. He and ma shared the painting duties, and ma was in charge of accessorising! I was in charge of making muddy nose and paw prints on the patio windows, har har!

I have been getting used to walking on the previously scary wooden floors and I am now very confident on them, so we were able to take up all the old rugs which forever looked mess, and get one nice new rug. Notice who was quick to adopt it. And yes, posh new toy box with her toys in and that is a milk carton she's chewing!

And here's the super comfy new sofa! There is plenty of room for us (and ma and pa too I suppose!). And they even got a dark colour and had it treated with Scotch Guard so we could share it without making it messy too quickly. That's love I tell you. Yes, she's still playing with the milk carton...

The new rug is all bobbly but very comfortable. You can have a snooze and a massage all in one!

It's also good for posing on if you're so inclined. Can you see her beard is covered in red fluff from the rug. When ma first noticed she thought it was blood and was inspecting Cassidy's mouth and teeth looking for an injury until pa pointed out what it might be, har har!

The hall is still a work in progress, but it already looks bigger and brighter after painting and taking up the old rugs.

I still have my little hidey hole under the stairs, so I'm very happy about that!

I'll leave you with my favourite spot on the sofa!

Toodle pip,

Harry x

WESWATC Fun Day

2008-10-21T11:39:00.010+01:00

Hi hi everyone,

As promised here is the news and photos from the WESWATC fun day. We had a great day, though I'm not sure if we'll be invited next year, for reasons which will become clear as you read, tee hee!

After the welcome from the organising committee, including David who is my breeder, the fun and games started. First up we did Musical chairs. I'm sure you all know how it works. Emily and Harry made sure they secured a chair early on!

Round and round and round we go, where the music stops, nobody know. Mummy is at the back in the green cardigan with me.

Emily and Harry are "cheating" a little here to get to a free chair! That's David pointing out to her where the chair is.

Phew, me & Mummy and Emily & Harry are still in.

It was all quite competitive, tee hee!

Emily & Harry were still going strong.

But I think me & mummy were out this time. That's my good friend Ruby with her dad in the grey coat. Poppy who is behind me really didn't like me and kept trying to bite me on the nose!

Emily & Harry got to the last 2, then got beaten by Poppy & her daddy, boo. But they got a prize and certificate for doing so well, whee!

Then it was time for "Run Grabbit Run". You have to run with you human, collects all the bits & bobs on the ground then carry them all back between you in the quickest time.

Here's is other Poppy and her daddy having a go. This Poppy is Oscar's sister,but from an earlier litter (same mummy & daddy as Oscar).

Next it was time for "Mummy Dog" where the winner is the dog with the most toilet roll wrapped around them at the end of the given time.

Daddy & Harry took it very seriously.

And they won, so I suppose it was worth looking totally ridiculous for?!!

After that it was egg & spoon race time. Luckily they weren't real eggs, cos they got dropped lots and I think they would have been eaten by us all!

Here's me & daddy coming back from our go. We got 2nd place,not bad to say we dropped our egg once.

These were the final 2 from the heats, Jasper & Peggy with their human siblings. Jasper was the winner.

After lunch it was time for fancy dress...great! Here is Oscar's sister Poppy as a space dog.

Jasper & Willow always have good costumes (mummy says remember they were a bride & groom last year?). This year they made an adorable Micky & Minnie.

I went as a hoodie hooligan. Mummy said it was very appropriate, charming!

And Big Harry wore Oscar's cowboy outfit, though it was a little, ahem, snug! Mummy had to buy a bigger hat for him , as the once Butchy & Snicker's mum made looked ridiculous balanced on his HUGE head, tee hee!

I won 3rd prize, whee! Big Harry didn't win a prize, boo.

Aha there landlubbers, I spies a pirate!

And this girlie was a wounded soldier, aw.

Dennis was a chef. Move over Jamie Oliver!

Here's another photo of my handsome big brother.

Here is my new friend Livvy. We met at grooming class last month. She is from Holland, but she now lives near me. Her mum is learning to hand strip her, and she won 2nd prize in best groomed dog, whee!

I have no photos, but I won waggiest tail, and Big Harry & Emily won "Best 6 Legs". Can you see yet why we might not be invited back next year, tee hee!

It was then time for the group photo, no mean feat as you can probably imagine! Can you spot us? We are on the front row near the middle.

The last activity of the day was the agility. Here is Heather having a go. Most dogs were apprehensive of the obstacles.

And had to be pushed through the tunnel!

Big Harry had a go. He did well apart from the jumps which he just bulldozed through!!

Then it was my turn. Now I have only had a go once at agility, at my training school fun day.

But I had no fear of any of the obstacles! Daddy was helping out on the dogwalk. I was a bit wobbly, but I wasn't scared.

No photos, but I ran straight over the A frame, and whizzed through the tunnel and I got 1st place, whee!

Also, we won 3 prizes on the raffle, Jessica won the "Guess which box the Bonio is in" competition and Emily won the "Give a name for a collective of Airedales" competition with "An Avalanche of Airedales"

So yes, we kind of swept the board on the prizes!! here are some of our winnings. The girls took some stuff home for their other doggy siblings that live at their mums house, and I had already taken some toys off to my bed and we'd eaten the yummy liver cake made by Jasper & Willow's mum and dad. We must ask mummy to get the recipe.

The first prize glasses are hand engraved and they are beautiful.

Do I look quite pleased with myself? Oh yes, we still have bare concrete floor thanks to moi? Did I ever tell you I pulled up all the lino one day & ripped it into teeny pieces. That was fun until I saw daddy's VERY cross face. Anyway, the kitchen is next to be decorated, so it will all be lovely again.

Nibbles,
Cassidy x

Hello!

2008-10-17T12:15:00.002+01:00

Hi hi,

Sorry if any of you have been wondering where we are! We are OK, just had a bit of Blogging mindblock, plus mummy and daddy have been very busy decorating (the house is looking really pretty, we will have to take some photos).

I went to my first show in a few months on Sunday and I won my class (Junior dog or bitch), then got reserve best of breed, whee! I have 2 more pretty rosettes for my collection.

Harry has a poorly mouth this week. Mummy and daddy noticed he was struggling to eat at the weekend, and it was getting worse by Monday. He wanted to eat and drink, but just didn't seem able to (I was more than willing to eat his din dins for him, tee hee!), and was really lethargic. Anyway, after a vet visit, he was found to have a high temperature and a big lump under his tongue which vet hoped was an abscess but said might be a lump which would have to be biopsied if it didn't shrink with anti-biotics etc. Well the bad news is it burst the next day, yuck yuck and triple yuck, but the good news is that it is shrinking now and Harry is able to eat and drink much more easily, yay! We are now all fairly happy it is an abscess and once he has finished his tablets, that will be the end of it, phew.

We are off to the West of England Airedale Club fun day on Sunday, so I am looking forward to all the fun and games and other Dales that will be there. Not looking forward so much to the fancy dress...Harry is going to wear Oscar's cowboy outfit that Butchy & Snicker's mummy made, and I am going to wear Oscar's red hoodie & his Doggles, so I think that makes it more bearable to be looking silly don't you? We will get photos.

Anyway, that's the main news from us!

Nibbles,
Cassidy x

My 1st Gotcha Day!

2008-09-29T11:06:00.005+01:00

Hello dear friends,

Yes, it's true. On 29th September last year I came to live with ma and pa. How much I've nejoyed that year! It almost feels like I've been here forever. I am so grateful that they took a chance on adopting an old codger like me, and I hope they know how much I love them. I know young Oscar had a paw in getting me this lovely new home, and I will be eternally grateful to him.

I'm going to stop now before I get too teary eyed, but just thought I'd leave you with a small selection of photos from the last year, which are in no particular order.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Ozzy Comes To Visit

2008-09-19T15:55:00.005+01:00

Hello there chaps and chapesses. Finally, it's my turn to post, although this entry still seems to be mostly about my now not-so-little sister.

Following on from Stanley's recent post about being a tad hairy, I think I am in a similar position! Where on earth are my eyes?!

The other day a very handsome young man came to spend the day with us while his ma went to a wedding. He's called Oscar, though he's more commonly known as Os. He was a friend of our Oscar, but he has graciously accepted us as his new Airedale buddies.

This is how he & Cassidy spent 99% of the day!

As you can see by me departing down the hallway, I was grateful for the time off from Cassidy's crocodale attacks!

I'm sure Cassidy thought he was just a rather large toy.

But he has teeth. Rest assured that although there are lots of gnashers on display in these photos, they were simply having a blast, no malice whatsoever.

I sneaked past while they weren't looking to have a quick cuddle.

Then had a quick pose to show of my full teddy bear hairy Dale effect.

Then decided that if you can't beat them, join them, har har!

There's life in this old dog yet, let me tell you.

Then I left them to it. Though actually they look a bit like they're kissing here. Hmm, I'd keep an eye on your girl if I were you BabyStan!

But no, it was soon back to bitey face game round 16. You may notice Os looks somewhat trimmer and tidier here. Well, that's because ma had a little go at stripping his hair, and before she know it, he was all groomed! His ma was very impressed when she came to pick him up, and I think she'll bring him over next time he needs grooming. Ma said a Border Terrier is far easier to strip than an Airedale.

I think Cassidy may actually have his entire head in her mouth here!

And what a huge mouth it is. Cassidy has a really l-o-n-g Airedale head now!

I'm always saying "Hey Cassidy, why the long face?" Har har, I do make myself chuckle.

Os is not going to let a girl get one over on him though, good for him (I think I may need a few lessons, ahem.)

Just watching the pair of them made me tired. I'm sure I was once as exuberant as them though...zzzzzzz.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Birthday Cards & Pressies!

2008-09-16T16:37:00.002+01:00

Hi hi! Daddy went to the Post Office to collect my pressie from the lovely Maggie (she's Big Harry's girlfriend, tee hee) and her cute brother Mitch.

As soon as daddy opened the box we could smell something really yummy!

Look! A beautiful Airedale card, some pumpkin and carob cookies, which mummy is very tempted to try as they smell so good, a Texas Taffy chew, and a really cool grape tuggy/tennis ball toy. What a very lucky girl I am!

Mummy tried to take a photo of us waiting nicely for a cookie, but they smelt so good that we were both jumping up and down like crazy dogs and there was no chance of a decent photo, but I can tell you they were scrumptious!

My toy is great fun too!

You can chew it, and tug it and throw it around. It's quite heavy, so makes a good weapon, tee hee!

And I think the colours are very pretty, and set off my rubber nose a treat!

Here are my cards. The top one is from Maggie & Mitch, the bottom left is from Molly & Taffy, and the one on the bottom right is from my doggy mum Maggie, my brother Mick and all my other relatives at Sherifs Airedales. That's my mummy on the card.

Asta emailed me this lovely card. Isn't she a sweetheart? It's so pretty and pink, and that cake looks almost too good to eat!

Finally, Noah, Willow, Tess & Lucy emailed me this card, it's really funny! Thanks you guys!

Thanks to everyone who left birthday messages here, they were lovely!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

I am 1!

2008-09-09T09:31:00.006+01:00

It's my first birthday, whee! I am very excited. I am all growed up now. Though actually I think I still have some actual growing to do, and mummy says she's going to have to increase my foodies again cos when I got my monthly weigh in yesterday, I was skinnier than last month, whee!

I didn't get any presents, cos mummy and daddy say (quite rightly) that I already have everything I could ever need - toys, a big cosy bed, yummy foodies, a big brother to annoy, a mummy and daddy who love me, walkies every day, friends to play with....and that a lot of doggies are nowhere near as lucky, so we are going to donate some money to the Airedale Terrier Health Fund

Anyway, I thought you might like to look over some photos from my first year. You may have seen some of them already if you've followed my bloggy from the start.

This is my mummy Maggie, me and my brother and sissies on September 9th last year. You can't really see us, we're teeny black things by our mummy's tum.

And here we are at 2 weeks old. Looking more like baby Rotties, tee hee!

Getting bigger and bolder here. I think I am the one on the far right with the white paws.

And this is the week before I came to live with mummy and daddy. Look how sweet and innocent I look, tee hee.

I was a very fuzzy girl here. Must have been before mummy started on the grooming regime.

See what I mean?! First proper stripping session and see how impressed I am!

