tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52224947295034862042024-03-05T10:13:40.684+00:00Groucho the Wonder WestieThis blog is about Groucho, our fearless, bewhiskered, blessed with a wonderful sense of humour, who, thanks to the wonderful Westie Rescue (www.westierescue.ie) we were able to adopt and he is now our much loved Four Legged Family Member. We hope you enjoy reading about his adventures and his Westie view on life!Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-77870209185380437902014-07-29T16:13:00.000+01:002014-07-29T16:13:06.375+01:00I'm HOME!!!!!!!So, a few months ago, I was still living in Japan -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic16ORZGcXmLdJdQNEX0pQgJxA9haX1FCWlabs3dGr-G_1AEyA3e7cp2p3jrjrtm94etFwX-F7f32G0EtjgmRh8ToRUxBcvl5Z2PUerrCKbUvL1dg0Z9aGKyhRr9Lh0ewvsEX_bYUKPO0/s1600/9O6A0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic16ORZGcXmLdJdQNEX0pQgJxA9haX1FCWlabs3dGr-G_1AEyA3e7cp2p3jrjrtm94etFwX-F7f32G0EtjgmRh8ToRUxBcvl5Z2PUerrCKbUvL1dg0Z9aGKyhRr9Lh0ewvsEX_bYUKPO0/s1600/9O6A0600.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh052Ekibiq31pVnyYu7hpbeCt3rpHCqdrn4mLXXCYc9JMpLP53sE_Aa9DiGKv0a1fXxyIa_rMVvGuaDYBPPkHlairQBVA9iCF8QxlOv4Cuhs8eAgQuDWuVd6Kb2d8l2sUtSQTXGNVi9wY/s1600/9O6A0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh052Ekibiq31pVnyYu7hpbeCt3rpHCqdrn4mLXXCYc9JMpLP53sE_Aa9DiGKv0a1fXxyIa_rMVvGuaDYBPPkHlairQBVA9iCF8QxlOv4Cuhs8eAgQuDWuVd6Kb2d8l2sUtSQTXGNVi9wY/s1600/9O6A0901.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsS2D4NcWPH43hQNmVCTAVlbiVBInhEHFl4S1V873-ghWYnJhggRngOksh8ECg7xKFYHLUtfRCjhcz98CEU8Drz9JRAznMMaHhDgqYZLYfAGd_-usP19STCVZGKbrsqR4C6wEs1lKyAwk/s1600/9O6A2827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsS2D4NcWPH43hQNmVCTAVlbiVBInhEHFl4S1V873-ghWYnJhggRngOksh8ECg7xKFYHLUtfRCjhcz98CEU8Drz9JRAznMMaHhDgqYZLYfAGd_-usP19STCVZGKbrsqR4C6wEs1lKyAwk/s1600/9O6A2827.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
and now, by the amazing miracle of those big silver things called planes, I'm HOME - for the first time in years (over five years - that's in two legged reckoning, in my reckoning that's 35 years!!!), I'm back in Ireland -<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQr7sxPWniVHF76leO1ymakKBxj_VTb_h2hhFh1r6pj935G7oVxs5B4TW9BmurdQkR0sM6xSrj21pROTgZgaTbkM8GoZtCXa_Yc0F-upIRCDq4h27YoKMnXU1RoPHwVnzTOvDFWY-KMo/s1600/9O6A7414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQr7sxPWniVHF76leO1ymakKBxj_VTb_h2hhFh1r6pj935G7oVxs5B4TW9BmurdQkR0sM6xSrj21pROTgZgaTbkM8GoZtCXa_Yc0F-upIRCDq4h27YoKMnXU1RoPHwVnzTOvDFWY-KMo/s1600/9O6A7414.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and I was (and still am) SOOOOO happy to be back in my HOME, that I have been running and jumping and running for joy -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA42jAe68TC69_2pB4IE5JRVoDij5dbq_7s5Ukv0SsjBBEKkNrEbW4Tyegh9_5zEtu8dH4_UWbdcx6cqvsvAAcMnhZ5NOXFBk8T-D7D9n9u1mCui8cElwf-JsCHIM9HgXUlwlFLOlITw/s1600/9O6A7497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA42jAe68TC69_2pB4IE5JRVoDij5dbq_7s5Ukv0SsjBBEKkNrEbW4Tyegh9_5zEtu8dH4_UWbdcx6cqvsvAAcMnhZ5NOXFBk8T-D7D9n9u1mCui8cElwf-JsCHIM9HgXUlwlFLOlITw/s1600/9O6A7497.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, I loved living in Australia and Japan and I miss my buddies (four legged and two legged) from both those places a lot but this is HOME and I'm so happy to be back!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
More later - and even better, She is taking some time off work so I will have time to visit y'all and catch up on what has been going on over the last 8 months or so!!!<br />
<br />
Woof for now.<br />
<br />
GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-37487873396807191592014-02-12T05:19:00.004+00:002014-02-12T05:25:36.822+00:00The Snowman<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0acAUAHoOmtHjYY8iAFoo6wq5cAL3lQ9s0Eygo3H6U-kSkAs9MJ_ord7Y_lbBdcLtu1rgZIz0vtWQuD3KuzpoX953Dw4hVzBNvWNz7U-PS-mXiQzeoV24Ip-IsEj5IQgmaX0Qc2ZCc74/s1600/The+Gang+9O6A5287-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0acAUAHoOmtHjYY8iAFoo6wq5cAL3lQ9s0Eygo3H6U-kSkAs9MJ_ord7Y_lbBdcLtu1rgZIz0vtWQuD3KuzpoX953Dw4hVzBNvWNz7U-PS-mXiQzeoV24Ip-IsEj5IQgmaX0Qc2ZCc74/s1600/The+Gang+9O6A5287-2.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groucho and his buddies down by the river<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, it's another quick post - thank to you all for your welcome back messages but it looks like it was a short lived return to Blogville, She is back at the mad long hours at that horrible thing called Work. But I had to share this - these are my two buddies, Heinrich and Mathilde - I met them out walking along 'my' river (that's it, in the background - who'd have thought, here I am, living in Tokyo and I have this cool river to run along every day!!!) and we are the best of buddies now. She says Heinrich is the coolest four legged one (not as cool as me, obviously) and Mathilde makes us all laugh as she loves to dig - and while she has her head stuck in a hole, I run up to her and lick her ears. Heinrich just moseys on along and let's us have play fights with him, he's very gentle with me even though I can be a bit of a brat (apparently, although I would not agree with this of course, that's just what She says).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, I have to go. By the way, this snowman was not made by Her, She grew up in Australia so what would She know about snowman building???? H & M he two legged one built it - he was very fast at it (extreme snowmanning we have called it) but then, he grew up in a snowy country so of course he knew what to do!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And apologies for not being able to visit y'all blogs, we'll make up for it in a few months time, She has promised!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Woof for now</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Groucho (or, as I'm now known, SnowDog)</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-52867988145118496592014-02-10T07:15:00.001+00:002014-02-12T05:09:42.692+00:00Snow Mobile<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/12400148725/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/12400148725_27b2bd7f5b.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/12400148725/">Snow Mobile</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div>
Well, don't fall off your chairs, yes, it's Me, I'm back Again!!!!! I can only say I'm very sorry on behalf of Her, I haven't been able to make comments on any of your blogs, but I'll be back in a few months time, She's having a break and one of the first things She is going to do is become a Consistent Blogger - or allow me to be one!!! Anyhoo, we had a BRILLIANT snow storm this past weekend - the most snow in Tokyo in 45 years!!!! OMD, it was PAWSOME!!! I had soooo much fun, I bounced and I jumped and I made SnowGrouchos and I ate snow and I ran and I ran and I ran. <br /><br />Woof for now.<br /><br />GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-89277261816321702462013-10-21T09:47:00.001+01:002013-10-21T09:47:20.271+01:00I'm still here .....<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/10053396285/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/10053396285_06c05cb195.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/10053396285/">Mount Fuji 2013-09-29 (9O6A2116)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>Well, I see from reading a few other blogs that there seems to be a bit of the 'too busy, too busy' going on - too busy to blog is something I had hoped we had got past in our house, given the stern words I had had with Her last time, but it seems, my stern words fell on deaf ears but at least I'm not alone .... I see Higgins and a few others are having the same issues which makes me feel a wee bit better! Anyway, I am still reading blogs, just not able to comment for which I apologise - but I've been keeping up as much as I can with all your news. This is one reason why She hasn't posted - apparently, in between Her long work week (Her reason for not bloggin!) She somehow managed to find time to climb Mt Fuji with Him - this is sunrise from the fifth station on Fuji-san, They then climbed to the summit and came back down - She said the sunrise was PAWSOME but it was one of the toughest physical things She had ever done and She could not walk properly for at least 3 days!!!<br /><br />We will try to be more consistent ..... We miss you all.<br /><br />Woof<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-67417762002282859872013-09-03T07:21:00.001+01:002013-09-03T07:21:32.476+01:00Ahhhhh<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/9648413067/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/9648413067_9bd27f63f9.