It's me or the dog?

Marley's watched two episodes of 'It's me or the Dog' and his behaviour doesn't seem to have improved. It is no good he is going to have to watch another episode tonight!!

Alien

Another Marley adventure ... please stop reading if you are easily grossed out!!

We are out on our morning walk on a beautiful Autumn morning. I notice Marley (for those who don't know he is the mischievous black labrador) is somehow struggling with his morning constitutional. 

As any good dog owner would, I investigate the situation, after a couple of bilious moments it appears that he is giving birth to a bright green alien - long and twisted and hideous. 

Further inspection proved that this was not just any alien but a Marks and Spencer 5p alien .... An M&S carrier bag!!

Model

We spent some time in the studio today basically playing with lighting. Our model was the long suffering Marley who has pretty much grown up with cameras.

 

Out for a bracing walk, the early morning sun lighting the beautiful contryside, mind wandering, planning the day ahead . Two obedient, well behaved dogs by my side - makes you feel good to be alive.

NOT THIS MORNING!

Torrential rain finding every seam in my not so waterproof - mud, huge expanses of mud that will be transferred via the dogs to the house! Dog number one gets himself into a field where he should not be. A David Attenborough expedition, grappling through the wet undergrowth to recover the hound. Now having had enough we need to get back quickly, we head across the playing field and on approaching the footpath I reach for the leads - they are not around my neck. Must have dropped the bloody things so we set off retracing our steps. We bump - not literally into another dog owner who tells me he found my leads in the corner of the field so we head off to pick them up.

Dog number two - who shall remain nameless - gets into the 'no access' field and then seemingly disappears. Another undergrowth expedition ensues but I still can't locate the wayward hound. I soon realise that he has managed to get into a garden that backs onto the field. Through the hedge and fence I see him in the middle of the lawn looking really pleased with himself examining his find - a black rubbish sack. The 'gundog' approved whistle has no effect nor to my calls of 'what's this' - I now know I am going to late for my dentist appointment.

I get on my hands and knees - peering under the fence, this small gap is what he must have got through. A gust of wind blows some of the rubbish from the now torn black bag in my direction, He chases the soiled serviette - I grab and latch on to his collar. The other owners little dogs are now assisting with the rescue mission barking furiously - the little Jack Russell is trying to get thought the gap currently accommodated by my arm. How can I get a Labrador sized lump through such a small gap. I figure he must have managed to get through so should be a able to return. I pull with all my strength unceremoniously dragging the muddy mutt through the gap and the stinging nettles, yep, loads of them. How do they manage to sting through jeans!

Anyway - off home for a coffee? No such luck, dentist appointment for me.....

Update - stings over my hands, arms and left leg. Mouth numb from a filling - still no coffee! 

Poorly

Poor old Marley has been under the weather for a couple of days but he still managed to pose for a picture.

Christmas party

 

Thomas and Amy were off to a Christmas party tonight - Marley got ready but they wouldn't take him.

Where's Bob?

 

Poor old Bob spent the day at the vets - ended up having 19 teeth removed. Marley didn't really settle all day

Smile

 

Marley likes having his picture taken. Since he was a puppy he has always been in front of the camera - he is a natural model but I can't get him to smile.

Passed

Marley passed his Bronze Award at Dog Club tonight. I have to say that he did really well with his one minute sit - stay and his heel work was great. I was concerned though because barking at the Boxer and trying to hump the Golden Retiever probably didn't score us many points.

1st Birthday

 

So Marley has made it to his first Birthday. Amazing how many stories I have to tell from such a short period of time. Marley spent most of today in the garden chewing on a massive bone. I spent the day patching up after him!! The pond had to be emptied to recover all the things he's dropped in - he had even managed to pull out the fountain pump and chew that. Let's hope the next twelve months are as entertaining as the last.....watch this space.