Aw, this is when I hurted my back leggy after doing a spot of counter surfing. Remember, I had to have about 4 weeks bed rest.

Tee hee, this is me posing in Oscar's Doggles. Do I look cool?

Um, yes, er this is me counter surfing..AGAIN! I really didn't learn my lesson, whoops!

I liked this toy a lot. It really belonged to Flakes, our kitty sibling who died in December,but she used to let me borrow it!

And here I am after my first big win in the show ring. I won Best Puppy in Show, whee!

Growing up now, and showing off my muscly thighs, tee hee!

And lastly, a photo of me and my lovely brother Big Harry taken last week, though it's not as cool as the photo on our Blog banner where I'm pulling the really funny face!!

And "Happy Birthday" too to my siblings:

To Roxy, who I see about once a month at hair-pulling torture class. This photo was taken by her daddy who is a really good photographer. She's a stick-a-holic!

To Lottie, my sissie who lives in Wales still (where I was born). I can't wait to see you at the fun day next month Lottie!

To Mick, my handsome brother who I see when we go to shows together. He has done well this year and I think at the moment he is the top Airedale puppy for the year, whee!

And to Chester. I haven't met up with him since we all went to our new homes, but we're going to meet up at the WESWATC fun day in October for a big family get together.

And to my other litter brother Harry. I don't have any photos of you, but Happy Birthday!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Muddy Princess!

2008-09-05T11:32:00.002+01:00

But mummy, I thought mud packs were a good part of a beauty regime. I know we had to go to the ringcraft match later that evening, but it's kind of the same colour as my fur and I'm sure no-one will really notice!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Jazz & Me

2008-09-02T11:29:00.004+01:00

Hi every one! Today I wanted to introduce you to my friend Jazz. He's a standard Schnauzer and he's a rescue doggie like my Big Harry. He's about 2 years old and we are bestest friends. I know it may not look like it from the following photos, but we are just having a very fun game of bitey face!

See my big gnashers! We can play bitey face for AGES!

I think some other dog walkers probably think we're a couple of wild animals, tee hee!

Can you tell who the bossy one of the pair is? That would be ME!

This is Jazz's cousin Gus having a mud bath. He's a Bouvier and he's seriously big. His mum wasn't very impressed with his "hippo at the water hole" impression I can tell you. Can't think who taught him that, hmm...oh yes, that would be ME!

See how big and hairy he is, but he's a gentle giant (apart from when he knocks you flying by running into you, tee hee!).

When we've finally had enough bitey face we do a bit of sniffing around for rabbit and squirelly smells.

With a bit of kissing in between, tee hee!

Then some more scouting for smells and fox poo to try and roll in before our mums grab us!

Don't we make a cute pair!

And here's Jazz. He's a little bit tubby at the moment as he got two nasty grass seeds really trapped in his paw and had to have an opawation and couldn't go walkies for a few weeks. I'm sure with our wrassling he'll soon be back in shape.

And all the while we were being silly youngsters, Harry was enjoying walkies with Jazz's mum while mummy took the photos. Who taught him to pose for the camera like that? Oh yes, that would be ME!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

I Love Pa!

2008-08-28T14:31:00.002+01:00

We really are getting bad at updating our blog, tut tut! All is well here, we just seem to be busy.

Just thought I'd show you some photos of me showing my love of pa. Do you know it's almost a year since I came to live here!

First you carefully (somewould say clumsily!) put your paws on his chest to wake him up from the nice snooze he was having.

Then you get him to pucker up in anticipation of a nice smacker on the lips.

Then you give him some good sloppy kisses. I'm not ashamed to say I love my pa lots and lots.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Best Puppy in Match

2008-08-13T10:36:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone,

Once a month at ringcraft training (where me and mummy go to learn how to show) there's a match night. Basically everyone gets a number, and they are drawn out of a hat in pairs. Each pair are "matched" and after looking at us, checking our teeth, muscles, bones and so on, and seeing us move, the judge picks a winner. All the winners of the first round go back in the hat (the numbers, not the actual dogs, tee hee!) and pairs are drawn again, with the winner going through, and so on until there's a best in show and reserve best in show remaining. There's also a best puppy awarded.

Anyway, at this month's match, I got drawn against a very lovely Rottie girl who's about 3 years old in the first round. The judge did spend a while deliberating after she'd looked at us both (while mummy tried to keep me standing nicely!), but opted for the Rottie. She did come over though and say it was a very tough choice, but age/maturity won the day. Fair enough I think.

But after the first round, there's a competition for best first round loser. There were about 10 dogs in that, and I won! There were some really nice dogs among them too, and not just puppies.

I also winned best puppy in match, whee! Usually a Pointer puppy wins it every month, but not this time.

So here are some photos of me and my prizes. I get to keep the trophy and cup until next month (unless I win them again!).

I also won some dog treats in the raffle, so it was a very lucky night for me and mummy.

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Me & Willow at Dunster Show

2008-08-04T12:09:00.004+01:00

Last Wednesday, me and mummy went to Dunster show. When we got there we saw that my friend Willow was entered too! She came with her brother Jasper, and all her human family.

Here's a photo of Willow when she was about 12 weeks old when Oscar met her for the first time at grooming class. Wasn't she adorable!

And here she is at the WESWATC fun day last September as a blushing bride. That's big brother Jasper about to leap on her, tee hee!

We had to enter Any Variety not Separately Classified (AVNSC) Terrier at the show as there was no separate class for Airedales like there were for the more popular Terrier breeds. This is normally the case at Open shows here as Airedales aren't all that common. Probably all the grooming required for the show ring puts people off!

Do you see the little Lakeland like Stella next to me? There's me with mummy (in the stripy top), Willow and her dad, and another Airedale called Pollyanna, what a cool name! Mum hasn't got me stood properly yet in the photo, which is why I don't look to great.

Anyway, I got 3rd out of 4. I was a bit naughty and managed to slip my lead too, tee hee! I had already done it once before I went in the ring. It was a bit too big. I had chewed my nice leather one a few weeks ago so mummy had to use the spare. Luckily mummy grabbed me and got it back on quick, but I wasn't behaving all that well. Puppy moment! Mummy has now sewed it so it fits, and will get the lady who made my leather one to mend it at my next Champ show.

Willow won the AVNSC graduate class, then beat the AVNSC winners of the other classes, whee!

Here's is a close up of Willow. She has lovely dark tan colouring and is a really pretty, dainty girl. Because she won the Any Variety Not Separately Classified, she got through to the Terrier group final, which is the winner of all the different terrier breeds which were scheduled, eg Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, etc. There were 9 dogs, and Willow got best Terrier out of them all, whee!

Here she is in the Best in Show final. That's where the winners of all the groups (Terrier, Hound, Gundog etc) meet to compete for Best and Reserve Best in Show. Unfortunately Willow didn't get placed here, but we're still very proud of her, especially as she is only 18 month old. Well done Willow!!

Willow and I also had lots of fun playing bitey face while we were waiting around. She doesn't always want to play with me at grooming, but hopefully now she'll realise I'm fun.

Cassidy x

Remembering Oscar 28/05/2006 - 28/07/2007

2008-07-28T12:47:00.004+01:00

It's one year today since our darling Oscar died so tragically and suddenly. While not wanting to be morose, we do feel it's important to keep his memory alive and remember annivesaries such as this and his birthday. In some ways it seems like the awful events of last year were only yesterday, such is the pain and loss we still feel, but in other ways it seems like a lifetime since we last cuddled, played and generally shared our lives with him. While we have obviously come to accept his death, the feeling of injustice and the shock of it will probably always remain.

We are thankful of the 10 months we got to spend with you Oscar, and despite the pain of losing you so young and so unexpectedly, we will be forever grateful that you came bowling into our lives as a 14 week old ball of fuzz.

Rest in peace Oscar. In our hearts for ever and ever.

xxx

Yum, Venison Ears!

2008-07-25T20:29:00.004+01:00

Now as you probably know by now, I'm a gent of discerning taste, so when I have a treat, I tend to go for the less common or garden variety. It was only fitting then, that rather than the bog standard pig's ears, ma bought us some venison's ears recently.

As you can see, it was the first time Cassidy had had anything like this, and she was a bit bemused!

It didn't take her long to work out what needed to be done however.

Though she did seem more interested in saving it for later than getting her big Dale teeth around it.

Cassidy managed to make hers last for around 3 days!

Now I too took my time giving my venison's ear a good sniffing too. It was quite different to a pig's ear, less greasy. It still smelled jolly wonderful though let me tell you.

Chomp, chomp, chomp. I soon got to work.

Yum. I gave it two paws up. It also lasted me around 30 minutes, which believe me is very good going where me and treats are concerned.

See how happy I am! Food has got to be my number one favourite thing...no, maybe that's walks...no ear scratches and cuddles...no sleeping...hmmm, well it's up there at the top of the list anyway.

Gosh ma, I hope you bought plenty of these!

Toodle pip

Harry x

International Present Exchange!

2008-07-21T19:44:00.004+01:00

Yes, remember the DWB present exchange?! Well, after all the computer woes, we have finally got around to posting about our wonderful presents from Verdi & Gaucho. Apologies to them for taking so long to do this post.

When the parcel arrived we knew straight away it was for us, and contained all sorts of lovely stuff.

We got straight down to some very serious sniffing to try and deduce what it contained.

Then of course the bossy little madame that is my dear sister pinched it from right under my nose and ran with it out into the garden and claimed it as her own. She's such a little minx (though I have to concede that she is jolly good at opening parcels!).

Oh, she said this photo's for her BabyStan! I don't know, these youngsters grow up too fast nowadays.

It really didn't take her long to get the brown paper off that parcel with those Crocodale jaws.

But then look at that look of woe when ma made her sit and pose with the box rather than just diving right in. Does that look like a happy puppy to you, har har!

Here was the first peek at what delights were inside. The pink and orange things you can see were two soft toy flowers for E & J. Sadly ma didn't get any photos of them before the girls took them to their mummy's house, but they were delightful, and the girls adored them. Thank you so much for thinking of them as well as us Verdi and Gaucho.

Their was a new collar for each of us, made of lovely soft leather. We guessed that the pink one was for Cassidy, the blue one for me, har har!

What do you think? Pretty nifty, eh?

There was also a very natty bandanne eac, so we won't have to wear Oscar's precious ones anymore. Cassidy stole them both.

But ma managed to retrieve mine so I could pose. About the floor...well all I can say is that a certain little lady was in BIG trouble. I'll let her tell you more about it another time!

And this is what we could smell, even before the pardel was opened, yummy!

And last but not least were these two toys. The pink bone has a particularly loud squeak, which Cassidy delights in chewing when ma and pa are trying to watch the television.

They have both endured lots of play, and both are still intact with barely a tooth mark, so very well chosen Verdi and Gaucho!

Thank you once again for such lovely and thoughtful gifts. We are very grateful, and sorry again that this post has been so delayed.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Testing, Testing!

2008-07-17T12:16:00.003+01:00

Hi hi everyone!

Look, photos! We have SO much stuff to tell you. We might just have to do one post with everything in otherwise we'll never catch up!

Just wanted to test that we could get photos to post to blogger.

Look at me! 10 months old now! I weigh 18 kilos, so still quite a dainty girl! Do you like my drooly beard?

Anyway, if this mini posting works, we'll post again with photos of our presents from Gaudi & Verdi, our new Dale-mobile, Big Harry's Airecut, my show news, Big Harry's poorly paw (he's OK!), and all our other news!

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Back in Business!

2008-07-10T11:02:00.002+01:00

Well hello there all, remember us?!

Well sadly, our laptop never recovered from its drinking session. We have however borrowed a Mac from our friends, so once we figure out how to update our blog properly using that we'll be back in business, hurrah!

We've missed you all so much. We are looking forward to catching up with all your news, but it may take us a while as I imagine our Bloglines is showing hundreds of new posts!! We'll get round to say hello to all our pals soon.

Harry x

Limp Laptop!

2008-06-24T16:52:00.004+01:00

Hello all,

Just to let you all know that we're all fine, but the laptop had a run in with a glass of drink and came off worst, so until Martin manages to revive it (or God forbid we have to get a new one, argh!), we'll be a bit quiet (writing this at work, shh!).

