Monday 28 July 2008

Addaci Fun Day - A Trip to South Wales

We started our trip with a night at the wonderful Pen-y-Dre Farm near Abergavenny. It was really nice but Hamish couldn't believe his luck and never slept a wink (neither did I) . There were goats, pigs, chickens, donkeys, rabbits and cats....oh, and our next door neighbour. Hamish cried all night to get outside to visit everyone. I stupidly gave in about 4am and let him out while I waited in my underwear at the front door. Of course I ended up having to go back in to get dressed and go find him - I really should have known better. He wasn't happy until it was daylight and I eventually gave up and took him for a walk at 6am.Hamish just couldn't believe we wanted to sleep when this place was so amazing.
Hamish just couldn't see how it was possible to read a book at a time like this. And sleep was totally out of the question while there was livestock outside to play with.
Well, there's a first time for everything and I think Radio is having a good laugh over in that Rainbow bridge place. Yes, his prodigy wee Hamish - my wonderfully desensitised, well socialised pup chased (and boy did he give chase) his first sheep while we were out walking on the Brecon Beacons. I've never ever seen him run like that before - he was a more like a leopard than a Vizsla. The next four and a half hours were very frustrating and boring but ultimately necessary session of long line training in ignoring sheep. Andrea was kind enough to take over from me when she could see me losing patience. Autie Andrea gives wee Hamish pup a gentle talk in why it's not good to chase sheep. Do you think he looks convinced?



























"Okay, I get the message about sheep but why is she standing like that?"Tired now. Hmmmmmmm? What did I try to tell you last night eh? You just wouldn't listen would you?
NO ! Not even one little sheep Hamish.
Hamish was the only one who got a bath in the next two days at the Addaci Ranch.
Here are some of the new puppies.

A tea-break in Ynysybwl ( I can't say it either).
Okay now this is proof that I'm not vain but I am not this fat or ugly in real life alright. Andrea made me promise to publish the pic as we laughed for half an hour after we took it. We were totally delirious from lack of sleep and we were all sleeping on puppy bedding in the stable. We're not complaining but we weren't very well organised or prepared for the bush adventure.
It was great fun but I'm covered in mosquito bites and the bath water was very dark when I finally got a wash back home.
Hamish took it all in his stride of course and was never more comfortable. Night, Night till our next adventure.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow exciting times. Did you have a good time with Jeanna?

Those pups are just so sweet.

Zig

redgirls-in-scotland said...

Amazing amazing amazing - probably the most exciting vizsla blog story EVER!

Enviously yours - the redgirls XXX

The Oceanside Animals said...

Sorry, I got to the pictures of the vizsla puppies and completely forgot everything that came before! Something about sheep I think?

Hamish said...

Very exciting times with Jeanna. More Vizslak than any Wiz and lots of fun (I learned a few things too).

Redgirls - It will be even more amazing, amazing, amazing when we meet in Wasdale Head (Sorry shouldn't build my hopes up yet).

It's best that you forget about the Sh....word Dennis - more trouble than they are worth (does that sound convincing?)

Charlie said...

Oh Hamish, and your dad was so positive about the sheep thingies too! I have yet to meet sheep really but I do like to chase deer, so the long line is coming to Wasdale with me apparently :-(

Hamish said...

Yes Sally, Hmmmmmmm, I did say sheep weren't really a concern for me didn't I. Well he wouldn't be a real Vizsla if he didn't like chasing something?

He did respond well to the desensitising training, but I'm sure we'll have to start from scratch again when he sees the next one.

I think the answer is just to be vigilant and not let them practise at all. (shame as they really do love it.)

Radio said...

please don't forget to do the sheep trials in wasdale!!!!!!!!! both hamish and charlie.