Clumberdoodle Archie’s Diary 12 Months Onwards

Clumberdoodle Archie’s Diary 12 Months Onwards

Pupdate 2nd April 2018 – Archie’s 1st Birthday

This new post of Archie’s progress for the next 12 months starts with him celebrating his 1st Birthday. 

He opened his presents and card – sad I know, but it just had to be done.  He ended up with 4 presents which the purple cuddly Rhino lasted about 5 minutes before he chewed off his tail.  Archie does have a habit of sucking limbs of soft toys until they are soft enough to actually chew off and eat.  Yes, he has passed a couple of toys’ limbs that we failed to notice he chewed off until we found the toy limbless!!  Luckily Archie has a very good digestive system and everything that shouldn’t be eaten does come out eventually!!!

Then it was birthday cake time and he had a few  pieces of the doggy birthday cake I made him, which although is specifically for a dog can be eaten by humans – yes honestly.

Please see the recipe below, but as stated in the recipe I had to use a loaf tin as I did not have the right size round cake tin, but it worked.  It doesn’t look very artistic but he loved it, and so did Henry his very best friend who helped Archie eat some of it.

(This picture took a lot of self control by Archie)

We do try and teach Archie to share……..

Doggy Birthday Cake Recipe

1 Egg
1/4 cup peanut butter (make sure it does not contain Xylitol, which is deadly to dogs, but thankfully most peanut butters do not contain this additive).  Plus extra for the topping
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup of honey (optional)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup of whole wheat flour or white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cooked sausage as the pretend candle

Method
Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

Grease a 6 ring mould ring, (I didn’t have one so I just used a loaf tin which worked okay)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, peanut butter, vanilla essence, honey and oil.  Add the carrots and then sift the flour and baking soda and add to the mixture.

Spoon it into the prepared tin and bake for about 40 minutes (do the skewer test, as with all cakes and if it comes out clean it is cooked).

Cool in the tin before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.  I then smothered the top with some peanut butter and add a cooked cooled sausage in the top to look like a candle (I did not light it!!)

I then just cut a slice and then cut that into small chunks for Archie to eat.  It lasted quite a few days, and I did actually freeze some slices for him to eat at a later date.

Then after lunch we went for a walk in Plymbridge Woods which is about a 10 minute drive from where we live.  Archie seemed to be wound up all day, and he must have known that it was a special day – I suppose singing “Happy Birthday” to him quite a few times had something to do with it!!  We had a lovely walk along the river and Archie got wet and very muddy – no change there then.

On arriving home and cleaning Archie off, it was time for a cup of coffee for us, and as it was Archie’s birthday and he is rather partial to Baileys,so he had a sip of the dregs I had left.

Then after a very exciting and enjoyable birthday he was dog tired and needed a snooze!!!

Well we do also refer to him as a Slumberdoodle!!!

Pupdate 5th May 2018 Archie gets a freebie

Archie went to his first agility class in the morning (Read About His Agility Classes Here) and later in the afternoon when it had cooled down a bit after the warmest day of the year so far, we decided to go for a walk at Jennycliff & Mount Batten. We thought Archie might like a little dip in the sea, but the tide was out too far so we had to abort that.  However we had a lovely walk, stopped off at the Mount Batten Pub to have a drink and then we could not resist an ice cream from the ice cream van that was parked by Mount Batten Pier.

Steve & I purchased an ice cream cone each and the ice cream lady took a shine to Archie and asked if he liked ice cream and would he like a free ice cream?   Naturally we said yes, and thought that Archie would just get a bit of broken biscuit with a little dollop of ice cream on it, but no, she gave him a proper size cone with a normal size  scoop of ice cream, completely free (her takings must have been good for the day!!!).   Whilst we sat on the wall eating ours, Archie sat enjoying his aswell, making sure I remembered which hand his cone was in!!!  If the very nice ice cream lady ever reads this post, Archie would like to say a big thank you, and every time we buy an ice cream in the future we will expect a free cone for him!!!

Pupdate 1st – 8th June 2018 (inclusive)

Archie goes on Holiday to Hampshire 

See all the photos and details by clicking the above link

25th June 2018 – Very Sad News

Archie’s very best friend in all the World Henry sadly passed away today.  Dear old Henry had just turned 15 and Archie spent many happy hours and enjoyed many happy walks with him as he only lived a few doors away from us.  When Archie was just a very young puppy,  Henry was the first dog that Archie met and they were best friends ever since.