Talk to you all soon I hope,

Katy for Harry & Cassidy x

Best Puppy In Show!

2008-06-15T18:17:00.004+01:00

Hi hi everyone! Sorry we has been so quiet, but silly mummy has her final accountancy exam on Wednesday and she says she's too busy studying to help us blog, how rude! So we will catch up with all of you after that, but me had exciting news me just had to share!

Today mummy finded some free time to take me (and Big Harry and daddy and E and J came too to cheer me on) to our Airedale club show. My dog mummy Maggie, my brother Mick and my sissy Lottie beed there too, whee!

Here be Mick doing his thing. How handsome is he! Yes, me knows he's my brother, but me be proud of him. He winned best boy puppy.

Lottie did the companion classes but all the photos of her be really, really blurry, boo hoo! She really enjoyed herself and she getted a 1st for best dog under 2 years old, and 2nd for best condition, then a 2nd for best companion Airedale, whee! She had great fun and loved strutting her stuff! If her daddy has nice photos I will post some as she no has a bloggy but she reads mine. We had soooo much fun playing bitey face. Me was a bit bossy and putted her in a head lock a few times, but she no minded!

Then it beed my turn. Here mummy be getting me standing nicely for the judge.

Then the judge comes to look me over. Me has to stand nice and still and alert.

Checking my teethies, eyes and bone on my face and head. Me beed a good girl today, no slobbery kissies for the judge!

Then he has to feel all over my body starting with my shoulders. He be checking to see how sound my construction is, how much muscle me has, how my coat texture is and so on.

Still checking, yawn!

And he best bit, going round the ring. Me love, love, loves showing off. Mummy gives me a little chuck under the chin and we're off!

See how happy me is! Me not really supposed to look at mummy, me supposed to look straight ahead. Never mind!

Doing a bit better here. Me getted best puppy girl. Which meant me had to challenge my brother Mick for best puppy, tee hee!

So here be me and Mick. At first we just wanted to play, but eventually mummy and Mick's daddy got us to stand still!

And me getted best puppy in show, whee! It probably be bad form to beat your breeder tee hee! Nah, they be very pleased for us, and it is good for them to get 2 of their dogs the best puppy and reserve puppy. Our mummy Maggie winned reserve best bitch. Me beed a bit excited as you can see!

We also entered special beginners and we got a 1st in that too! Here the judge be writing his critique about me. It will be published in one of the doggy papers, so when it be published, mummy will let you know what the judge said.

So me has got 3 more rosettes for my collection! Daddy will have to make me a pin board to put them on.

A very tired but happy puppy!

Our parcel from Verdi & Gaucho from the present exchange arrived on Saturday. It be great!! Mummy needs to take some more photos then we will post about it (probably after mummy's exam on Wednesday). Muchas gracias Verdi y Gaucho!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Dog Show Roundup!

2008-06-08T13:40:00.006+01:00

Hi hi everyone. Me hopes you all be having a nice weekend. Me has been to a few shows the last few weekend so me thought me would update you all!

Last weekend we went to the Southern Counties Show in Newbury, which be about 30 minutes drive from home. It be a big Championship show. My breeders be there with my brother Mick.
Here's Mick strutting his stuff!

As you see, he be bigger and more muscly than skinny ribs me. He winned best Airedale puppy dog (boy), then best Airedale puppy (so you should guess by that that me didn't win Airedale puppy bitch!).

Here he be on the right in the line up for Best Airedale boy. The others be the winners from the other classes like Junior, Post Graduate and Open.

And then it beed my turn. Here me be with mummy. There was 3 of us in the class. There was supposed to be 5, but 2 didn't come for some reason or another.

Daddy taked the photos but he didn't have the zoomy lens so the photos no be great.

Me had to stand so the judge could look at me and feel me, then move around the ring. Here me be standing back with the others.

Me getted a third out of three, tee hee! Ah well, somebody got to be last. If you compare me to the other puppies, you can see that me looks a lot less mature, and me still has lots of paler puppy coat rather than the deep tan they has on their legs. Both the other girlies be 1 this month, so this was probably their last show in puppy class, cos it only be up to 12 months.

Me behaved like a little angel though, everybody telled me that, and me had fun which is the main thing.

Also, by getting placed third (even though that be last in this case), me has qualified for Crufts next March!

Even though it costed quite a few pennies to enter, they didn't give out rosettes, meanies!

Yesterday there beed a fun dog show at a village fete near home. Me entered any variety puppy. There beed about 11 or 12 of us altogether of all shapes and sizes. Here me be standing nicely as you can see, tee hee!

Waiting for the judge to look at me. When we were in the ring, a big bunch of majorettes/band started up and it beed so loud, that's why my tail not be too happy.

Here the judge be giving me a good look over. He has to check teeth, eyes, ears, muscle, bone, coat and so on to see how good we be. Me be very used to standing still now and me enjoys the attention. Only thing is, sometimes me tries to give judges kissies if their faces get close enough, tee hee!

Ooops, my tail still be down. It popped up when me be moving round the ring, but not when me beed standing right next to that noisy band.

Anyway, me still managed 4th place out of 11, so pretty good me thinks. The doggies that got 1st - 3rd all beed beautiful. A Red Setter winned and she was stunning.

A bit later Big Harry went in for best veteran. That be doggies over 7 years old. Me thinks there beed 8 or 9 doggies in his class. We no knows if Big Harry has ever done showing, but he seemed a natural.

Aw, look at my fuzzy big brother. He had been in the bath in the morning, so he beed extra fluffy and cute looking.

And look at him move! He really no acts like he be 11. He went charging across the ring and back.

And he getted first prize! Mummy and daddy be so proud of him, and as you can see, he be pretty pleased with himself!

Here we be posing. Me knows me looks a bit snooty, but me no be jealous of Big Harry's red rosette, me be concentrating on the biscuit daddy beed dangling.

We getted SO much attention all day from everyone from toddlers to grannies. Lots of people said their grandparents used to have an Airedale, or old people said they had one as a child (we hears this a LOT!).

And this morning, me wented to Thames Valley Canine Society show in Slough. No photos cos mummy and me went on our own cos daddy wanted a lie in!

Me had to enter any variety not separately classified (AVNSC) Terrier Junior (from 6 - 18 months). There beed 3 of us in the class; me, a Bull Terrier and a Smooth Fox Terrier. Me getted 2nd place!

Phew, so that be all the show news for now. Me has another show next Sunday, that be the West of England & South Wales Airedale Terrier Club show. Lots of Airedales, whee! Mick be entered too, and me thinks our sissy Lottie coming to cheer us on.

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Me Has Green Paws

2008-06-03T07:27:00.003+01:00

Hi hi everyone. Now, some of you might have heard Big Harry telling tales on me at the DWB Chat Pawty about me chewing the Wisteria in the garden. Well look at this! Me knows he isn't actually chewing it when mummy grabbed the camera, but he was!

Then he putted on his innocent face and tried to look like the cutest fuzzy bear possible and left the bit he'd been chewing near MY mouth!

But anyway, look! For the first time since mummy and daddy have lived here, the Wisteria has flowers on it!

Me must have green paws, cos my pruning has made the pretty purple flowers appear.

So, me thinks with my care and attention, the girl's sunflowers will be just fine!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Remembering Oscar

2008-05-28T17:28:00.003+01:00

Today would have been dear Oscar's 2nd birthday, so we are feeling a little down here. Ma is not sure if she ever showed his pals these beautiful paintings. The one on the left was painted by Asta's mum Ami. The one on the right was painted by Barbara Keigher at the request of Sunshade & Jaffa, Maggie & Mitch, Bogart, Stanley, Lele & Tris (The Airechicks), Liberty, Lillie Valentine, Putter & sweet Faya his sweetheart. They are both very treasured and hang in the upstairs hall with all his certificates. They are the first thing ma and pa see when they get out of bed in the morning.

We are each wearing one of Oscar's bandanna's as you can see, and we have been to his beloved Seven Fields for a walk even though the rain is pouring down. Cassidy went with a to see her & Oscar's breeders this morning.

Happy 2nd birthday to you Oscar. We dearly wish we could spend it with you.

Mummy, Daddy, Harry & Cassidy xxxx

Sunflowers

2008-05-23T21:09:00.005+01:00

Hello old chaps, happy weekend to you all!

Now, a few weeks ago, E & J decided to grow some sunflowers. Of course, being the helpful (nosey) Airedales that we are, we had to help them out!

Here's J checking out the flowerpots with Cassidy keeping an eye on things.

And E clowning around for the camera too.

They are such silly billies! Look at Cassidy watching, wondering what on earth they are doing, har har!

And of course if one does it, the other has to try it out too.

I thought I ought to get involved to try and get them to concentrate on the job in hand. Didn't really work though.

And then I got a bit distracted because I spotted my Kong on the table.

Anyway, soon everyone settled down and the pots were filled with soil.

They made holes for the seeds with their fingers, then planted a few in each pot.

Here they are all planted. If you look, you can see that Princess Cassidy has now retired to her throne to watch over proceedings.

Watering time. Yes, Miss Nosey Parker just had to get of her bed to check what was happening.

As the girls are only here at weekends, we promised them we'd keep the sunflowers watered and generally take good care of them.

And here they were after a week! All but one pot sprouted.

As you can see, Cassidy made a thorough job of inspecting the seedlings.

A very thorough job! She had lots of mud in her beard after this. She tried to tell mummy a mud pack would be good for her beard!

And this weekend when the girls came, the seedlings were big enough to be planted outside. As usual, little sis had to be in the thick of it.

Here her & J are deciding which are the strongest seedlings. We only planted the biggest and healthiest looking sunflowers.

The little pots were actually made of something biodegradable, so they could be planted too, nice and easy!

After all the bossing everyone about, Cassidy needed a little rest.

The seedlings seem to be doing well. We have both promised not to eat them, and hopefully by the height of summer we'll have some lovely jolly sunflowers growing along the back fence.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Birdies, Birdies, Birdies

2008-05-17T20:46:00.006+01:00

Hi hi everybody. We have been lazy this week not updating our bloggy. Me seems to spend half my life on the grooming table now, boring!

Anyway, this morning we wented to a very fun place. It be called Birdland, but it not really be a land, just a place with lots of birds.

It be really exciting. The first thing we seed was some King Penguins having their dinner. They eats big fishies and they just swallow them down in one gulp! That one that has all the feathers on his back be a baby and that be his baby feathers that he be losing.

The lady be telling us all about the penguins, them laying their eggs, where they live in the world (other King Penguins, cos obviously these ones live here, tee hee!).

Me loved watching them. Me beed very well behaved, no barking or anything, me just be transfixed by them (and me was hoping the lady might throw me a fishy!).

The wall beed a perfect height for resting your paws on! Mummy asked the ladies either side if they minded me being there, but they were fine.

E & J beed watching from the top of the rockies. Big Harry tried to climb up but daddy said noooo, you'll fall off.

There beed windows in the wall so you could watch the penguins swimming past and diving for the fishies that the lady throwed in the water.

They be very good swimmers, very graceful.

Me and Big Harry kept being very confused as to where they went after they'd swum past the viewing window!

Big Harry be watching the penguins eating the rest of the fishies. He didn't get one either, boo.

After we had watched the penguins, we looked around the rest of the park. Now me no can remember the names of all the birds, but me will try. Maybe you will know some of them anyway. With thinks this one be a Cockatoo. It said on a sign it may bite, so we didn't get too close!

See these ones be quite boring apart from their blue and red beaks.

This birdie no liked us at all. He was screeching at us to get away from his cage even though we only be looking at him.

See there be two interesting things - pretty birdies to look at, and lots of flowers to try and munch on, tee hee!

Now this one be a hornbill, look at his huge big beak. Me thinks he be a little bit ugly.

There beed lots of weird sculptures like this one all around the park. Me be glad real insects no be this big.

Big Harry & J be saying hello to this birdie, but he no seems very interested in them.

Me beed very good at spotting the birds in all the cages - or aviaries cos daddy telled me that's the proper name.

These be mummy's favourites, the flamingos. They be very pretty pink and orange colour. The stand on one leg lots, and they eats shellfish like prawns.

Don't they look nice and graceful? Like the ballet dancers of the bird world.

