IN TRANSITION - WE'RE TRANSFERING THIS TO THE GOOSE HOUSE BLOG

• For news of  #banpuppyfarms or  #banpuppymills campaign    

            go to the PRESS PACK Blog

• All the home news will be moving on 

                                   to The Goose House Blog 

Keep hash tagging those tweets and pace yourself for the long haul.

LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN 

And if you havent already had a look, find out what puppy farming is all about at the Puppy Love site.

(The blogs below are now replicated on the Goosehouse blog but I am waiting 24 hrs to make sure I don't loose them!)

Fields of buttercups.

This weekend we went up to have a look at my brother new field. He is planning to develop part of it into a forest garden, which is a mix of fruit trees and perennials, including perennial vege, which I hadn't realised was possible. Its a permaculture approach that you can add chickens or even pigs into and it becomes self sustaining. There's an old stable with water on tap and across the road another smaller field with a boggy patch in the corner with wild water cress and frogs and newts, which he will be leaving quite wild. We picked some elderflowers for some elderflower cordial and Lilly had a grand time chasing around in the buttercups. So here are some calendar girl shots of Lil looking gorgeous as always. The other two had a trip to the kennels, close to home, as turning up to stay at someone's house with three dogs is pushing anyone's hospitality.

This was a nice relaxing day out for Lil after her hard work at the show last weekend.

Another important reason was to keep introducing my little nephew, Robert, to the dogs to make sure that he becomes as besotted as we are. The smile on his face when he met Lil again showed we are on the right track there.

The American football is one of her favourite toys at the moment, Owen can throw it a mile and she loves to chase after it. We, of course, forgot it in the buttercups and had to drive back to fetch it later as it is an essential part of life back home.

The grass is growing fast and everyone is getting involved in the gardening.

As you can see the grass is pretty long in the field so finding balls is getting more of a challenge for the girls. Archie joins in from time to time when they least expect it, when he takes a break from watching the boundaries and warning off foxes.

The paddling pool from Freecycle  has come into its own with everyone using it from time to time, the ducks and geese make a real mess of it and then its a great gunky mess to add to the plants in the evening. Tomatoes in particular are getting this as a treat.

But as with all families sometimes its hard to share

 The hens have been laying "off piste", which in the past was more amusing than anything while we hunted for them and then persuaded them to lay back in the hen house again. 

But this year we have discovered that Daisy has taken to hunting them out and scoffing the lot. She ate up a clutch of 8 that I had just moved to the ark to try & persuade one of the hens to go broody. But today she retrieved two, undamaged and gently laid them at my feet so I think perhaps we might be able to train her up as our own egg hunter, with a reasonable reward in exchange, of course.

The dogs have been giving the garden a bit of a battering recently with this clump of ornamental grasses becoming the favourite wrestling place, probably as it is fun to roll off the top of the clump. It's also where all the lost balls keep emerging after a few days.

And of course if I take an interest in a plant for any reason everyone has to come and find out why and bring a toy just in case there's a game afoot.
Archie in particular keeps an eye out for mice hiding in corners behind pots and containers.

Mid week I had a trip to the Applestore in Manchester to set up a 1to1 session, although its good to get into town it feels even better to get back home  "in  the sticks"

So, back to the chase....to help save some plants from being barged by the dogs playing chase around the place I planted up some old tyres which are  proving a good solution. I don't spend time weeding, the hens can't reach inside to eat them before I get to them and the dogs don't knock them over. So here are some potatoes and mixed salad happily coexisting with our strange collection of animals.

t.

Fly the gander has been rather solitary while Mo was sitting on her eggs. After she had been sitting for over 35 days and protecting them from all and sundry, in particular from Daisy, I came to the conclusion that they weren't fertile.I took my life in my hands, while she left the nest for a drink, to steal the eggs and checked them one by one. There was no doubt as each one exploded as soon as I cracked them. Afterwards @auntywainright told me on twitter that I should have put them in a warm bowl of water and if they were fertile and near to hatching they would have bobbed around. I think she told me last year and that's what we did with the ducks eggs but it escaped my memory this year. But no harm done as they were definitely infertile. Poor Mo what a waste of energy and commitment.
Anyway the pair are out and about together again, Mo just has to get back into condition having not eaten as well as normal while she was sitting. Fly is looking very handsome, its disappointing the eggs weren't fertile but he had an eye infection just before she laid that clutch so perhaps he just hadn't been interested! Its a shame we'll now have to wait until next year as its unlikely she'll lay anymore this year. I may buy some Embden goslings to grow on for Christmas instead, we'll have to see....In which case I had better get cutting some grass so there is enough new grass for everyone.

Bailey on Slug Patrol

Just to finish this stream of blogs of the feathered variety and since the ducks haven't had much of a look in recently... here's Bailey, the drake, checking out the opportunities in the newly planted up tyres. 

Bob Flowerdew would be proud of me. They work really well as instant raised beds, particularly good for potatoes, as you can keep adding another tyre on top as you "earth" them up and Bailey provides the alternative to slug pellets. The old carpet underneath hides an already dug over bed with a deep layer of chicken muck and straw preparing for planting later in the year. I haven't decided what but it lets me think about it and when the tyres are finished with I just knock them over, lift the carpet and spread the compost on top of the bed below. 

