And the fun goes on ...

And this is what we got on Boxing Day!



A honking duck!

Just what I wanted!

 
























 



 

What is it?

 

 



I have no idea ... it blends in with the fleece on the sofa ... but unlike the sofa, it squeaks ...

 

 

Ah, that's better ... it's a skunk!

 

 



Santa came!

We had a good Christmas, thank you for asking!

There were presents and turkey and games ... and a good haul of treats from our dog-godmother Sarah, which the Madwoman has doled out far too miserly if you ask us.

Archie did get a bit carried away with the festive spirit and leapt on the dining table after the Madwoman had just laid it, overcome by a combination of hunger, excitement and hope that there might be some turkey up there already.

Unfortunately, when the Madwoman shrieked at him and he leapt off it, he knocked over a wine glass and broke it ... he then stole Angel's present (a squeaky rat) and later on ran round the house with one of the Madwoman's furry slippers. Well, they do look like furry toys. Good thing Santa had already been ...

                              

Opening presents!

 

Angel finds a squeaky rat in hers

 

The rat thief strikes!

Angel ignores him and plays a rousing chorus of Christmas carols instead on the squeaky doughnut she got from her Auntie Julie. And yes, she knows lots and lots of carols, and insists on giving an encore every time!

Christmas Eve

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house

Not a creature was stirring

Not even a wippitt ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dog's pajamas

You've heard of the saying 'the dog's pajamas'?

Well here they are.

Warm and cosy.

Although if I'd been allowed to choose, I'd have gone for something a bit more butch rather than baby blue and covered with dancing snowmen.

First one to laugh will get crossed off Santa's list.

Walking in the rain

This is us on our walk this morning.
It was very wet.

The Madwoman seemed to be under the impression that we'd be thrilled and grateful to go out for a run. Normally we are. We really look forward to it. We get very fractious on those occasions when we can't go out running like the wind and grrraaarrrring at any voles foolish enough to poke their little whiskery snouts out of their burrows. But weather makes all the difference ... and this morning was one. The rain was coming down sideways and still we were made to don coats and go out.

 

Do we look like we're enjoying ourselves?

Pot luck

One of our favourite indoor activities: a rubber Kong pot stuffed with treats. Hours of fun ...

The Yellow Dog Project

This is us, out for a walk.

You'll notice there's a yellow ribbon tied to each of our leads.

This means that if you see us coming, please give us space - in our case it's because we're scared of other dogs, and don't appreciate strange mutts, no matter how friendly, running up and giving us kisses.

If you're a person, we quite like the kisses and being stroked - provided you've introduced yourself properly and politely first - and especially if you also have some roast turkey about your person that you'd like to give us.

But this doesn't apply to all dogs - some are scared of people too.

So look out for yellow ribbons - you can find out more about them and what they mean at the Yellow Dog Project HERE

Surprise package

We shivered our way round the Chiltern Open Air Museum yesterday. After stopping for a while to watch the Iron Age house being given a new hat by these genuine Iron Age volunteers, we moved briskly on before our paws got frozen to the spot. You can see just how cold it was by all the frost on the ground.

And then we spotted this by Leagrave Cottage. Someone had been gift wrapping a gate. We wondered who the lucky recipient was going to be. We hoped very much it wasn't going to be us - we were rather hoping for turkey, sausages and squeaky toys (are you paying attention Santa?) And we hope we haven't spoiled the surprise for anyone ... 

Something fishy

Yes, something fishy is going on.

We may not be the most widely read of wippitts but we know our turkey from our tuna.

So when the Madwoman got some turkey out of the freezer for us, we were a bit baffled when we read the wrapper.

What next?

Cake from the butcher?

 

SNOW!

When we woke up this morning the world had turned white ...

Right, that's enough of the frolicking in the snow.

Let us in.

NOW.

 

We're a bit late posting again, due to the Madwoman hogging the computer again this week. But just in case you were wondering what we got up to last weekend, we went to the Chiltern Open Air Museum again, this time for their Traditional Chiltern Christmas. Victorians were warbling carols in the church, folk were strolling around sipping Wassail and Hippocras and we found sausage rolls for sale - except that the Madwoman wouldn't buy us one. Typical. We listened to someone playing a harp, and on the right, to Sian who works there, demonstrating a crumhorn. Bet you always wondered what a crumhorn was, didn't you? Well now you know. 

 

 

Christmas countdown

 

Its nearly time to start the Christmas countdown. The Madwoman got out our Advent calendar, which has little numbered pockets that she puts treats in.

We thought this would be a good place to hang it ...

Not impressed!

But oh, no, the Madwoman decided it would be better hung up on the back of a door where we can't reach it, and have to wait until she decides it's time each evening to dole out the treats.

Windmills in the mist

Can you tell what it is yet?

It was very foggy so we had no idea what the Madwoman was taking us to visit the other day until we were quite close to it.

It got bigger as well as clearer as we got closer. Turned out to be the windmill at Lacey Green. Very ancient.