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/9648413067/">Groucho (9O6A1831)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>Well, so much for the blogging - She has not been replaced as The Main Help because a) it has been very, very, very hot here in Nihon and we are all very, very tired with it all b) She has been very, very busy at work, doing 6 day weeks and therefore any spare time She has is spent with Him and Me, doing important stuff like rubbing my tummy, feeding me, taking me for walks (in the very limited cool times of the day), buying me treats from the wonderful doggy cafe They found (all nature, delicious stuff!) c) Her extracirricular activities are many - Nihon go (Japanese) lessons once a week, taiko drumming once a week and now They have started kendo as well and then there is the jogging They are doing as They need to get fit for Their Mt Fuji climb which is coming up and They are going on an ancient Shinto pilgram trail later this year as well - She is very excited but also very worried as it requires a LOT of walking (for some reason, She seemed to think that pilgram trails were easy!!???) and some steep ascents (and She is not good at ascents - She whinges a lot!). So, I'm prepared to overlook Her tardiness but once the cooler weather hits and I have more adventures out and about (She has bought a bike which will, next month, be fitted with a basket so I can go with Them - how cool is that, I will get to see more of Tokyo now - either by densha [train] or on Her jitensha [bike] - I'm hoping She buys me some aviator goggles, I will look SOOOOO PAWSOME!), She better be more pro-active in the Help Department.<br /><br />We are sorry we haven't been able to leave comments on our buddies' blogs, we have been reading them, She has just had trouble finding time to leave comments. Hopefully that will all change soon when work calms down!!!<br /><br />We hope you are well and having loads of zoomies and fun!<br /><br />Woof<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-89273077969865685892013-07-14T04:16:00.000+01:002013-07-14T04:16:18.606+01:00Well, it certainly isn't my fault ......That I have been out of Dog Blogville for what feels like PAW-EVER. And it is, really, in dog years - it may only be a few months to Her (which is actually bad enough really) but for me, it's paw-ever. I'm thinking of firing Her, She really has done it this time. As usual, She is blaming it on Work - whatever this work thing is, I sure don't like it. But, well She may blame it on this work thing - however, I think it's something more to do with :
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislOLdawACMB6U8IOROmQzHtYA155vmFxscvblrFnAfWeZwUi-bEs9vtxTrXSYprN3QpIgFzTOOzzNgajVVRqhzyC6-_0Pc0gH0doaK-C4TM65KIHllCLFZcnJuL0KMWbWkpDhiTUQYJs/s1600/IMG_6706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislOLdawACMB6U8IOROmQzHtYA155vmFxscvblrFnAfWeZwUi-bEs9vtxTrXSYprN3QpIgFzTOOzzNgajVVRqhzyC6-_0Pc0gH0doaK-C4TM65KIHllCLFZcnJuL0KMWbWkpDhiTUQYJs/s320/IMG_6706.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgF6tJ8KEG5VnSIZlEHe31ylIC5LsiyStMPfyoUJ73CRiKBcMEq2U2OHmwGtp-G1scifwNN3U-kWUg-9ejnVCf-tsUbW6zs4b91Lsa6r9lDZwffIfDrvtTnC_RXeqy9NSWJ35CAODxIQ/s1600/IMG_6929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgF6tJ8KEG5VnSIZlEHe31ylIC5LsiyStMPfyoUJ73CRiKBcMEq2U2OHmwGtp-G1scifwNN3U-kWUg-9ejnVCf-tsUbW6zs4b91Lsa6r9lDZwffIfDrvtTnC_RXeqy9NSWJ35CAODxIQ/s320/IMG_6929.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB7ZT0qwmnGQRYOykGRdEn5aCku5okKWS8kMFofxEZdWh3VWCeUYnGEuv93dl6sOacMvG3QzFty1_IkB25Dzkp8dhibWe6NBGoec0IJscD1w5kpQvVZmrPSpIKJOP3mVq6GkPwQFXtBc/s1600/IMG_7053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB7ZT0qwmnGQRYOykGRdEn5aCku5okKWS8kMFofxEZdWh3VWCeUYnGEuv93dl6sOacMvG3QzFty1_IkB25Dzkp8dhibWe6NBGoec0IJscD1w5kpQvVZmrPSpIKJOP3mVq6GkPwQFXtBc/s320/IMG_7053.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9-XE3y2elhaRXHoNMhI11z2ymv0AjeldVl5U6MELBaNEctN9JMKiW1xtegnPijNJ82R4hPhxbl40yBA1rxU9hqS3MMkoBxXEMzZWLKxwNl1mNiQvf5-_KCGe-Sp1cBPPK0DEmp3cKpQ/s1600/IMG_7103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9-XE3y2elhaRXHoNMhI11z2ymv0AjeldVl5U6MELBaNEctN9JMKiW1xtegnPijNJ82R4hPhxbl40yBA1rxU9hqS3MMkoBxXEMzZWLKxwNl1mNiQvf5-_KCGe-Sp1cBPPK0DEmp3cKpQ/s320/IMG_7103.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dZcQnMhJAUVlIlCcDINJyZQ3_KsAH67Z-ywNNFCobSGiS7_zC7-API9FSXqWW3k1_Rx6kaWD29tOTy1fgLPWZhwFaSKA4Wy8Ab7bMRHBSHAl0mNOYYUgeWoSOuA7QFtE2F-Wk8Rbq88/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dZcQnMhJAUVlIlCcDINJyZQ3_KsAH67Z-ywNNFCobSGiS7_zC7-API9FSXqWW3k1_Rx6kaWD29tOTy1fgLPWZhwFaSKA4Wy8Ab7bMRHBSHAl0mNOYYUgeWoSOuA7QFtE2F-Wk8Rbq88/s320/IMG_7177.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW6L-fepPIBiamWc46VRFVOI_n0ZnRMbH8pfuOs6sXFwvr3QD6XN2_R5tC5jkuQMMIAMMg4tafHSedJ9ogu9re92cdgohI9IJ7pNV3HPyvm8RBu-Cqkn2YhmAzxA-1CYicsR_SMrXNKg/s1600/IMG_7265_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW6L-fepPIBiamWc46VRFVOI_n0ZnRMbH8pfuOs6sXFwvr3QD6XN2_R5tC5jkuQMMIAMMg4tafHSedJ9ogu9re92cdgohI9IJ7pNV3HPyvm8RBu-Cqkn2YhmAzxA-1CYicsR_SMrXNKg/s320/IMG_7265_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdB_T_i_xtcBGXFaZCpo4VdysJNzheyck3-80N_-HUCeXbOT_6fTD3Hf8CR4gDo10ZbPeFrB7FLSgMdEHVgOS3bXdtvgGgUmBxYIEMjrgs-HwjdmBGSRdxBFlzitjBd5agTksZRQfYlU/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdB_T_i_xtcBGXFaZCpo4VdysJNzheyck3-80N_-HUCeXbOT_6fTD3Hf8CR4gDo10ZbPeFrB7FLSgMdEHVgOS3bXdtvgGgUmBxYIEMjrgs-HwjdmBGSRdxBFlzitjBd5agTksZRQfYlU/s320/IMG_7286.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fBdlBh3ZMJn_i4Gvqap2cUg5cjUzwGQNqYULQwYYBLcNKbpOyne1I2h9-g9B_GL61Fi2Fu0-OzmOcP_CvM1MVzpgVp1c906JmH6LnYjHvyfbVk_dfKTtX0QpMYtIlgh6SvpprhotVO0/s1600/IMG_7292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fBdlBh3ZMJn_i4Gvqap2cUg5cjUzwGQNqYULQwYYBLcNKbpOyne1I2h9-g9B_GL61Fi2Fu0-OzmOcP_CvM1MVzpgVp1c906JmH6LnYjHvyfbVk_dfKTtX0QpMYtIlgh6SvpprhotVO0/s320/IMG_7292.jpg" /></a></div>
<p> Then of course, there was the British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia test series which took up a lot of Their time - as They had to watch every match, including the non-Test ones - I don't mind, actually, (other than it keeps me away from Blogville) because I'm a huge fan of rugby, I like to sit on the couch and watch it but oh dear me, She was hard work during this test series - I mean, seriously, does She not know that yelling at that thing that They call the TV will not change the ref's mind???? I mean, I'm a dog and even I know that! But that ended last week and She said, enough is enough, I need to get back into Blogville! P>
So, what's been happening in Japan? Well, far too much to put into one post, let's just say that I'll go forward rather than try to play catch up - the weather has turned HOT, and I mean HOT - not hot like it was Down Under, which was roasting hot but dry, or even hot like Dubai which was REALLY REALLY hot - this is like walking into a sauna, it is HOT and HUMID (about 95% humidity and 35 degrees celsius!). Now, after such a glorious Spring and a short rainy season (during which time I had to wear a rain coat - I was peeved at first but I got over it and even enjoyed wearing it - I think it looks ok, really, as far as rain coats go - please excuse the photographs, She took them instead of Him so they aren't that great)
<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mf-YDjxsZlEoF961THBfbyFGPa27GLs1LmTXLCi_WBQi0VmtpZdLX9DH8Uydg1c1SIVwnsbtR5M7og2sdej0Psrxo7FUq0z2O1zJUqkzoYkxpG7I5zsX6MhNfA2WYU8_1Ub4bm2uXo0/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mf-YDjxsZlEoF961THBfbyFGPa27GLs1LmTXLCi_WBQi0VmtpZdLX9DH8Uydg1c1SIVwnsbtR5M7og2sdej0Psrxo7FUq0z2O1zJUqkzoYkxpG7I5zsX6MhNfA2WYU8_1Ub4bm2uXo0/s320/IMG_0059.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREeMI6FNMItWEtez2ahyphenhyphenNZJJIuopyn5iUeLGzfFt_S2DFH4qfxriHLRJZdo2zCIjpXysebtFsfQydljW3x_X1PVOQwAorclhclLEKmQ4dCN06c2KIda_c1yOSM2u59FbOeSxHE9vcM2U/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREeMI6FNMItWEtez2ahyphenhyphenNZJJIuopyn5iUeLGzfFt_S2DFH4qfxriHLRJZdo2zCIjpXysebtFsfQydljW3x_X1PVOQwAorclhclLEKmQ4dCN06c2KIda_c1yOSM2u59FbOeSxHE9vcM2U/s320/IMG_0061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmvleMJnx2Vdv4Ce2NNloRkBSCbl2I3vC_uQcMj-M6kpp1dJP_QROAG7ErntImQ2zY75KZDg8j0Xw1UgROwOzosGvTdhcBrnsYV63PyDH9MIu2jPdJZadGQ0Xk_Qkq-T1HfyP-gVJXXk/s1600/IMG_0062.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmvleMJnx2Vdv4Ce2NNloRkBSCbl2I3vC_uQcMj-M6kpp1dJP_QROAG7ErntImQ2zY75KZDg8j0Xw1UgROwOzosGvTdhcBrnsYV63PyDH9MIu2jPdJZadGQ0Xk_Qkq-T1HfyP-gVJXXk/s320/IMG_0062.MOV" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkV5bPxIu3HE_ks4HY4X-ij5zW4Y2g3qoTSg_3VxrjeaVHrekQ6kKkW4Yn1WeO2DBUDvT6UobqQ37pL-RBMess36OQY0kVl2vpAcv_yBnk1ruI_jjhW1gz5_abnB0lCdGb6fMVRHrnpY/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkV5bPxIu3HE_ks4HY4X-ij5zW4Y2g3qoTSg_3VxrjeaVHrekQ6kKkW4Yn1WeO2DBUDvT6UobqQ37pL-RBMess36OQY0kVl2vpAcv_yBnk1ruI_jjhW1gz5_abnB0lCdGb6fMVRHrnpY/s320/IMG_0058.jpg" /></a></div>
<p> I admit that I am finding this weather quite tough but I still go for two walks a day, I just have to drink a LOT of water while I'm out and we go early and later in the day - AND I have a cooling jacket, They say I look like a star trooper in it, I don't care what I look like, it keeps me cool and star troopers are cool anyway, so it's a win win. I go to doggy day care once a week as well, so that keeps me busy, but it does mean that I can't go on the train for a while as it's just TOO hot for me to be on a station platform. She says that it's like standing in front of an open oven but She doesn't mind it really - She says it's a small price to pay to live here and that, really, if this is the worse thing in Her life, what on earth has She got to complain about? I tend to agree - we are very lucky and we are really lucky to be living in such a wonderful place!
<p> Well, that's it for now, we will be much more consistent, She promises (well, that's if She keeps Her job - we've just had another little chat, set a few performance targets, but She is on her final warning, I can only be expected to be patient for so long!). We will swing by to check out all your news over the next few days! There are some photos below of our neighbourhood and my walking routes! (and one of Mr Groucho is his new sleeping position on the couch - took him only, oh, one day to make himself completely at home!).
