A Dandie Dinmont who doesn't like the Hovercraft

Now this one is hard to explain in words - but you would roar with laughter if you could see what I am seeing! Maxxi Jazz is visiting. As we are drying up after a flood, men have been and installed air movers - noisy but essential. One of these air movers is drying out under the flooring which is lifting up a foot in the air in parts and just an inch or so in other areas.

Dear Maxxi Jazz, after just a few minutes of this new experience, has worked out that if he stands on one of the 'high' parts, the air redistributes and the floor goes down.

He is now silently, efficiently and dutifully, walking round the floor, covering all the area bit by bit, trying to put the flooring back where it should be - flat to the ground! ...and what's more he is sitting in various areas to make sure it stays that way - until he spots somewhere else he should be working on.

Remember, he is the Dandie Dinmont that worked out how to work Skype! Bless him!

Routines Dandie Dinmonts make their own...

Sister Bliss has developed a routine. It is a morning routine. She doesn't get up with the rest of us. She lies in bed (well it is winter!), in the patch of warmth I left her. Maybe an hour later she appears on the stairs which lead to the main room. She peeps through the bars of the stairs and squeaks. She has decided herself that she can't come down until she is 'invited'. She then expects me to say 'Good Morning Bliss' and then expects the outside door to be opened for her. But it doesn't end there - still she sits on the stairs - I then have to say 'Whoosh!' in an encouraging, enthusiastic manner and only then does she start her day as all dogs should - with a puddle outside :)

Happy Birthday Sister Bliss!

Little Sister Bliss the Dandie Dinmont is one year old - well one year and 12 days actually.

She is still delightful, seems to have got through the canine equivalent of the 'terrible twos' and is busy teaching herself about 'nature' in the form of mole catching, mouse watching and rabbit guard.

Happy Birthday dear little Bliss!

Sister Bliss the Dandie Dinmont is in temporary crisis!

Dear Sister Bliss - you can see how miserable she is. She has scratched her face and, now it is healing, it is itchy poor lass. So a couple of days in this 'modern' Elizabethan Collar will give her wound time to heal.

Every dog knows that, if one is wearing a collar like this, that one cannot walk, cannot puddle (let alone pooh) and that one must immediately descend into great depths of depression.

Boy has tried to talk to her; to reassure her that it isn't an implement of torture and now she does realise that she can shut her eyes and have a snooze without a near death experience.

This is the ultimate 'be cruel to be kind' sort of thingie for an owner to do. But all will be well when she begins to smell the chicken that will shortly be roasting and she gets a 'special meal' in compensation. I don't think it will be many seconds before she learns another skill - eating whilst wearing a collar!

Dandie Dinmont Terrier uses Skype - Official!

Maxxi Jazz - the Dandie Dinmont Terrier who has mastered Skype!

By now you know that Sister Bliss & Boy live with me and Natty Dread & Maxxi Jazz live with my partner. What you might not know is that my partner and I communicate with Skype. I have a set of headphones with a built-in microphone, my partner uses the computer speakers and a separate microphone. That means that my Dandies hear what I say but not what Peter says - Natty Dread and Maxxi Jazz can hear me loud and clear.

Peter noticed it first of course. Maxxi Jazz, as soon as I began talking, became very alert and animated. I wasn't suprised - I had held the tiny, wet, slippery little being in my hands whilst Natty Dread came to terms with whelping for the very first time. But this was different. He had found a special voice, a computer voice! Somehow he has realised several things. One, that I can't see him, two, that it is me speaking on the computer and three, that he has to make a noise so that I know he is there.

We have developed this. Now our conversation begins with me asking Maxxi Jazz if he is there and, when he responds in his very special voice, I suggest that he asks Peter for a biscuit which he does and Peter duly gives him one. But this computer relationship began without reward so is all the more remarkable.

But there is a tiny little bit of a downside, at least there used to be. At the beginning, if Peter was out of the room, Maxxi Jazz, perhaps feeling like a little snack, took it upon himself to try and use the computer and Skype. Peter found him several times sitting on the keyboard speaking to me - no mean feat of agility for a not very small Dandie Dinmont Terrier!

Now it is part of the telephone routine and, if I forget, he will speak to me and remind me that he should be given his biscuit.

During all these conversations, my two can hear as they mostly are in the two beds under my computer desk - the 'day beds' whilst I work. The rather odd thing is that they don't respond at all when I suggest to Maxxi Jazz that he asks Peter for a biscuit - they don't even cock an ear. The biscuit word normally would be the beginning of a flurry of dramatic activity but if I say it 'online' they just seem to know that it doesn't involve them.