This be a Toucan. He got a huge beak, or maybe it be a bill, me no be sure.

Mummy beed whistling at him and he kept cocking his head to one side like me and Big Harry do when we hear a noise!

These be owls. They be wise birds and they can turn their heads right round!

And this be called a Rhea. It be the biggest bird we seed today. It no be as big as an Ostrich daddy said, but it be lots bigger than me!

One of the park workers beed getting their dinner ready, a biog bucket of seed. It no looked too tasty, but maybe if you be a bird it be OK.

See, they even be bigger than Big Harry!!

Here be some Pelicans. Daddy said they have soft bits on the bottom of their beaks to hold fish and stuff in.

I think these be Macaw's. They made lots of screeching noises. Don't they be pretty colours. They live in jungles normally.

And this poor bird wins my award for ugliest bird in the park. Aw, poor birdie. Daddy said he has a face only his mummy could love.

It be a fun trip. Now we be off to Australia for Willow & Putter's birthday pawty, whee! Me gets to see my BabyStan again, and Big Harry can smoochies with Maggie, tee hee!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Cassidy & BabyStan's Day Out

2008-05-12T22:39:00.004+01:00

Hello there chaps and chapesses, hope you're all well. Well, we're still basking in sunshine here in the south of England and it's rather lovely. I think I am in need of another Airecut though as I am getting a tad warm.

I hope those of you who attended Snowball & Blue's birthday bash enjoyed yourselves. I had a jolly nice time, and very much enjoyed spending some time with the lovely Maggie.

After the party, young Cassidy, and BabyStan (who was celebrating his 1st birthday) sloped off together, though under the watchful eye of young Asta who I hear did a very good job of chaperoning the young lovebirds.

They headed here, to Fistrall beach in Cornwall. Look at that sea! I'm not a water lover, but even I fancy dipping my big fuzzy feet in that!

Looks like Asta had her work cut out keeping an eye on those scallywags. BabyStan and I had a gentleman's agreement that there'd be no hanky panky, so I trust him at his word.

I think they were probably far too busy chasing each other around and playing bitey face like a couple of loonies to get up to any smooching anyway! Poor little Asta looks like she's having a job to keep up with those Airedale long legs!

Aw, I do have to admit that they make a darling couple. And they even saved a slice of cake for me so you can't way fairer than that!

All photos courtesy of Asta.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Stuffie Appreciation Day

2008-05-08T18:46:00.004+01:00

Hello there chaps, how the devil are you all. Now as lots of you know, our good friend T Bone Beasley has announced that today, 8th May, shall henceforth be National Stuffie Appreciation Day. Since we're in England, I think it's an international day.

Here's Cassidy posing with a few of her stuffed toys. Her head is about back to normal size after her day at the show on Monday.

A lot of her stuffed toys are actually Oscar's. Maybe some of his friends will recognise a few. Ma and pa saved Oscar's very favourite ones, and Cassidy had some others. She is actually a very good girl and is not a toy destroyer, so ma and pa are happy for her to play with his toys.

Now as most of my friends know, I'm not a fan of toys of any description, but in the name of friendship, I posed with the toys like a pro. Do you know though that ma has been asked twice this week while walking me if I'm real or a stuffed toy?!?!

We were both in a happy mood, so we were compliant in posing for a few more photos.

Don't quite know what's going on with Cassidy's feet in this photo, she looks quite silly!

And just to make you laugh, here's a photo which will shortly be going in the reject pile I should think!

Look after your stuffies well!

Toodle pip

Harry x

Marlborough Show 5th May

2008-05-06T09:35:00.017+01:00

Hi hi everybody. Me hopes you all had a good weekend. Sorry me keeped you in suspense about my show. Me beed so, so tired last night when we getted home, then mummy had to go to college today and couldn't help me download the photos, then we did this whole post and me bopped some key with my big puppy paw and the whole post disappeared, whee!

Anyway, as you all know, me had my show yesterday. We all had to get up early. Big Harry had to stay at home cos it said no unentered dogs allowed, but actually no-one would have noticed if he sneaked in cos there be hundreds of doggies there of all shapes and sizes.

The venue be an equistr...equestr...horsety centre so there beed lots of nice horsey poops smells on the floor even though me couldn't actually find any poop, boo.

Do you see all the dirt in my beard from snuffling around on the floor! Daddy had to wash and dry my beard then mummy had to groom it all into place again, tee hee!

There beed lots to watch, so many doggies - tiny dogs like Chihuahua's, huge dogs like Great Danes, fluffy Newfoundlands and baldy Chinese Cresteds and every shape, colour and size in between.

We arrived with lots of time to spare before it beed time for me to go into the ring, but we all beed happy watching the dogs in the other rings. We also bumped into quite a few people and dogs from ringcraft class, and maked lots of new friends too.

Here me beed all groomed and ready to go into the ring. Mummy said "no more sniffing around in the dirt young lady!", tee hee!

And into the ring we went! Me had to enter in any variety not separately classified terrier puppy (AVNSC) cos although there beed classes for many different terrier, us Airedale's no be too popular. In the class there be 2 Irish Terriers, who look a bit like me minus the black, a Scottish Terrier and a Kerry Blue Terrier.

Here mummy be pushing my tail up cos it be hiding. Me no be scared, me just forgets to hold it up sometimes. See the lady in front be holding up her Kerry Blue terrier's tail too.

The man in the maroon jacket be the judge. He asked us to run around the ring twice.

Do you see he be watching me here. He be looking to see how well we move. People have said before that me has very good movement and gait.

Round and round and round we go, whee! Lots of the photos be blurred cos we all be moving fairly fast.

As you can see, my tail be up and perky now cos me loves running round getting attention from everyone!

Then we had to go in turn to stand for the judge and for him to look at us. He checked my eyes and my teethies.

He had a good feel all over me to see how much bone muscle and general condition me has, and that me has the correct coat texture.

Then me had to move in a triangle twice so the judge could see me from the back, side and front.

You can see here that me holds my topline (back) nice and straight when me moves.

The judge still be watching closely!

Here we be doing another lap of the ring because...

...me getted first place, whee! Me and mummy be very shocked, but very happy! Mummy wouldn't let me eat my rosette, so me be eyeing up the one the Kerry Blue terrier getted for 2nd place.

Next we had to go in with the winners of the other AVNSC classes (ie the older doggies).

More running around! That Irish Terrier in front of me beed 12 years old, but he still looked great!

Me getted my rosette for AVNSC puppy, whee! It be pink and blue and very pretty. Again me wanted to hold (OK maybe chew) it, but mummy said no.

Finally me had to go into the terrier puppy class with the winning puppies from all the terrier classes. Here be the final four - me, a Parson Russell terrier, a West Highland White terrier and a Border terrier.

Me thinks daddy got a bit distracted at this point cos there be no more photos, but me getted 2nd place behind the West Highland White terrier, whee!

Mummy and daddy be so proud of me, and me be quite proud of myself. We looked the judge up when we getted home and he be a West Highland terrier breeder, so perhaps he might have picked that doggie as first anyway, tee hee!

Anyway, he are my rosettes. Pretty!

And he me be, trying hard to pose despite being very tired.

Me had such a great day. It be fun going to shows. Even if me didn't win anything, mummy and daddy said they still would have been very proud of me cos me be such a well behaved girl all day and had fun.

Next show date, 31st May, whee!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Boring Week

2008-05-01T23:06:00.004+01:00

Hi hi everyone. We be bored this week. After having some nice Spring sunshine earlier this month, this week seems to be rain, rain and more rain. We have had to had walkies round the streets instead of running around over at Seven Fields, boring! Me be missing all our pals who we see most day over at the fields. Me hopes the sun comes out tomorrow and it no be too muddy there. Mummy be getting me all ready for my show on Monday and she says muddy legs be a no-no, but me has seen her put mud masks on her face, so me no knows why it won't work for me!

Anyway, we have been out in the garden when it no be raining. Now it be warmer, if not drier, Big Harry likes to lie in the doorway with his body inside and his hear hanging outside, silly boy!

He goes on regular tours of the boundary.

Me be well trained by Big Harry now, so me does lookout duty too. We be good though, we don't bark at stuff. My favourite thing to watch be Josh and Chloe next door bouncing on their big trampoline! Me goes on E J's trampoline too, whee!

Paul next door beed mowing the lawn, so Big Harry made sure he beed doing a good job! We no mind the lawnmower noise.

Now those of you who were at the DWB might have hear Big Harry telling tales on me that I be eating the Wisteria. Well OK, not so much telling tales as telling the truth, tee hee!

Mummy spied on me and taked these photos from inside the house, that's why there be reflection. Doesn't she be sneaky!

Daddy no likes the Wisteria anyway, so me just trying to help him get rid of it.

Bingo! Me getted a nice big piece off to chew on. Don't worry by the way, it not be a harmful plant, and mean mummy and daddy don't let me eat more than a quick chomp, boo.

Me thinks that Bog Harry despairs of me sometimes, look at his face! Me be sure he once beed a silly puppy too!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Walkies At Nightingale Woods

2008-04-27T14:39:00.006+01:00

In between chatting to lots of our friends at the DWB chat pawty, we had a very fun walkies this morning. We went to Nightingale Woods. It be a great place to run around, and not many people seems to know about it. That be a shame in one way as we never meet many other doggies, but it also means we get to pretend we owns a big woods all of our own, whee!

Of course, Big Harry had to do the boy thing as soon as we arrived and do pee pee on lots of clumps of grass.

He said he be lighter after that and could run around better, tee hee! Me thinks the poopie he did helped too.

He be running around lots all excited and he bited his tongue, what a silly billy. It bleeded lots, but he no minded. Luckily we didn't bump into anyone as he looked a bit scary, but it soon stopped bleeding.

We did some racing. Me can run faster than Big Harry now, whee! My ears be all streamlined in this photo, tee hee!

He can keep up fairly well though, no stopping my big brother.

Even with mummy's super whizzy new camera, sometimes we're just too fast.

Big Harry just loved going off the path to have a good old sniff in the undergrowth.

And me finded lots of my current favourite snackie of Dandelions, yummy!

Mummy says they will make me pee pee lots, but me no cares.

Mummy wanted to take a photo of Big Harry, but me wanted to get in on the action.

Mummy thinks this photo be funny as we kind of look like we've swapped tails, tee hee! Mine be the longer undocked one of course, but it looks like me has Big Harry's tail.

Mummy took a photo of these pretty wild flowers. They be called Cowslips. Me didn't eat these.

Big Harry still be pretending he be in the jungle.

And look! He be cheeky and poked his tongue out at mummy.

We both be so happy running around. Everything be getting nice and green again now that spring be sprung.

Me likes to lead the way, cos me be little bit of a bossyboots.

The path be all windy, so you never know what's around the corner. We meeted 4 doggies, two Border Collies, a brown Labrador and a little cross breed.

We tried to camouflage ourselves in the woods. Do you see me?

As you can see, Big Harry still got plenty of energy left for running and exploring.

And he always comes running when mummy and daddy calls him now, what a good boy. Sometimes when he come out of the woods he be bit confused which direction to go in, tee hee!

We finded the pond, but we don't be water babies, so no swimming for us.

Me tried to have a little drinkie, but daddy said it be to yucky and dirty and that we had water back at the car.

But me had to check for myself, and actually it be quite tasty!

It be a great walkie, and me think our happy faces and big tongues hanging out say it all!

Nibbles,

Cassidy x

Just Us, Posing

2008-04-25T07:38:00.005+01:00

Well hello there old chaps. Did you think we'd vanished? All is fine here, but ma had an exam this week so has been busy with the books and unable to help us blog. Talk about getting your priorities all wrong! Anyway, she now only has one more exam in June, excellent!

Anyway, things have been rather quiet here. The weather is still unpredictable - warm and sunny one minute, April showers the next. We always get out on our walkies, but sometimes they end up being a rather soggy affair. The forecast for tomorrow (Saturday) is excellent, so we're both hopeful that a nice car ride somewhere might be in order.

So in between studying, ma did manage to snap a few photos of us posing - one of the things we're jolly good at I'd say, har har!

Here's little Cassidy, not actually looking so little any more. Her head is getting longer by the day I swear! Don't you just want to honk that big rubber nose?