Well thats the theory, we shall see how it works, this is my plan for low maintenance vege gardening while I am off doing things with camera or dogs or both.

Meet our new cockerel, still looking for a name for him

This is the culprit that scratched Fly, the Ganders eye, which resulted in three trips to the vet, eye ointment twice daily and three jabs of antibiotics. I originally called him Charlie but I think I might have to find something a bit stronger. He is giving the hens a much higher place in the pecking order. Before they were always pushed out by the geese but Charlie is not having that now. After about a month of putting up with it, he chased Fly half around the field, both of them nearly flying. I may have to put out the food in two seperate places to stop any disagreements over food. Remind you of any discussions about dogs and food sharing?

Didn't realise I needed to use a Weanafeeder with my feathered friends. 

 At the end of the day he is probably just doing his job, looking after the girls.

Squirrel's pups have all found really great homes

One of the most important things for any one who is looking for homes for their puppies is to spend some time before any decisions are made, talking to potential puppy owners to be sure they can give the right homes for your pups.  

Choosing the right homes from the start can help make sure the pup never has to be rehomed later in life. As well as making sure the potential owners undertand the needs of your breed of dog, there is the issue of personalities and lifestyles. 

If you get the match right with pup and owner personalities then everything else falls into place so much more easily.

Mo the Steinbacker Goose is sitting on four eggs

Fingers crossed there are some goslings on the way.

Murphy, the Winner of the Most Handsome Dog at Scruffts, Manchester heat

Well he is rather handsome isn't he. 

But we're a bit biased as he's part of the 

wellbalancedpup family

Meet Molly, chilling out at work at WCF

Spring is here: From Rose

Its really warm out today, the daffs are open and you can almost hear the grass starting to grow again. Scout and Lilly look ready for anything. All being well, this time next year or the year after, Lilly will be mated and we will be expecting our own spring puppies. But first its the round of health checks for her and we'll be spending this year looking for a healthy, happy and handsome mate for her.

Lilly has such a great temperament and she is the sort of dog that if she was your first you would think you were a great dog handler but actually she is simply a great dog. Sue Jones chose her for me from Annie's litter based on knowing me and having watched her from a tiny pup and she got the match just right. I will only mate her if I have a list of people I would be happy homing one of her pups with and if I find a dog that "is good enough". I feel rather like the potential mother in law from hell - no dog will be good enough for her unless they really come to scratch. But she is such a great dog that if we get it right I have no doubt she will have some great puppies who will bring as much joy to their owners as she has to me.

But before that comes the health checks, starting with hip scores, which to be honest i am a bit nervous about. I don't like the idea of her having a general anaesthetic unnecessarily. I have heard that you can have it done under a sedative in some places so perhaps i will investigate that. The bottom line there is no point looking for a mate for her unless her hip scores are good, so watch this space. Her dad, Fox, has a really low score and Annie too so all being well they should be good.

Squirrel's pups have opened their eyes

But you can't see that when they snuggle up together asleep! More pup pics coming soon on Mirks Blog.

Back home on the ranch

The geese went on holiday to Jonah's farm and spent the whole time grazing in the orchard with a rhea called Ricky acting as nursemaid to some new born lambs and their mums. They spent the night in the barn with the piglets and lambs for company!

Well I wasnt that pleased with the fact I was left at home while the rest of the crew went to Crufts but someone had to dog the office. They did a great job though and you can see some of the photos at the Press Pack blog . Actually I did cheer up and Archie, Lil and I had a good time too at Barking Byre but don't tell Rose - I want to make sure I go next time.

PS They also brought me back a great toy and I'm happy we're all back together again

Palma is an Aunty New Cesky Terrrier Pups Day 1

Palma, one of Scouts roving Reporters has sent me the first pics of the new Ridley pups.

Aren't they tiny and such gleaming black coats. If you want to find out more about Ceskys check out their blogs and things. Or you could follow Cesky2000 on Twitter!

https://webmailcluster.1and1.co.uk/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ridleyceskyterriers.co.uk%2F
https://webmailcluster.1and1.co.uk/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ceskyterrier.co.uk%2F
https://webmailcluster.1and1.co.uk/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fridleyceskyterriers.wordpress.com%2F

Murphy, the Springer joins us to keep us upto date on the Microchipping Campaign

Hello Scout,
I’m Murphy- a 9 month old springer spaniel. I live with a family of 4 and the youngest girl (Lauren) is my favourite as she feeds me every night, lets me clamber all over her bed, cuddles and kisses me and feeds me lots of treats! She also plays a game with me where she hides treats in the garden- and I go and try to find them! That’s my favourite game of all.

She’s involved in an animal action group called S.O.F.A (it stands for Speak Out For Animals) at her school and the members of the group are running a petition to make microchipping of all dogs compulsory. They are basically trying to make it law for all dogs to be micro chipped- and I totally agree with them, as I would hate it if I went missing and was rehomed with a different family. How would someone else know what my favourite game is?! I think their campaign would help a lot of dogs like me to stay safe and reunited with their family if we got separated.