Dear Natty Dread, at Peter's, studiously ignores anything that comes out of the computer and barely moves to get her biscuit which has been hard won through intelligence by her son, Maxxi Jazz.

How to keep a dog clean!

I wish I had the answer. It ain't easy with Sister Bliss and her surrogate mother, Natty Dread.

But they had been as good as gold all day, a dreary day, keeping quiet whilst I worked on the computer. So by the time Peter arrived home from the Office to collect Natty Dread and Maxxi Jazz they were bursting with energy.

Suddenly, Peter spied a rabbit - a rather fat and happy rabbit - sitting quietly under the apple tree just outside the conservatory munching away on one of the apples that had fallen in the last wind. "Quick! let's bring the dogs in" said Peter as he dashed off to find them. Good little Maxxi Jazz immediately responded to "Come here Dandies" so that was one dog in the fold. Old Boy didn't respond as he was in pole position in the bed under my computer desk and he wasn't about to give up that place to the littleys! So that was two. But where were the bitches? Had they managed to find a hole in the fence (or make one)?

Yes - you've guessed! The 'girls' were far too busy for humans and almost completely hidden in the bushes and trees and down the enormous holes that they had unearthed and dug. A simple 'come here' wasn't good enough for them during such a serious mission.

Reluctantly, Sister Bliss emerged followed later by Natty Dread. You can see by their faces how they were feeling!

But at least one bit of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 'self-cleaning'!

June Drop, the highlight of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier's Year

Hard to imagine that the little green blob in front of Bliss' nose could be the cause for such excitement!

Of course, Boy has been collecting the 'drops' for years. You know, the little apples that drop off the trees in June letting the rest develop into full sized apples. In our old home we had an orchard. That was Boy's home and every day during apple time he would amble down to the orchard and take about an hour to choose his apple.

It was an old orchard planted by a Reverend with a love of breeding apples. There were many unusual varieties including the sweetest and best which was a type of russet with pink swirls in the flesh which burst with tingles on one's tongue. Boy's sixty minutes of ferreting in the long grass for the tastiest and best always resulted in the homecoming. A slow plod up the gradient to the house, carefully carrying his apple, resulted in consumption by the Rayburn in the kitchen followed by a snooze. A journey of pure joy for Boy.

Now in a different home, I have planted some apple trees for the Dandies but they are young saplings and mostly are holding on to their fruit. But the wonderful, spreading, cooking apple tree - a Bramley, performs the required June drop superbly much to the delight of Boy. He makes me aware of the drop by bringing me one. Although an old man now he is still taking joy in one of nature's treats.

But he is passing on his skills. The last two days, whenever she has been out in the garden, Bliss has come in with her own little drops to play with them like a cat will play with a mouse. Darting here and there, around and under the furniture, only to eventually tire and therefore change the subject. At this point, Boy who has lain recumbently feigning sleep, arises slowly and claims the prize. No more does he have to go out in the rain to find his drop - he has trained his little Bliss to do the job for him. Just one of the benefits of experience and age.

Boy Digs Too!

Was it the fuss I was making of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 'girls' when they were digging? Was it some primeaval stirring in the old chap? Whatever the reason, it was wonderful to see. Boy, sensibly, decided to renew his acquaintance with the art of hole making. Not in the hard, flint-filled bank that the girls were tackling, but in a nice, soft, black, peaty part of the garden that was easily manipulated with his older, more delicate paws.

He did it without drama, without seeking attention and the first I knew was when he came up to me, looking up at me, showing me that he too could have a dirty face just like the females. There was no ambiguity in his look - he wanted to be part of the gang and be photographed too!

Natty Dread and Bliss are Innocent!

Perhaps I did jump to conclusions? Was I hasty in my assessment of the 'digging situation'? This was received from Bliss' Breeder who rushed to their defence!

WELL!! In spite of the rather damning circumstantial evidence, I don't believe it was Natty and Bliss. I think they were inspecting some holes they had just discovered, and were going to come and tell you about them, when you found them and jumped to the wrong conclusion. A strange animal had obviously come along in the night and dug them. :)
I mean look at those innocent little faces -how could you- how very dare you...............

Digging Dandie Dinmonts

Far too quiet. No sound. Where are the Dandies? Natty Dread is staying with us at the moment. Adorable, 'Mother Earth' Natty Dread who is in full season and having to be protected against male Dandie Dinmont Terrier marauders much to her displeasure!

