Messing About on the River

Well yet another adventure for Tess. We went to visit friends in Marlow and spent the day on the River Thames. We’ve done this before, but this is the first time we tried it with Tess. Thankfully the sun was shining and as usual she was very excited. Most of the dogs we saw sat patiently on their owners’ boats enjoying the scenery and smells, but not our little Welsh Springer Spaniel! She wanted to be in there so, of course, I had to hang on to her harness for most of the trip. She did eventually settle down but the combination of water, ducks and swans was just too much for her so a firm hand was needed. Navigating locks was interesting too! And there are quite a few on the Thames! We had a lovely champagne picnic on the riverbank, then headed home for an evening BBQ. As usual happy and exhausted!!

This weekend Tess’s brother Wilby (plus owners!) came to visit. We thought it would be fun to visit the local country fair on Sunday, but Tess really isn’t a conventional Welsh Springer Spaniel - she hates gun shot and crowds so not the most sensible place to take her for a day out! Still she settled down when we headed home for a leisurely lunch and a few treats to take her mind off the ordeal.

Summer Fun

What a busy summer we’re having and how fast is it racing by?

It all started in June when we had our annual visit to Blakeney on the North Norfolk coast. We had the best time and picked probably the best week of the year weather wise, so spent the whole time in the sun. We visited all our usual haunts – Sherringham Park for a woodland walk, making sure to catch Tess before she did her favourite Welsh Springer Spaniel trick – finding the only muddy puddle for miles around! Meeting up with her brother Wilby for a day at Holkham Hall, first with a walk around the beautiful lake and then, after some refreshment for the adults, a play on the famous sands. A swim in the sea at Salthouse, avoiding all the fishermen, and watching a breeding pair of avocets with their chicks. And of course lots of walks out on the quay and marshes. For the first time we trusted her to go off lead to play in the water to cool off which she loved, but did make the mistake of letting her off on our walk to Cley, only to loose her momentarily as she waded into dark black muddy marsh and came out looking like she had four wellie boots on!! We also walked from Blakeney to Morston then onto Stiffkey, well almost, but it was so hot we turned round and headed for the pub once Tess had played in the creek – doggy heaven!!!

Once home we went to friends for Sunday lunch and they kindly allowed us to take Tess, mainly because their daughter adores dogs and had met her before. It was again a lovely sunny day and we were able to sit in the garden where they had thoughtfully covered up the fish pond. Of course Welsh Springer Spaniels are very resourceful and Tess didn’t realise if she stood on the cover it would collapse and she would be joining the fish!

Another weekend another trip and this time to Sherwood Forest to visit friends who run the scout centre. What a beautiful spot with long walks in Rufford Park and Clumber Park, both highly recommended. As usual Tess gave us a scare when she went chasing rabbits and lost herself in the woods. I don’t know who was more frightened but alls well that ends well and she came back very sheepishly!

She then went to stay with her chum Nesta while we attended a super 50th birthday party in Cambridge, starting with a punt on the Cam with champagne, an Italian meal and lots of drinking in the sun. The following week we had friends to afternoon tea with their 3 year old twins – one not too sure about dogs and one absolutely loving Tess, keeping them both our of mischief all afternoon. Well almost! Never put a child on a picnic rug with iced buns and a very naughty little springer – down went the bun, cake, icing, smarties and paper case all in one go, not to mention the mini sausages!!!!!!

Finally the grown ups got to go on a human only trip. Last week we headed up to Edinburgh to visit the Tattoo, stay in a nice hotel and do things other than dog walk!!!! A super fews days was had by all, including Tess who went to stay with her other best friend Maddie, the English Springer Spaniel, and her very kind owner Sue.

