phoenix21

I live in the middle of knowwhere (when i am at home anyway!) so here I just pick up poo when i go to the park if i take them to the woods they tend to poo away in the trees and bracken and no way of finding it! and molly if walked by river or lake will 9/10 poo in the water (sorry for those that may swim there....) Up in glasgow where i am 3 days a week i pick up after phoenix but along the canal its really annoying as there are no bins anywhere so have to walk around with it which isnt nice usually she will go into the trees at the side though.

phoenix only has a mummy but id say mummy is best lol.....she loves my dad but then dogs for some reason tend to like my dad (except molly who takes great delight in ignoring my dad as much as possible and getting in his way as much as poss lol).

jezo - there are some sickos out there - the poor dog - run free sweetheart

I've not been able to catch up on everyones news etc yet (am going to after this!) but thought i'd share my pics i took today. I've been a very proud mummy the past week - on sunday i took phoenix a walk in the park up in glasgow and was walking along when i saw a guy with a newfie approaching so i put phoenix on a lead as i always do as she occasionally snaps at other dogs. The guy came up to me and asked me why i put her on her lead (as phoenix was taking on the newfie lol) and i said why. He told me it was only because she was on her lead that she was doing that and i should let her off - so I thought shes not gonna do any damage to a newfie about 10 times her size! so i did and she was spot on - didnt do anything. So, i kept her off the lead and I've had no problems with her since because she can run off if another dog is annoying her or sniffing her too much and she doesnt bother one bit. She also hasnt jumped up at anyone either (another reason why i used to put her on her lead when people approached). I still put her on when people are walking their dogs on a lead towards me but otherwise shes off lead all the time anyway i'll stop waffling and show you the pics of out walk - ive bought one of those plastic ball throwing things - they are FAB!!!! need to get my ball....... Its mine and you aint havin it.... Molly pulling a face - i think she was about to shake All done

I'll have to ask that actually - i think i'd realistically only be able to get down there in the evenings during the week as am in the office for 8am after walking phoenix for an hour - it would be do able in the mornings i guess as there would be no traffic but would be a rush. whereas at night i finish at 4.30 so can get home for 4.45 get changed and head out before too much traffic builds up. I definately couldnt manage my own horse i dont know how you guys cope!!!! I wish I could work p/t

hum.....yeah i think it may be a struggle but as you say 3 days a week would be ok - She is looking for £20/week which includes everything except vet bills which would be halved. I dont think thats too bad considering would pay more for lessons a week anyway (although id probably have lessons on top of that..... ) The horse does look lovely and it would be so (you are going to think am mad) relaxing to be able to go up and just do horsey things after being stuck in an office all day . The lass has another horse that she rides and brings on so doesnt have time for this mare but doesnt want to sell her. Her current sharer is from the cech republic and works on the yard but she is going back home this month hence why she is looking for another sharer. Will have to go up and have a look at her and go from there - is there any particular questions I should ask? do BHS have a share contract or is it just loan ones that they have templates of?

oo that would annoy me a lot...at least she has you there to keep an eye on things!! I think something should really be said to her just so she is aware that she should pull her weight a little more...as you say though, at least you have another horse whenever people come to ride I *might* have found a share horse but in very early stages and waiting for her to get back to me on prices etc so I can budget and then decide wether to pursue it further ....shes a 15.2 WB and has done dressage, sj, xc etc...am really looking to improve my dressage and the RC at the yard she is moving to soon is said to be excellent - only it might be too far away (around 1/2 hr according to multimap but add traffic on top of that...) how do people find it working f/t and fitting a horse in as well i.e. travelling etc? it would be 3 days a week but unsure if she is on diy/full etc yet Hope everyone is well and nice to hear everyones news - i have to do my dressage test in my lesson tomorrow - i can do it in my head but havent ridden since last lesson so weither i can put it into practise is another matter lol

aw bless him he has a lovely kind face Lots of luck for tomorrow!!!

i've got a job up in glasgow related to my degree (environ science) but only working up there 3 days a week and down here the rest of the time until i finish my dissertation at end of august.....so still getting riding lessons at my old boss' house for now thank god!! am missing riding and working outside so much!!! am stuck in an office now Jacky - I wish i could get my own horse!- still looking for the millionaire boyf to pay for it......i have mortgage and bills to pay for soon on my own so its going to be hard to get to ride at all..need to find a cheap sharer me thinks when i get settled. ooo just noticed foal pics!! wow they are looking soo good, am lovin the little tiny one, bless.