YES, THAT REALLY IS ARCHIE

Archie learnt an awful lot from this lovely doggy gentleman and I am sure that all the good points that Archie has was all down to Henry’s influence.  Even though Henry was an elderly gentleman when they first met, he tolerated Archie and was always very patient with him  He really was a perfect dog in every way.  There are many references and photos of dear old Henry in the posts of Archie, and we all miss him greatly.

Pupdate August 2018

Archie has been a bit under the weather for the last couple of weeks and we self diagnosed him as having caught kennel cough. He was bringing up some white foam one day and had a hacking cough and he wasn’t his usual mischievous self.  We did some research and all his symptoms pointed to kennel cough.

He was really only poorly for one day but decided that night to keep Archie down his dog room  instead of where he normally sleeps, up in our bedroom (on the floor I hasten to add).  But of course Archie could not possibly stay all on his own during the night, so Steve decided to sleep downstairs with him. That really is puppy love and yes he stayed there all night whilst Archie was constantly throwing up!!!

His sickness only lasted for one day although the cough hung around for a few days, but on the whole you would not know that there was anything wrong with him.  It is recommended that you use a harness instead of a collar when out and about as this can help with the congestion.

Some interesting facts about kennel cough

Kennel cough is an airborne and is a highly contagious infection in dogs that affects the throat, airway and lungs. It’s caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread quickly between dogs. Despite the name, kennel cough is most commonly caught in parks and other popular dog walking areas, and places where dogs congregate like obedience classes etc, rather than in boarding kennels.  It is also transmitted with bacteria on toys, food bowls or other shared objects.

It is a canine respiratory infection caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus. These pathogens attack the cilia lining the respiratory tract and cause inflammation of the upper airway. A dog’s respiratory system is designed to protect against the invasion of infection, but certain situations and environments leave them more vulnerable to illness. These include stress caused by crowded environments, exposure to heavy dust or cigarette smoke, cold temperatures and poor ventilation. Kennel cough has an incubation period of two to 14 days, and some dogs can be carriers of the infection for months without developing symptoms.

Because it is so contagious we did try and keep Archie away from other dogs for at least 10 days, but I am pleased to say that he is now absolutely fine and really had a very mild dose.

Pupdate 11th August 2018 – Cornwood Show

The Cornwood Agricultural Show is a local show to where we live.  We went to it for the first time last year and in addition to the usual agricultural features of a show there was a family dog show.  Naturally I entered Archie into the best puppy class and was a bit disappointed that he didn’t come anywhere as of course everyone thinks that their dog is the best.

So a year passed and it was time for the show in 2018 and we thought as it was local to us we would support it again.  Having endured a heatwave for weeks and weeks the weather changed on the 11th August and the summer weather ended and it was more like Winter and it was absolutely atrocious.  We were in two minds whether to go or not, but as so much organisation goes on into these shows we felt we had to support it.

Of course the family dog show was a draw and decided to enter Archie into the “best crossbreed class”.  Well we arrived to a light drizzle but it wasn’t long before the light drizzle turned into torrential rain. Entering Archie into a dog show you want him to look his best if he has any chance of getting a rosette, and I am a person who is very competitive and naturally want to do well, but of course only for fun as this is not Crufts!!!

Well, when it was time to enter him into the ring, he looked like a drowned rat.  Gone was the lovely fluffy wavy coat and here he was with a soaking wet coat and he really did look a sorry sight.  Attendance was down on last year due to the awful weather but there was about 10 entered into this class and with Archie looking so bedraggled I had very low expectations.  However to my utter amazement he came 2nd and got a lovely rosette.

I was quite pleased that he didn’t actually win, as that would have meant we would have had to stay to compete in the “best in show”!!!   This was really one instance that coming 2nd was a bonus!!!  Once he received his rosette we decided to head home to dry off!!

Here is a photo of Archie with his rosette when he eventually dried off and looking quite handsome as if he actually deserved to win a rosette!!  But then again to win a rosette looking like a drowned rat, what is the point if I enter him in another family dog spending time combing his coat and making him look lovely as clearly there is no need!!!

Pupdate 17th September – 22nd September 2018

Please read all about Archie’s latest holiday in North Devon & Exmoor here

Pupdate 1st October 2018 – Archie meets his brother again

Archie had met his brother Biscuit on a few occasions and they clearly recognised each other and had a great time.  We were supposed to meet up just before their 1st birthdays back in April but due to one thing and another we couldn’t arrange it then, but managed to make arrangements for the 1st October when both of them will be 18 months old.  We were hoping that the brotherly love was still going to be present!!