They sound like they all had a ball though I’m not convinced Sue had any sleep at all, especially as she’s just taken delivery of two very cute and very naughty kittens!!! Chaos I suspect! And Tess came home in a sulk. Now was that to let us know we shouldn’t leave her or that she was having such a great time we shouldn’t have dragged her away!!!!
Who know what goes on in a Welsh Springer Spaniels head………………

This coming weekend we’re off on another adventure but that’s another story so you’ll have to log on again to find out what happened next………………

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL DAY OUT

We have just joined the South East Welsh Springer Spaniel Club and enjoyed our first event at the weekend. Leaving home at the crack of dawn in torrential rain we arrived in sunny Sussex to a ‘’Pick and Mix’’ Day, spent in beautiful blue skys and sunshine. The day consisted of obedience sessions, gun dog training, ringcraft and, if you wished, you could enter to your pet in the Good Citizens Award. It was wall to wall Welsh Springer Spaniels – what a magnificent sight. Each one looked different but all were perfect specimens – well to their owners anyway!!!!!!

Tess finds crowds a little intimidating and as she can’t bear being parted from either of us, made a huge fuss if one of us was out of sight – rather difficult when you are trying to impress with your skills as a dog handler! But she did manage her sits and stays which we were pleased with, and had an introduction into what is expected in the field for a real gun dog!!! It was great swapping stories with other owners and getting advice from experienced breeders and lunch wasn’t bad either!!!!!

If you would like to hear more about the SEWSS Club log onto www.SEWSSC.org.uk and see pictures of our day and many other events.
Can you spot little Tess in amongst all those other Welshies????????

Double Trouble

As if one Welsh Springer Spaniel was enough of a handful, how about two!!!!!
Our good friend Laura has Tess to stay so often we were pleased to be able to return the favour and have Nesta to stay for a couple of weeks. Well, how hard could two of these adorable dogs be???!!!!!

We didn’t have a very auspicious start when our visitor managed to escape through a tiny hole in the fence (never underestimate a springer!), into the stream bordering our garden and into the neighbouring property, to hear a voice calling ‘’is this dog yours’’.

Apart from that Nesta was a very well trained house guest, so I can’t complain, but its just the logistics of handling two. Imagine two of them joined on a double lead – Nesta dutifully trotting beside me and Tess tearing off in the opposite direction! Or harnessing two into the back of a two door car. Or trying to get them to eat out of their own food bowls. Or each playing with their own toy. They behave just like children – I WANT THAT ONE!!!!!!!!!

But I did soon get the hang of it and had a relatively fun couple of weeks.

We especially enjoyed an eventful day out at Brandon Country Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
It’s a beautiful place to exercise dogs. Firstly you trek through woodland, then come across open scrubland, finishing around a picturesque lake full of reeds, iris and water lilies. Oh and ducks!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were the picture of good behaviour while we kept them on leads until out of earshot of the road, then they did what all self respecting spaniels do and frolicked in the woodland – Welshie heaven. Then off went Nesta, flushing out pheasants and something equally tasty!!! We must have looked a picture climbing over scrub and gorse bushes in hot pursuit of a happy dog while our own pet looked on in amazement!! Of course she came back safely and was duly put on a lead. Thank goodness, as our next encounter was with a pair of muntjac deer. Very tempting! Exhausted we had lunch sitting in the sun enjoying the lake, rounding up a super fun day.

I’m not sure whether I’ll be searching for a Welsh Springer Spaniel pup in the near future but I did miss Nesta when she finally went home. Our house was suddenly very quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Friends!

We’re having a new kitchen fitted so decided to send Tess to stay with Nesta for the week to keep her out of the way of all the chaos. She’s such a nosey little girl she’d drive the kitchen fitters mad! She’ll be back on Friday then Nesta is staying with us for a couple of days. I came across these wonderful photos of them together which proves they really are the best of friends and don’t mind sharing!

Just like so many other Welsh Springer Spaniels we know.

CAN I HAVE A HUG???

Tess recently had a visit to the vets and had to have blood taken. He took her into his surgery and emerged minutes later and said she was a very brave girl. She looked such a picture with a bandage wrapped round her leg but as you can see from this photo, did look like she needed a big hug!

