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 ...


More birthday celebrations!

Yesterday it was Archie's turn to have a birthday.

First of all, there was a card to be opened from our Great uncle and his dog Sophie, all the way from America. We had to share it - it was Angel's birthday last week.

After carefully checking there wasn't any turkey hidden inside, we put it on display on the mantelpiece.

We went for a birthday run in the morning, then for another, more leisurely birthday walk in the afternoon. The Madwoman thought it would be entertaining to wander round the Chiltern Open Air Museum, where they were revving up for their annual Halloween Spooktacular evening. But you can read more about what we saw there next week on the 31st!

 We did find some very spooky toadstools too ...

 

And then it was time for presents!

Angel had one too - it was her present from last week wrapped up again. The Madwoman is such a cheapskate.

I got a squeaky stuffed cow.

 

Angel was quite happy to be reunited with her squeaky raccoon, which had mysteriously gone missing the day after her birthday. And now we know why ...

 

And at last - the birthday dinner.
Yes, we had turkey!

Bag a bargain!

We're supporters of Sighthounds Online - a small but lovely charity which helps out pointy nosed folk like us and our bigger relatives. They are about to have an online auction where you can bid for all sorts of goodies - bag yourself a bargain for Christmas as a gift for yourself or a friend or relative.

The Madwoman is donating a copy of Dog Friendly Gardening - we can both be seen between the pages, modelling in a variety of poses ...

Do visit the forum - and if you have anything (doesn't have to be doggy!) to donate yourself, that would be great!

You can visit the forum at:

www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk

Ow!

Archie split a pad open last Friday.

He had to go to the vet, who put a big bandage on it.

He's a bit embarrassed by the sissy girlie colour Vetwrap, but not as embarrassed as by having to tramp around with a plastic bag on his foot to keep the dressing dry.

Paws crossed that's it's better enough to go for a proper walk on his birthday on Friday!

It's my birthday!

It was Angel's birthday on Thursday!

 

After jumpoing into bed with the Madwoman for a cuddle, I started the day by picking out a pretty collar to wear for my birthday walk

When we got back it was time to open my present!
Apparently there's a birthday card from our great uncle in America too, but as I have to share it with Archie we have to wait to open it until it's his birthday next week.

                                                                                 

A squeaky raccoon!Just what I wanted!

 

Archie got a present too. A new squeaky ball.
 

And finally it's turkey time!
Yes, a birthday tea with turkey at last!

 

And then, just time before bed to play a bit more with my squeaky raccoon ...

Spider city

It's like spider city round here at the moment - they are evertywhere in the house. One jumped on Angel's face the other evening as she was snoozing in her bed - it woke her up and sent her shrieking round the bedroom until the Madwoman caught it and evicted it out of the window.

If they're not indoors, they're outside.

This is the scene that met our eyes when we went out in the garden this morning.

Now it's not like us to suggest that the Madwoman is a bit slothful about housework, but look at these pictures and judge for yourself whether you think it's about time that she got busy round the garden with a duster!

 

Wippitt talk - 7

We may be testing you on this later ...

 

"Look, I'm only eating this grass because I'm so hungry.

A little bit of roast turkey would really help it go down."

Wippitt talk - 6

Another crash course in wippitt communication.

 

"Thought I'd better have a little lie down as

I'm feeling a little weak from lack of roast turkey."

Wippitt talk - 5

Another lesson in wippitt interpretation.

Stop fidgeting at the back there.

This is important!

 

"It takes a massive amount of energy to sustain

this level of cuteness,

so hurry up and get us a bit of roast turkey to help keep our strength up."

Wippitt talk - 4

The next in our series on wippitt interpretation.

Now, concentrate!

 

"I told you yesterday.

Unless you've got some roast turkey,

then you'll just have to wait until I'm ready to come back."

 

Wippit talk - 3

The next in our series on understanding what your wippitt is telling you.

 

"Sorry, but if you've got no roast turkey on you,

then I'm not coming back until I'm ready."

 

Wippit talk - 2

The second in our series on how to understand your wippitt better.

"Right, I've run halfway across the field to bring this

ball back to you

- now where's my piece of roast turkey?"

Wippitt talk - 1

During our regular expeditions to the Chiltern Open Air Museum this summer, it has come to our attention that very few people appear to speak Basic Wippitt, let alone being fluent in it.

So we have decided to provide a brief guide over the next few days to a few important phrases which will help you to interpret what your wippitt is saying - which will of course mean that you will be able to satisfy his every wish and whim.

And ours of course, should you meet us.

Now, are you all paying attention?

Then we shall start.

"Have you seen any roast turkey?

I'm sure the Madwoman dropped a bit here somewhere."