We decided to meet at Plymbridge Woods and met up at the bridge with both Archie and Biscuit being on their leads, but both launched at each other not to greet pleasantly but to have a good growl and bark and clearly not really pleased to be re-united.  Archie is very placid and playful and usually every dog he meets he wants to play wit and likewise Biscuit, but for some reason they took an instant dislike to each other.

I have to say though that they did look very similar.  Biscuit used to be quite a bit darker but he had lightened up and their coats were an identical colour and it was hard to tell them apart head on, but Archie is a bit bigger.

We walked a little way with them still on their leads with them both still not pleased to be in close proximity of each other.  However when we got into the woods and decided to let them off their leads and hope that once free with space around each other they would get on.   I am pleased to say that they did and just seemed to ignore one another.  They had a good walk through the woods and played in the river with no problem whatsoever.

It was such a lovely day that we had decided to take a picnic with us and we sat and enjoyed a very pleasant lunch, apart from Archie and Biscuit having another growling session when they both tried to get between our chairs, which was the smallest possible space that they both wanted to be in at the same time.  It was all noise, but just letting each other know who was “top dog” and neither were going to give an inch. They had a huge open area to run around in, but both wanted this tiny space at the same time.   We put it down to their testosterone as both are still entire, so when 2 dogs come together still with all “their bits” it can cause problems, even it is your brother.

We did have a nice day, it was just a shame that Archie and Biscuit showed signs of sibling rivalry rather than brotherly love at times.  However looking at the photos it looks as if they are  actually enjoying themselves – and they say the camera never lies!!!

 

Pupdate 28th October 2018 – Sunday Morning Lay In

I just had to add this little post and photos which were taken the morning after the clocks went back.  Now Archie is never in a hurry to get out of bed in the mornings and I am sure that he would stay there all day.  As said in previous posts he does sleep in our bedroom where he has a rug and one, yes one of his 3 beds.  He will walk around the room and change position from his rug to his bed throughout the night,.  In the morning I get a cover to put over our quilt and he waits for me to lay it out which gives him the green light that he can now come up on our bed where he goes  back to sleep or lays beside me for a cuddle.

The time this photo was taken was approximately 9.45 a.m. (yes, 9.45 a.m) and as you can see he would be quite happy to stay for a good while later.  Although this photo was taken on a Sunday morning, it would be the same on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday!!!

This is a routine he has got into, so every morning is the same and he will only get off the bed, once I have got up and gone  downstairs, opened all the curtains and got his breakfast ready.  He lays on the bed knowing exactly what I am doing by the different sounds and will only come down when he knows his food is waiting – spoilt or what??

Now I have not had much to report on over the past few weeks, even though Archie keeps us on our toys most of the time, so thought it was about time to put that right.

On the 19th December 2018 he went to his annual Christmas Doggy Party run by the Plymouth Dog Obedience Club which he is a member.  As it is a long post with a few videos of doggy party games I have done a separate blog, so please click here to read all about it. Party Game Ideas for Dogs

Pupdate Christmas Day 2018

I bought Archie a reindeer Christmas jumper which has flashing lights  for him to wear at his doggy Christmas party (together with a pair of antlers, which also had flashing lights) but as he seemed to like wearing the jumper so he wore it all day on Christmas Day and he still had it on when he went out for his evening walk around the block (well the passing cars could not fail to see him!!).

Before we got to the present opening, I had to prepare the turkey to go in the oven  in readiness for our Christmas dinner and as Archie likes to be in on everything and is very nosey he just had to check to see I was doing it correctly.

Present opening time took quite a while as Archie had a large pile (a bit jealous as his pile was bigger than ours!!). so it took quite a long time.  He had some lovely doggy presents and he didn’t know which to play with first.  Adrian (our Son) gave him a novel present of 3 bottles of Pawsecoo – yes a non alcoholic wine made to look like  real wine but is suitable for dogs and cats,.  We put it in his dish and Archie was a bit hesitant at first but then he lapped it up (just one bottle I hasten to add).  He still has the other 2 bottles unopened.

Pupdate 1st February 2019 – It’s Snowing

Archie woke up to find that we had had a light dusting of snow overnight, so he was one happy dog (he encountered his first snow last year when the “Beast from the East” came and he absolutely loved it).  Read all about it here by scrolling down the page to Pupdate 28th February 2018.  https://www.karenfreemansworld.com/clumberdoodle-archie-diary-aged-6-months-onwards.html

Although we didn’t have much at our house we knew that there would be a lot more up on the higher ground at Henlake Down where we go for a walk very regularly as it is just behind where we live.

Although there was not nearly as much as last year Archie was really excited as he got to play in the white stuff again.