Hello! wow lots of news to catch up on - nice to see pics of nemo - he is stunning and of course rolo as am not working at stables any more, dont have much news Although had riding lesson today - have been given a prelim dressage test to learn for next week eekk not easy when dont have a horse to practise on....had good lesson though was riding in instructors dressage saddle and seatsaver so cantering was bliss!!!!

hi marion - ive moved up to glasgow (except at home this weekend) and no internet connection yet - courtesy of BTs incompetance it could be a while...... i came home to do some work on my dissertation but puppy has taken over - just a few more hours till i hand the devil back lol

Am looking after my friends BC pup this weekend - i wasnt sure how phoenix would react as she doesnt tend to like other dogs so assumed i would just keep them seperate - how wrong was I? its been non stop playing since monty came this morning - phoenix is knackered - monty just wants to keep playing lol pups are HARD work!!! not sure if they will work the last is poor quality as on my phone. am so pleased phoenix gets on well with him

shes my little girl who loves me

lovely foals hope mum gets better soon

well done! a lass at work despite me telling her about the problems of shock collars, got one for her american bulldog....why any one would want to inflict that on a dog is beyond me - i could never contemplate hurting phoenix. Scott Mills in his show on weds had a dog shock collar on his arm and was answering questions . every time he got it wrong he got electricuted - he was screaming every time he got a shock and said it really hurt - what on earth it would feel like for a dog i dont know

ooo Hickstead....have fun!! i'll be watching it on tele Had a riding lesson today on Solo (who came 4th in his class at the Royal Highland Show last weekend - not bad for a 6yr old dopey heavy colored cob ) They are off next weekend to some national show down south (i think CHAPS - not sure) he was really good in the lesson, went nicely in an outline until he got tired at the end and leaned lots.....did work without stirrups sitting and rising trot and cantering - I expected to be boinged out of the saddle as solo is really bouncy but wasnt too bad - legs killed after thou Hope kane gets better soon - lots of healing thoughts for him

thats a good idea - i have found another lady as well who has a dog walking company - just waiting for her to get back to me....for some reason i would feel more comfortable if a woman was taking her out - i think its because the only man phoenix knows is my dad and i think she would be more settled with a female. I might request she gets individual walks to begin with so they can get to know each other and then i will see how it goes with introductions to other dogs. Once she knows other dogs she is fine - for example she likes running round with all the other dogs at my old work place but then she has known them for 3yrs or more. thanks for all your advice

I'll look into petpals and creches - unfortunately am moving about 2hrs away from parents and dont know any one up in glasgow....i might just look into an individual walk and get references - or failing that i'll just come home at lunch times and let her out for a quick wee and then come back again just depends on bus speeds as the office is in the centre of glasgow and knowhere (without paying) to park car. thanks for advice

Ok well i move on sunday and will be working p/t 3 days a week. As i will no longer be living with parents, there wont be anyone around when i am at work (9-5) so i am getting a dog walker for phoenix. I have contacted several people who have had no space but one guy i have emailed can take her. I am going to phone him tomorrow but just need to have my mind put at rest!!! He is registered with NARPS etc but how does it work with keys etc do they need to prove police check? Also I am worried (v.silly & irrational) that a dog walker may loose her or something - shes good off the lead but can i specify just on lead walks? He takes them in his specially adapted van for 2hrs walk in countryside 4 dogs at a time and it costs £8/walk. Phoenix however is not great with all dogs and i dont know what to do about this. Most dogs she will accept fine but others she will snap at - do I A) Get a muzzle for her (not really an option as i wont have time to get her used to it) B) hope she will be ok and he will have the experience not to put her in a confronational situ with another dog C) request individual walk (dont really want to do as am strapped for cash and she does enjoy other dogs company once she knows them) - or comprimise with an hours individual walk for 8 quid? D) request she is walked with extra dog friendly other dogs eeekkkk am not particularly happy about leaving her with a stranger and hopefully once i am settled in job i can do flexi time which they dont mind you doing but for the time being i want her to be happy and get the exercise she needs. any advice much appreciated!!!!! vicky

Poor king - he has been in the wars...hope he feels better soon

what a horrible decision to make 3 years is a blooming long time for you to try and make it work - thats dedication and it takes a good and strong person to admit when things just aint going to ever work...love to you and your family

Molly gets fed twice a day on vets recommendation as she is older now and takes a while for her food to digest. When molly changed to 2x a day so did phoenix but due to the fact she never gets out of bed in time she just gets tea now phoenix isnt too fussed about food if she is there at breakfast time i'll give her some if shes not she doesnt. She wont eat it if she's tired so no point in dragging her out of bed for it. Molly (the naughtyness) raided the bins this morning and ate the string from the roast beef. Noticed it when she pucked all her breakfast up this morning - as a result she was asking me for her tea since 3pm!!

oh how fantastic - lovely dogs - he doesnt look 22!! not that i have ever seen a 22 yr old dog before

I read about this a while ago in the local paper and couldnt belive it then - sounded completely like the guy couldnt be bothered with them - and i doubt bothered to contact a rescue. was shocked he got away with it.......

oh wow what a beautiful girly - good luck tara