Merlin's Magicians Newsletter
Ferryside Newsletter October 2011
Grrrr............ This is a second attempt, my computer swallowed without trace the first, completed, Newsletter, much to my frustration. Trouble is I ramble and this won’t be the same, still look on the bright side, could even be better!!
All in all not a bad month, I am slowly getting back into shape, metaphorically speaking, I walk the dogs when the weather is reasonable, (even though the place is so wet I come back with six dogs looking somewhat like pond life) what was a 45 minute walk now takes an hour and a half but, it is progress. When the weather isn’t good I try to get at least 20 minutes on the treadmill, funnily enough, it is easier to walk on the treadmill, but, no good for the dogs so : - ) Talking about my dogs, I hadn’t realised how overweight Rusty had become until I ran him without a harness at training and put my hand underneath him, lack of exercise over the past few months has been the main contributory factor but, both he and Annie are now on a diet, hopefully they will reach full fitness again very shortly.
We have two new members at Ferryside, Jayne with her busy little working Springer Betty, whose story is one I will leave Jayne to tell when she submits Betty’s picture and write up for the ‘Dogs’ page. And Dave with his lovely Border Collie, Corrie. Both dogs and owners seem to be enjoying Flyball and we have great hopes that they will be valued members of Merlin’s Magicians when we compete next year. Dave has already proved himself invaluable sorting out the combination lock on the equipment shed which had decided to stick. Gemma and Rob’s new baby Jack Russell is a darling and despite being about the size of the Collies’ heads she enjoys a good old romp with the other dogs at Flyball. Rob is finding himself well used as a box loader, and very good he is at it too. Gemma’s Mum came along with her new rescue dog Dai, I believe he is a Cairn X Cavalier a lovely ‘scruffy boy’ who for the moment is just on the sideline acting ‘Cheerleader’ (he is what I call ‘Gobby’) but when he has settled we hope he will try Flyball.
I think I remember Gemma saying she is doing a Canine grooming course, hmmm. I wonder if she’d like a scruffy Cocker Spaniel to practice on? Charlie Brown is due his haircut.
I hope you are all coming to our team meeting 27th November at the Bluebell Inn, Cynwyl Elfed. Mark the landlord opens up for us at 10.30 and we stay on after the meeting for his superb carvery (not to be missed) I do need numbers please let me know as soon as possible if you want a meal as Mark takes bookings and is often ‘packed out’. I would also appreciate you letting me know if there is anything you would like to put on the agenda for discussion. Let either myself or Georgina know please. Don’t know if I should be whispering this ‘it’s Debbie’s 40th birthday too, so we shall have cake!!
Clocks go forward tonight, an extra hour in bed before Flyball but, Oh, those nasty dark nights are here: - ( I always hate this time of year, I know Christmas is round the corner but, being a solitary soul with a pack of dogs, I tend to be a bit Bah Humbug!! Want it all over and Spring to come quickly. Goodness that was a bit silly, wishing life away can’t do that!
My radio controlled clock decided it didn’t want to change from British Summer Time!! It has gone completely haywire. Result? I was up at 0630 this morning!!!!
Last session of the month, really good despite consisting of only the two new dogs Corrie & Betty plus Micky and my lot. Corrie is continuing to progress brilliantly and Betty? What a star, from the scared little girl that first came she has morphed into a prospective Flyball Dog, no longer phased by the box and such a happy little woman, Micky, love him, he may never do flyball properly (although we’re not giving up hope) as he does not intend to touch that ‘horrid’ noisy box but, with his ‘Dad’ rolling the ball down or even firing it at him, he is doing a super job and having such fun.
I have just had a ‘phone call from someone with a ball mad Boxer! Watch this space aye?
Keep smiling everyone and from now on our slogan is going to be ‘Dogs just wanna have fun’
June
Ps. The council man tells me that they (the council) will be responsible for temporary fencing whilst they grub out my hedge and put in the fence, so, that is one worry less. Can’t wait, my dogs are going to have soooo much fun winding up the workmen barking!!!! LOL
Beulah – Ceredigion.
Well the news is yet again "no news".
Very low turnout for practises, those that do come are getting on well. The two Poodles really enjoy themselves! We had visitors one Sunday, people from Derby area down on holiday so I suggested they came along to see if their dogs liked flyball - well, Toby the Lab loved it! He has gone back home and is searching for a flyballl club to join.
Brenda and I are now thinking of changing the practise day to a Saturday afternoons in the New Year. We both have other commitments on Saturday mornings but really it seems silly to waste a whole Sunday not being able to go anywhere due to practise when a lot of the time there is just us 2 walking the fields with our dogs if the others cannot make it. At least that way we have a free day once a week.
Other news - China (my boxer) had half her right ear removed as she had a growth on it. Luckily it was benign but as it had grown so quickly and she is not a sedate dog (more sumo wrestling, charging through hedgerows etc) I am still 100% happy it was the right decision to remove the ear flap rather than waiting for a biopsy as she could easily have caught the growth and torn it open. When I collected her after the operation Brenda was laughing her head off as in the notes it said "gentle exercise for 10 days".......
Georgina