Alfie in the moor: 2nd Birthday Greetings

The first installment of "Alfie in the moor." looking at the photos, maybe "Alfie in the muck" might be a more appropriate title.  Alfie is Bertie Boy's litter sibling, and also celebrates his  2nd Birthday today.

​"Hi Jane just wishing all the 9 little Hudges a very Happy Birthday.

​We just got back from a few days on Dartmoor with Alfie, where he had the time of his life! We did three amazing walks around the Saddle Tor and Hound Tor area. The weather was glorious and the scenery was spectacular... it was a little early for the bluebells though... another 3 weeks and they should be at their best.

​I've attached some photos of Alfie in the Moor, but one especially is Alfie in the Mire! He just doesnt care a dot how dirty he gets and we had to wash him off in the river.

Today at home in Kent we took him  to a sheep farmer who runs "sheep proofing"sessions with his flock and two working sheepdogs. It was very effective and within 10 minutes in an open field with the flock, Alfie was giving them a wide birth. Its now up to us to keep up the reinforcement. we will still have to be very vigilent around farm stock though as you never know, but it goes some way to giving us peace of mind that that he will hopefully think twice about chasing stock if he gets off the lead. (It also works for squirrel and cat chasers). He now stinks of sheep poo as he took the opportunity to have a quick poo snack while he was in the field. Yuk!"

Wishing you all the best

love from Joan and Colin and Alfie"

"Hello Joan and Colin,

your first installment of "Alfie in the moor" or should we call it "Alfie in the muck." A really good initiative by the sheep farmer. Unfortunately a lot of people cannot believe that their lovely family dog could possible chase sheep, until they go on their first country walk. Go in to a field of sheep, and the sheep spook and their normally docile family pet, turns in to a wolf. I've heard people say, "They did not hurt the sheep though. They just chased them around a bit. I think the sheep enjoyed it." I can bet they did not, and if in lamb, a few days later the farmer will be paying for the dogs fun, with ewes aborting, or the worse scenario for the dog, you have a dead dog. Shot by the farmer for worrying stock, which they have every right to do by law in the UK. I remember a case a while ago of an Akita being shot for worrying sheep, and the owner would not believe the dog wondering on it's own could possible be capable of chasing sheep, because he was such a loving family dog. People just don't seem to understand dogs. This farmer has realized that educating the public is the best way forward. Dog attacks on stock have rocketed in recent years, due partly to an increase of dog ownership, as population also grows, and unfortunately a lot of dogs owners don't understand much about the instinctual predatory nature of a domestic dog to still chase prey animals such as sheep and cattle. Good to hear Alfie got the hang pretty quickly of giving the sheep a wide berth.

Glad to hear things are going well on the moor, and "Happy 2nd Birthday to Alfie." 

Love from us all at Poundlane

Jane x"