And here's yours truly saying "cheese". Although it doesn't seem all that long since my Airecut, I am looking rather woolly around the head again aren't I?

Here's Cassidy with her best snooty young lady look. Her face looks much better when her beard hasn't just has a dunking in the water bowl, but there's not much hint of a puppy left now, apart from when you see her bounding around like a lunatic that is! She has her first show on May 5th, so something tells me tat she's going to be on that grooming table a lot this weekend, poor girl.

I stuck my tongue about a bit more for the next photo. I was feeling in a rather cheeky mood.

And here's a close up of Cassidy's juicy snout especially for Stanley.

And one of her eye, filled with the requisite terrier expression (and a bit of eye sleepy too, which ma only noticed when she uploaded the photo, har har!).

After all that posing, we needed a quick power nap to recharge the batteries, plus ma said could we please stop staring at her so she could get some work done.

But when she stood up we were both wide awake again in case it was dinner time. OK, so it may have taken one of us a little longer to wake up...

...but once I did I was wide awake, one ear in particular!

Enjoy your weekend everyone. We'll make our way around all our pal's blogs over the next couple of days.

Toodle pip

Harry x

All My Certifimacates!

2008-04-17T00:13:00.005+01:00

Hello everyone, me hopes you all be OK. Me be good, as does big Harry. He be on his bed snoring very loudly right now, tee hee!

Me finally getted around to show you the certifimacates that me has winned so far. Me has quite a few, whee!

Me getted this one first before Christmas when me was still a little pup girl. Remember the videos of me playing with the other pups like Kali and Betty at puppy playschool? It seems a long time ago already!

Me had to have time off classes in the New Year when me hurted my leggy (doing naughty counter surfng, tee hee!), but when we went back to school me getted my Kennel Club Good Citizen puppy award. Me had to get lots of things ticked off for this like playing nicely with a toy, doing a sit and down, letting mummy brush me, being brave when meeting new doggies and humans. Me getted a nice lilac rosette too, but mummy no can find it. She thinks it might have fallen behing the fridge, so we'll have to get daddy to move it to see, whee!

In March me did my diploma. It be more tricky, but me managed it. It be in the class with the grown up doggies and me was one of only two puppies that passed, so Janet who runs the class and mummy and daddy beed very proud. Me be working on my Diamond award now. It be quite hard, lots of off lead heel work.

And tonight at my other class me getted my Bronze Award, whee! Me started this class in January, then missed quite with poorly leggy and cos daddy sometimes be working away with our vroom vroom car on class nights. If you click on the photo you should be able to read what me had to do to pass.

Mummy getted me to pose with them, but me be sooooo sleepy cos me had brain drain after class, so me be all wonky donkey, tee hee!

Then big Harry waked up and wanted to get in on the act. Me said he could share my certifimacates cos he no goes to class, but he do be a good boy and a very good big brother.

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Mick & Me

2008-04-14T19:55:00.005+01:00

Hi hi, gosh we beed lazy at updating our bloggy! We had visitors this weekend so we beed busy getting lots of fussing!

Me went back to my homeland of Wales last week to see my breeders, their other doggies, and best of all, my brother Mick, whee! The main reason mummy wanted to go was to get some help grooming my face, but me was only bothered about playing lots of bitey face.

When we arrived, me explored the garden while mummy had a cup of tea, then me had to go on the grooming table while me getted groomed. Martin (same name as my daddy, tee hee) stripped off all my puppy face fuzz. He said me has very good head, nice and long already and me generally be coming along very nicely. Me be 21" to the withers, Mick be 21 1/4". They had worried that he be bit small, but felt happier after seeing me be similar height. Mick has already done 2 shows, whee!

Anyway, when the boring stuff was done, it be time to play! We had such fun together. Me no thinks these photos need lots of explanation - me be sure you can see how much fun we be having. I know some of the photos have lots of teethies on display, but me can assure you it was all playing. In case you can't tell who be who,me has collar on and Mick has hairier leggies than me.

When we were both tired, it be dinner time. Me getted spoilt and getted bits of biscuit and sandwich. Mummy says we better not tell daddy cos he be strict about doggies getting food from the table, so shhhh! It be our secret, OK?

You can see my face in this photo. Me thinks me looks much more grown up now. Daddy thinks it be funny to keep asking me "Hey Cassidy, why the long face?"

Me practiced standing nicely like me will have to in a show while looking for the cows in the field below.

Isn't the view beautiful? Mummy says she feels so relaxed every time she comes here. Their house has 8 acres of fields and woods, and is surrounded by countryside too.

Anyway, the day after my visit, me getted very muddy playing at Seven Fields with my big Harry and my friend Harry the Cocker Spaniel, so mummy will take some proper photos of me looking all grown up soon.

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Tasty Bones

2008-04-09T21:29:00.006+01:00

Well, after that fabulous trip to NYC to welcome Asta home from Rome, which involved a rather lovely carriage ride in Central Perk with Maggie (and imp Cassidy and BabyStan who snuck in too), we were both rather pooped.

But we weren't actually getting ready for a nap in the photo above, oh no! While we were away, ma had purchased some rather delicious tripe filled bones.

Whenever I pick up a bone in my teeth, they always chatter! Does that happen to anyone else or am I odd?!

We wasted no time in getting our big Dale jaws around them on a mission to extract all that yummy filling in as short a time as possible.

I opted for the "hold it end-on in your big paws and stick your tongue in method", while Cassidy used me to hold her bone steady and scraped it out with her toothy pegs.

While I was literally glued to the spot, intent on my mission to de-tripe the bone, as you will see Cassidy is a fidget bottom!

Ma reckons we ended up looking like a pair of bookends!

After a bit of a snooze we were back to it later in the day, and I am pleased to tell you that those bones are now hollow!

Looks like Cassidy is willing hers to be filled once more with tripey loveliness again! Ma says she will save them ad put peanut butter or soft cheese or some other delectable food in there for us, whizzo!

Oh, and I can't believe I am posting this, but look what pa did to my beard when he was grooming me the other night. I look like I've been walking head first into a force ten gale! I don't know why my nose looks weird on this photo, it looks fine in real life I can assure you!

Tooodle pip

Harry x

Snowy Sunday

2008-04-07T20:47:00.010+01:00

Me can't believe we beed talking about sunshine and drives in the car with Doggles on in the last post, cos look what beed outside when we waked up yesterday!

We both beed very excited - big Harry cos he has obviously seen snow before (I mean, I know mummy telled me that snow be rare in this part of England, but me be sure it has snowed in the last 11 years!), and me because me has never seed snow, whee!

Big Harry stopped making yellow snow long enough to pose for mummy. Doesn't my big brother be a handsome boy? Sometimes we finds it hard to believe that he really be 11. Only his cloudy eyes gives it away really. That and the fact that he sleeps 22 hours a day, tee hee!

Sorry, bit gross me be telling big Harry off for doing a poopie on the snow!

Me managed to pose for mummy too in a brief break from trying to eat my own body weight in snow (me be 15.5 kilos or 34 pounds).

Peek-a-b00, can you see me and my snowy beard? Daddy getted Oscar's tunnel out for me on Saturday cos the weather be nice, crazy weather.

Me did lots of running around in the snow and through the tunnel, whee!

We decided to go for a little walkie. The trees all looked very pretty all covered in snow.

Look, it be a winter wonderland, but it be melting fast, boo.

Me hopes all the new shoots that had started to come out on the trees and bushes be OK.

We both liked eating the snow, as you can probably tell by looking at our faces!

And we both getted lots of mini snowballs on our leggies, tee hee!

Big Harry dived in the bushes and came out with lots of snow all over him, but he no minded.

And me just sticked my head everywhere trying to eat as much snow as possible. Me needed to do so many wee wees all day long after my munching!

Me even taked a bit home in my beard in case me wanted a snackie later on, but when we getted home it melted quickly, boo.

Me hopes it snows again, but maybe after we have enjoyed the spring and summer.

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Doggles!

2008-04-03T22:12:00.003+01:00

Hi hi everyone, me hopes you all be OK. Me be good. Me getted another certificate at class on Saturday, and a rosett too, whee! Me get mummy to take a photo, cos me no thinks me showed you my first certificate and rosette yet.

Do you like my serious face? Look, me hardly gots any puppy black furs left on my face now, just my black moustache, tee hee! Mummy telled me my days of being a fuzzy face be numbered cos she just entered me in my first show and me has to have my hair properly stripped, boo hoo.

Mummy be sorting out a cupboard the other day and she finded Oscar's Doggles and she said me and big Harry could try them on. What do you thnk? Me thinks big Harry looks cool. He actually really liked wearing them!

They be very big on my little head, but me still had a go. Me thinks me looks quite silly really.

And here be Oscar. He really knew how to work those Doggles didn't he? He looks so stylish and cool. Me hopes me grows up to be just like him. Mummy and daddy has telled me lots about him and what a great boy he was.

Me thinks big Harry will like wearing Oscar's Doggles when he be riding in the car now that the sun be coming.

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Walkies At White Horse Hill

2008-04-01T20:53:00.009+01:00

Well hello there all of you, how the evil are you all? Spring finally seems to have sprung here in Blighty. On Sunday we met up with our good pals Ralf and Molly for a walk in the sunshine at White Horse Hill. Now we hadn't been there before, but we'll most certainly be going back.

Here is the horse on the hill. It is thought to have been cut into the hill during the Bronze Age, some 3000 years ago. It is thought to represent a tribal symbol. It is quite hard to see it when you're near it as it is very large (374 ft or 11o metres long). We found this photo of it online. There are quite a lot of white horses cut into the hillsides around Wiltshire, some ancient like this one, some more modern. The more recent ones were created with the aid of modern technology, but the mind boggles at how the ancient ones were created. You can read more about the white horses here.

This is Dragon's Hill and it lies at the bottom of the hill where the white horse is carved. Dragon Hill is, apparently, an artificial mound with a flat-top, to which clings the legend that it was on its summit that St. George slew the dragon. A bare patch of chalk upon which no grass will grow, is purported to be where the dragon's blood spilled.

The other interesting historical site here is Waylands Smithy. It's a Neolithic burial chamber. It was discovered an excavated in the 1960's and 14 bodies dating back 3500 years were found buried within! You can read more here

Little remains today, but it is still very atmospheric.

Anyway, enough history lessons! Let's get on to the fun subject of four Airedales running free together in gay abandon!

Here's me on the right and Ralf on the left. The girls are in the distance gossiping about something or other. Aren't we a handsome pair?

Cassidy, who lest we forget is a good deal younger than the rest of us (Ralf an Molly are 5 an 6), was in the lead for most of the day. That young girl is one confident pup let me tell you!

There was much bottom sniffing, ear pulling, racing up and own an general fun to be had. The girls id lots of playing, Ralf an I were more content to wander along sniffing and leaving pee mail.

There were hares in the fields on either side of the path. We didn't get to chase any, but they were interesting. Cassidy was intently on the look out here.

The dirty girls were happy to drink out of the puddles, Ralf and I had rather more decorum.

Cassidy has an endless amount of energy, an she was often waiting down the path for the rest of us to catch up. She's a goo girl though and doesn't wander too far away...

...although she did eat a lot of horse poop while waiting for us, yeuch!

Isn't this a glorious sight? English countryside in the spring, the view interrupted only by four fuzzy Dale bottoms! Look at Cassidy, she's gambolling along like a spring lamb!

Poor Molly got tired after all that running up and down with young madame. Her and Ralf are quite woolly at present and it was a really warm morning.

Mind you, I think Cassidy was fairly pooped too - can you see her tongue hanging out in this photo?

There was too much to explore to stop for too long though. We got so many admiring looks from fellow walkers and met quite a few other dogs.

Molly was laying in every puddle we came across, she's a muddy madame!

We climbed and climbed up a steep hill so we could go and see the white horse.

We all had to go back on our leads at this point as we had to walk through fields FULL of sheep. Some of them were pretty mean too. One of them was goose-stepping at me in a rather menacing fashion and I hadn't done anything to him!

And when we got to the top of the hill, who should we come across but another Airedale! She was called Gracie and is American, from Illinois and her mum was so excited to see the four of us. She took lots of photos and Cassidy gave Gracie a welcome kiss. It's a real shame we were in the field full of sheep as we could have had a good old romp as she was doing lots of playbowing and really wanted to have some fun with us!

