BeastBlog: October 2005


About The Beastly Beasts - By The Beastly Beasts

This is where we, the Beastly Beasts, tell you all about what we've been up to.

We love hearing from you too, so please leave us a message by clicking on "Post a Comment" at the end of the story.

Love and licks,
Kai, Monty, Jack, Troy, Lucy, Mack, & Rosie - The Beastly Beasts

30 October 2005

East Midlands Dog Walk

posted by Chris at 17:49
Today was the East Midlands Dog Walk, and Gill and I and the Beastly Beasts went over to Rutland Water's Barnsdale car park to meet up with a few peeps we hadn't seen for a while.

The walk had been arranged for 1:30. We turned up at 1:33 to find everyone just about ready to set off, but they were very nice and waited for us to get sorted. Well, when I say us; Jackie wanted to say hello to Kai, and you wouldn't believe the number of people that wanted to see Troy again. Troy was totally indifferent to it all, and ignored just about everybody, including Colin and Tom, which considering he stayed with them a while back was a bit rude really.

Once sorted we all set off. I think I prefer this side of Rutland Water as you walk through the woods, and then eventually get to a cafe where cups of tea (for humans) and dog treats (for dogs) are consumed before heading back. So had the weather been bad - which it wasn't (no rain and a few sunny bits, and it was warm) - there is shelter and refereshments.

We had a really good rattle with Lynne about her dad (getting better after a stroke) and plans for the future; Jackie, as usual, spoilt the Beasts rotten with treats; Julie was on form with the odd double entendre - wicked sense of humour that woman, and seems she is angling for a wolfie as well, but having to convince OH that they're smaller than greyhounds - which is true, for a bit; and both Colin and Lynne told me some more about Troy and his past. It does seem that the poor lad has a reputation that is not totally deserved.

Everyone commented on the Beasts collars and leads; Colin did say he thought Troy's was "a bit gay", but he was out voted on this. In fact one lady (whose name I can't remember - sorry) (turns out it was Sharron, aka Mozart) wanted to know where we got them from. - Here's our review with a link to the site we found.

Earlier I highlighted who/what consumed what at the cafe for a reason; when we arrived back at the car I had a bag of apple and cinnamon biscuits intended for the canine crowd. And indeed most were eaten by the dogs, but a few did disappear down the odd human as well.

It was really nice to see everyone again; so thanks to Lynne and anyone else involved for putting together, and both Gill and I hope it will be a fairly regular thing.

Unfortunately we must have had the DTs 'coz all the pics we took came out blurred, so if anyone who was there has some pics they wouldn't mind us using we would be very grateful.
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26 October 2005

The Beasts @ White Lodge - Act 1

posted by Chris at 21:04
It's not often that between us Gill and I can't sort out the Beasts, and even if we can't, there's always the lovely Jayne. But this week I was in France with work for two and half days (and if you think that sounds good, it's stuck in a business park for two and a half days), Gill had meetings that she knew were going to finish late, and the lovely Jayne was in Poole for half term. The Beasts would need to go into kennels for a couple of nights.

The obvious choice was White Lodge, and as I was flying from Brum it was almost not too much of a detour. We pitched up about half twelve (Claire kindly allowed us to arrive out of normal hours), and the Beasts went for a charge around in the paddock while we sorted out the paper work. As at any kennels I was asked if they were all up to date on their jabs. I said yes for three, but explained that the rescue centre we got Troy from were really slack and hadn't sent through his paper work. Claire muttered something about it being a shabby outfit or some such and asked who it was. I told her White Lodge; she had heard of them, and agreed to let Troy in.

Time to get the Beasts in. Kai and Jack were stupid/gullable/obedient (delete those not applicable), and went straight in the kennel. Not Monty and Troy, ohhh nooo. They were having none of it, and it took leads to get them in. I guess for them the last time it happened they ended up staying for a while. Once all were safely gathered in it was time for me to hit the road to the airport. Apart from an hours delay to change a wheel on the aircraft, the journey was pretty smooth.

Two days later, and it's back for the Beasts, arriving just after six. As anticipated they all went just a bit mad to see me; Jack going so nuts he didn't stop charging around to get a stroke for a couple of minutes.

