I love Dogs me...

Christmas Day morning, up early(pre dawn) as usual, Dogs ready to go, they will get their gift later when it's a more civilized time(not my words) as nothing is better than a pre dawn ramble. I looked under the Tree-yes He's been. It did pay off then, I have been good(ish) all year, putting extra 'goodness' into the last few weeks as insurance-it paid off. Unseasonably mild today, 11c. It is very quiet, it will become Christmas Day later when the Village Children get their way & fill the green with squeals of joy as they are out with their toys, Christmas Day is always one of the noisiest days of the Village calendar, noises that make Christmas-Christmas. The Dogs are happy, both Young un & Her Mum are able to pick up smells that have been sealed in by frost over the last few days, now released by the mild temps. We headed to the copse to sit on our log, all cosy, it gave me time to drink in my landscape think of times gone & those yet to come. Most of the things I hold dear are here with me. 5 Deer crossed the field of growing corn approx 200metres away. They may not be Santa's Reindeer but they are Deer, their beauty & good healthy condition a joy for the eyes. They slowly covered the field, in open areas they are very guarded in their body language. I sat with the Dogs on my lap watching the slow deliberate progress of the Deer. They finally disappeared thru their usual gap & were gone. We headed back slowly, looking forward to a house full of family & friends later, this quiet time setting me up wonderfully. From my Dogs & me I wish everyone a truly enjoyable festive period, from wherever you hail & whoever you are-enjoy your break. May the new year bring you peace, happiness & joy. Enjoy your day.

Thankyou, Rocky, both for the tale and the wishes.

I hope you, your family and your dogs have a great day and 2017 is a good year for you. I look forward to reading of the morning rambles throughout the year.

Well said Rockey Merry Christmas and have a happy and healthy New Yesr

Paid  the  usual  seasonal  visit  to  one  of  my 

Nephews  late  afternoon,  yesterday  (  He  works 

in  the  office  for  M & S delivery firm  &  his  lady

in  the  childrens  section  of  local  Hospital )  so 

i'm  limited  for  vistits  when  they  are  both  there.

Anyway  I  was  WOOFed  at  sternly  by  the  door,

'cos  they  have  a  new,  18 month  small  Border 

Collie.  Very  shy  &  nervous  they  said  so  she 

probably  wont  come  near  you  !!

HA Blooming  HA  --  hadn't  got  time  to  sit  & 

accept  my  cup  of  coffee  before  Mia,  had  a 

paw  on  my  knee  &  a  squeaky  ball  in  her  mouth, 

whilst  gazing  in  my  eyes  &  daring  me  to  ignore 

her  !!  An  hour  later,  still  playing  'fetch'  nephew 

said  "you'd  never  believe  she's  just  had  two  hours 

running  along  side  us  as  we  exercised  our  horses

would  you"

I'm  glad  I  don't  have  a  dog,  I'd  never  be  able 

to  stand  a  nervous  mutt  like  that  !!

Brian  A B M

Great walk with the dog this morning through the driving snow.  Our wee dog came home looking like a snow dog.  He had a great time.

Yesterday we( The whole Family)  spent Christmas day at my elder daughter's house, where we were all captivated her new puppy - A gorgeous nine week old golden retriever..  Absolutely beautiful pup !!

Cheers..............................K 

Another quiet & cold walk in our landscape today, we were greeted by a thick hoar frost blanketing our landscape, a whiteover. Once over the meadow we picked up quite a lot of Roe Deer tracks heading from the copse in the distance along the field margin then into the growing rapeseed field, recently passed too as the thick frost had been crushed by their passing. Young un & Her Mum followed the tracks so far into the field until they showed some interest. I watched the Dogs as they followed the tracks, the Deer knew where they were heading as the line was very straight, something got the Deers interest about 150metres into the field as they stopped & milled around a bit, shown to me by the Dogs following the tracks. I've seen Deer so many times do these things as I watched the Dogs I had a picture in my minds eye of the Deer doing it, I wonder if they take their bearings. We headed South along an irrigation channel & found a lot of feathers of a Male Mallard beautiful iridescent colours on the wings, Charlie Fox no doubt on His hunts, the Mallard must have been injured prior to Charlie getting Him. The area of the Mallard's demise was on the high bank of the irrigation channel giving a wide field of view over the flat fields, if the Duck was healthy He'd just fly over to the opposite bank, Charlie would not have stalked the Mallard with all this thick frost crunching underfoot, that's the animal world & nature generally, the strong preying on the weak. We picked up a field Hedge & headed East towards the coast. Not many birds around today other than Rooks sat atop a high Ash Tree cawing, their call echoing in the still cold landscape. High levels of light as the sun rose above the horizon momentarily glinting on the frost like jewels as I walked. The landscape now has that stark skeletal look of Winter, wild grasses just straw frosted clumps, the patchwork of green fields with the white almost snow covered coating breaking the starkness up, from russets & yellows to green & Browns, the passing of the seasons. Young un & Her Mum were ready for some breakfast as they were plodding along beside me with their heads down. Young uns Mum starting to shiver as She collected the frost on Her tummy. They knew we were homeward bound. Enjoy your day.

Rocky 2 buckets

Really enjoy reading your walks posts.  Since OH has also read & enjoyed them & is now convinced you must write for a living. Have a good day & keep on writing & giving readers pleasure/insight into the natural world around us.

N18, Thankyou but no I don't(write professionally), try-Woodsman/Chainsaw Carver/Tree lover. I write what I both see & feel. I guess that having a physical & mental connection with my environment helps a lot. I appreciate your comments. The sharing of the Dogs & our walks is a pleasure. If I've not been able to get out, I love reading others exploits in their environment, I can transport myself & share with them. Always hoping others will share my enjoyment

At least there will be plenty for you to write about in March R2B.  The Doggie Beauty Pageant called Crufts will be in full swing...

Owners holding up their dog's tails and choking their dogs on tight leads,- liberal applications of talcum powder to hide perceived  imperfections,- continual combing and brushing while somebody decides which breeder is going to make a fortune from pups this year.  

As a dog lover I like to see dogs being dogs -   Not pseudo beauty contestants. 

Cheers.............................K

K, this thread is to celebrate the love of Dogs. We don't discriminate due to prejudice towards certain Dog owners. 'I love Dogs me'-all Dogs, so do others. Maybe it would be better for you to take your brand of certain 'Dog disliking' elsewhere as you are now Trolling for your own enjoyment. It's sad