There were lots of colourful kites flying on the hill. Ralf and Molly's dad said the fancy stunt kites can cost £400 (that's $800)!

And in the distance we could see these windmills used to generate "green" energy. Lots of people protested at them being built as they thought they would be a blot on the landscape, but I think green energy is a jolly good idea and they really aren't that ugly.

Well, I'll leave you with a few more views of the countryside.

It's so nice to see green returning to the landscape after the winter.

How's that for a view? We felt like we were on top of the world!

Here are some of the sheep. Cassidy enjoyed eating their poo too. Mean goose stepping sheep is not pictured.

Three Airedales, King of the Terriers and lords of all we survey.

We will certainly be going back here to walk again, it's a fabulous spot.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Presents From Asta

2008-03-30T16:43:00.007+01:00

Hi hi everyone! Me hopes you be having a nice weekend. Me do be. The sun finally came out here, whee!

The other day a parcel arrived from Asta in New York. Now Asta first sended this before me even came to live here, but for some reason (maybe related to me or big Harry eating the note the postman left to say he had taked the package to the post sorting office cos mummy and daddy beed out when he came), the parcel got sended back to Asta. Anyway, they sended it back again, and this time it arrived safely.

Me be cheeky girl and me no wanted to share, so me taked it in the garden.

Me keeped it in my mouthie and ran all around the garden cos me beed very excited, this be first parcel all for meeeeeeee!

Big Harry said he could help open it with his big teethies, but me still no wanted to give up my parcel.

But eventually me admitted me couldn't get it open even though me has all my big girl teethies now.

Me taked my parcel inside to give to mummy to open.

This be one of the things in the parcel. It be a strawberry flavoured ice cream town toy. You make it really wet, then freeze it and it be good to chew on. Mummy has looked lots for a toy like this without luck, so we beed impressed.

There beed another toy, which me stealed straight away, there be some photos of that further down, but there also be these two yummy looking chews. They supposed to be for big Harry, but me said he could share them with me cos me be a generous sister, tee hee!

After a couple of hours in the freezer, the ice cream cone be all lovely and cold.

It be great to chew on, and less messy than ice cubes. Even better, you can just keep putting it back in the freezer, whee! Yes, me know me be pulling yet another silly face here. Mummy keeps saying if the wind changes, me will stay like this, tee hee!

After me had had a good chew on the ice cream cone, mummy breaked open the flossies. At first me wasn't too sure cos me no has had many chewies before, but it smelled so yummy that me got going straight away. Bagpuss hoped me would share, but there was no way me be sharing with a CAT!

Big Harry wasted no time getting started on his chewie. It actually lasted him half an hour, which is a record by a long way as normally a treat is crunched and gone. His snozzle lasted well too, so American treats seem a good choice!

Me couldn't resist playing the clown with mine!

Peace and quiet for mummy and daddy! Mine lasted me 3 chewie sessions cos although me got my big teethies now, me still no be up to big Harry's standard.

A happy big Harry!

And here be the last present, a Wubba all of my own! Me has Oscar's yellow Wubba, but me always has to be extra careful not to damage it or lose it, but now me has one all of my own. Mummy says this one be a god size to put in her pocket to play with on walkies.

This be a great size to fit on your mouthie for some good squeaking!

And me had some good games of fetch. Mummy says please ignore the washing basket, messy mummy.

Even big Harry looked interested, but he still didn't play. Silly boy just doesn't seem to understand how much fun toys be. Me often takes my toys to him to play with, but he just doesn't care.

He says he's too busy looking handsome for playing games, tee hee!

Thank you so much for our pressies Asta, you be a sweet girl. Sorry the silly postman sended it back to you. We will be waving when you flies over England on your way to Italy. Have a gelato for us, OK?

Nibbles

Cassidy x

I'm A Lucky Boy!

2008-03-26T21:18:00.005Z

BASIC RULES FOR DOGS

1. The dog is not allowed in the house.

2. Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.

3. The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.

4. The dog can get on the old furniture only.

5. Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.

6. Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.

I made it to number 6! What a lucky boy I am. This is the same pa who apparently used to have a "no dogs UPSTAIRS rule"! He's gone soft in my old age!

Ma, put the bloomin' camera away, men trying to sleep here!

Sweet dreams!

Now I just need to work on numbers 7 to 10!

7. The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.

8. The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.

9. The dog can sleep under the covers every night.

10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Mummy's Challenge

2008-03-23T11:46:00.004Z

Happy Easter to all our friends, but remember NO CHOCOLATE - unless you be lucky enough to get some special doggy chocolate like Simba did, lucky boy!

Now Buster and his mum and sissy, and Noah and his sissies challenged mummy or daddy to make something and blog about it. They said:

1. Make something, anything. It doesn't have to be complicated or artsy. Make a list, take an interesting picture, make some one's day, make dinner, make a doodle, make fun of yourself, make a poem, make your bed (OK, that last one is lame).

2. Write a blog about it. With pictures for extra brownie points.

3. Link to this blog and challenge six other bloggers to do the same.

Mummy and daddy no be good at arts and craft like lots of your mummy's and daddy's do be, so mummy had to cook instead. Mummy and daddy likes to eat a lot, they be greedy piggies and never shares it with us cos they always eats it all up and say it be too good for doggies, meanies.

When mummy beed in the chat the other week, she be telling some of the other mummy's about a meal called "Toad in the Hole", so she going to make that. Now we no be sure about conversion on amounts to cups for Americans and any other amounts.

For the batter:
4oz plain flour (1/2 cups?)
1 egg
1/2 pint milk (2 cups?)
salt and pepper

1. Sieve the flour to make sure there be no lumps, and add salt and pepper.

2. Measure your milk

3. Add an eggy (but no put shell in!) and whisk it all together.

4. Pour the milky eggy mixture into the flour.

5. Whisk it all up really well so all the flour be mixed in.

6. Pour mixture back into your jug.

7. Put in the fridge for at least half an hour. Mummy says this makes the batter rise even more when you cook it. Ooh, I see chicken in the fridge, yum. Can me have some please?

8. Get your sausages, prick them with a fork and put them in an ovenproof pan with some oil. This meal just be for mummy and daddy, but the pan be big enough for 3 people really so you could use 6 sausages.

9. Put sausages in a hot oven (222 Celsius, 430 Fahrenheit) for about 10 minutes to brown little bit.

10. Remove from oven and quickly add batter so pan stays hot. Put back in over for 35-40 minutes.

11. Once it be all risen and golden, remove from oven. Mmmm, looks yummy!

12. Serve with mash potatoes and veggies and gravy. Like me said, that be enough pudding for 3 or even 4 people, but mummy and daddy be piggies.

Enjoy your Easter, we be off out for walkies now while it no be hailstoning!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Birthday Walkies

2008-03-18T22:01:00.006Z

I didn't mention the very lovely card I received from Molly and Taffy on my last post. Sorry you too. Ma had to put the card out of reach of a certain someone and their teeth. We'll take a photo as it's a rather delightful Airedale card.

And the birthday fun goes on! We went to a new place for a walk on my birthday. It's a place called Moulden Hill. It's not too far away, but for some reason ma and pa say they never think to try it out.

There was a big lake with quite a few fishermen trying their luck. Neither of us fancied a dip though, bit too chilly, brr!

It is very pretty though, and I imagine in the summer it might be a nice place to come for a dip. We did see a couple of brave dogs having a splash.

You can see the little jetty's where the fishermen can while the day away. I wonder what fish live in the pond?

There were a few swans on the water. Jolly beautiful they may be, but they can also be extremely mean, so I was awfully glad that they kept their distance.

Look what that minx of a sister found - a big pile of horse poop!

She wasted no time in tucking in to her newly discovered snack. Ma and pa didn't want any kisses from her after that, har har!

As I am now pretty darned perfect off lead, and Cassidy is already Miss Goody Two Shoes about coming back when called, we were free to wander. And don't be too fooled by the sunshine on these photos, it was still frightfully chilly.

Cassidy did lots of puppy zoomies, whilst I preferred to meander around whilst having a good sniff about.

She looks pretty happy doesn't she? She wanted pa to play fetch with her but we had forgotten to bring a ball out. She's a fetch-a-holic my sister.

More running around. Yes, my ears do look even crazier than normal, but at least they have an excuse when I'm running. I may be eleven, but Cassidy can't go that much faster than me.

We headed away from the pond and onto the fields. We had the whole place to ourselves, and while it would have been nice to have made a few new friends, it was nice to be master of all I surveyed.

Look at all that field to run in! There were so many great smells, and I do so enjoy being able to run around free with the wind in my hair (what's left of it after my Airecut).

Cassidy could hear rustling in the undergrowth, but we didn't find any bunnies.

And because I am the birthday boy after all, here are some more photos of me! Despite this being the end of a long walk across hilly fields, I'm still ready and raring for more.

In the words of Cassidy, I be running, whee! Do you see my tongue hanging out?

I went to see if this water was any good for a drink, but alas it was rather yucky. Yes, I know - crazy ears again!

A view back across the pond. As you can see, we weren't that far from civilization even though it felt like it. And we parked in a pub car park, so we thought it only polite and proper that we went and had a drink in the beer garden in return for parking there!

Toodle pip

Harry x

My barkday

2008-03-16T19:20:00.012Z

Hello old chaps. No, I haven't had a raging hangover for the last few days.

Sweet Asta emailed me a wonderful card. I think Cassidy must be yelling in my ear to blow the candles out quick so we can eat the cake!

And I also got an email card from Balboa. Doesn't he look cool in his shades?

Finally I received this pretty card from Ricky and the Babes. Thank you all!

Here is my official birthday portrait. I was trying to look distinguished, but I think I look rather squinty more than anything. Ah well, can't be handsome all the time, har har.

This is more like it though. Is that the face of an 11 year old dog I ask you?

Of course Madame Cassidy had to get in on the act. By the way, my very dashing collar was a Christmas gift from Noah and his sisters. Ma bought Cassidy a Rogz one too as she really liked the quality of them.

So then it was present time! I had received packages from Maggie & Mitch and Faya. They have been sitting on the kitchen side for a few days, annoyingly too far back for me to reach with counter surfing.

The smell coming out of those parcels was simply divine.

One good nudge of the nose, and Faya's parcel obligingly tipped its contents across the table.

Can you see that cheeky minx muscling her way in on MY presents!

Look at that fine array. Faya did actually say that I could share with Cassidy if I wanted. Hmm, we'll see.

Cassidy read it as Harry must share with Cassidy, but I know who understands French better so paws off puppy!

And here's most of what was in the parcel from Maggie & Mitch. Yum! There were two others items which you'll see in a jiffy.

This fine fellow came popping out of the parcel! Maggie & Mitch had kindly bought him for Cassidy (maybe in the vain hope it would mean I could eat my treats in peace.

We sat nicely and waited. Yes, Cassidy's doing the googly eye thing again.

She was very happy with the chicken! Maggie & Mitch reckon they're tough toys, so she should have hours of fun.

While she was momentarily distracted, I asked ma for one of my treats.

But she wasn't dishing them out quickly enough so I had to make myself heard!

Cassidy was thoroughly riveted by the chicken.

So I asked ma marginally more politely for a treat.

And look what I got! A snozzle! I have seen so many of my friends enjoy these and now I had one of my own.

Mmm, even through the plastic it smelt jolly lovely.

Come to me oh lovely snozzle.

Mmm, it smelt so nice. Even ma and pa thought it smelt quite appealing, though they weren't that tempted to try it.

Oh it was so delicious, crunchy and chewy and mmmmmmmmmmm.

It lasted about 10 minutes, which is a highly respectable score in my world.

Cassidy tried the vegetable bone from Faya.

She liked it a lot, and at least it stopped her chewing my ears for 5 minutes.

All in all it was a rather superb birthday. And I haven't even told you about our lovely run around walkies yet!

Toodle pip

Harry x

Happy Birthday Big Harry!

2008-03-14T07:48:00.003Z

Happy 11th barkday to my Big Harry! Me hopes you have a fun day, and me can't wait til you opens your presents cos me bets you shares with me!

Me and mummy and daddy loves you so much!

Harry will let you know later what he gets up to on his birthday. He be having a lie in this morning, lazy bones.