A quick recce reveals all - the Dandies are digging! With deep concentration and silence, Natty Dread is on her fourth hole desperately trying to locate the creature below ground that she can probably hear and certainly smell. Sister Bliss is watching intently and trying out her newly taught lessons on her own little hole. Very tentatively because she has already learnt that digging in the garden can cause great human displeasure.

The digging stopped eventually without my control. Natty Dread dug so hard that she hurt her nose and now has a battle scar. Either the hunted animal bit her or she met a hard bit of something hidden in the bank. Suitably disinfected, she has temporarily lost her frantic instinct to rid the garden of rats and moles and of course Bliss follows her lead.

Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Watch Television?

A resounding yes!

Old Boy is in his element if children's TV is on - cartoons or even some of the younger children's magazine-type programmes. Nothing wrong with his eyesight, he sits on the sofa and enjoys.

Sister Bliss, however, has a different style of viewing. It was first noticeable the other night when I decided to go to bed at a reasonable hour to watch a film - can't remember the name but it was all about the Jekell Family - those of Jekell and Hyde fame. It was one of those quite spooky movies with dark streets and ominous music. Well Bliss couldn't contain herself. For a non-barking variety of Dandie Dinmont she went ballistic at the TV poor lass. Barked her head off whilst I tried to grab the channel changer. Phew - managed to find the main TV channel menu - ah, that should be OK - Hetty Wainthrop murder mystery stuff. Little old lady finds the culprit.

NO! That episode took us straight back into a scene of grey people skulking around the back streets of some town or other with spooky music again. Sister Bliss voiced her complaint vociferously again.

By this time it must have been 1am. Boy was stoically ignoring us, I was trying to wind down and this little beastie at the end of the bed was making us both aware of her dislike and probably worry about the programme.

Nothing for it but to change channels again. Not a lot on so we went for a Do It Yourself kind of programme. Peace at last. Bliss had been pacified by a hammer and nails and Boy and I drifted off into a deep sleep - not even staying awake long enough to turn off the TV. Ah well...

Meet the Beach

Sister Bliss has two more members of her Dandie Dinmont 'family'. Oaksleigh Natty Dread at Rontybrig and her son, Rontybrig Maxxi Jazz - known as Natty Dread and Maxxi. They live just about on the beach. A gorgeous, sandy beach with little bays between the five man-made reefs which protect this part of the North Norfolk Coast and the Great Crested Newt.

With no public access to the beach at this point, it is usually very quiet. But this weekend has been a Bank Holiday and there were at least five groups of people enjoying themselves - grid lock!

Sister Bliss had been to the beach once before - as a puppy - when she was carried over the sand dunes. But it was winter then so no meeting the waves for her that time. Maxxi and Natty Dread love the sea and when we walked to the water's edge, they lept into the small waves joyfully. Dear little Sister Bliss didn't hesitate. She too made her way into the water - it didn't seem to phase her in the slightest. We keep the dogs on flexi-leads just in case they swim to the Netherlands, the nearest landfall due east. They were just like 'kids' on the beach - checking every piece of flotsam and jetsam and shrieking with excitement when they found a large crab. Sulks followed of course when they had to leave it behind.

It was a lovely warm afternoon with a clear blue sky and I enjoyed myself too! So nice and warm that the dogs were dry before they got home via the foxhole that has just appeared which needed to be inspected.

Boing! Boing!

Bliss, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, has a new game that started a couple of days ago. It's called 'Boing Boing' also known as 'Isn't it fun getting up in the morning!'.

I've already told you about the getting up routine - starting with squeaks then, if I don't respond appropriately and quickly enough, developing into a little insistent bark. Now there is a third stage, the Boing. Oh - it's pronounced as in coin not as in the airplane.

As soon as my feet are on the floor it begins. She coils like a spring, jumps in the air with all four feet and lands in a different place - on the bed of course. Using the springiness of the bed she achieves quite a height and always lands neatly - she never lands on long-suffering old Boy who is probably trying to sneak in an extra hour's sleep. She does four boings but can easily be encouraged to do more if I pretend to catch her!

I haven't quite worked out whether it is 'hurry up Mother I want to get out and cause mayhem' or if it is 'gosh! isn't it great to be alive' but I really do suspect the latter and will report back.

Come Here Bliss!

Up first thing in the morning, orchestrated by Bliss with the backing of Boy, Rontybrig Ringmaster, my old Chap of nearly 14, who is Bliss' mentor. A slight change this morning. She barked. A squeak at first, ignored by me and my dream, and then a definite 'it's time to get up' bark.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great organisers of their people. Ch Rontybrig Jemima, when I had to get up at 5am each morning for work, used to make a terrible fuss to get me out of bed in time. She always succeeded and then promptly went back to her bed fast asleep. She wouldn't even go out to do her puddle unless I carried her! A great sense of duty.