Woof for now.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfaqCDl6U2TaFK2cULTC7wvTnL2DOAHiIavG1wo-Ug6kbWxdfTJByHMNEChPUbThk43W9-IfMdFX4USUdkUFASzOHbeBZBZagv-nCRwz_NYs4m4maR6Noz3c5P_oXz0eZhaT3XM4u6xA/s1600/9O6A0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfaqCDl6U2TaFK2cULTC7wvTnL2DOAHiIavG1wo-Ug6kbWxdfTJByHMNEChPUbThk43W9-IfMdFX4USUdkUFASzOHbeBZBZagv-nCRwz_NYs4m4maR6Noz3c5P_oXz0eZhaT3XM4u6xA/s320/9O6A0080.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91S8vjfVFazizAS_YRhdorS62UTwV0Bfy7qSqL1dhuULtPNBpp5tFFW3UauF4L3q1wkehABgHFheCyYe0Pd883TaFFJkKUyakuFXzlIzLbr6YjdLXXTcFpFqpzz8gsib7oKKZUG4EeOg/s1600/IMG_0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91S8vjfVFazizAS_YRhdorS62UTwV0Bfy7qSqL1dhuULtPNBpp5tFFW3UauF4L3q1wkehABgHFheCyYe0Pd883TaFFJkKUyakuFXzlIzLbr6YjdLXXTcFpFqpzz8gsib7oKKZUG4EeOg/s320/IMG_0464.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH1k_FWUqsJFbka2fNu2r7hLvQPUqvGavtE5d4sdUwtgaIZ5pFS90MAxj_4OgyY18YPUNjxmLEOftM62ygPX56DqRyIKPu5lL8RVcsXfbdaOuYUDL8T5Iv7TXK9ZsBETzhPJmzgOM7HQ/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYH1k_FWUqsJFbka2fNu2r7hLvQPUqvGavtE5d4sdUwtgaIZ5pFS90MAxj_4OgyY18YPUNjxmLEOftM62ygPX56DqRyIKPu5lL8RVcsXfbdaOuYUDL8T5Iv7TXK9ZsBETzhPJmzgOM7HQ/s320/IMG_0465.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8689wBYWPxU2i5_kYGmwAI6lqakfimYhb5Ahv-j9AK3YoTtXAgUnmJmGXk1eVxT1AdBgzV2DnSERUMWJYJbZytCZFCI5jBzSM7SSOs28UAJQ63v0vG_u2luycP-f_-tT6Onbh4yzm_98/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8689wBYWPxU2i5_kYGmwAI6lqakfimYhb5Ahv-j9AK3YoTtXAgUnmJmGXk1eVxT1AdBgzV2DnSERUMWJYJbZytCZFCI5jBzSM7SSOs28UAJQ63v0vG_u2luycP-f_-tT6Onbh4yzm_98/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8cI4_NIgcxu5IbOPybyn3hw2P_ZryNeJ52VfhpiuGum8SZTlunKd0NbhoAf5Fi23q1hY3aTWm1xWTUWEALxXplEQhYJg8L8LpP34HZj6c2iOGw9fSWPeBLJ3CuJQBnFuiquqAZCl424/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8cI4_NIgcxu5IbOPybyn3hw2P_ZryNeJ52VfhpiuGum8SZTlunKd0NbhoAf5Fi23q1hY3aTWm1xWTUWEALxXplEQhYJg8L8LpP34HZj6c2iOGw9fSWPeBLJ3CuJQBnFuiquqAZCl424/s320/IMG_0468.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTg7EHHkRHwoB8slyUVQAGigzT4_oPx7kxsHJ4eEIjug_jhr0tJPJBZ343WJ2tYwHtTkeiK_LTeF4vOh7FRsmfFiq_veUBcqsyz8XgEzMaqrFvO4oapxQ9f5_okOmLiib9vFtl49mack/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTg7EHHkRHwoB8slyUVQAGigzT4_oPx7kxsHJ4eEIjug_jhr0tJPJBZ343WJ2tYwHtTkeiK_LTeF4vOh7FRsmfFiq_veUBcqsyz8XgEzMaqrFvO4oapxQ9f5_okOmLiib9vFtl49mack/s320/IMG_0478.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA31dGQmzq4mV2dfjPC4VVmeF5W9siXk7nxE8cyscZPeZxP_otx0rbN0Dk8UQgIeHi_K1bfqehuZePJRIFo6o5cCEkR-n09TgjkmUzjOQUvljRnDzLcnDDIr6n8N7hpo73Dw7oKIxlnM/s1600/IMG_6733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXA31dGQmzq4mV2dfjPC4VVmeF5W9siXk7nxE8cyscZPeZxP_otx0rbN0Dk8UQgIeHi_K1bfqehuZePJRIFo6o5cCEkR-n09TgjkmUzjOQUvljRnDzLcnDDIr6n8N7hpo73Dw7oKIxlnM/s320/IMG_6733.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F-Hy2NvkO6GPvuboxF5TwBo0HzlrhWyTOd9StQWhz4Ai0xkPKVdhj2xhmFXJI2AAYg82J3Z94MYQbhVvsKuwOSWi4wG7gWonbEtviAzvX05S179_zZKIlNq8tqc5jN9YIr4BAxzDe4g/s1600/IMG_6826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F-Hy2NvkO6GPvuboxF5TwBo0HzlrhWyTOd9StQWhz4Ai0xkPKVdhj2xhmFXJI2AAYg82J3Z94MYQbhVvsKuwOSWi4wG7gWonbEtviAzvX05S179_zZKIlNq8tqc5jN9YIr4BAxzDe4g/s320/IMG_6826.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgQ3j2v7Hfyhj77vBewWOsg49l2sGnRY0e4xf1_5ylwahIBORwyaKY2smySrWN4C5zUhBcRi5e2KEumdoeqiyr_AP-x5UuDwwmYh8ZTRZp0NdktAeMxPusQNh_uLQ2iPqzPMuDfbaKg/s1600/IMG_6829_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgQ3j2v7Hfyhj77vBewWOsg49l2sGnRY0e4xf1_5ylwahIBORwyaKY2smySrWN4C5zUhBcRi5e2KEumdoeqiyr_AP-x5UuDwwmYh8ZTRZp0NdktAeMxPusQNh_uLQ2iPqzPMuDfbaKg/s320/IMG_6829_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YcOl_dCFnpAkcfzwHQFVAvjAZ0uheGZomGCf6TkIU3VB23-pJ7QcoGUTMxxFoOl9UzGWAtvQbRU4aMya9sLQjx8ftzwyJxs5uz7IfNsEPuShXxUa_7R979nNADplDJ2ecF5yAPcVxLc/s1600/IMG_7590_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YcOl_dCFnpAkcfzwHQFVAvjAZ0uheGZomGCf6TkIU3VB23-pJ7QcoGUTMxxFoOl9UzGWAtvQbRU4aMya9sLQjx8ftzwyJxs5uz7IfNsEPuShXxUa_7R979nNADplDJ2ecF5yAPcVxLc/s320/IMG_7590_2.jpg" /></a></div>
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-34640642942841030922013-05-22T06:19:00.001+01:002013-05-22T06:19:17.076+01:00Yasai<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8756144153/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/8756144153_81014bae7f.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8756144153/">Broccoli Man 2013-05-18 (IMG_6607_2)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>Yasai means vegetables in Japanese and look at what They found when out exploring last weekend - Mr Broccoli Man and broccoli is one of my FAVOURITIST yasai! Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to eat very much of it at all because it's not good for me - which She is a bit miffed about because She doesn't like broccoli (or many yasai at all really) and would like to give me Her share!<br /><br />I'm sorry I haven't been around that much, but I've been a bit pawly again - unfortunately, my tummy bug has been back for a visit but the dog-ter here gave me some anti-bug treatment and I'm well on the road to recovery! I'm so well that we are hoping to try out my new train travel bag this weekend - so far, the new bag is going ok - I'm happy enough to go into it and don't even mind when They zip up the front because of course, I can still see everything (They made sure to buy a dog travel bag that had LOADS of mesh windows for me to look out of - They say I'm a nosey parker, I say I'm just curious!) but I get a bit restless after a short while, however, we are working on it so that I can go to exciting places like this one and see Mr Yasai man for myself! After all, there will be so many more paws-ibilities once I'm an experienced train rider (I wonder, will I have to get my own travel pass???).<br /><br />Woof for now<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-70160609099032700072013-05-13T12:39:00.001+01:002013-05-13T12:39:24.214+01:00Grand Sumo Tournament<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8734193032/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/8734193032_a0938e8253.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8734193032/">Grand Sumo Tournament 2013-05-12 (IMG_6475_2)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>Last night, They went to the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan - I had to stay at home, which is a bit of a shame as I think I would have really enjoyed it, I would have sat there very quietly and only woofed every once in a while. But it was a no four-legged ones affair so I stayed home and minded the house. it was ok as They weren't gone for that long and I went for two very very long walks in the morning (and, to be honest, I slept the whole time They were gone). <br /><br />They said it was amazing, just absolutely incredible. There was so much to see and She said the ceremonies before the bouts were fascinating. Her favourite part was the gyoji, the referees - She loved the traditional robes they wore and the elegant stance they took during the bouts. There are major tournaments (hon-basho) six times a year so They will go again in September, They enjoyed it so much. While the ceremonies and colours and atmosphere were amazing, She said that the actual wrestling was very exciting as well - She was cheering and getting very involved He said and He had a wonderful time taking all the photographs. They came home full of excitement and as a huge plus, I got to go for another walk!<br /><br />Woof for now<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-53345701555322545602013-05-09T13:18:00.000+01:002013-05-09T13:18:20.551+01:00Space to Roam and Upcoming Exploring!Before we left to come to Japan, a few of my two legged friends and all of my four legged ones, were worried I would not have enough space to run around in - fortunately, the wonderful two legged ones who helped Her find a place to live, found a house with a garden for me so I am able to sit and strut and sniff out there as much as I want - <p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8B_QSRjhyphenhyphenwhyyIGMdqtAke53_tU-tW3k203VIyha1xR3BNxWmS8nx1UMnW3ujkaoO97Va16DO5BHfapfeXuIDWC_vcFRtNLimUGkWint8My9qnM9uFyTHV8dok92yZrXBcTgoSlzQVg/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8B_QSRjhyphenhyphenwhyyIGMdqtAke53_tU-tW3k203VIyha1xR3BNxWmS8nx1UMnW3ujkaoO97Va16DO5BHfapfeXuIDWC_vcFRtNLimUGkWint8My9qnM9uFyTHV8dok92yZrXBcTgoSlzQVg/s320/IMG_0439.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1m8bl78K2zZL-wmWa378wq8CUXizAKAZvaBO9uaZwmjNrwTP1NYm2qsIC5PKFmUG_Wy5Rhv8HGZoLExtvo2zjc13-BRng39PZqUWQj4CCHCJAEpzygb0bPlIz8JNRi3eiOE_GVUFOxI/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1m8bl78K2zZL-wmWa378wq8CUXizAKAZvaBO9uaZwmjNrwTP1NYm2qsIC5PKFmUG_Wy5Rhv8HGZoLExtvo2zjc13-BRng39PZqUWQj4CCHCJAEpzygb0bPlIz8JNRi3eiOE_GVUFOxI/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9_xWa5DEHNxbysnEd-gHR0wdYTlWjTtYkfGEhy1it1qJuZjiA4ayCp9dfJus0Yf7C7Oudmj7dQaoWlOALhaSC0-oQhvrNZVCNLre8qXksnRMEMA5mlS8s9LrIDqFgZvmjPkHEO7jLXM/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9_xWa5DEHNxbysnEd-gHR0wdYTlWjTtYkfGEhy1it1qJuZjiA4ayCp9dfJus0Yf7C7Oudmj7dQaoWlOALhaSC0-oQhvrNZVCNLre8qXksnRMEMA5mlS8s9LrIDqFgZvmjPkHEO7jLXM/s320/IMG_0453.JPG" /></a>
<p> and, apart from all the walking I do around our suburb and even beyond (because it's important that I let everyone know I'm here and I like to think I am the master of all I survey!), there is of course the river - here are some more photos of my weekend walk - I go to the river usually at least once a day, sometimes twice, for a long walk - now that the weather is becoming quite warm, I can get out and about much more:
<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_j-rBJfL_ULOBtHFWivoMx5mKfJ2vpHs79GqMMmsEqeO8ouIpXP-46lNZAItsJFGOnq1248Mwevz5SCJyUyLwZ9NOMrGORXNrmgEWJs2MbE6NBzXoGWFjRksJdVWF0rORhb6_i87eE/s1600/IMG_5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g_j-rBJfL_ULOBtHFWivoMx5mKfJ2vpHs79GqMMmsEqeO8ouIpXP-46lNZAItsJFGOnq1248Mwevz5SCJyUyLwZ9NOMrGORXNrmgEWJs2MbE6NBzXoGWFjRksJdVWF0rORhb6_i87eE/s320/IMG_5831.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNapJaIJiZTMqN28JRN_-C0ikkKwddgu6xzrgTw287TLgW4L9dBWa9SXCeMll9ueVQGCCMv_Rnt2Snj3EPWauYfuv8y_olOsFPZHvMtI_pu7M53mP8uXY-mMDn5n6PTCBBLXvzGR84EY/s1600/IMG_5836.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNapJaIJiZTMqN28JRN_-C0ikkKwddgu6xzrgTw287TLgW4L9dBWa9SXCeMll9ueVQGCCMv_Rnt2Snj3EPWauYfuv8y_olOsFPZHvMtI_pu7M53mP8uXY-mMDn5n6PTCBBLXvzGR84EY/s320/IMG_5836.jpg" /></a>
<p> So, see, no need to worry, while I may not have a beach to run along, I'm doing zoomies elsewhere and I'm well able to stretch my legs. And once my Sturdibag arrives, I'll be on the trains in no time, going to new parks and all that - so many new adventures to be had!!!