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Me Be 6 Months Big!

2008-03-10T20:56:00.014Z

Hi hi everyone! Me hopes you all be OK. Me be good. Can you believe that me be 6 months big already, whee! Mummy be sad cos she likes me being little and cute, but me telled her not to worry, that me will just be bigger and cute, tee hee!

So here's a recap of me growing over the last few months. Here be me and my brothers and sissies with our mummy Maggie. You can't see us very well, we be a black splodge near mummy's tummy.

And here we be at 2 weeks old, aw. Me no thinks we looks like Airedales, more like baby Rotties! Me thinks we all finished having our din dins here so having a snooze. The second from right possibly be me as there be two white back paws.

And here me be at 3 weeks. Me still no looks like an Airedale, but at least me has eyes open now.

This be us at 4 weeks having our first proper meal. What a mess! Me loves my food so me be sure one of the pups with their face in the food be me.

5 weeks old and we be getting braver and be exploring the house more. What roly poly babies we all be!

Here me be at 6 weeks. This be the day that daddy falled in love with me (well who wouldn't?) but they thinked they be getting one of the boys cos all the girls be taken.

And he me be at 8 weeks the day me came home to live with mummy, daddy and big Harry! Yes, daddy's wish came true and he got his Miss White Paws!

In this photo me be 3 months old. Me be wrapped up warm in my pink coat. It didn't fit me for long cos me growed fast! Maybe me can send it to one of my bloggy girl friends who it might fit.

A sad girl aged 4 months when me had had my x-ray on my poorly leggy. You can see how much my leggies growed since the last photos in spite of counter surfing injuries.

This was our trip to the New Forest. Me be 5 months old. You can see me be losing the dark hair from my head and face.

And here be me aged 6 months! I still have gangly legs, tee hee. Me hopes me grows into them soon so me stops getting called Bambi. Me be skinny at moment as me had bad tummy, plus me still be growing fast. Me weighs 13.5 kilos, getting close to 30 pounds me thinks, and be 19.5" to the withers.

Here be Angel Oscar at 6 months. He be much chunkier than me, but he be oh so cute too. Me wishes he still be here so me could have 2 brothers.

Here be Angel Oscar after he getted his first Airecut. He got Bambi legs here too.

So me leaves you with a few more photos of me from the last few days while computer no be working.

Me be giving mummy cheeky smile.

Daddy sneaked up on my other night while me be napping with Bagpuss. He make a good pillow.

And here me be being naughty and begging mummy for a bit of cheese. Me didn't get it despite my best starving orphan face. Mummy be a hard lady!

And last but not least, here be me and my handsome brother. We both be pulling pretty silly faces, tee hee. Don't you love big Harry's mad ears!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Airecut!

2008-03-08T14:23:00.007Z

Well hello there! Remember us? Yes, we have finally got our new wireless broadband super duper Internet up and running, hooray! We have missed you all and have lots of new to tell you so we'll have a busy week catching up.

Anyway, just before it all went pear shaped on the old Internet front, behaviour like this made ma and pa realise that maybe I was getting a bit too hairy. Yes, every evening I would sleep right by the front door in a vain effort to keep cool and get a bit of a breeze.

Yes, yes I know I do look exceeding cute with lots of fur, but it was getting so thick and heavy and making me feel like an old man. Well yes, I am aware that I AM an old man, but I don't have to feel like one do I?

Even Cassidy had a quiet word in my ear to let me know I was looking a bit, ahem, scruffy!

So ma made the call to the groomer and got me booked in. The night before pa gave me a really good going over with the brush so the grooming lady didn't have even more of a mammoth job on her hands (no comments about me looking like a hairy mammoth either thank you!).

Now you may remember that when I came to live with ma and pa, I had certain issues with having my legs and feet touched. Well I am happy to report that that is now a thing of the past.

See how relaxed I am about being groomed now. I have realised it is actually a rather nice experience and a good way to have lots of attention (and treats!).

Here pa is brushing my sensitive leg, but I couldn't care in the slightest.

And after I had been thoroughly brushed, it was time for my teeth to be done. Again, I really wasn't keen on this when I came to live here, but now when I see ma or pa with the toothbrush, I sit ready and waiting, tail wagging like mad. I admit that's mostly because the toothpaste tastes delicious, but I obviously do like having cleaner teeth too!

Once I was all done, it was time for a well deserved snuggle with pa. I love him so, so much and I don't care if that's not manly.

So the next day we headed off to Hair of the Dog, the grooming salon. Pa explained to Elaine the groomer that I can be wary of having my legs/feet and around my private bits handled but to be fair but firm with me. She was fine and said she's used to dogs who hate being groomed so not to worry. Ma gave her some instructions on how she wanted me cut and they were off. I realised I was going to like Elaine when she offered me one of her sweets, but ma said I wasn't to have them, boo.

Anyway, I was bathed, blow dried, clippered, bathed, dried again and preened to perfection. It took about 3 1/2 hours in all! Elaine gave ma a call and she came back to get me along with Cassidy who was going to have her nails clipped. Ma was very pleased with how I looked, and Elaine said I had one little grumble when she was brushing me near my private parts, so gold star for me!

Cassidy was a very good girl about having her nails done and home we headed. Once we got home, Cassidy insisted on having a good old sniff at me and declared that I smelled like a girl, charming!

So what do you think? Don't I look younger? And slimmer? Ma and pa are happy with my Airecut apart from my thighs/back legs where Elaine needed to take my coat shorter, but it's fine and we'll just make sure we explain next time.

Look, I have a neck again! Pa had to make my collar a lot smaller. Ma and pa were both surprised at how black my saddle actually is under all the fuzz.

Pretty handsome, eh? I certainly don't think I look a week off being 11. I have been feeling so much livelier since my Airecut, playing a lot more with Cassidy and generally seeming much perkier.

After all that grooming I was ready for a little nap though.

Cassidy wanted me to include a photo of her. She still looks like a scruffy puppy! She'll be 6 months old tomorrow. Gosh, doesn't time fly!

Well, we still have lots to tell you about - Cassidy's got an award from class, she's heard from another sibling, I have been doing lots of playing off lead during walks, and we have been tagged a few times too. We'll catch up on all this soon.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Internet Woes

2008-02-29T11:04:00.002Z

Hello, Katy here. We are in the process of changing over internet providers and have no internet access at home at present. Hopefully we will be up and running again early next week.

I'm posting this from work quickly (shh!). Harry and Cassidy have lots to tell you about - awards, Airecuts, more family news, birthdays...the list goes on.

Talk to you all soon.

Katy x

Treats From Bogart

2008-02-24T21:52:00.006Z

Hello chaps! Yes, I finally wrestled the keyboard from young Cassidy! She's been having all sorts of fun playing with her siblings! We both went out today to our Airedale club show. It was jolly good fun - Airedales everywhere, and I got so many cuddles and ear rubs from everyone for being such a big fluffy teddy bear! Arthur, who is Cassidy's "uncle" won best in show!

Molly and Taffy gave us a Funky Blog award! What an honour. I feel I am rather too old to be funky really, but nonetheless I am rather pleased. We will pass it on to Stanley and Stella, Sophie La Brador and Joey and Tanner.

Look what arrived! I was getting a tad worried that the customs hounds had made off with our package of scrumptious treats from Chez Bogart, but fear not - Royal Mail delivered them safe and sound!

Even before ma opened the package, both Cassidy and I could smell that something utterly delectable was contained within. Ma couldn't get a photo without one of our snouts making an appearance!

And I almost climbed on the dining table in an effort to get at those delectable dried beef heart strips!

Cassidy is ordinarily rather good at the puppy dog eyed look of "please give me a treat", but she took the game to a higher level.

Look at me! I'm almost mesmerised by the aroma of the goodies wafting before my big juicy Airedale nose.

And launch! They were jolly yummy! If Chez Bogart is going into treat production, we'll be placing some orders, no question! Thank you Bogart, you're a friend indeed.

Toodle pip

Harry x

Family Fun Part 2

2008-02-22T22:19:00.005Z

So my family fun didn't end with seeing my brother Mick and sissy Lottie. Me wented to grooming class and my other sissy Roxy be there, whee! This piccy be me at back, Roxy at front and Poppy on the right. She be a Sherifs Airedale too and she have same mummy and daddy as Angel Oscar, and Arthur who lives with Mick. Arthur and Poppy be from an earlier litter than Oscar though cos they be 4 now.

Here be me, Roxy, my friend Ruby who I telled you about before, and big Archie who be a friend of Oscars. We be having good sniff around cos there be lots of nice smells in the yard.

Here be Roxy again, but me got my tail in the way of her pretty face, sorry Roxy!

Big Harry has teached me well and me did border patrol of yard to check for squirrels and things.

Me no finded any squirrels. Me is standing nice in this photo. Me has to practice standing for if me do shows. Me needs to have my back legs more straight though, not one in front of other.

This be Jasper. If you remember photos from when mummy and daddy and E & J wented to fun day when Mojo weared Oscar's cowboy outfit, mummy says Jasper be a groom and his sissy be a bride. He be so handsome. Mummy says she hopes she can groom me this well someday!

Here Jasper be keeping an eye on Roxy and making sure she no drinks dirty water out of drainpipe, but he didn't see that me had already did it, tee hee!

Me leaves you with a video of us all. Can you see me? Me be one with harness on who be sat between two people near start. Russell and Archie be being silly boys and barking at each other and made me jump little bit!

Big Harry says hello. He be having peace and quiet at home with daddy when me meeted my brother and sissies. Me might let him post next time, but me do be a bossy boots so me might change my mind, tee hee!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Family Fun Part 1

2008-02-20T22:22:00.010Z

Hi hi everyone. Me had exciting day the other day. Me wented back to where me be borned to see my brother Mick, whee! Me went before Christmas too, but mummy had no much battery for camera, boo.

This time she taked lots and lots of photos, so now you gonna be bored, tee hee!

We be scary one headed, two bodied Airedale pup in this photo, argh!

Mick be the one that be all nicely groomed, me be not so good one!

Me no knows what my ears be doing in this photo! Me be giving mummy mean look too, naughty girl.

Me be bossy boots so me putted Mick on floor lots, whee! He loved it really me thinks.

Look at my scary teethies. Even me be little bit scared of me! But we no be hurting each other, we just be playing bitey face game.

We getted tired so had to have little lie down, but we still be playing.

See, Mick be rolling on floor again, he loves it silly boy!

Here is video of us playing. Ignore all silly humans nattering away!

But then the day getted even better! My sissy Lottie arrived too, whee! Here we all be - Mick on left, Lottie in middle, and then me about to get squished against wall, tee hee.

Lottie be one with longest hair. She be all cute and fuzzy still cos her mummy no be mean and pull lots of her hair out...yet! She going to be doing more so watch out Lottie!

Now it be three way bitey face game time!

Silly Mick be on the floor AGAIN! Boys be so silly!

There be a bit too much sunshine in these photos. We be looking at Arthur cos he be barking lots cos he be missing out on the fun.

Then we had to greet M our breeder when he came through gate with cups of tea for the humans.

Here be cutie Lottie. Me hopes me sees her again soon cos she be fun to play with.

And here be handsome Mick. We be exactly same height, but he be broader than me cos he be boy and me be quite a dainty girlie. We both be 19.5" to the withers, which be posh name for shoulders me thinks.

Here Lotties mum Emma be giving us treats, yum! Me be eating mine, Mick be waiting for his.

Me leaves you with some videos and more photos of us all. Again, ignore all the humans chattering away, and watch out for Arthur's ear peircing shrieky barking!

There be mre family fun, but me tells you about that another day!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

New Camera

2008-02-18T21:53:00.003Z

Me thinks big Harry telled you that mummy and daddy getted new camera. Well mummy got to read through BIG book of instructions, but she tried out few snaps of us.

Here me be out in frosty garden chewing on a plastic box. Yes, be bit naughty me knows, but me be teething and be better than furniture. My back look all curved and funny cos me be pulling box around garden, whee!

Here be close up of my cheeky face, tee hee!

It be all nice and frosty on grass. Me likes to snuffle my nose in the frost.

These be inside house shots. Me thinks you can see our hair texture better than old camera. Me has my Kong in mouthy. Me carries it round lots cos me likes playing fetch with it.

