flweir

Hi Fee Thanks for the advice! As you know, we're actually moving house in November (I don't do things by half!) so we'll be able to set boundaries on where the dogs are and are not allowed to go as soon as we move in, so that should simplify matters hugely, and as you say, they won't associate any change to be due to the baby. Good plan for practicing the walking on lead - they are both really bad at that (as where we are at the mo, all their walks are off-lead) so it is something that will need work, as soon as I get to the new house. I would also be interested to hear if anyone else has successfully integated a baby with a nervous dog (so to speak!). It is something I should be concerned about? I've been advised that I should ensure that the dogs know that the baby is 'top dog', but given their problem isn't one of dominance (and I'm not sure I follow all that pack leader stuff anyway) I'm not sure if this would help? F

I have had two Oldie rescues, Milly and Sisco for a year and a half now. As a bit of background, Sisco has fear agression (although with the help of a behavioralist, it is now largely well managed and his confidence and relaxedness is the presence of strangers is growing month by month). His fear/aggression is directed mainly towards strange men and he's never shown any aggression towards children (presumably cause they are small). His fear aggression is thought by the behavioralist to be due to being a nervy type (collie cross) and poor socialisation as a puppy (as Milly, while a bossy confident type, is also a little shy of strangers), not due to poor treatment. His previous owner who got in touch through the Oldie's Club just recently confirmed that the dogs had always been very much loved, says they are both good with children and forsees no problem with the new baby. She also said that Milly was always more outgoing and confident, and Sisco held back, even when 10 wk old puppies, which confirms the behavioralist's assessment. I am now pregnant and expecting a baby end of February. In preparation for this we have done the following: We stop the dogs from jumping up both in excitement and for cuddles (previously the dogs would jump up on their hind legs when you were sitting down to get affection). Now the rule is all 4 legs on the floor at all times. The dogs have learnt this very quickly. We are trying to teach the dogs to take treats very gently (in fact totally gingerly with the softest of lip movements - if they snatch or gobble we take the treat off them and get them to do it again). They are much better than before, but only take it gently if you say the word 'gently' - I'm still a bit worried they would snatch from a baby's hand if it was trailing some food in a highchair, which is what we want to avoid (they are both very greedy!) Is there anything else we should be training them to do or not to do now to smooth the transition? We'll get them used to prams etc nearer the time (but I don't think they'll have an issue with that - they're not bothered by prams in the park or cyclists etc). Obviously we always keep the baby and dogs totally seperate when not supervised and our introductions to new people (such as visiting midwifes!) will be made in the way our behavioralist has recommended. Any advice, experience or reassurance would be very much appreciated! Thank you in advance Frances

A lovely tribute Cindy!

orange ones are the best! (but don't, anyone, get nostalgic and buy a box of Payne's poppets thinking you'll get orange revels - poppets are not what they used to be - they consist of a hard sickly orangy bit, covered in cheap, shiny 'chocolate-flavour' coating. Euurrghh.)

lots of love to his foster family and it will be a wonderful tribute to his life if they help another needy dog. Our fosterers are the best!

hope you are okay BillyMalc! shame that not many could make it on the day, but we had a really nice walk, feel a bit bad that I didn't take any photos having seen the pictures from the other walks!

Right then, I'll have my mobile - 07733 201688 - on in the morning in case anyone gets lost or is running late, otherwise I'll meet you all under the huge wooden canopy (shelters the picnic tables) just outside the visitor's centre (yes, it is near the train station, it's called Linmere lodge or something similar) at 11 am. Looks though we should have good weather! See people then!

no, definitely Sunday - no one turn up tomorrow morning please!

Just got back from a wonderfully relaxing holiday in Portnoo in Co. Donegal, Ireland. The dogs had their first taste of many things, including ferry travel (slept the whole time), 8 hour car drive (ditto), the sea (not especially keen!), fish and chips (loved them, obviously) and their cousin Sophie the springer spaniel (Milly loved her, Sisco was indifferent). Anyway, here are some photos from a great holiday, I can't wait to return in the summer....