We looked for mice going clip-clippitty-clop on the stairs but failed to spot any,

wearing clogs or otherwise.

The Madwoman told us that there were only tap-dancing mice in Dutch windmills, 

more specifically those in Old Amsterdam,

so we lost interest at that point and asked if we could go home.

 

  

A new hat

Off to the Chiltern Open Air Museum, who are running a series of dog walking weekends throughout November.

We paused briefly to cheer on the Iron Age volunteers who were busy putting a new hat on the Iron Age house. They seemed to be having trouble with the Iron Age tape measure - obviously been spoilt by new fangled technology.

It was a good reminder that it's not just about putting up these buildings though - maintaining them takes quite a bit of effort too. We found it exhausting enough just watching so went home early for a reviving nap.

More nature notes

 

There's a giant spider lurking in the hedge?
Where?

Can't see a giant spider anywhere.  Can you see one anywhere Angel?

Oh, you mean that spider?

A BIG secret!

Shhhh ... now walk quietly this way and we'll let you in on a big secret ...

Nessie DOES exist!

The reason you'll never spot her lurking in some muddy loch in Scotland is

because she actually lives down here, in the much nicer pond at

the Chiltern Open Air Museum ...

 

And now we're off to see if we can maybe find

David Attenborough hiding in the undergrowth.

Watch this space!

Losing the plot

Believe it or not I CAN tell the difference between a rubber chicken and roast turkey

The Madwoman likes to do a bit of scribbling herself; sadly she lacks our talent and incisive insights, but nevertheless, someone recently suggested that we interview her about her current work in progress. We like to oblige whenever possible, so here is The Interview:

Archie:  So does roast turkey feature in your book?
The Madwoman:  No.
Angel:  Why not?
The Madwoman:  Because it's not relevant to the plot. And anyway the heroine is a vegetarian.
Archie:  Broccolli is a tasty vegetable.
The Madwoman:  Yes, but -
Angel:  It is the perfect accompaniment to roast turkey.
The Madwoman:  Look, there is no roast turkey in this book, okay?
Archie:  Maybe you should consider a rewrite. Featuring roast turkey.
The Madwoman:  No! No rewrite, and definitely nothing about roast turkey!
Angel:  All this talk about roast turkey is making me feel hungry.
Archie:  Me too. What's for dinner?
The Madwoman:  Roast turkey ...

And here's one we helped The Madwoman and an accomplice write earlier.
SCREAM at the Headless Hound of Manchester!
TREMBLE at the Black Dog of Newgate!
SHRIEK at the diabolical dog of Devil's Den!
Over 150 tall tales of demonic dogs and horrible hellhounds to raise your hackles - all yours for the price of 96p - you can buy a copy HERE

Striking a pose

Recognition at last!

We were asked to model some wippitt winter coats for Your Dog magazine!

Does this mean that fame, fortune and roast turkey will finally be coming our way?

 

Warming up for our photo shoot by practicing a few poses

 

Remembering Sophie

We received some sad news today: our American friend Sophie has gone to Rainbow Bridge. We are sorry we never met her properly, but we did enjoy the cards she sent us at birthday and Christmas, and we even exchanged emails fom time to time and swopped advice on the best way to manage humans.
She was a very special person - a winner of beauty contests, a reluctant herder who preferred to supervise from the sidelines, a happy camper who kept her guardian and carer in order on their many photography trips together, and who kept him company by his side the rest of the time. She loved and in return was much loved and we have no doubt will be much missed.
There really are no appropriate words on such occasions as this, but her guardian sent us a lovely DVD with pictures and music. Rainbow Bridge was included on it which we are adding here for any of you who don't know it.  

RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigour. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face: your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together ...

Sophie Long

July 15th, 1998 - Oct 20th, 2012

Boo!

We went on the Halloween walk at the Chiltern Open Air Museum last Friday - we always go during the afternoon rather than when it is dark, with the trail lit by candles and pumpkin heads. We think the Madwoman is worried it might be a bit too scary for us, but we think this is just an excuse and it's really the other way round. First up was this spooky spook in one of the barns - it fluttered and made eerie rustly sounds as the breeze caught it.

Then we found this pair out in the woods. Careful, you could have someone's eye out with that. Oh, you already have. Your own ...

And then there were the huge bats overhead everywhere ...

We tracked down three of the COAM witches responsible for some of this. You can tell they are witches because they are weraring pointy hats. It's a sure sign of a witch.

 

Hmmm ... two scarecrows evidently got a bit careless playing round the harrow.
Should have stuck to scaring crows.

 More bats ... Good thing we like bats. The Madwoman watches them flittering about in the back garden in summer.

Not so keen on these though. A monster spider crawling out of the dunny.  Personally we prefer to use the huge bathroom that is the great outdoors. Although you do need to be careful about nettles and thistles. Long wet grass or deep snow isn't good either. But at least there's no risk of a bite on the bum from a spider!

Another toilet ... with a mummy sitting on it. If there's a nationwide shortage of toilet paper this year, you'll know who to hold responsible ...