Big Harry no likes this photo cos he think he looks fat, but me thinks he just looks like big fluffy teddy bear! Me heared that he be going for Airecut next week.

See, big Harry might be nearly 11, but he can still do standy uppy on back legs to give daddy kisses.

And of course you know that he be liking his ear rubs!

Mummy needs much more practice cos camera be able to do lots of whizzy things. Guess me needs to pose lots!

Nibbles
Cassidy x

Happy Valentines

2008-02-15T21:36:00.002Z

We've been frightfully busy having fun at Koobuss' Valantine's Bash Mount Hairy Lodge, but have found a minute to log on to show you our Valentine's. Cassidy seems to be having fun, and I think we'll keep quiet when we see ma and pa about her ski lessons. I have very much enjoyed Maggie's company, and I hope the feeling is mutual.

I also had an email from Balboa the other day to let me know that his daddy had chosen me as winner of the last caption competition on his blog!

We received this beautiful Valentine greeting from Randi!

And this very sweet greeting from Asta!

Finally, we received this from Lele and Tris, isn't it sweet?

Ma's new camera arrives tomorrow. She's bought a Nikon D40, so you'll either be seeing lots more photos of us (if she can work out how to use it), or far less (if she can't)!

Toodle pip

Harry x

Meeting Fergus and Bridie

2008-02-11T15:35:00.001Z

We couldn't decide which of us should tell you about our fun day yesterday, so we're sharing the blogging. I rather think you'll be able to tell who is typing when!

Yesterday was a simply fabulous day! For starters we have had mild sunny weather here all weekend which always makes on feel happy don't you think? Secondly we got to go on a drive in the car! I love travelling in the car, especially on a lovely sunny day when you can open the window and feel the breeze through your beard! And for those of you who are safty minded, I am strapped in I assure you.

Here you can see me cruising along keeping a look out for any pretty fillies that might have been out for a Sunday stroll.

Me no be able to reach out of window so me be bit sulky. Me likes to sit in J's car seat so me be bit higher, but daddy had putted it in the boot, boo. Me got my car seat belt on like good girly though, and me only asked "do we be there yet?" every 5 minutes so me not be too annoying tee hee.

After about an hour's drive, we pulled up outside this stunning house. That bird on the roof is made out of thatch as is the roof. Isn't it a quaint cottage? This is your typical English country cottage!

And look who was in the garden waiting for us! This is Fergus, and he is dear Oscar's litter brother. Can you see any similarity? Ma and pa don't think they looked too alike, and ma is quite glad in a way as it's not so upsetting as it might have been if they'd been like two peas in a pod. He's a very sweet boy like Oscar was though.

Fergus came to say hi hi to me! He be lovely boy and me go waggy waggy tail.

Fergus wanted to play!

We were both very pleased to meet him. I think you may be able to tell from the blurred photo that there was lots of tail wagging going on in all quarters! Don't I look giant compared to him, and he's not a particularly small boy. A lot of it is fluffiness not podginess I assure you (though that counter surfing sessionthe other day may have added a pound or two!).

Mummy said "smile for camera", but me and Fergus no wanted picture taken so we did co-ordinated look away, tee hee! You may see that Fergus got bandage on back paw. He had cutted it a few days before and it was all wrapped up.

It no stopped us having a play. Mummy be bit worried about my leggy, but me beed careful (kind of!)

And look who else we meeted! She be little bit camera shy.

Yes, this lovely lady is Bridie, Fergus' sister. She's 13, and guess what? She's one of my relatives! Gosh, isn't it a small world! The ma's thought we looked a little alike and it turns out we're both Loudwell Airedales! She must have been from the litter before me! Ma has a copy of Bridie's pedigree now so she's going to dig mine out to see how closely related we are!

Anyway, she's a sweet old girl, bit achy round the joints but still full of fun. We had a good amble about and a chat about the woes of having a younger sibling while the whippersnappers raced about like loonies.

After the mummies and daddies had had cup of tea and done lots of talking, we all getted in cars, Me was bit sad cos we had only beed there little while and me no wanted to go home yet, but daddy said we be going to the New Forest for walkies with Bridie and Fergus, whee!

Look how nice and sunny it be! Does you see how long my legs getted? Mummy calls me "Bambi!". Me did my best woe is me face cos me wanted to go off lead. Me promised me wouldn't do crazy zoomies.

Daddy said OK, whee! But me beed good girly, no jumping about or doing fast turns. Look at my scary shadow, eek!

I was allowed off lead too as I am getting more and more reliable off lead now.

I did find however that I tended to blend rather well into the undergrowth!

What do you think of my camouflage techniques?

I think I could be part of a crack commando squad hiding out in the forest!

One thing about the New Forest is that there are lots of ancient rights granted to those who live within the forest boundary. One of these is that "commoners" are allowed to graze their ponies, cattle and pigs here, and there were ponies EVERYWHERE!

I was utterly transfixed by the ponies. I had never seen any before, never mind ones wandering about right by me. I did lots of playbowing at them, but none of them seemed interested in playing with me. They did produce some lovely tasty treats though, so all was not lost!

Can you see me through the rays of sunshine? Me went to say hello to pony. He be very nice. Me be big brave girl cos he be very BIG. Me no getted too close cos he might kick me and me no wants to go back to vets for looooooooooooooong time!

There also be lots of water places in forest. Me no has seen water like this before so me be very interested.

But it be quite icky and brown so me decided not to go in for splishy splash.

Before we went back to Fergus and Bridie's house we posed for some photos. It's not an easy task to get 4 Airedales to look at the camera at once I can tell you, but I think we all look rather lovely nonetheless! From left to right it's Fergus, Bridie, Cassidy and myself.

Me be tired after walkie, but it be so much fun! New Forest be very pretty, and me enjoyed meeting ponies.

When we getted back to Fergus and Bridie's house the mummies and daddies had lunch. Harry and Bridie had a relax while me and Fergus played lots of bitey face. Me did little bit of gardening for Fergus' mummy and daddy too, tee hee!

Then it be time to put car harness back on and say bye bye. Me be sulky cos me no wanted to go home so me no looked at camera. Me be having lots of fun, whee! Mummy and daddy said we can come back soon though!

Here's handsome Fergus saying toodle pip. I know we'll meet up soon and I'm jolly glad.

Thanks ma and pa for a fantastic day out. We're both going to sleep well!

Harry and Cassidy x

Freedom!

2008-02-09T19:35:00.000Z

Me be free, me be free, whee! Me went to see vet David the orthopaedic man yesterday. He watched me walk and trot, had a good feel of my knee and my hips, gave me my final Cartrophen injection and said me be all better! Me and mummy and daddy be so happy! Me can do walkies again and go back to classes and my knee should be good as new. He said it healed well as me be so good at staying quiet the last few weeks. Me went walkies last night, and two times today and me went to puppy class too. Me be sleepy now, but my leggy be fine, not even teeny limp, whee!

Me has also been doing training at home. Big Harry do training at same time as me as he not had much at his old house, and also he knows training = treats and he no wants to miss out!

Here we supposed to be doing sit. Big Harry be sitting already, me not quite there yet! See grooming table behind us? Yes, mummy been pulling my furs again!

Big Harry be doing a down here. Me be doing my sit waiting to be telled to do down. Do you see daddy's "waaaait" finger, tee hee!

Here we be doing our down. Daddy no let us have the treat until we stay down a certain amount of time, cos big Harry had bad habit of just bobbing up and down from sit to down, sit to down! Me thinks he has springs in his paws!

All gone! Treats are eated, but we has to wait until daddy say "OK" before we can get up.

Here be big Harry on our walkies this evening. It be dark, but it be very mild today. Mummy even putted washing to dry outside!

And me walking, whee! Me be bit crazy on walkies today cos me no have had walkies for so long. Me had to do lots of sniffiing and saying hello to every person and doggy! Do you see me has sticky in my mouthy?

We be tired when we getted home so we needed little nap before dinner. Remember big Harry's hidey hole under stairs?

Well me likes it lots, so me stealed it, tee hee! Big Harry be too much of gentleman to turf me out! Mummy says please no look at messy wall. This hidey hole used to be cupboard with door, and daddy mended wall where door was, but he be lazy bum bum and no painted it yet!

Don't be too sad for big Harry though, cos he be snoozing on sofa!

We needs to have big sleepies today, cos we have very exciting day tomorrow!

Nibbles

Cassidy x

Tags & Awards

2008-02-07T10:31:00.002Z

Good morning all! I hope you're all jolly well and have caught up on your snoozes after a weekend of pawtying. Not long now until Baby & Huskee Boys wedding and Koobuss' Valentines Pawty. Little Miss Cassidy seems much perkier, so I think she'll be in fine form for her date with BabyStan, though ma and pa said NO SKIING or other dangerous sports! I hope to have a date too. I haven't asked the lady in question yet, but will be doing so shortly, so I do hope she says yes and hasn't already planned to go with another chap.

Anyway, moving on. Sweet little Asta awarded us, or rather our blog, this rather fine "E for Excellent" award . Thanks awfully dear girl.

She says we have to pass it on to 10 other Bloggers so...we have decided to award it to all our Airedale bloggy buddies. We are slowly but surely growing in numbers, and making more and more black and tan pals!

We have also been tagged for 2 different games. Firstly by Momo and her baby brother Pinot. We have to tag 3 other kitties, beans, woofies, or any other assorted animal.

The question is "What three things would you do that you have never done before, if you knew you wouldn't get caught, get in trouble, or suffer any consequences?"

Oh my, what a question!

Harry
1. Work out how to open the fridge door so I could feast all on the yummy stuff contained within, starting with the cheese, no the ham, no the bread, no the...
2. Put up a security door that only I could open to stop Cassidy sleeping on my bed in my hidey hole under the stairs!
3. Go off lead whenever we went to the park so I could have a proper sniff about. I would not chase off after a squirrel never to be seen again I swear!

Cassidy
1. Work out how to open my prison so me could escape, cos handsome prince is taking a long time to come to rescue me (Me thinks Teka be sending tips on this, tee hee!)
2. Make my furs magically fall out so mummy didn't have to hand strip me
3. Get upstairs so me can go and see mummy and daddy in mornings. Me knows Harry gets to go up there for morning snuggles and me no thinks it's fair!

We tag

Tadpole
Gus and Louie
Marvin

Secondly our new buddy Mango tagged us to tell 7 things you previously didn't know about us. Hmm, let's see...

1. Harry - At my old house I lived with two sisters, a German Shepherd who is older than me, and a younger Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We see a lot of German Shepherd's around here and I always get excited thinking maybe it's my sister.

2. Cassidy - I have now lost all my front puppy teethies, and my HUGE big back teethies are coming through, ouchie!

3. Harry - I did some splendid counter surfing while ma and pa were out yesterday and managed to grab the treat bucket containing about 5 pig ears, 10 dried chicken breast strips, 2 bags of my James Wellbeloved Cracker Jack treats, a bag of Newman's Own treats that we got sent by our friends Ezzy Rider and Jagger as part of the Planet Airedale Secret Santa, some tripe sticks and lots of my glucosamine chewies for my achy joints! I got no dinner last night and no breakfast this morning, but it was still worth it!

4. Cassidy - Me can start entering shows from 9th March when me will be 6 months old, provided my leggy be given the all clear. It be so much better over last few days, and me even gets a mini walkie this evening, whee!

5. Harry - I don't like the wooden floors at home at all and refuse to walk on them. That's why readers of Oscar's blog may have noticed that ma and pa have far more rugs than they used to!

6. Cassidy - Me and all my brothers and sissies be named after Rolling Stones songs for our "posh names" 'cos our daddy be called Jumpin' Jack Flash. Me be Ruby Tuesday, Lottie be Lady Jane, Roxy be Honky Tonk Woman. Me no knows what my brothers "posh names" be called, but my brother Mick who still live with our mummy Maggie at Sherifs Airedales be called Mick as his pet name after Mick Jagger!

7. Harry - I actually like having a nice warm bath/shower down, shh that's our secret. It's good for my joints you see, it's not that I like smelling all clean obviously!

I think a lot of you have played this game, but if you haven't and you want to play, consider yourself duly tagged!

Toodle pip

Harry x