Chris Wilson Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 More dog stuff Sorry! Was planning on hitching a ride to Ireland with a private plane pilot who I met in the local boozer, I had won a short flight in a charity auction last year, and we agreed to extend it to a trip to N Ireland to pick up a puppy, with me covering the extra fuel and running / landing costs. Sadly the weather wasn't to his liking, but I only got to know last Friday night at 7.30PM. We were due to fly across on Saturday, early morning...... So, onto the internet, and I booked an expensive crossing with Stena from Stranraer to Belfast Harbour. Short notice bookings seemed to cost a fortune. Had a shower, checked the oil and water in my trusty old Volvo, grabbed the cash and some basics and drove 4.5 hours, economy run style, to Stranraer, arriving 12.30 AM. Found a dodgy bar, asked some man of the mountains what bitter they had and was told "McEwans, or McEwans, got a ****ing problem with that?". Decided it would be just champion thanks.... Retired to a dust bowl in the corner and savoured the locals out after midnight in Stranraer, but didn't stay too long! I thought Whitchurch was bad, interbreeding is alive and well north of the border, too. Tried to kip in the car, but a bundle of cash, English plates and feral youths wandering around looking like their idea of fun might be turn me over resulted in spasmodic sleep and much waking to glasses breaking and wild Gaelic shouting. Was relieved when 4.30 AM came and I could get on board the ferry. Luckily it was a fast one, with 2 hours posted as the crossing time. Read a bit and grabbed a cuppa, then a 1.5 hour drive to see the pups. The one I had earmarked as likely due to size and colouration turned out to have a somewhat suspect looking umbilical hernia. I hadn't had this mentioned before 95% of the time they heal over, but for a bitch that I planned to breed from it was a bit too much of of a potential problem. Fortunately the dog also appeared very shy, both of people and its litter mates, making a decision to look at the other two fawn pups easier. In 5 minutes it was obvious I'd done the right thing, one of the other two was ultra outgoing, a beautifully balanced shape, and unbelievably self confident. A little smaller, but at 7 weeks even the runt of litter can turn around and be a giant sized show stopper. Sorted the paperwork, got her crated in the car and did the 1.5 hours drive back to Belfast for the mid day ferry back to Stranraer. For some reason it took 2.5 hours to do the same crossing, so I was behind schedule for getting back. Managed to make the journey home in 4 hours though, as economy had now gone out the window, and the thought of a shower, some grub and a trip to the local for a pint served in a slightly friendlier manner beckoned. Got home in the drive at 6.45 PM Jane approved the purchase, and the little mite had done an 8 hour trip without being sick or pooing. She spent the last 3 hours on my knee, as she seemed hate being crated (and still does). In 2 years Boo, our fawn Bouvier should have a nice girlfriend and mate (OK, arranged marriages are suspect, but what do you do? ) Right now, when I showed him his "new girlfriend" I could see him thinking "Is this *astard trying to get me locked up or something?" He'll just have to be patient though Would have loved to have flown, but 700 road miles later it's done and dusted, and I got my pint at 7.30 after a quick shower and some food. In fact we stayed to midnight and got a cab home, to wet the babies head, so to speak. I have just about recovered now, ten years ago I could have shrugged it off and done it again the next day, now I need a respite period! I have been showing her round the menagerie this morning, she isn't keen on the owls, which dive bombed the mesh to try and have her for lunch, but she thinks most of the other residents are OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Puppy... no pics... come on Chris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Puppy... no pics... come on Chris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 OK, just picked a few from this morning: http://www.gatesgarth.com/new_pup/new_pup.html We haven't decided on a name yet, so she's the "new pup" for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 the Owl and puppy pic is a good un:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Looks like a Yeti and mini-me, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Good story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Right now, when I showed him his "new girlfriend" I could see him thinking "Is this *astard trying to get me locked up or something?" He'll just have to be patient though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 You must get a great deal of pleasure having all of those pets beasts, I'm very envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Mwhen I showed him his "new girlfriend" I could see him thinking "Is this *astard trying to get me locked up or something?" He'll just have to be patient though I've just had a coughing fit laughing at this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Slightly off topic, what are Jap Spitz like behavioural wise, I'd like an Akita, but my gf is saying no chance, this is the only dog...erm cat...she likes;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 *ALL* Spitz breeds can be very noisy and stubborn, go to any dog show and the Spitz breeds will make their presence obvious by their shouting. If you have neighbours who value their peace and quiet they may not be a good choice. individuals may differ, i speak generally. Akitas are great as individuals or a M/F pairing, with other dogs or same sex pairings accept there may be trouble. NOT an easy breed, prone to very headstrong traits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Found a dodgy bar, asked some man of the mountains what bitter they had and was told "McEwans, or McEwans, got a ****ing problem with that?". The sevice in Japan just isn't the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Great story. Call her 'Mouse', no idea why, just came into my head, maybe to do with the Owls wanting to eat her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I thought Whitchurch was bad, interbreeding is alive and well north of the border, too. lol, yes it is indeed, especially north north;) I've met a few folk on my travels who hav double and triple relations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Liked the story, quite a trip just to buy a dog! Worth it though, very cute pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 We're going 110 miles to pick up our pup, was thinking of going up to Middlesbrough for one though!!! And our breeder met up with a sire in Spain last year!!!!!! Distance is irrelevant for the right pup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 It is indeed, once you get into the foreign breeds and start trecking off to inner Russia for Caucasian Ovcharka and suchlike a trip to the Emerald Isle is neither here nor there I put the rest of the pics up last night, for a relative abroad to see, so if anyone's sad enough to want more.... : http://www.gatesgarth.com/new-pup2/new_pup.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 It is indeed, once you get into the foreign breeds and start trecking off to inner Russia for Caucasian Ovcharka and suchlike a trip to the Emerald Isle is neither here nor there I put the rest of the pics up last night, for a relative abroad to see, so if anyone's sad enough to want more.... : http://www.gatesgarth.com/new-pup2/new_pup.html How many BHP is the tractor? You planning on turboing it? Converting it to dry-sump for those spirited runs around the field? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 It'll pull a wheelie, but only with a full size bale on the bale spike on the back 40 BHP, but adequate for the jobs it needs to do. I SHOULD have bought a 4WD one, but the lack of depreciation (possible appreciation) and the pretty classic styling swung me. Someone spent a fortune restoring it, I had to lie and promise I'd just use it for shows. If he'd seen a few weeks ago, in the serious wet we had, he'd have been horrified, but a pressure wash restored to something visually appealing again. Never can understand people getting emotional about metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I have visions of you carrying the pup around your property and placing her in various places just for photo opps!! lol "Right put her on the tractor....ok... right now put her in front of the owl...." etc etc Glad she made it back ok and is settling in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I have visions of you carrying the pup around your property and placing her in various places just for photo opps!! lol "Right put her on the tractor....ok... right now put her in front of the owl...." etc etc I bet that's exactly how it happened! He seems to be getting quite into this photography lark now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 If the thing managed to jump onto the tractor seat unaided at 7 weeks I'd have been damned impressed and phoning the circus I do quite like taking photos, which kinda surprises me, as I never used to have the slightest interest. Old age I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 She's a beauty and seemed very interested in my naked legs. All she needs now is a name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 She's a beauty and seemed very interested in my naked legs. All she needs now is a name. Jesus Christ, what on earth are you doing naked round at Chris'? I'd heard the rumours about Shropshire, but, well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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