What a brave little Welsh Springer Spaniel!!

Photo shoot

I like this photo of Tess as it shows the Welsh Springer colours and markings really well.

I like snow

"Its not cold!"

Well this is one Welsh Springer Spaniel who really enjoyed the recent snow falls. Any excuse to go out in the garden and run around or, as you can see, just sit down and rest in it.

There was one day where all the snow had stuck to her fur like snow balls and froze. Took ages to remove them all but Tess did try to help by eating them!

Christmas Time

"No more wine!"







Well that’s it over for another year, but what a wonderful Christmas Tess had.

It all started when Grandma No 1 gave her an advent calendar. Yes, that’s right, a doggy advent calendar, so every day Tess opened her window and retrieved a doggy choc. Yum. Such fun!

We’ve avoided putting up a full size tree since Tess arrived, but decided this year she was old enough to cope, so down from the loft came tree, tinsel, lights, baubles, the works. We fully expected there to be mayhem, but not a bit of it. Tess just looked at us in all our merriment as if to say ‘’why is there a tree in our living room’’ and ‘’why can’t I see out of the window properly’’!!!!!!! She really didn’t pay that much attention, although we didn’t risk putting presents under until Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Day she couldn’t wait to open her parcel and gave us lots of help opening our! Such fun to watch – just like having small children!! She was very pleased with her squeaky Rudolf, until Grandma No. 2 arrived with treats and an even squeakier ball. She was besotted, but it wasn’t the squeak that drove us mad, but the fact that she devised a great game of pushing it under furniture so we had to keep crawling round the floor to retrieve it. Try as we might to hide the thing she was completely enthralled and wouldn’t give it up. That is until the turkey arrived. The way to Tess’s heart is definitely via her tummy!!!!!!!

Although we had lovely walks all through the Christmas break we decided we’d take a trip to our favourite destination, North Norfolk, to blow away the cobwebs, so set off on a very cold Sunday morning. We headed straight for Blakeney and had a very blustery walk across the marshes, then headed to Morston for lunch at our favourite doggy friendly pub. We walked in and were greeted by the words ‘’that is a Welsh Springer Spaniel, isn’t it?’’ Another couple had the same idea as us and had an 11 year old Welshie sitting under the table! Now anyone who owns this breed knows that doesn’t happen very often!!!!!! Next we headed to Sherringham Park for yet another walk. Tess loves this place. You can let your dog off the lead in most areas if they are reasonably under control???? And it’s a perfect place for lively spaniels who love running through the woods and exploring. This time we met a couple with two lovely English Springers. They were very interested in Tess as they had hoped to own the Welsh version but couldn’t find an available litter so rescued another English. Welsh Springer Spaniels are very special and can be like gold dust!!!!!

Well that was about it but for 2008 but Tess would like to wish all Welsh Springer Spaniels and their owners A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

"A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

Tess - The Welsh Springer Spaniel

Happy Birthday !!!

Happy 3rd birthday to Tess just the best Welsh Springer Spaniel - OK so we're slightly biased!!

Another Fun Day

"two against one is not fair!!"

Tess has the best social life and we get to go along too, which is always fun!

While we were on holiday we visited our lovely friends we met just because we all have dogs. You’ve heard stories about Tess’s favourite boy, Flash. Well now he has a little sister and its all our fault!!!!

Last time we visited, Flash’s owners noticed how much their young boys loved Tess as she was just the right size for them. Flash is the most adorable Pointer, but big and powerful and just too much of a handful for little people. A Spaniel would be the perfect size! So they set about finding a similar sized pooch for their family. And to cut a long story short they now are the proud owners of a little English Springer Spaniel called Dizzy. She is the most adorable little thing but of course you always forget what a handful a puppy is!!!! And you forget all those annoying little things those tiny bundles do to test you. I never thought I’d survive Tess’s puppy months but here we are almost 3 years down the road and we wouldn’t be without her.