Hello everyone! Back from holiday now, just logging in quickly (will post some photos of our trip over the weekend) and am feeling very refreshed and looking forward to meeting everyone on Sunday!

Just a note to let everyone know that I'm not going to be online between now and the 13th April (I'm going to Ireland - on ferry with dogs - should be an experience!) but that everything is all set for the 15th April. I'll log in on the 13th/14th when I return, but I didn't want anyone to wonder why I'd suddenly gone quiet! Other committee members (who hopefully will be joining us on the walk) will be checking this thread if anyone has any questions. Look forward to meeting as many of you as possible on the 15th April! F x

that is so sad. (it should have come with a health warning cause I'm at my desk with tears rolling down my face and my colleagues must think I'm mad!)

In the main the tracks have been surfaced (i.e. tarmaced underneath the dirt - is the word metalled?) there are some routes that are a bit more rough and ready but we can keep to the main tracks around the lake so you should be fine with the puggy!

It is all off-leadable (except the first part when walking across the car park to start the walk!). From memory, there was one part on the route I took last time where the track went close to a road so I put my dogs back on lead just in case, but mainly, it's all woodland tracks around a lake with no roads in sight. Really hope you can make it!

Absolutely, all ages of dogs are most welcome (and my Milly would love to be snogged and bothered - she's usually the one charging up to other dogs! (Sisco would just be aloof!). Do come!

Come on you NorthWesty types! Anyone else around who can make it? Frances x

what a lovely photo! and a very special thank you to you for fostering her for Hope before she went to her permanent home, she must have felt very loved by you and by her new mum in that short amount of time. Keep running at the bridge StellaBella!

thank you so much for filling Cash's last few months with so much comfort and security and thank you for being brave enough to know when it was the right time to let him go. Sending much love to your family at this sad time Frances x

As promised, more information for the North West anniversary walk.... Please see below for website giving address/directions etc. For those with satellite navigation, the postcode is: CW8 2JD http://www.forestry.gov.uk/delamerehome Meet underneath the big wooden canopy just outside the visitors centre at 11.00. I'll be there from about 10.45 with my hubby and two dogs (see linky in my signature for photo of dogs to help you identify us!). We can decide the exact route when everyone arrives (depending on the age/fitness of the dogs/humans!) - the waymarked routes are all very flexible so extra D-tours/short cuts can all be arranged. Bring a drink/snack and we'll stop somewhere en-route for a breather (I might even bake a birthday cake!).... Car parking costs £2, and the main car park is at the visitor's centre. Everyone is welcome, really hope to see as many Northwesty's as possible! Frances

No, it won't be a 3-hour hike! There are several circular walks to chose from, the one I did the other day when scoping out the place took about an hour but it was all on the flat around a lake so should be fine for most Oldies (and there are shorter short cuts too) I'll post some more details re. where to meet up etc next week. Frances

sending lots of positve thoughts for snatch to get well and lots of love to you xx

Hello Just an advanced date for your diaries - the North West Oldies Club Anniversary walk will be taking place on the morning of Sunday 15th April at Delamere Forest Park, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2JD. All welcome, further details will follow.....!

This morning received new dog tags (that come with my microchp registration) and the envelope was addressed to: Family Pet Weir 33 etc etc which I thought was really sweet! Reminded me of our Dog's Trust sponsorship that we thought would be fun to take out in our dog's name (just so he could receive post addressed to 'Master Alfie Weir' - we're easily amused!) which was all well and good until we ticked the Gift Aid box on the donation form, and they came back to us saying they couldn't find anyone of that name on the tax records....

prob best not mention to him that Milly's betrothed is on probation for GBH either....

so pleased the initial intros went well, i hope you all have a settled night's sleep! And my Milly (below) asked me to tell you that she thinks he is gorgeous and is quite taken with him (it must be something to do with having big ears....) Congratulations!