<p> On a less exciting note, my tummy has been a bit up and down the last week - it's probably because I ate something I shouldn't have, but She was a bit worried so, as a result, I'm not allowed to have my usual treats - this may sound a bit awful but, well, I'm not complaining as She found a shop nearby which sells only 100% organic, non-grain based treats - they are DELICIOUS! And He bought me a 'cheese stick' - it's quite large so I will have to lick it, rather than chomp it, for a while until it becomes soft enough for me to devour in my usual impatient way! I'm very determined when it comes to these things so it will be gone very soon, I'm sure! <p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7v0_ghN9nSy2lCoiCbOAJtYFiGCZtgH0i9HySOuYDsrP6SzVxm9FRj_RcDThhUtSTOVITzuRPMwoe5-NMdUodGkaySVF3ZYe2Bb3CaZrItGlBkoS1vqa3VASNd2h3Q9fnBNqn26hLJg/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7v0_ghN9nSy2lCoiCbOAJtYFiGCZtgH0i9HySOuYDsrP6SzVxm9FRj_RcDThhUtSTOVITzuRPMwoe5-NMdUodGkaySVF3ZYe2Bb3CaZrItGlBkoS1vqa3VASNd2h3Q9fnBNqn26hLJg/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsSLbcDNsHzja-mcUTMtWxwtSp_KvWW0HcIfClZzVblyQ30EGBGhj-5REScmAsOXVKUrOqbCh_7F0be35CGQJvBTuGKtgMLwYge-o2dy0ARGl6Z7QHVhH6n-lrC1XgwY79luu5l5UFvY/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsSLbcDNsHzja-mcUTMtWxwtSp_KvWW0HcIfClZzVblyQ30EGBGhj-5REScmAsOXVKUrOqbCh_7F0be35CGQJvBTuGKtgMLwYge-o2dy0ARGl6Z7QHVhH6n-lrC1XgwY79luu5l5UFvY/s320/IMG_0463.JPG" /></a>
<p> I'm having such a busy life at the moment, that I'm rather tired by it all - there is so much to learn and see and do, that, after a few rolls on the lawn (commando rolls She calls them), I'm ready for a wee nap:<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKxspvscfL6KTx6vQcmG9KjkGzk6_CewjA1S5FBV5x4OtOgS0R1ZlM3x2IsOKf9o2vlMCnaF1gf6gr2JV8kxzDTzCq7LkRGqVwnDQgZg1aVArVElySyFJi9EZadZeJMgNHv-E8q_TaNs/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG"<p> imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKxspvscfL6KTx6vQcmG9KjkGzk6_CewjA1S5FBV5x4OtOgS0R1ZlM3x2IsOKf9o2vlMCnaF1gf6gr2JV8kxzDTzCq7LkRGqVwnDQgZg1aVArVElySyFJi9EZadZeJMgNHv-E8q_TaNs/s320/IMG_0442.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW61ijIZZOWbM3Zy48ee9wPPRy-8WCHiTwGDLZt2kyvVt6UMG5zmdimGIoXWpYYb0WxFV76gJxB8Ny6oAQH2Z6MRVzoq_wC_sAGTLpYpjU8UFCWB4uXHasL6nUnlNOKgbWbDUGq00rdHI/s1600/IMG_0443.JPG" <p>imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW61ijIZZOWbM3Zy48ee9wPPRy-8WCHiTwGDLZt2kyvVt6UMG5zmdimGIoXWpYYb0WxFV76gJxB8Ny6oAQH2Z6MRVzoq_wC_sAGTLpYpjU8UFCWB4uXHasL6nUnlNOKgbWbDUGq00rdHI/s320/IMG_0443.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKP-8B5BU6ptShVnk79urlvjv2a5ciq3JMmHx0U8PpnjArYLZbGVTxQQTwdWyrtj6qBfCMhgtp0C5xbCd6fvFNjLPHOC2M6XJ7vfdYfntxTm4axHI8YMbKD6NNB_G1a4qaydrkGXRZTM/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" <p>imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKP-8B5BU6ptShVnk79urlvjv2a5ciq3JMmHx0U8PpnjArYLZbGVTxQQTwdWyrtj6qBfCMhgtp0C5xbCd6fvFNjLPHOC2M6XJ7vfdYfntxTm4axHI8YMbKD6NNB_G1a4qaydrkGXRZTM/s320/IMG_0444.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8mNzVBnNs1rBTzanQh-gJK5rN7O11YcKvTVcQQNG_p-rW612vXGXtb3UTgqwNkA13ft6hc3C0g0Qa6xx8tfEmNxsE0jAK87DCkDmprPqVChZS5II-VXycGi3Q8bsBhaW3yKARS_Ik2k/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8mNzVBnNs1rBTzanQh-gJK5rN7O11YcKvTVcQQNG_p-rW612vXGXtb3UTgqwNkA13ft6hc3C0g0Qa6xx8tfEmNxsE0jAK87DCkDmprPqVChZS5II-VXycGi3Q8bsBhaW3yKARS_Ik2k/s320/IMG_0446.jpg" /></a><p>
They have been out and about again, taking in the new surroundings - I'm sure that once my bag arrives, I'll be visiting some of these new places with Them - I can't wait to sniff all the new smells and see all the amazing things They are seeing although, in fairness, I will probably have my nose to the ground most of the time!
<p>Woof for now.<p>
Groucho<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhlbEJREWfY8xYzqMoxughmCzjEnQ44XZp2UjxUxltPmLTXEUpGl4FyumYdJLZQQ1cXq_MR7Z993wwzMvfVc4N6cU5_G2ycNLk7buwKH1KAqsO3CrAHfVXwUcQDWHxJDHO9E-Mp-sr3s/s1600/IMG_5866_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhlbEJREWfY8xYzqMoxughmCzjEnQ44XZp2UjxUxltPmLTXEUpGl4FyumYdJLZQQ1cXq_MR7Z993wwzMvfVc4N6cU5_G2ycNLk7buwKH1KAqsO3CrAHfVXwUcQDWHxJDHO9E-Mp-sr3s/s320/IMG_5866_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMWa0JYbQIXGSK8ZdCLW_8-1yXPfdpyJRrMm7mFah6EgIdFDJMO9W-074X9qYyzn7gHdvn0We-VYxGB5Z353xqYvXnjymnFIeW9UoFMgtA-anaGA4WU9g8BIBAoKE5BlY7ofIk7CWqS8/s1600/IMG_5915_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMWa0JYbQIXGSK8ZdCLW_8-1yXPfdpyJRrMm7mFah6EgIdFDJMO9W-074X9qYyzn7gHdvn0We-VYxGB5Z353xqYvXnjymnFIeW9UoFMgtA-anaGA4WU9g8BIBAoKE5BlY7ofIk7CWqS8/s320/IMG_5915_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rADDyP9Vr11vd40eC0RXKPGf4F7JgSigLIDTerWpS96pqPZia_KaK7BsmXi2mcPs02YJhaR_-aJaNe8APHgqAQG59RuX3t5YFN9t6CexRFsLhyvnu134Q29Z2PfkqNMi7oQim5iYiP0/s1600/IMG_5924.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rADDyP9Vr11vd40eC0RXKPGf4F7JgSigLIDTerWpS96pqPZia_KaK7BsmXi2mcPs02YJhaR_-aJaNe8APHgqAQG59RuX3t5YFN9t6CexRFsLhyvnu134Q29Z2PfkqNMi7oQim5iYiP0/s320/IMG_5924.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfMlWIhoXc-sXUZl7HbXvYiYG9saazxfpS8ZEyloh9UHxY6PhQWZPOftJT6LfccFlazSbgWlu0QwGSIOt4k1E-IyBdrAU0kXfpf8EfLkTB5Ecqp-bTHMK7zEl3Oca-Xc8lgJbOqWg8Z0/s1600/IMG_5947_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfMlWIhoXc-sXUZl7HbXvYiYG9saazxfpS8ZEyloh9UHxY6PhQWZPOftJT6LfccFlazSbgWlu0QwGSIOt4k1E-IyBdrAU0kXfpf8EfLkTB5Ecqp-bTHMK7zEl3Oca-Xc8lgJbOqWg8Z0/s320/IMG_5947_2.jpg" /></a>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-15333111407795937162013-05-05T10:26:00.000+01:002013-05-05T10:26:17.846+01:00Ogenki desuka?Well, I would not be surprised if you had all given up on me - but what's a Westie to do when She won't help??? She's so busy learning Japanese (the above being an example - it is the equivalent of 'how are you' in English although the literal translation is a bit different but well, we won't go into that - She could go on for hours about it all, She's that fascinated with the language) and that thing that we are all starting to suspect is just an excuse not to help out - Work. I've no idea what it means as I'm a dog, I'm not supposed to know what it means but all I do know is that it takes Her away for about 12 hours of the day and, over the last few weeks, has made Her very tired. However, that's ok as things are less stressful than last year and we are all having a great time in Japan. And He and I get to do great stuff every day.<p>
<p>So, here's an update:<p>
1) Cherry Blossom season has come and gone and now, we are in to Spring and what an amazing difference it makes - when I first arrived, it was cold and rainy and all a bit brown from the cold Winter but now, there is green EVERYWHERE, the two parks near me are wild with green, the trees are all in leaf, the roses have started to come out and the smell of jasmine is everywhere. Of course, I could care less about the pretty smells, I rarely lift my head off the ground when I'm out walking as there are too many great smells around but She tells me that, up at Their height, it's rather amazing. Here is the view She has on the way to the train station every morning:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62TU4lDPqgcMPYZJgIijua1IKzB9Uk6Q5b-g_R262k5fKtbAje7j_Z8iKN438XUpN2nWkbMtWbgfXoeuJPsyWQgl07YzYoDTx6_CQamO5tZtq7c9WzJUPZq1j7p8TJpdKYi0AYx-9VfU/s1600/IMG_5649_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62TU4lDPqgcMPYZJgIijua1IKzB9Uk6Q5b-g_R262k5fKtbAje7j_Z8iKN438XUpN2nWkbMtWbgfXoeuJPsyWQgl07YzYoDTx6_CQamO5tZtq7c9WzJUPZq1j7p8TJpdKYi0AYx-9VfU/s320/IMG_5649_2.jpg" /></a>
<p>2) I'm getting to know my way around very much - I have taken over the suburb, to the extent I can - He and I go for long walks every day so we get to see and do some great stuff - there is some stiff competition over here in terms of the coolest four legged one - at the moment, in particular, I'm finding that the two WFT that I see most evenings are my main competition - I begrudgingly admit that they are indeed worthy of attention but my black button nose is a tad out of joint as a result. I'm working on upping the coolness and handsomeness at my end - it's tiring work - (I had to wear the sock for a few days as my paw was a bit sore - I don't like socks so as soon as they left the room, I took it off - They don't know how I managed it and I'm certainly not going to share the secret but suffice it to say, I worked out a way to get that sock off in a few minutes, every time)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkz-LrCmHE8WdvVgmqrjoSGFcj35OEEIzrr9Q9RuY2FCha6EgPNuYcfVm71APXIkx8HfFom1NGhZvxtel47bz60eG2KgNwKJpswl78UWfz6exh-vgtvndt3FOHuOY0qy9pvH7JEp9FoA/s1600/IMG_5741.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkz-LrCmHE8WdvVgmqrjoSGFcj35OEEIzrr9Q9RuY2FCha6EgPNuYcfVm71APXIkx8HfFom1NGhZvxtel47bz60eG2KgNwKJpswl78UWfz6exh-vgtvndt3FOHuOY0qy9pvH7JEp9FoA/s320/IMG_5741.jpg" /></a>