Dizzy is the prettiest little girl and really very good for one so young. Flash adores her and even Tess tolerated her but didn’t really like the competition. How quickly they forget they were once such trouble!

Catch Up

"You're not taking another photo!!"












So sorry you haven’t heard from us for so long – life just seems to get in the way sometimes!!!!

And we’re just back from another week in our favourite Norfolk, which Tess just adores. It’s a very dog friendly county and we were so lucky with the weather, which makes all the difference when your whole week revolves around walking a dog. There were lots of lovely sunny days, which means long walks out on the coastal path and marshes.

Our Welsh Springer Spaniel has a penchant for dirty muddy puddles so she was on and off her lead all week, but had a good romp at Sheringham Park, in and out of the woods. We also walked round the lake in the grounds of Holkham Hall, which was beautiful. We did intend to play on the beach after lunch but the heavens opening so that idea was abandoned. As usual we met up with Tess’s brother, Wilby and his owners. Tess ended up running across a field to chase the pigeons, deaf to our calls – another Welshie trait - so not to be out done Wilby ended up several times in the muddy marshes – not ideal when you are heading for a lovely pub lunch!!! On our final day we headed to Wroxham and took a day boat out on the Broads. A first for Tess. She was very good but I had to hold on firmly, otherwise the temptation to jump in and swim after the ducks would have been too much!

A quick trip to the groomers was needed as soon as we got back. Welsh Springers do seem to be particularly hairy creatures so need regular grooming. She does look rather wonderful now I must say, although I am a little biast!!

This weekend we had a grown up, dog free time, visiting friends in Marlow on the River Thames. Tess went to stay with Mummy No. 2 – Laura and her Welsh Springer Spaniel, Nesta. How different life is without a dog!!!!! Tess loves Laura and her family so has a ball, and we’re told her behaviour is impeccable – what a surprise!!!!!! She’s obviously trying to impress!!!!!!

As she approaches her 3rd birthday we notice how much more grown up she seems. She still has the occasional naughty moment – just to keep us on our toes - but in the main she’s much more obedient than she was in those nightmare puppy months.
So you see – it does get better!!!!!

And watch this space for an update on the 3rd Birthday Party…………………………

Call that a shot!

"Eat your heart out David Beckham!!"

Well as you can see this Welsh Springer Spaniel has developed a new skill - football. It would seem that Tess much prefers playing at goalkeeper so any teams need a goak keeper let me know. Perahps the Welsh national team are looking for a goalkeeper :-)

ps. Hi to Duke in Philadelphia - thanks for giving me a wave

Check out these pics

Tess was bored this evening so being a clever dog she thought she would look at youtube and searched under Welsh Springer Spaniel and found this great set of photo's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtX-PW4M9hY&NR=1

Great sound track to go with it as well!

NAUGHTY - ME????????

"Last one to the top is a sissy!"

I’ve been in quite a lot of trouble lately, but I can’t see what all the fuss is about.
I am a Welsh Springer Spaniel, after all!

It all started with a visit to my brother, Wilby. We love getting together and playing, but we have slowed down a little now we are older. I’m told I’m still a bit of a minx, but my bro has become quite the gentleman – he stood back and let me drink from the water bowl first and never once tried to eat my dinner. Very strange behaviour if you ask me. So it wasn’t surprising that when we went for a walk at a beautiful place called Wolferton, he was on his best behaviour, while I wanted to explore these lovely new surroundings. I couldn’t contain myself and ran off into the woods and undergrowth to see what I could find. In fairness I did hear the whistles and calls, and they did sound a bit frantic after a while, but I was having the best time ever. It was only when I saw Wilby’s Dad scrambling up the bank and looking really red in the face, that I thought it was time to come back, but only after I’d flushed out a pheasant. Very gun dog ish!!!!!! I did attempt one more bit of fun, but the humans thought enough was enough and put me on my lead. No fun at all! The following day we went to the seaside at Thornham - a brilliant place for dogs and humans alike – and I made a big effort to behave, and spent ages playing in the sea.

