Some recall in the rain

Blottie and Bumble's sister Daisy has been out all weathers and Laura as been sharpening up her recall.

"Hi Jane,
Well, the bad weather you've been talking about has certainly made it to the South East - it's been dreadful here. As a taste for the months ahead, Daisy and I have been out whatever the weather (much to her disgust) and she's getting much better with her recall again now. I've attached a short video of the two of us in the driving rain at the park this morning. We had it to ourselves apart from a dog walker who was struggling to control 9 dogs, ranging from a Dalmatian to a Dachshund. 
We've also joined a spaniel walking group, which meets in different locations around Kent. We had our first outing with them at the weekend and it was fabulous to see probably 15 people and 25 spaniels of different varieties all walking along together. Everyone commented on how well the cavalier/Brittany cross has turned out in Daisy, both in her looks and in her character. I was really proud of her calm confidence in such a big group. I wondered if Alfie's owners might be interested in coming along to one of the walks when they're back in the UK - some of the routes aren't too far from them I think. 
I hope all is well with you.
Laura x"

Thanks Laura for the update. Daisy is becoming very attentive to you. I have contacted Joan and Colin and I have just received a lovely reply to your invite to Alfie to join the spaniel walking group, along with an update on what Alfie has been doing whilst in France from Joan.

"Thanks Jane, all good here. 


Alfie is doing well although he's had a bit of a setback with training as we ve had my three grandchildren staying too, which he loved. They went back yesterday so we re back on track with clicker training now. The funny thing is that Alfie just can't make out what s going on with the cows all around us. Their bells ring constantly and their colouring is identical to him. He is very curious but is quite happy just to sit and watch them. 


We ve had some lovely experiences with him. Things you woudn t normally get a chance to do in the UK. No 1 was going with us to Geneva airport to meet the family. you see lots of dogs there of all shapes and sizes. He was on his best behaviour, very calm and walked beautifully through crowds of busy people with trolleys and children. He was very admired and complimented how good he was. No 2 was going to an adventure park for a picnic where the children were climbing though the trees and descending on zip wires then watching the parapenters (paragliders) jumping off the hillside into the blue beyond and meeting more dogs and children. No 3 was going into Annecy to the lakeside and seeing birds and ducks and generally just watching the world. The only thing to mar the visits is that he is still travel sick everytime. I'm assured he'll gradually grow out of it so fingers crossed...( it seems to be the bendyness of the mountain roads that set him off.... motorways are fine).

At the moment he is doing a mountain walk through the forest, with my husband, which he loves, while I m supposed to be doing hoovering and clearing up!

He also now sleeps in a crate and is quite happy with it. It was a matter of necessity as the 2nd night here he jumped out of his puppy pen, but with the crate he settled immediately.

I would love to meet up with Daisy's family when we get back... I had noticed they couldn t be too far from us as the Ashdown forest is barely a stones throw from us.So I'd be glad if you passed the message on for us.


Better get on with the hoovering now before they get back as it takes twice as long with Alfie "helping" me!!!!


Love Joan and Colin"

Thanks Joan sounds like Alfie is having a wonderful time in France with you both.  He sounds like a very loved and lucky dog.