I would love to keep you updated with the progress of the S.O.F.A club- I’m sure plenty will be going on in the next few months!

They now have 7360 signatures on their
petition- but if you would like to sign it, it can be accessed on the internet- https://webmailcluster.1and1.co.uk/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gopetition.com%2Fonline%2F19925.html and several girls will be handing round the petition at Crufts on Saturday 7th- so it will also be able to be signed then as well. About 20 girls will be at Crufts on that day- and they will be accompanied by the SOFA leader- Sue Cole.

If you would like to talk to any of the girls on that day, they will be at the Dog Theft Action's stand, 4, 6, & 8 in hall 2 to discuss all issues relating to dog theft, microchipping and scanning in the UK.
See you soon
Murphy

Find out about our Press Pack - Latest News

Have a look at the Press Pack for news of our Dream Team on their way to Crufts

10 honest things about myself by Scout - To qualify as a winner of the Honest Scrap Award awarded to me by Fenway

1. I’m one of Peg’s Pups in the Well Balanced Pup DVD - you can see me having dinner at the start of the clip on You Tube
2. I try it on quite a lot with Archie and Lilly cos I would like to be top dog
3. I still think I will be top dog when I grow up and I think they do too.
4. I always get the muddiest because they roll me over on my back when I get too much.
5. My favourite thing is playing games and I will play for ever
6. Rose thinks I’m becoming a teenager cos I don’t always want to come in when she calls me – she says I will grow out of it soon.
7. My Dad Beinn is a hero –he just found a lady who was frozen to the hillside in the Lakes
8. Rose thinks I’m not old enough to work at Crufts this year so she’s said I can be Editor in Chief and work from home and promised me I can go next year.
9. I do like chasing the hens but I don’t hurt them when I catch them but perhaps that’s why they’re not laying much
10. My real name is Daisy - Scout is only my “nom de paw” but it sounds better in my day job

Fenways blog is at http://www.fenwayspark.blogspot.com/ just to prove he is real and he has some great videos on You tube too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1AEqmSH_z4&feature=channel_page this onereminds me that summer will com back one day - just seems a long time coming

Well I've made a start with the Blogs I can pass on the Honest Scrap awards to

So these are the lucky winners of the honest scrap award !

http://www.crufts.org.uk/interact/blogs/hello-dog-lovers

http://www.wellbalancedpupmirk.blogspot.com/

http://wanderinggecko.blogspot.com/

http://www.bassethounds.nu/

http://www.sardalakes.org.uk/dogblog.html

http://www.crufts.org.uk/interact/blogs/news-across-pond

http://kateandginofficial.com/index.php

ALL I'VE GOT TO DO NOW IS ANSWER THE TEN QUESTIONS AND EMAIL ALL THESE GUYS TO SAY THEY HAVE WON THE AWARD!

Having fun with Twitter

Thing about Twitter is I'm hearing about news faster than I normally would - just have to sniff out the dogs and people who are interested in the same things I am - otherwise i'll get buried under a load of news I'm not interested in.

Honest Weblog award - means I've got to come clean

Ouch Fenway has awarded us with an Honest Weblog award which sounds a bit scary!The rules:"When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on! "

Will have to have a think about this!

Early puppy socialisation or giving the pups a good time

I've been reading on a lot of forums about problems with dogs being put down for biting people and I really wish more people did more with their pups before they left their mum. One of the people who has written about this is David Appleby. Have a look at some of the things he has written at the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles.htm and check out Pegs Pups if you havent seen it yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11JcnXNxeyg it shows Peg teaching her pups their manners and having fun at the same time.

We're getting the Press Pack ready to go to Crufts

We getting the team ready to go to Crufts. We're ordering our smart new Press Pack jackets and sorting out the work rota. We hope to have two tickets for dogs for each day so we are working out who is available and when.

My cousin Coire is going down to take part in the Good Citizen competition; Logan is talking part in the obedience for the Irish team; Tallulah who we met at Discover Dogs is taking part in her Young Kennel Club heelwork to music competition and Jethro the Bloodhound, who we also met at Discover Dogs, is going to be demonstrating hunting the clean boot!

Mirk will be going down for all four days but I have decided to stay at home - I'm not ready to work at crufts yet - probably next year when I am a bit older.

10/10 Rating for the Well Balanced Pup DVD

Good News for Well Balanced Pup to start the New Year! We've just heard that we have had a really good review for the DVD in February issue of Your Dog magazine. We scored 10/10 in their review and they recommended it as a "must have DVD" for anyone planning to breed a litter. They also recommended it as a good buy for people planning to buy a pup, to give them ideas of questions to ask of a breeder. Not forgetting the added bonus of the ahhhh factor of the footage of the puppies. Go out and get a copy and read it for yourself!

Something to celebrate about in the New Year !

We're celebrating getting a great review for our Well Balanced Pup DVD. Read Scouts Big News for the details.