Claire commented on how well they all got on, and no aggro about food. She thought Jack was funny as he always had a toy in his mouth - which he generally does at home, and was pleased to see that Troy had settled in so well. She did admit that if there had been room in her household she would have had Troy for herself. Seems he's another one that pulls the ladies - they say owners get like their dogs; I'm hoping it's true.

And I got Troy's paperwork at last. Good job too 'coz his jabs are due next month. So he really is ours now.

Two nights in kennels doesn't seem to have traumatised them on a permanent basis, which is a good job as they are back for four or five nights in a week and half (hence Act 1). I think Claire might be looking forward to having Troy back for a bit.
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21 October 2005

Salcey Again

posted by Chris at 19:41
We were over at Slacey again today. When we go there we wander well off the beaten track, and disappear for about an hour and a half. Today we met up with a lovely lurcher who at a guess was a white/brindle greyhound and deerhound cross.

For some reason my mind wandered back to various posts on DogPages about whether you should or should not let your greyhound off the lead. Often the argument for not doing so is that they just charge around for ten minutes and will then walk with you the rest of the way anyway.

Hmmmmm. If anyone would like to come to Salcey Forest with me I can show them three greyhounds (and a lurcher) who will charge around on and off for an hour and a half; sometimes walking with me, but usually not; and when we get back to the car, seem to be ready to do it all over again!!
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18 October 2005

Spotty Dog

posted by Chris at 18:44
No, not the Wooden Tops for anyone out there old enough to remember them.

Troy had an abscess on his neck that burst on Saturday. Poor sod had been winging every now and then, but despite looking I didn't spot anything (no pun intended). Then on Saturday while I was cutting the lawn, Troy came up to me with blood streaming down his neck. First thought was there'd been a bundle between the Beasts, but everything was calm, and blood wasn't spurting or pouring out, more oozing.

Of course, he had chosen a great time to do whatever he had done; 12:15 and the vet closes at 12:00. This meant a trip the emergency vet - £70 for saying "Hello". The only compensation being that she was very attractive!!

Anyway, back to Troy. On examination it turned out to be an abcess that had burst, and the blood was all the gunge and puss being expelled. Troy's neck was really red and inflamed, which you could see better once the hair had been trimmed away. Caroline (the vet) swabbed it out as best she could, gave him a pain killer and antibiotics, and suggested bathing in salt water.

How he got the abcess, how knows? Nothing obvious came out, and a follow up visit today to our vets (it was getting a bit pussy again) showed that there was no puncture mark; the flesh underneath was sound. Sarah (our vet) gave it another good clean and picked away the pussy scab to reveal the healthy flesh. More salt water bathing was the order of the day.

It has healed nicely now, and although we have a visit on Monday for a check up I think it's going to be an in and out job.
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13 October 2005

Roll On Spring

posted by Chris at 21:32
Funny how the fact that the nights are drawing in suddenly hits you. Tonight was the night for me.

I got back from work about 7:00pm, and of course the Beasts needed to go out. They hadn't been cooped in the house all day; the lovely Jayne looks in on them with her kids from time to time during the day, and lets them out in the garden. But they still wanted their walk in the evening.

By the time I'd changed and we'd got up the road to Hunsbury it was well on the way to being dusk, and as we wandered round it got darker and darker; great news when you have brown, black and brindle beasts. The only visible beast was Troy; being white you could see him quite well. But the others just merged into the gloom.

Of course they all came back, but it looks like it's time to dig out the flashing collars.

Roll on spring.
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01 October 2005

Calendar Beast

posted by Chris at 19:07
Yes, we have a calendar beast! Troy is Mr. January on the White Lodge Greyhound & Lurcher Calendar!!

You can take a look at all the photo's here, but this is the one that counts :-)

Mr. January 2006

All the photos were taken by Richard Lindley (aka Richard the Sane to Dog Pages members). HIs site is here.

The calendars are A3, and have 13 pages. They are £10 each including p&p. To order yours just send a cheque made payable to 'White Lodge Fundraising' to:

White Lodge Boarding Kennels
Station Lane
Kirby Bellars
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE14 2ED

There's only 200 of them; we've already reserved 5, and I'm sure the others won't last long - so get in quick!!
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