As we walked over Henlake Down you could see the other Torrs all around including Western Beacon which all were completely white, so decided that we would venture up there tomorrow.

Pupdate 2nd February 2019

It is quite a walk from our house to get to Western Beacon which is the other side of Ivybridge so we decided to take the car and park it not far from the long uphill farm track that leads up on to the Beacon.  Other people had the same idea and there were plenty of adults, dogs and children with sledges also going to venture up and play in the snow.

Archie soon became excited as we walked up the farm track he spied some lying snow in the hedges that he just had to dive into and  I am sure that he sensed that there would be more of the white stuff to come.   He wasn’t disappointed because as soon as we walked through the gate Archie went bonkers as it was completely white everywhere with fairly deep snow.  He didn’t know what to do first so he ran wildly around in one direction then the other, then he rolled over in it, then decided to dig holes and was basically one very excited dog.

As we walked on up the hill, there was another dog running around and when we got close realised that it was one of Archie’s female doggy friends that used to go to his obedience classes that he hadn’t seen for a long time.  Well they were obviously pleased to see each other as they both went wild chasing each other around.  They didn’t stop until we went in a different direction and Archie must have been tired before we had even started the walk properly.

The further we climbed up the Torr the deeper the snow got and Archie thoroughly enjoyed himself.   There is a 360 degree panoramic view taking in far reaching views of Dartmoor and out to sea.  The sky was also clear blue and hardly a cloud in the sky so with the sun out against the snow it was quite dazzling.  It was however a bit windy so we had to wrap up warm, which included thermals, scarves and woollie hats.

Archie continued his mad spree and must have run about 4 times longer than we actually walked so by the time we got home he was exhausted.   So once he was dried off, we didn’t get much else out of him for the rest of the day.

Pupdate 3rd February

We got up with the idea since it would probably be the last day that the snow would be around as it was due to turn warmer, we decided to go up to Western Beacon again,  hoping (for Archie’s sake) that there would still be some snow left even though it had rained a little during the night and it wasn’t nearly as cold.

We went a bit earlier just in case, and saw that the low lying fields and the farm track up to the Beacon were now devoid of any snow.  However once through the gate at the top we were really pleased that the snow was still there, although the undergrowth was now showing through, but the further we walked up, the more snow there still was, so Archie was very pleased.

So all in all, Archie had had a great 3 days of encountering the snow again and I am sure he hopes that there is more to come this year, as he really cannot wait another year to play in it again.  He is hoping that we don’t get another heatwave this year as he is not keen on the hot weather (like myself) as he really is a snow dog!!!

Unfortunately the cold weather didn’t last long as the following day the 4th February it was like a summer’s day as it was dry, the sun was out and it was warm enough for me to just wear a tee shirt (with trousers of course) up on Henlake.   Although Archie enjoyed his warm walk, I am sure he was missing the snow!!!

Pupdate 27th February 2019

Now Archie (as I expect most dogs) will try to snaffle any morsel that he can find in addition to his food and today he managed to do that with a very expensive outcome.  I was preparing a cup of afternoon coffee and as everyone knows coffee is just too wet without having something to go with it.   I had a packet of bite size granola cubes so put some on a plate for Steve and I to share.  I thought I had put them far enough back on the kitchen work surface well out of Archie’s reach (or so I thought).  I had to pop upstairs and when I came back down Archie was walking away from the work surface licking his lips.

I looked at the plate and realised that he had managed to reach the plate and there was a space where 3 or 4 were missing.  I panicked as these granola bars contain sultanas and raisins (although very little pieces in each of the 1 inch cubes) but I know that dried fruit is toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure.

So it was a phonecall to the Vet asking for advice who said to take him down straight away.  I was told that all dogs are different and eating dried fruit might not have any effect but then again one tiny piece could be fatal.  So Archie was given an injection to make him sick, and was surprised to find out that it was a strain of morphine.  As soon as the vet had administered the injection we had to take him outside as it would only be a matter of minutes before he was sick.  Luckily he vomited up the now digested granola pieces, but he continued to be sick for a while.  The vet said he would be feeling quite groggy for a couple of hours and then he would be fine again.

As soon as he had stopped being sick it was back in the car and home, that is of course after I had paid the vet’s bill which I had to take a sharp intake of breath as it was £80.62 – gulp.  Yes, the most expensive granola bars ever.

I am pleased to say however that after a couple of hours Archie was back to his usual self and would you believe it still looking for any more food he could get his paws on.

 

You can read all of Archies exploits by reading the selection of blog posts listed below………