Some days later another ‘’incident’’ occurred. Dad left the gate open momentarily and I made a quick escape. As luck would have it our neighbours had also left their gate open so I thought it would be fun to explore. They have a lovely garden and the fence at the bottom is much lower than ours and, guess what? There’s a stream at the back of the houses. Hurrah! More water. I jumped in and splashed around for a while. I did hear all the calls, but was having too much fun to respond. I finally decided to jump back in and couldn’t resist running in through the open patio doors to see if their house looked anything like ours. By this time lots of people seemed to be chasing me for some reason, and Mummy appeared and was very cross indeed. I seemed to have put muddy paw marks all over the carpet. Oh dear! Apparently it cost my owners quite a lot to have it professionally cleaned. The neighbours seemed quite cool about it all………….

They say things come in threes. While my owners were having a leisurely Sunday lunch I was quietly wandering round the garden when to my delight I found a baby pigeon just sitting on the patio. Well, it would be un-spaniel like not too have gently placed it between my teeth just for a moment. Oh No, here comes Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Temper tantrum

It's not staying in here!











Well what funny behaviour. We had another welsh springer spaniel come to stay last weekend called Nesta who Tess goes to stay with when we go away. They get on very well together and in the past Nesta has been very protective of Tess when they were on a walk together and met a rather large, overexcited Alsatian.

So last weekend Nesta arrives and we put her bed along sides Tess's bed. Well we had only turned our backs for a minute, looked around and Tess had taken all of Nesta's bedding out of the bed and put it in the garden. We put it back and she proceeded to do the same all over again. I guess that's Welshies for you always doing the unexpected.

After that it settled down well and they had a great weekend together although Tess was not impressed when ever Nesta received a cuddle. Now do we want another Welsh Springer Spaniel as a sister for Tess?

Tess also says hello to all you visitors to the blog. Tess is very proud that she has friends all over including Norfolk England, Canberra Australia, Philadelphia USA, Helsinki Finland and Oslo Norway. Do give Tess a wave :-)

"Thought you said the sea was over this dune"

Tess met her brother Wilby at the seaside recently and as with all Welsh Springer Spaniels they love playing on the beach and if possible in the water. Unfortunately this time the tide was well and truely out, probably half a mile, so they had to make do with playing in the rock pools and sand dunes.

But they still enjoyed themselves and cannot wait for the next trip to the seaside!!

True Love 2

Even had a lovers tiff !!!

True Love

We first mentioned Flash back in February 2007. He is a very powerful, muscular black and white English Pointer and has the sweetest nature.

Tess has made many friends but without doubt her heart was lost to Flash from the moment she met him. Understandable as he is easily the most handsome dog on the block. What taste! And the feeling was instantly reciprocated.

When his family moved away she was heartbroken, so we were very excited to be invited to visit recently.

Would they recognise each other and would they feel the same way???

Well it was an interesting weekend. On first arrival Flash was very excited to see Tess and followed her everywhere. She, on the other hand, decided to play hard to get and was more interested in investigating the wonderful new garden, huge with woodland to explore, and a new house to nosy at. In fact she got very cross with him as he pressed his nose up to her private ‘’bits’’ and told him off in no uncertain terms. Poor Flash – his ego was definitely dented. But his behaviour was impeccable and he took it like a man!

But come day two and all that changed. And what a turn round. Now the little madam was only too happy to have all his attention and it was just like the old days. I guess she was just settling down and needed to feel comfortable in her new surroundings. They are so delightful together, having gentle tender moments interspersed with manic play fighting games. They were so sweet and kept us entertained all weekend. Without a doubt they remembered each other and will be friends forever.

You see true love never dies!!!!