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[PRH]

Hello!

I’ve been away for a bit, I had problem with my login then changed jobs and got stupidly busy, ridiculous really.

Sit rep on the dogs - Mole the spaniel is on good form, full of beans and fit as a fiddle. Ginger the 3 years old is still hands down the weirdest dog we’ve ever had, unbelievably laid back at home, a great bird finder picking up but I’m buggered if if can get him to sit steady on a peg - a work in progress which I fear I may be saying when he’s 10. Tarka the 8 year old old lab isn’t on great form. She woke up one morning dragging her back right leg, some sort of nerve damage in her back. We are 6 weeks in now, she’s been crate rested and there has been improvement but it is tricky. We have 90% tiled floor at home and her back legs splay if she moves about too quickly. She has a pair of grippy socks which help but I’m not sure on the long term prospects, she can go for a short walk on a lead, obviously can’t come shooting, not much of an existence at the moment.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good season if they’re out working their dogs. Not long left to go now, I’ve got 3 more small days out which I’m looking forward to.

[Naj]

Hi, glad to see you’re back. I’m down to one dog but out shooting over her two or three times a week. Having a great season so far.

[Judy]

Who are you?! Welcome back.

Had you thought of some cheap washable rugs on the "corners" where the dogs slip most? Or do what I did and ask on local Facebook groups if anyone has any old rugs they want rid of. I did this when I got a new pup, there was only one trouble, the rug I was given was far too nice so we ended up with it in the lounge not on the kitchen floor to be wrecked. A friend found some carpet offcuts which were great as a temporary measure.

[Nickheref]

Glad you are back and alive and well! I was wondering recently if you were ok as it has been very quiet.

[PRH]

We’ve got a set of small rubber coated socks which strap on with velcro, Tarka tolerates it all very well. I tend to just put one on her back right leg and she then gets about the house no problem - it’s just the getting it on and off without getting unwanted affection! After 6 or so weeks of crate rest I took her for a proper walk on Monday, off lead with the other two and she was fine - you can tell her movement isn’t as it was but she has a quality of life.

It has made me start thinking about the next dog. It won’t be a fox red lab, I might get adventurous and go back to a black one….or I was re-reading Naj’s initial impressions of a Wirehaired Vizla….might have to wait until I retire!