Bliss is just full of the joys of spring and, despite the clock change, knows precisely the time that we should be up and doing things. Check Mrs Coot, scare the pidgeons, make sure the rabbits have left their bed and breakfast accommodation and, her ultimate favourite, try and catch a mole in its hole.

'Come here Bliss' - she's very good at that - but this morning there was no response. After the other morning of worry I was calmer today. Sure enough, a few minutes later, my gorgeous 'just about in show condition' mustard coloured Dandie puppy came creeping in with her front paws and face absolutely black with soil saying 'don't put me in the bath - pleeeease!'. There was no mole in her mouth but it is only a matter of time!

The bath can wait - it is going to be a lovely warm dry day here today so it's not the claggy mud that needs immediate removal. There are only so many times in a day that a Dandie can have a bath and I'd rather share her joy and enthusiasm for all these new exploits.

The Fascination of a Nesting Coot

Bliss lives in a Nature Reserve, one of Europe's best 'wetlands' and a haven for wildlife. Our garden is bounded on two sides by drainage dykes about 8ft wide. The edges of the dykes are populated by Norfolk Reed, the kind that is used for thatching house roofs and the sort that 'whispers' gently in the wind.

If you were a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Puppy, in the first Spring of your life, what would you think if, when you stood at the edge of your property, you looked straight at the black and white body of a broody, quite scary looking, nesting Coot, staring at you intently?

The Coots come here every year, just one pair. There is a flurry of nest building in the reeds. But each year the nest just isn't good enough for Mrs Coot so they build another one a few feet away. Actually they 'chop' the wood to make a nest - it sounds just like someone banging a nail into a block of wood - fascinating.

However, Bliss and Coot have reached a compromise. Coot sits tight on the nest and stares whilst Bliss sits on the bank and stares back. Each species fascinated by the other but separated by, for the Dandie, an impassable stretch of water.

Long may the 'truce' remain in force!

A Vanishing Tale

Keep Calm. She can't be far away. Call her. Blissssssssssssssss? Not there.

Podge. One minute she's at the end of the garden hiding her 'sock puppy' and the next minute she has vanished. I really thought the fence was completely fixed.

Out of the gate, round to the neighbour's garden - no sign of Bliss. Check the ponds and dykes - no Bliss - phew!

An unsuspecting early morning male dog walker, dutifully displaying his dog's pooh in a plastic bag, approached me, a semi-clothed rather ancient female trying desperately to describe a Dandie Dinmont Terrier to someone who had never seen one.

"I've lost my puppy" I wailed. "Can you keep an eye out for her please? She is long, brownie coloured, very friendly - she's called Bliss and she lives over there". Of course he said he would.

Then I began to get suspicious - 'Nature' wasn't in a panic. The birds weren't singing their warnings. Duck couples were still waddling down the middle of the road and the rabbits were still re-enacting Watership Down. No Dandie Puppy was causing mayhem in their world.

Returning to my garden, still shouting the 'B' word interlaced with 'come here' and 'now' and, pathetically, 'good girl' in case she had taken offence as only a Dandie can, there was still no sign of her.

I am not a panicker. It doesn't solve anything. Far better to stop and work out the options. So I went into the house and thought. Where on earth could she be? There were only four rooms and a garden that she had access to. Surely I should be able to find her.

A final 'come here' and I heard a 'squeak'. There she was sitting on the stairs, confined by the baby-gate that she was supposed to be on the other side of. Squeaking - and I mean squeaking - it's her equivalent of every other Dandie's bark as a method of demanding something. How she managed to be there I will never know. I had been sitting in a chair by the door watching her at the end of the garden and when I went to see where she was she must have doubled back. The little minx!

Lesson remembered (I learned it long ago but had forgotten):

"If one is in the house, Come Here doesn't apply 'cos I'm already here. It's not my fault if the human can't find/see me - I am already here."

Oh Bliss!!!!!!!!!!

Socks

It was socks again this morning. Carefully carrying them downstairs with a Mother's care to disappear in the long wet grass, Bliss finds a little hiding place for one of my 'used' socks in the garden. Probably the first of the day. But she isn't a Mother yet. Is she practising? Will she take her puppies softly in her mouth and carry them outside? Maybe she is planning already? Well I won't find out yet! She is just six and a half months old and has a lot of life's experiences to go through before having puppies. But eventually I find my socks and they are never harmed - just a bit soggy!