<p> 3)I'm settling in well (as are They) but I do miss my buddies back in Perth and I miss the older two legged ones - I partiuclarly miss Jorge and Maxi - they were my favourite buddies back Down Under - and even though Jorge is about, oh, 100 times bigger than me, he always played really well with me - but, as of next week, I'm going to doggy day care near Tokyo, a few times a month so I can play with other four legged ones and I'm getting a Sturdibag soon so that I can go on the trains with Them on the weekends and visit loads of cool places with Them - I can't go into the shrines or temples of course, but I can walk around all the cool little places they visit - I am very excited about the trains - look how fast they are and look at all the cool places I can visit:
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1Z7US2ylrOtAkFDAi17u1uMPd1Ddj3Qa5IMuwtEd6UlpIfLOHbz6VDQq-XtdKAdhOwvS30oM4ND4g6H-8xD2H2kTPmCyuuxy09r9B8DbL5sjzIF9TMq__F7rrJXwaOK0duQVJ21SPIY/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1Z7US2ylrOtAkFDAi17u1uMPd1Ddj3Qa5IMuwtEd6UlpIfLOHbz6VDQq-XtdKAdhOwvS30oM4ND4g6H-8xD2H2kTPmCyuuxy09r9B8DbL5sjzIF9TMq__F7rrJXwaOK0duQVJ21SPIY/s320/IMG_5639.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjl9Q9n8UXg7jeJrMTe-bMP6-Np2hIduqpMKgOh9K56lK5Zfkz2TKRITBsE6nEY_0e6QnRcJWZRR9lkhSZLOv-Y0gOWDMHijlz3CUwE_XdwFnpOgE1lwvzeS4R_P1VX3PjgG8LrRPmw/s1600/IMG_5545.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtjl9Q9n8UXg7jeJrMTe-bMP6-Np2hIduqpMKgOh9K56lK5Zfkz2TKRITBsE6nEY_0e6QnRcJWZRR9lkhSZLOv-Y0gOWDMHijlz3CUwE_XdwFnpOgE1lwvzeS4R_P1VX3PjgG8LrRPmw/s320/IMG_5545.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFS1pyzrhzAPCirAtLlpyXYP1Mqbp31A9wh5rYEKNKQzT4jl0naKEV7IUchTE6XzRn1S7qwJxotmBRI_K8gdtI8P4FlCYK89Wmyl6drUjCrUHlXQ_w_Myfz-XtB9CdRmTYVZiCBD4k-8/s1600/IMG_5565_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFS1pyzrhzAPCirAtLlpyXYP1Mqbp31A9wh5rYEKNKQzT4jl0naKEV7IUchTE6XzRn1S7qwJxotmBRI_K8gdtI8P4FlCYK89Wmyl6drUjCrUHlXQ_w_Myfz-XtB9CdRmTYVZiCBD4k-8/s320/IMG_5565_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLczEuCFqaOTxdPr_3zjqsHV2Zf-6T8l36PPuhPo1TWSn6sB4UXQDI8C-q8zxVxq1HaomAEsbU_MFWvjEA69b6OKDQIJxhnToUdGafvmvi5CNVBHSPmF36xW46aKnUerV5hoINrwooIM/s1600/IMG_5576.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLczEuCFqaOTxdPr_3zjqsHV2Zf-6T8l36PPuhPo1TWSn6sB4UXQDI8C-q8zxVxq1HaomAEsbU_MFWvjEA69b6OKDQIJxhnToUdGafvmvi5CNVBHSPmF36xW46aKnUerV5hoINrwooIM/s320/IMG_5576.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibemgkamNFXh2XMiX6W9XXHhxCEXCYHuqo4ljgUx-IsoJiyTVEsHSbq5KI0dlepwzx5qW3FU8ptAAoXdgg55vBqLGpY2ZgEPHvgbFegSj2G1dxZ1SQNOlA7q9QsxT5XJVJILtnQ1htJDk/s1600/IMG_5625.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibemgkamNFXh2XMiX6W9XXHhxCEXCYHuqo4ljgUx-IsoJiyTVEsHSbq5KI0dlepwzx5qW3FU8ptAAoXdgg55vBqLGpY2ZgEPHvgbFegSj2G1dxZ1SQNOlA7q9QsxT5XJVJILtnQ1htJDk/s320/IMG_5625.jpg" /></a>
<p> 4) only a few minutes away from us is a river - it doesn't have the white sandy foreshore that 'my' river Down Under has but it as LOADS of grass to roll around on, a lot of other four legged ones to mess around with and it's LOADED with great smells so I can't complain - we all think it's amazing that in such a densely populated city, I can still have a river to run along and loads of space to run around - you can see me and her having a race (I won of course - She says it's because I tried to trip Her up but I say She's a bad loser - She's very much into the jogging these days, hence the brightly coloured trainers!!!)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnFDGtThwiD8bDi_Xa9KN5FcuwrZMVqeRoVNJuo_w7zyJ4d1yzP_M_Vo2VDWhCMD7MihIz5B5P56pAemRe88rNsQpcc9PSimrHFI1d598lq4Cx_hvAJ7q-WGdiDsVejDfrkZN7GNt9PU/s1600/IMG_5841.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnFDGtThwiD8bDi_Xa9KN5FcuwrZMVqeRoVNJuo_w7zyJ4d1yzP_M_Vo2VDWhCMD7MihIz5B5P56pAemRe88rNsQpcc9PSimrHFI1d598lq4Cx_hvAJ7q-WGdiDsVejDfrkZN7GNt9PU/s320/IMG_5841.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-57Gjat4P6WE_hDWWTT6sVATlXQ8QIf8OrwRdz-ZhJBP9iIFsv0Im7jfUQT7ZREqLepb_lhgvlOD6tByL-bJYgTiPtvoPQKJFAeN4vJAK4l6yDFjulyD2YodNb4Gtxpks92BKlSc9jM8/s1600/IMG_5846_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-57Gjat4P6WE_hDWWTT6sVATlXQ8QIf8OrwRdz-ZhJBP9iIFsv0Im7jfUQT7ZREqLepb_lhgvlOD6tByL-bJYgTiPtvoPQKJFAeN4vJAK4l6yDFjulyD2YodNb4Gtxpks92BKlSc9jM8/s320/IMG_5846_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidrLMXQSdBH6kaXnSd2pUHzlJjMFvBZ8s0ZNO39i7MBbvXxT9gfCpA74bvp1mJUvXhboZLO2HNc8MNVV3SRbXjest5w01OO6TvJFek8J5lucRARNNGjCuXd4tArB6x3C_3koPfgSGh9Y/s1600/IMG_5834_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidrLMXQSdBH6kaXnSd2pUHzlJjMFvBZ8s0ZNO39i7MBbvXxT9gfCpA74bvp1mJUvXhboZLO2HNc8MNVV3SRbXjest5w01OO6TvJFek8J5lucRARNNGjCuXd4tArB6x3C_3koPfgSGh9Y/s320/IMG_5834_2.jpg" /></a>
<p> So, all in all, the Japanese Adventure is going well - I'm a lucky four legged one to get to see so much and She says it's like living a wonderful dream - She is so grateful and says we are all very lucky. He is taking a lot of photographs (fortunately, mostly of things other than me as we all know I'm not that keen on having my photograph taken!!!!) and They are doing a lot of sight seeing -
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPskIZ7tCt53Qz12GTDVoJ5neSp6CF2tg3TPMmL-BJvDf3W-AOaQ5uIgxoqMWeWDWJYjBKUOqgprVC7j1jUwxuMpndD7OeenTrcQhBDUv4WdPd2KmPSHFA6mP1dXtr4jlegSoRBtUZG4/s1600/IMG_5728_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPskIZ7tCt53Qz12GTDVoJ5neSp6CF2tg3TPMmL-BJvDf3W-AOaQ5uIgxoqMWeWDWJYjBKUOqgprVC7j1jUwxuMpndD7OeenTrcQhBDUv4WdPd2KmPSHFA6mP1dXtr4jlegSoRBtUZG4/s320/IMG_5728_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lnD4hq6VjsYmKs6DjlMaFtdiLEeJzCiXSoKoX7YT8AGnYZXanGC4ON49jEZLU67EJ18dnsEIHG7vexhyOxFtd_OGlIg5xIcfOK1LZhghODZbIM467wGvu4qnUlfbMCXDRewU_VnWf3A/s1600/IMG_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lnD4hq6VjsYmKs6DjlMaFtdiLEeJzCiXSoKoX7YT8AGnYZXanGC4ON49jEZLU67EJ18dnsEIHG7vexhyOxFtd_OGlIg5xIcfOK1LZhghODZbIM467wGvu4qnUlfbMCXDRewU_VnWf3A/s320/IMG_5749.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_1to-kB5npyZzCIhTZRjIKWv3DOuH2N69dOeYbqco5d_BIBNMarxlPHpjyo0VThy_3b_Z9tvVIxlkKTo4lFTP1RZhJbiz3fiiwcekmdZRIBBl8iPjrWM1WJ9TlVD9KR_uDMpWdNRZMQ/s1600/IMG_5810.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_1to-kB5npyZzCIhTZRjIKWv3DOuH2N69dOeYbqco5d_BIBNMarxlPHpjyo0VThy_3b_Z9tvVIxlkKTo4lFTP1RZhJbiz3fiiwcekmdZRIBBl8iPjrWM1WJ9TlVD9KR_uDMpWdNRZMQ/s320/IMG_5810.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE3q_aYNY-5n8G88RU9jPO1nFehbzLDuurVjmH8O7Xxs8xVxOHlDzDEfrijhuwKdXhBlqVhw2B0EQIgGbKPnCP6lIBsPUgTnDVImYNYxex_zXrWqzqif0nSJt_KV7xJyFEQOn0EDIcJQ/s1600/IMG_5821.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE3q_aYNY-5n8G88RU9jPO1nFehbzLDuurVjmH8O7Xxs8xVxOHlDzDEfrijhuwKdXhBlqVhw2B0EQIgGbKPnCP6lIBsPUgTnDVImYNYxex_zXrWqzqif0nSJt_KV7xJyFEQOn0EDIcJQ/s320/IMG_5821.jpg" /></a>
<p> But She SAYS (and I'm trying to believe Her this time) that She will help me out much more and promises to be a bit more proactive in Her duties, including catching up on everyone else's blogs as we really have missed you all!!
<p> Woof for now
<p> Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-57670118225267204092013-04-03T13:29:00.000+01:002013-04-03T13:29:35.761+01:00Konnichiwa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAohU6ELT14pGGfahUsbTMrSY2J2u5NG6Dz7DN1kr3mXbiZepMP847leU2Xux0p994VunHWCSHpFf0XgnlpLNPLcoKtHCAQSE8WqFI_XoDPzWp2iwHm1Bw9ZSpI3J1bZKnyf9T6IADL6Q/s1600/IMG_0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAohU6ELT14pGGfahUsbTMrSY2J2u5NG6Dz7DN1kr3mXbiZepMP847leU2Xux0p994VunHWCSHpFf0XgnlpLNPLcoKtHCAQSE8WqFI_XoDPzWp2iwHm1Bw9ZSpI3J1bZKnyf9T6IADL6Q/s320/IMG_0367.jpg" /></a>
So, here I am, Day Five of the Great Adventure in Japan. I arrived safely, as you can tell from my previous post, and I'm settling in well. The first few days I was very very very tired .....
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CCQALDlF4jJCm0A9dFPF1GY2gR6p2EAz546n-T0Be6diov-vtcMzp-4IxnxeX7vbpRCaYgbUI7Wsi0vTR0ClXieFnepNQG8wmoCgNqBs5mBPE_-hRdFpeRAJZPLv21UraDmjpSnH4g/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0CCQALDlF4jJCm0A9dFPF1GY2gR6p2EAz546n-T0Be6diov-vtcMzp-4IxnxeX7vbpRCaYgbUI7Wsi0vTR0ClXieFnepNQG8wmoCgNqBs5mBPE_-hRdFpeRAJZPLv21UraDmjpSnH4g/s320/IMG_0360.JPG" /></a>
and everyone who knows me knows that I must have been really, really tired to not destroy Ratty (a welcome home present from Her). Of course, now that I'm back in fine form, Ratty was almost destroyed this evening in a spurt of energy but he was taken away from me - something about trying to have a stuffie that lasts more than a few days!
Of course, it was natural I was tired - it wasn't as long a trip from Australia to Japan as it was from Ireland to Australia and I didn't need any quarantine but still, it's a long way and well, I spent a day at a posh pet hotel before I left Australia and She suspects that I was out all day with the other four legged ones having a blast and showing them who's boss (and I was and I did and I partied pretty hard I can tell you so it was more that than the flight that made me tired!). I have to say thanks here to Penny at <a href="www.jetpets.com.au">Jetpets</a> for making sure it all went well and, more importantly, for calming Her down about the whole thing - She says She was well in control but I know that poor Penny was on the receiving end of a few stressed out emails!
