Hair, hair and more hair...

Decided to bath Indi today. Now this might seem like a pretty regular thing to do, but believe me when your're talking about a Malamute and your house bath...it isn't! First thing i had to do was completely cover the bathroom floor with towels. Next I had to put towels in the bath to stop her sliding around, more towels were needed in preparation for her exit from the bath.

I then carried Indi upstairs (a feat in itself) and plonked her on the floor in the bathroom. She then proceeded to run round this fairly small space at about 300 mph. Not a good start. Anyway, I cracked on and put her in the bath and proceeded to showere her down. So far, so good. I then applied the shampoo (of which you need copious amounts), by this time she looked like a rat. You don't realise how much of their body shape is fashioned by their coat...anyway it was at this point that she got the "shakes". Literally every time I laid my hands on her, she would shake. Shampoo and water went everywhere...I was absolutely soaked by the time I'd rinsed her off and I knew that as soon as she came out of the bath, the shaking would intensify...

Sure enough, she leaped out of the bath only to proceed with another bout of mad circular running, whilst simutaneously mamaging to shake herself at the same time. By now, the whole bathroom was covered in water...if only I had a "wet room". I then realised I do not possess a hair dryer since S left. Nothing for it then, 15 towels later, I started with the Garden Vac. I reversed the Vac so it blew and basically dried her off with that. not sure what Indi made of it but I thought it was a very good idea!

Getting back to the title of this post anyhow...washing a dog loosens the dead hairs in their coat and my god have they loosened! There is hair everywhere! Let's hope it stops coming out soon...

Apocalypto

Went to Star City to watch Apocalypto. Quite good actually, I even didn't mind the entire film being subtitled. Reminded me a lot of The Last of The Mohicans so if you like that film, I've no doubt you'll enjoy Apocalypto.

Beaudesert

A change to the walk today. Decided to explore the Beaudesert area of the Chase. Started off opposite the Beaudesert Golf Course and looped around Beaudesert Old Park. Not as interesting as my usual walks and very muddy (it had been raining for about a week straight). It also appeared as if a lot of the trees had been cut down and burnt. For what reason I don't know...

I also went over to my sisters. I recommended to my 16 year old nephew that he should buy an Apple Mac for his next computer so he went and bought himself a new MacBook. Thing is, he's had real trouble connecting to their wireless network. Feeling a bit obliged to go and sort things out for them I've been over a couple of times and managed to get it working but without really knowing why. I've suspected its been something to do with their router - a Belkin 54g. Anyway, I took over my spare Negear router and hey preston it was working within a minute. Not sure why the Belkin wouldn't work but I have read on a few of the Mac forums that others have experienced problems with this particular router and the new MacBooks.

Joshua Aaron

Little Josh isn't well...he hasn't been feeding and so they've put him into Critical Care...he's also got a spot of jaundice. The hospital say they think he's been traumatised by the manner in which he was born...don't ask but suffice to say not an easy birth...

Sherwood...again...

Decided to go up to Sherwood for the dog rallying again. This one was organised by the SHCGB. Thought I would also take Indi along to this one too just to allow her to get a feel for a rally. They're realy quite noisy and there's a lot going on so I thought if I am going to enter Indi into a race, she'd better get some idea of what its like beforehand!

It rained for pretty much all of the day. I met a few people who I knew and some who I didn't. Indi made friends with Miko, a 10 month old male Malamute, in fact I think they were a bit too friendly if you know what I mean! Sue was also there, Indi's breeder with Lily, Indi's sister. They do look quite alike in terms of their coat but Indi is still a little smaller, particularly her head.

I left before a lot of the Malamutes got started as Indi was getting a little wound up and I thought best to leave on a high. Just before I went, Indi decided to roll in a big puddle of mud (isn't that a band?) and so she was absolutely filthy for the car journey back. Roll on the new RAV 4...

Some ramblings...

Have ordered a new Walking Belt from Culpeppers, hopefully should arrive in time for the Sherwood rally at the weekend. I emailed Canine Concepts where I had the other (broken) one from and they are going to send me a replacement...great, that's something I'm now going to have to sell on eBay...

Ordered my new car today, I've gone for the Toyota RAV4. I really wanted the new Freelander but it was too expensive from the leasing company. Should arrive in a few weeks I reckon so that'll be something to look forward to.

Just come back from Tesco where Indi and I had been doing our weekly shopping (Indi stays in the car incidentally). Was feeling a little peckish so I thought I'd get a bag of chips. Settled into the car to eat them, Indi was on the back seat and was leaning forward to try and get her nose in my chips, front feet on the centre armrest. It was at this point she decided to be sick...twice...I was not impressed! Managed to get it in my chips, my lap, the seat and car floor. Just taken me about an hour to clear it all up! Nice...

Welcome to the world...

J & K have had their baby, a boy, Joshua Aaron, born at 5:00 4/01/07...

Welcome to the world...

Work again

Well, back to work today. Not really in the mood for it but managed it all the same. Interestingly the roads were pretty quiet today, I think a lot of people have extended their Xmas hols into this week as well, particularly as a lot of schools are not back until later in the week or next week in the case of some schools!

Had a day in the office in Luton today and I'm back in Luton tomorrow for another meeting. Should have stayed over really but I wasn't really in the mood. At least I've got Thursday & Friday at home anyway.

New Year...New Arrivals...

First off R & L's baby was born on New Years Eve, Mia, 6lbs 10oz. Mum and baby doing well...

Secondly S's brother J and his girlfriend K's baby was due on New Years Eve too. Still no news so she'll probably be induced on Tuesday (tomorrow). Fingers crossed it's all OK...

New Years Eve...

So, for New Year, I went out with J & L over in Tamworth. J & L are a couple that S & I met whilst they were on their honeymoon in Mexico...we were on holiday at the time...anyway I stayed in touch with J & L and they became good friends.

The night was booked for the Tamworth Castle Hotel It actually cost about £50 per person so it wasn't cheap...there was supposed to be a six course meal, band, disco and the obligatory haggis at midnight. I got over to J & L's about 5:30 and had a couple of drinks in the "Madison Bar" (Jim's converted garage). L's brother and girlfriend came round then we caught a taxi to the hotel.

First course was canapes...absolutely foul, I didn't eat mine as they'd stuck to the paper serviette they were served on...and it was fish based...! Next course was seafood platter. That was actually quite nice. Next up was a vegetable soup. This could only be described as a vegetable stock cube with a couple of frozen carrots in the bottom. It had the same consistency as pi$$ water. It was also served in pretty much a pi££ pot! I didn't have that either! Beef Wellington was the main course and that was nice. Dessert was creme brulee, that was alright too. All in all, an OK meal but not worth the money. The band was about 70 years old and the lead "singer" looked like Alan Whicker! The best bit was the disco and the Vodka Bar that happens to be downstairs at the hotel! Haggis was served at 12:00. Only had haggis a couple of times and from my limited taste reference this one seemed OK.

Went back to J & L's afterwards and fell asleep about 3:00.

Back to work tomorrow. I've got to go to Luton for a meeting at 2:00 then back on Wednesday for another meeting at 3:00. Would normally stay over but I'm just not in the mood at the moment.