On Sunday, though, I was ready for a bit of an explore - and boy, did I explore - we went to the local dog cafe - and unlike in Australia where that means I can go, but I have to sit outside, the dog cafe here is a cafe for us four legged ones - we can sit up on a bench, there is a Dog Menu, as soon as I arrived, I was given a mat to lie on and a bowl of water - I was greeted before They were (as is only right and proper) and even though I couldn't read the menu, I could certainly smell some tempting stuff - so I had a special 'only for four legged ones' cake (I wasn't allowed to eat it all as even though it's for us four legged ones, She mentioned that horrible Diet word again ... such a killjoy that one) and They had their usual coffees -
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7mca2EyaNAo__nZTYD8opj7Nh-sLpXXU7iWBf0iXRC1PB7vSjTlzLxp2NJAznHBPgM04BeClX_dhJ83tiNkY-kpLOr7nphSI01m6OzAuWSSz16OMGQKEolNLKo4_7BI5G0aq5ggb9rc/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7mca2EyaNAo__nZTYD8opj7Nh-sLpXXU7iWBf0iXRC1PB7vSjTlzLxp2NJAznHBPgM04BeClX_dhJ83tiNkY-kpLOr7nphSI01m6OzAuWSSz16OMGQKEolNLKo4_7BI5G0aq5ggb9rc/s320/IMG_0371.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwghSYWfhR8UXiOeKpJbd4s7thEJgsrVVtahavk214443RHM2LTzg9TkoyKQd_RV55VEhYrBCazY3Wt6DLfPHIfnxWoPdOI2tfvo5Rct6VEA46Fiyf68fsWdG0BrJCu31ds8tPbezCRek/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwghSYWfhR8UXiOeKpJbd4s7thEJgsrVVtahavk214443RHM2LTzg9TkoyKQd_RV55VEhYrBCazY3Wt6DLfPHIfnxWoPdOI2tfvo5Rct6VEA46Fiyf68fsWdG0BrJCu31ds8tPbezCRek/s320/IMG_0370.JPG" /></a>
So, She and I will be visiting that cafe quite a bit - it's going to be our 'together time' on the weekend. The cherry blossoms are as amazing as She says - mind you, I don't tend to look up that much when I'm out a walkin' - I just sniff the ground but every once in a while, I did look up and I admit to being amazed by the sakura - and, when we walked home, the wind came up and blossoms were floating down - it was like snow, it was so pretty - I had blossoms all over me! The last few days have been raining and I mean rain, like Irish rain - lashing down so I haven't been able to explore and unfortunately, the sakura have started to disappear but boy, am I glad I arrived in time to see them.
I'm excited about this Great Adventure - as are They. She can see Fuji-san from her office window and She says it is so incredible to look up and see this amazing mountain, sitting there all serene and beautiful. Sometimes, she does go on a bit!
Anyway, I better go - it's been a long day - the sun came out this afternoon so He and I went exploring and then we went to meet Her at the train station and then we went to buy me a new bed!!!
Woof for now
Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-69254366214978664372013-03-29T08:28:00.001+00:002013-03-29T08:28:33.213+00:00Guess where I am?????<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8587255291/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8587255291_7cc7198031.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8587255291/">Cherry Blossom</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>Yeeeehaaaa, we are ALL back together - in Japan!!!! Yep, that's what the new venture was all about and we are all FINALLY in the same country again. She was soooo excited to see me as She hasn't seen me for 6 weeks (He saw me only last week so He was a little more controlled!). I'm REALLY tired after my journey here (more on that later). <br /><br />Stay tuned for more of my adventures over here - it's sakura, cherry blossom season and even though I've only been here a few hours, I've seen a few and had to listen to Her go on about them - She thinks they are amazing and a miracle of nature and She just goes on and on and on about them (but that's ok really because we are all so happy to be back together!).<br /><br />Woof (or should I say sayonara?) for now.<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-46795526319752150472013-03-17T05:55:00.001+00:002013-03-17T06:25:18.050+00:00Happy St Patrick's Day!<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/5188506837/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4086/5188506837_3e4af57f88.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/5188506837/">All terrain dog</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>In honour of St Patrick, the patron saint of my country (even though I haven't lived there for a while, I'm still Irish and I still have my Irish woof accent!)I thought I should show you all a photograph of the wonderful, beautiful country that is Ireland so here is a photograph taken of me, just after we returned from Dubai in 2007, in Connemarra, Her favourite place ever. And mine too - because, I can tell you, the beaches are PAWSOME, the walks are amazing AND I'm allowed go into the pubs with Them and everyone makes a huge fuss of me. <br /><br />St Patrick is the patron saint of the school where She went (not that many <strike>many </strike>years ago !) and every year, there was always a Mass (and still is, of course) for all the girls and their parents so She never forgets St Patrick's Day. And of course, He never forgets either. St Patrick was actually born in Scotland, but he was taken to Ireland as a slave, apparently, and even after he escaped back to his family i Scotland, he returned to Ireland (as I want to one day soon!!) and died there on March 17. I'm extra homesick today - sometimes, I miss Ireland more than other times and today, I miss it a lot but really, I can't complain, I had a great time at <a href="http://ranger-scottie.blogspot.jp">Ranger's</a> paw-ty yesterday and I've a great life altogether!
Happy St Patrick's Day or, the proper way to say it - (She just can't say it the proper way because, unlike me and Him, She can't get the Irish pronounciation correct! She tries really hard to learn but She just can't get it right - and I know I shouldn't laugh, it's not Her fault that, unlike me, She is not good with languages, but I do - I chuckle behind my paw ...) <br /><br />La Fhéile Pádraig Shona Daoibh.<br /><br />Woof for now.<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-22895067207049034192013-03-03T11:20:00.001+00:002013-03-03T11:22:01.632+00:00Hello to Her<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/7954855480/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7954855480_c16c85d663.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/7954855480/">The Westie Roll</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>She is still away - He is helping me with the blog stuff. I am sending this to cheer her up as I know She is missing me a lot - and this photo will remind her of one of our activities - She and I love to lie on the grass and look up at the clouds. She says it's one of the most relaxing things EVER to do, just lying there, looking up at the sky, trying to make shapes out of the clouds. She says She and her dad used to do that when She was a girl, and She always laughs because She says her dad always said the cloud, no matter what shape, looked like a dragon!!!<br /><br />So, I'm goodly and I listen to her for a while and then, well, I'm a Westie, I get bored and I scoot off to play or sniff or do some circle work. Reminiscing is all very well, but geez, give me a break, it's a park, how am I expected to stare at the clouds for that long - there's too much to do!!<br /><br />Woof for now.<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-29925064561561332372013-02-26T12:02:00.001+00:002013-02-26T12:02:20.133+00:00Thanks Ranger<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/5394313019/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5255/5394313019_4a844c109f.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/5394313019/">Groucho</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>This is just a quick note to say thanks to Ranger for my Leibster Award - it was PAWSOME of him to give me the award. I<br /><br />But, because She is still away and I'm a wee bit pawly (again), I'll have to wait a while before I can do what has to be done but we couldn't let the award go by without saying a huge thanks to Ranger!!! You can find Ranger's details on the right hand side of my blog. <br /><br />I'm really starting to miss Her and I heard Her tell Him the other night when they were Skype-ing that She can't wait to see me again - I know She misses me when She is away but it's always wonderful to hear it isn't it? <br /><br />Woof for now<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-27546499508737592422013-02-20T10:23:00.001+00:002013-02-20T10:23:54.087+00:00The Beach<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8170912470/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8170912470_730f3b69d6.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/8170912470/">Born to run</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>On Sunday morning, He read my latest post and said, OK, so, I'll take you to the beach! This is not the beach we went to - this is on my FAVOURITE beach in Australia, but as you can probably imagine, I did much the same - I ran, and ran, and swam. We did miss Her but I'll be honest and say that, well, when I'm on the beach, I don't really think about anything except waves, swimming, sniffing and meeting other like minded four legged ones!<br /><br />Woof for now<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-73970906548326817472013-02-16T07:37:00.001+00:002013-02-16T07:37:34.403+00:00Sleeping She is away for a little while, working on The New Venture - She was very sad when She left last week but it won't be for too much longer - of course, we are all excited about The New Venture but it does mean a few weeks apart and She says She finds it a bit tough without me, her Westie Therapy! Of course, She misses him as well!!!
<p>The week before She left, it was very very hot which I don't really enjoy - EXCEPT of course, it means more trips to the river and the beach ..... and I never complain about that do I? It also means a lot of time spent sleeping ........until it's cool enough to go off to the river or beach! I'm very lucky that we live so close to the water so I can cool off and very lucky that that wonderful sea breeze comes howling in - most days ,that is.<p>
<p>And, since She took off, the weather has only been hotter and hotter (She is very glad She is missing out on that - hot weather makes her somewhat grumpy!!) but He has been making sure I'm only out walking when it's cool and I'm hoping there's a trip to the beach this weekend.<p>
She said to say that posts will be somewhat sporadic over the next month as will comments on y'all blogs - in my mind, I doubt anyone will notice as, let's face it, her 2013 resolution to be a better helper in the blog department didn't just fail - it never actually got off the ground!!!<p>
Woof for now.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgSCijPSMXdisZFXAebfv2hziLx0_E5kyGuyoQdz3Ro0QRolXSRZu9_uBUoow3tN5fcZ4GQlgsCQe8PDGxUvsZUQgy_Q2skePcVougahX_BBa3qD7W4H6vVyYkQ6y8nK6Fox5Cyr-S1I/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgSCijPSMXdisZFXAebfv2hziLx0_E5kyGuyoQdz3Ro0QRolXSRZu9_uBUoow3tN5fcZ4GQlgsCQe8PDGxUvsZUQgy_Q2skePcVougahX_BBa3qD7W4H6vVyYkQ6y8nK6Fox5Cyr-S1I/s320/IMG_0219.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q6Tw7FQb3KGUp8Wts7X9d8o3GFsf2dRZvfvQa58CxyVvAauU8BTa64c9jfpwjoC5XDMbENpGDcB7K251JLCBlWAb_rar6ItQoHPeZ8W746hXzC2I7u7JL9r_IDOEJpTV0wAGeLEngNs/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q6Tw7FQb3KGUp8Wts7X9d8o3GFsf2dRZvfvQa58CxyVvAauU8BTa64c9jfpwjoC5XDMbENpGDcB7K251JLCBlWAb_rar6ItQoHPeZ8W746hXzC2I7u7JL9r_IDOEJpTV0wAGeLEngNs/s320/IMG_0414.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOaTA9tM23zYAwPetpv9ujbm2ULw5jgkBIVhIuGb0F9W3y61j3HcoDlClmF_JkxPfrO4ocxoKADFIBW6qAMkPmAa_Q-9Sxeju8xQOxHwDfWSAhP_sgZcSbiWgIUaUPdfVHr3DcBKnG1I/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOaTA9tM23zYAwPetpv9ujbm2ULw5jgkBIVhIuGb0F9W3y61j3HcoDlClmF_JkxPfrO4ocxoKADFIBW6qAMkPmAa_Q-9Sxeju8xQOxHwDfWSAhP_sgZcSbiWgIUaUPdfVHr3DcBKnG1I/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" /></a>
GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-13695862900100218392013-02-07T10:28:00.001+00:002013-02-07T10:28:26.128+00:00Well ....<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/6259997743/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6117/6259997743_dd00f2c9f3.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/6259997743/">Sandy Nose</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderwestie/">Wonder Westie</a>.</span></div><p>What can I say???? My so called assistant has been very slack in assisting with Blogville stuff - I mean, honestly, why does She even bother calling Herself an assistant???? So, as per usual, I am MILES behind in telling y'all about what has been happening so I'll just have to give it all a miss as there is SOOO much to tell. But, on the plus side, at least i can update everyone going forward on a weekly basis (so She tells me but She says this a lot and I'm not sure I can rely on Her 'assistance' any more!!!). I think I'll have to fine a way of turning on the Wifi myself - oh, what would I give for opposable thumbs!<br /><br />Anyway, we are all having fun here - lots of trips to the river and the beach, I seem to be over my pawly-ness and I have enjoyed having Her home during the day -we have great fun, we go for extra long walks in the mornings and then, if it's not too hot, we go across to the park for a quick run and then of course when He gets home it's off to the beach or wherever. Oh, it's a great life really.<br /><br />Anyway, I better dash. I have been keeping up with all your news but She has, in fairness been very busy with a new venture - there will be more on that later so keep tuned!!!<br /><br />Woof for now<br /><br />Groucho</p>Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-88019852967356917652013-01-20T10:32:00.000+00:002013-01-20T10:32:35.918+00:00Dock DaysWhere I live, Down Under, we are blessed, during the Summer months, with the 'sea breeze' - I've mentioned this wonderful <a href="http://grouchothewonderwestie.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/its-bit-cooler-so.html">natural air conditioner</a> before but we never tire of it - it is truly a wonderful wonderful thing - so last week, when that seabreeze came HOWLING in off the Indian Ocean, we raced to the car and headed to the wharf (or the docks as some two legged ones call it). She loves going there - because it's cool, it's always busy with ships coming and going and the cranes working non-stop -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqNWXKxlvV8k-y69wr0SfTScMqbjz7U05E4CgvngTsCG_29P-gLWBOJV88dR2wFtruG5zQZd3aRPHkaYVOycZJOK2pmv5g5588CLtW6d1g5fEnGWVg-V-zqWEK7IEpGGXnaobF9fyAow/s1600/IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqNWXKxlvV8k-y69wr0SfTScMqbjz7U05E4CgvngTsCG_29P-gLWBOJV88dR2wFtruG5zQZd3aRPHkaYVOycZJOK2pmv5g5588CLtW6d1g5fEnGWVg-V-zqWEK7IEpGGXnaobF9fyAow/s400/IMG_4244.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvn2MyditXolkkcCyF_eUmBLMGuQjgq-rdDTlAPYOhJUBZAOYP7Wq8fOIVpVsZStuPX6igpOk8EmYN0smm5ughwO-Z_dKXoqrF8JrOX1A3korADXms7A3jX5u6EpPotVUARYE8_SaBDM/s1600/IMG_4258_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvn2MyditXolkkcCyF_eUmBLMGuQjgq-rdDTlAPYOhJUBZAOYP7Wq8fOIVpVsZStuPX6igpOk8EmYN0smm5ughwO-Z_dKXoqrF8JrOX1A3korADXms7A3jX5u6EpPotVUARYE8_SaBDM/s400/IMG_4258_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOeMsBnU6iMrbszTm_HKrxCl_x1fcMI6f1m0hR8uWhHTnQ3btzg3dsU-gokGTgAGorbQbyFmfwuuiVoI9fxkyjJJi25OVB083H5rtHuGbip5LGSx-OrQiI7i0ixPXecDFG4l8FMH-8fw/s1600/IMG_4288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOeMsBnU6iMrbszTm_HKrxCl_x1fcMI6f1m0hR8uWhHTnQ3btzg3dsU-gokGTgAGorbQbyFmfwuuiVoI9fxkyjJJi25OVB083H5rtHuGbip5LGSx-OrQiI7i0ixPXecDFG4l8FMH-8fw/s400/IMG_4288.jpg" /></a></div>
and He enjoys going because there are some great photo opportunities -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1VxWZE6L8AyQv4Hw12boV5H7ABQg1VjAfSsBVk7toAkriW3sWnhdluagn2PwT9TOze_qw_CrWPG8BknLHXlpYcSgzNQo08IZDMPSGGJzJu_fRKdD5yyi1zMoORmVw3SB55EWQIAcLXg/s1600/IMG_4259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1VxWZE6L8AyQv4Hw12boV5H7ABQg1VjAfSsBVk7toAkriW3sWnhdluagn2PwT9TOze_qw_CrWPG8BknLHXlpYcSgzNQo08IZDMPSGGJzJu_fRKdD5yyi1zMoORmVw3SB55EWQIAcLXg/s400/IMG_4259.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynJwtMbzOhoYht_gpLigf7nVWpQJOuMRCq1pPl0gip06KGNcByUNmR9pXRCrqwucbSRWc47hiDqlQ0hrZRKx_uqHktrmtMUleiC-9scIOlO5yaBXPDNwDu4_U-5IjI7O6nfxZRBtdTFA/s1600/IMG_7639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynJwtMbzOhoYht_gpLigf7nVWpQJOuMRCq1pPl0gip06KGNcByUNmR9pXRCrqwucbSRWc47hiDqlQ0hrZRKx_uqHktrmtMUleiC-9scIOlO5yaBXPDNwDu4_U-5IjI7O6nfxZRBtdTFA/s400/IMG_7639.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3FKvfnvpNOuu2ASibXVQYVcJgLOvK2CU32Fa45qRd2_Kb-iF8tHwO1qgfZGn0ls_XAbJvjo3Hr-xXnwHDtLfdRC9tsSS30OKoShmRVcWrzr48c2g2duTXX4hH5OM7MmdYNdgfzXHp0E/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3FKvfnvpNOuu2ASibXVQYVcJgLOvK2CU32Fa45qRd2_Kb-iF8tHwO1qgfZGn0ls_XAbJvjo3Hr-xXnwHDtLfdRC9tsSS30OKoShmRVcWrzr48c2g2duTXX4hH5OM7MmdYNdgfzXHp0E/s400/IMG_1821.JPG" /></a></div>
And I love going to the wharf because <p>a) the smells are brilliant - oh, there are other four legged one smells, fish smells, bird smells - so many smells to sniff that I go giddy with it all! <p>b) the water looks amazing - it's all sparkly and I love standing on the edge of the wharf (with my lead on, of course, because ccording to Her, I 'cannot be trusted' with so many birds around), looking at it and sticking my head into the seabreeze and sniffing the great smells and <p>c)with all the happenings going on, it's impossible NOT to have a great time!!!! I mean, it's great fun - looking at all the ships, wondering where they have come from, where they are going to - it's all just food for my Westie imagination!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvManU9nA6Nd2xiwwtFLUb926wz6LJ35vYkHY0m4mQS2qaZ4Aq7omwqY2V57faLqP97qbnAvibRPkpdEUnSam4Jg_jhhmxGSndM0chcgvP19zvWp5bgX48ImzdD-Mq8xUrx88B7r_vsA/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvManU9nA6Nd2xiwwtFLUb926wz6LJ35vYkHY0m4mQS2qaZ4Aq7omwqY2V57faLqP97qbnAvibRPkpdEUnSam4Jg_jhhmxGSndM0chcgvP19zvWp5bgX48ImzdD-Mq8xUrx88B7r_vsA/s400/IMG_4227.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAW1ZlufoS54eCw3ZlCXkWS15c_0FQkNnME3u7KG3uTppe2dgy4w7xfYPZyxm_TmM4Fm8Rv6L7LqrgfjM_l0_ZFZN2gIfv3nQE1sAYwHgY7E9DS3PCDqX3CLP7e9TjZ2Rqj9VfBJPkjQ/s1600/IMG_4283_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAW1ZlufoS54eCw3ZlCXkWS15c_0FQkNnME3u7KG3uTppe2dgy4w7xfYPZyxm_TmM4Fm8Rv6L7LqrgfjM_l0_ZFZN2gIfv3nQE1sAYwHgY7E9DS3PCDqX3CLP7e9TjZ2Rqj9VfBJPkjQ/s400/IMG_4283_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetirAALvJ0YuSSmuDWLxdcSIOXl9unWbb6S592XEOfPInVBxXRYl9kXKqaTFyKhlX0N_BF4rOOsQA1kXCxoqsOUnT906YGjL58b9j7B0YiCCdg1fIup3u8OCgbyAZlckkqA6JMAJYT-g/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetirAALvJ0YuSSmuDWLxdcSIOXl9unWbb6S592XEOfPInVBxXRYl9kXKqaTFyKhlX0N_BF4rOOsQA1kXCxoqsOUnT906YGjL58b9j7B0YiCCdg1fIup3u8OCgbyAZlckkqA6JMAJYT-g/s400/IMG_4236.JPG" /></a></div>
<p> Woof for now<p>
Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-29897704965316563722013-01-10T03:33:00.001+00:002013-01-10T03:33:31.534+00:00My New CareerWell, it's been a while coming but the Two Legged Ones have decided to advertise my new career - interior design. Yep, that's right, I know it sounds a bit strange but They have decided that as I am SOOOO good at rearranging cushions, stools, foot rests, blankets etc to suit my own requirements that I should take it up on a professional basis. She decided this when She came home from work a while back to find my latest 're-designing' efforts on display:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DHzkcUUDCbRfwR5pEDchwjr0JHsxisnB2bxCfvySaEAgIq1KmqbWr4Ut4ZAbyEq-K768i5aKGcvT43WNaYmOp5nq7h6kPd84hW7qTsCJgK6jKvGbm1galOH1wY0N03GjloaNbxHdHfk/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DHzkcUUDCbRfwR5pEDchwjr0JHsxisnB2bxCfvySaEAgIq1KmqbWr4Ut4ZAbyEq-K768i5aKGcvT43WNaYmOp5nq7h6kPd84hW7qTsCJgK6jKvGbm1galOH1wY0N03GjloaNbxHdHfk/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" /></a></div>
Now, She has indicated that perhaps my skills will only appeal to a niche market (ie other four legged ones) and She may be right - after all, two legged ones really show no interest at all in cushions on the floor do they? I've no idea what that's all about - after all, when cushions are on the couch (or blankets, throw rugs etc for that matter) they really do just take up room and I think they look so appealing against the white tiles!
Woof for now.
GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-30436778891493224982013-01-09T03:05:00.003+00:002013-01-09T03:05:37.311+00:00What can I say??Well, so much for the more consistent blogging since She gave up work - I've not seen any improvement at all so <strike>words </strike> barks have been spoken. Apparently, one of her new year's resolution was to assist me more with the blogging - hmmmph!!!!
<p> There is much to relate, due to Her slackness so here goes:<p>
<p>1) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We hope you all have a wonderful 2013 full of long walks, treats, many interesting sniffing opportunities, trips to the beach, fun blogging and much health, peace and joy.<p>
<p>2) Christmas Day, where I live Down Under, was SOOOO hot - it was SOOO hot that I could not even go to the beach. However, I had a great time opening my present (yes, only one this year - something to do with me being on a 'diet' - I've no idea what that word means other than it seems to result in me having less treats on a daily basis so it's obviously a BAD word. As you can probably tell from the third photograph below, I'm not exactly patient or delicate when it comes to present opening:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWAamBKe0UKhOE6AGTSRS2n6-Zqz1Cs4-e3Ic_Kg7-Qv5k2QeFw0Wzu-wxEg-xwKucN0zsCcqIeJegeB3O091_aMDvhYXLoTCqfYEYhee2JlpOiqXkqFONseZn9BBNwAF3YJ6xvPahWU/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWAamBKe0UKhOE6AGTSRS2n6-Zqz1Cs4-e3Ic_Kg7-Qv5k2QeFw0Wzu-wxEg-xwKucN0zsCcqIeJegeB3O091_aMDvhYXLoTCqfYEYhee2JlpOiqXkqFONseZn9BBNwAF3YJ6xvPahWU/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrfG18b2Qxz66wZcSa3IfebuqI5mRmaNarlYAhk8KtHB30nByAiV_TD6Xm8m0HOrf33t5iHYM0wRfIoQ7SF2rdaiVBEPcYFlTo8xldu7qpsJIwS1q8JmlP1te5s8fIEIGOKhM8FJRRc0/s1600/IMG_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrfG18b2Qxz66wZcSa3IfebuqI5mRmaNarlYAhk8KtHB30nByAiV_TD6Xm8m0HOrf33t5iHYM0wRfIoQ7SF2rdaiVBEPcYFlTo8xldu7qpsJIwS1q8JmlP1te5s8fIEIGOKhM8FJRRc0/s400/IMG_0136.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8FuUbzw2ZxnwCcHGxQ1IxKidw6Asda-F2IpNaMmrTIshV1PfrsbRPaNguVjlyTfhs5AwtmlC71YZCKDEubZQxDg9-qcLRleyt6PWEartkJcgc63_EnaN30uQq7_xDi2zs5JFbrQrHUc/s1600/IMG_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8FuUbzw2ZxnwCcHGxQ1IxKidw6Asda-F2IpNaMmrTIshV1PfrsbRPaNguVjlyTfhs5AwtmlC71YZCKDEubZQxDg9-qcLRleyt6PWEartkJcgc63_EnaN30uQq7_xDi2zs5JFbrQrHUc/s400/IMG_0137.jpg" /></a></div>
<p> 3) The day after Christmas was much cooler so we went to a new park to celebrate - I practiced my obedience skills and I believe I did very well - I took off immediately but, apparently, They said 'here' not 'go chase that bird' - I beg to differ, I still maintain They said 'chase' and I displayed superlatively good skills by doing as immediately requested - <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjGDbRc5mxb2LefJmLK_qJy8cTxUMe9z5Ps0iZyPuSAgtAGBc8fN6iPav_RvzjopY9e7BeMjV_X3TFmszVQ2tn8zZMwjDjwglnGCKwlRJLcoFlbuzVaPJxKwBpf891ygvomQTLPzRMbo/s1600/IMG_3699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjGDbRc5mxb2LefJmLK_qJy8cTxUMe9z5Ps0iZyPuSAgtAGBc8fN6iPav_RvzjopY9e7BeMjV_X3TFmszVQ2tn8zZMwjDjwglnGCKwlRJLcoFlbuzVaPJxKwBpf891ygvomQTLPzRMbo/s400/IMG_3699.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
4) On that same day, They took off for a holiday without me - by my reckoning, that is the THIRD holiday of 2012 without me - I <strike>objected</strike> sulked a fair bit but, well, really, I don't mind - I stay with the older two legged ones and I am <strike>treated with all the attention and respect and adoration I deserve</strike> SPOILT when I stay with them
<p>5) She has decided to have yet another go at growing herbs (not a gardener Her, in fact, She has no idea at all and has managed to kill untold numbers of poor innocent plants in her over zealous and misguided attempts at 'becoming a gardener') - I decdied to <strike>help</strike> bury a treat right next to Her already flagging basil plant and help it on its way to an early exit from the word of herbs -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtMha4BjPF_cSGE2WDt8VsMg9g1Wm0P2Qf6Y4lzOGEPu9C8cn6jSc7i0KsEa6D30u54mbjAesQY2HH1uciIVIVU4Tnroc7Huhtt4HFnm76FZIWwhMCP4L3g1IisNScNdRe6EQInHGY-o/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtMha4BjPF_cSGE2WDt8VsMg9g1Wm0P2Qf6Y4lzOGEPu9C8cn6jSc7i0KsEa6D30u54mbjAesQY2HH1uciIVIVU4Tnroc7Huhtt4HFnm76FZIWwhMCP4L3g1IisNScNdRe6EQInHGY-o/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK__c9Bx3PKmPD-KGzAOqykaAGwgKEPWwhph98MTJeEsw0ZErYq6XPuUDAXG9Dv2V5UJm8ErBZG_SnOSKyBioxMnBextWqh2Fc__JmSISMlWcYycgB8kGSmywBA9Unj8vI35EQSnhnqXo/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK__c9Bx3PKmPD-KGzAOqykaAGwgKEPWwhph98MTJeEsw0ZErYq6XPuUDAXG9Dv2V5UJm8ErBZG_SnOSKyBioxMnBextWqh2Fc__JmSISMlWcYycgB8kGSmywBA9Unj8vI35EQSnhnqXo/s400/IMG_0118.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxhaA2QtbMu1LOI92WD7ojfmjfFTmAUJA98j1ooXgWwMH6kc7-78RojVH__MDkpqzfgaGfwqRiU8BXm76_1EuWUgU2LhFGlqJkcLYmRHhq_NDCpVPkCvfqVS_BqqxGr5ikp1G3h5jzQc/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxhaA2QtbMu1LOI92WD7ojfmjfFTmAUJA98j1ooXgWwMH6kc7-78RojVH__MDkpqzfgaGfwqRiU8BXm76_1EuWUgU2LhFGlqJkcLYmRHhq_NDCpVPkCvfqVS_BqqxGr5ikp1G3h5jzQc/s400/IMG_0121.JPG" /></a></div>
<p>
6) She is going to have a few months off work so She and I are already having great fun - long walks (now that it's a bit cooler), trips to the beach, we take Him to work sometimes and then we hang out together. It's GREAT. However, I have noticed that She has taken to editing quite a bit of my post so I'm going to have to pull her into line.
<p>
So, here's to more regular blogging from us and a wonderful 2013 in Dog Blogville (and elsewhere of course!).
Woof
Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-87306507347997467432012-11-20T11:51:00.000+00:002012-11-20T11:51:34.287+00:00The No Longer Pawly-ness of GrouchoSo, I know I've been blaming Her for busy-ness at work for the lack of dog blogging, but the main reason really is for the past 4 weeks or so, I've been very paw-ly - at first, it was just a bit of scratching and carrying on but then it developed into something more serious - I was very under the weather and oh my, was She worried. Even the dog-ters were worried. I had some tests, which resulted in much furrowing of brows (I don't know why They were so furrowed browed - it wasn't as They were the ones who were paw-ly is it???) and then a day trip to the dog-ter for an ultrasound - oh, there was much anxiety, I can tell you (with Her, I was rather calm about it all). In fairness, I was a bit out of sorts and in a fair bit of pain BUT the <b>GREAT</b> news is that YEEEEEEHHHAAAA after 4 weeks, I am well and truly on the mend and the test results were fine - well, a few little things to keep an eye on but it wasn't the Very Bad Thing that it might have been so, to celebrate, we went for a kayak on Sunday -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNr06V6E1k0U8r5SOSN1Zich3p9joa7ynLQzA1TItc-EfAUeETccBu05K1lop72ByBxz0zgINtyNRCXETB6XJIuCscbXFrqEm_eCHaHG4Rt-PtJC1kWxaBJzJgRWAau2kMpmgbiiYsYE/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNr06V6E1k0U8r5SOSN1Zich3p9joa7ynLQzA1TItc-EfAUeETccBu05K1lop72ByBxz0zgINtyNRCXETB6XJIuCscbXFrqEm_eCHaHG4Rt-PtJC1kWxaBJzJgRWAau2kMpmgbiiYsYE/s400/IMG_3669.JPG" /></a></div>
which I totally enjoyed as it was just wonderful to feel so alive and Westie-ish again - but She needed some guidance (to be very clear here, and it may sound harsh, but honestly, She is not very good at all at this kayaking stuff - I'll be in His kayak next time - so much more exciting - I could swim faster than She paddles!) so I had to sit up front to navigate and stare at the birds and be on the look out for dolphins -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBTvjucW5f6ifak8SsUgGj0TvyFd84Vqb4-iTWdMu6ixTBdVhxBbD4uHXfJ8v1tn0UWkE4pJb02SUQupm6K5_QdiwxJvvg0Q1sElJQAmR2ZlcGgZPDtYmQ4qGSNL0cJt8OpKpw1nMZS8/s1600/IMG_3670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBTvjucW5f6ifak8SsUgGj0TvyFd84Vqb4-iTWdMu6ixTBdVhxBbD4uHXfJ8v1tn0UWkE4pJb02SUQupm6K5_QdiwxJvvg0Q1sElJQAmR2ZlcGgZPDtYmQ4qGSNL0cJt8OpKpw1nMZS8/s400/IMG_3670.jpg" /></a></div>
But, after a while the slow pace of Her paddling got to me and I made it very clear I wanted to be back on shore - as I needed to have a word to Him who was at it again with that camera thing - you know, the one with that very long lens which means He can get photos of me even if he is very far away which is very unfair - but I think sticking my tongue out at Him like this makes it very clear what I think of the whole situation.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm2aS57-Ajwp6lPNAEZ8Dmi_lP80tVMfYuduVE9_LNd9KfvibpM557NfoQb67SIQ6A3hSyHtoyxWU5pDB5iM768XuEek69d8rookqtohCQWXdcWJkshEmPDWmPGQJ5kJVnh6205kHe8o/s1600/IMG_3672_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm2aS57-Ajwp6lPNAEZ8Dmi_lP80tVMfYuduVE9_LNd9KfvibpM557NfoQb67SIQ6A3hSyHtoyxWU5pDB5iM768XuEek69d8rookqtohCQWXdcWJkshEmPDWmPGQJ5kJVnh6205kHe8o/s400/IMG_3672_2.jpg" /></a></div>
Woof for now
GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-75274971821040883562012-11-18T10:58:00.001+00:002012-11-18T11:02:53.176+00:00Seven Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ymE_i_C21bkhN4tgv8Yyw44cDhc0edMXXcMfhipLvNdAWfhfCRR7xil_rqNw4yZxFGujIpzW0iKv8ni00CYYK0C_BLCSCVrS_yv-BQdhyRQpPHLatWMClV-wiCpRPcnfoIBtsJ5aTo/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06ymE_i_C21bkhN4tgv8Yyw44cDhc0edMXXcMfhipLvNdAWfhfCRR7xil_rqNw4yZxFGujIpzW0iKv8ni00CYYK0C_BLCSCVrS_yv-BQdhyRQpPHLatWMClV-wiCpRPcnfoIBtsJ5aTo/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" /></a></div>
Well, my buddy <a href="http://the-dougall-diaries.blogspot.com.au/">Dougall</a> has very kindly given me an award - thanks again, Dougall, we were very touched by you thinking of me! So, as part of this award, I get to share seven things you might not know about me!
So, here goes:
<p><b>1)</b> I very nearly didn't make it - I was put into the pound, when I was only 6 months old, by my first owner to be 'put to sleep' (which I'm sure is not the same thing as going to sleep at night because She always says it in a horrified tone of voice) but fortunately, Maureen at <a href="http://www.westierescue.ie/">Westie Rescue</a> rang Them and They busted me out of the pound.
<p><b>2)</b> I have lived in three different countries - Ireland, the UAE and Australia. But Ireland is home - it's my favourite place ever.
<p><b>3) </b> I love cooked broccoli and carrot - but I don't like any raw vegetables at all and if I'm tricked into eating them, I spit them out - very loudly, then I make a very big deep sigh and walk away from Her with a very disdainful expression on my face.
<p><b>4)</b> I think baths are just ridiculous and the biggest waste of time ever and I whinge and grumble and carry on when I have to have one!
<p><b>5) </b> I was never really a big fan of swimming until we moved to Australia - now, even in the cooler months, I'll race straight into the water and strut my stuff!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4b78_DTFQ6WljYFs_pViVIAXpUGDnEa1VZLYZ6yB23fjWuj0Qr8B1932X7tQScWK6CmEO2Nqdymd7zIixpvg4pbv5jRTdRbNeomBftBjFIerkbnNQAv_0_l8wNYEfJB1kh9wzxDP_2o/s1600/IMG_7549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4b78_DTFQ6WljYFs_pViVIAXpUGDnEa1VZLYZ6yB23fjWuj0Qr8B1932X7tQScWK6CmEO2Nqdymd7zIixpvg4pbv5jRTdRbNeomBftBjFIerkbnNQAv_0_l8wNYEfJB1kh9wzxDP_2o/s400/IMG_7549.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><b>6)</b> I love rugby - I sit on the couch and watch the matches with Them. She shouts a lot at the TV screen which I don't really understand because it doesn't make any difference but well, it seems to make Her feel a bit better although She does get very grumpy if Her team does not win.
<p> <b>7)</b> I love my dog blogville reading and posting - it's introduced me to a whole word of wonderful people and four legged ones and it's great fun.
<p>Now, as part of my award, I have to choose 3 other blogville buddies to pass on the award to - this is very tough but here goes:
<p>1) <a href="http://gemmathepuppy.blogspot.com.au/">Gemma</a> - another 'Down Under' dog blogger whose two legged ones love Aussies Rules football and whose posts make me laugh a lot
<p> 2) <a href="http://thewildwestie.blogspot.com.au/">Hoke</a>, my Westie buddy who, I think, is actually my 'Westie in arms' as he is very similar to me - I think we may be related actually! And Hoke's 'Monster Face' little sister is good fun too (although I have to pretend that she's not, just to back up Hoke you understand!)
<p>3) <a href="http://sweetladycat.blogspot.com.au/">Brandi </a>- now, Brandi is a cat and I've had a few run ins with the felines, but we love Brandi's blog.
<p>Pop on over and visit them if you haven't already.
<p>Thanks again Dougall buddy!
<p>Woof for now.
<p>Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-79563119031645754402012-11-08T12:44:00.000+00:002012-11-08T12:44:35.286+00:00Tips for Training Your Two Legged Ones by GrouchoSome of you may recall my earlier two legged ones/peeps training tip <a href="http://grouchothewonderwestie.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/tips-for-training-your-two-legged-ones.html">- </a>well, it's now time for Tip Number Two - How to Train your Two Legged Ones to Relax.
These are just a few and I'd welcome any of your ideas (it takes a LOT for Her to relax and to be honest, we are a bit exhausted with it all so any ideas are welcome!) -
1) Lead by example - here I am, showing Her how to sit and just enjoy the sunshine
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jDNf5Gq6q7A12qMI6HKwGBPqdgkMoKQU4QR2esmLld6y6fU_UBFG9ZgyPkQ8OE3KZgSPUktS1swLTKw4K98TtGcMJ8aTa1T5osoNYxpBkNXsfWEbSokt4Corvc24d3GWjZCPgYBIjX4/s1600/IMG_2367_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jDNf5Gq6q7A12qMI6HKwGBPqdgkMoKQU4QR2esmLld6y6fU_UBFG9ZgyPkQ8OE3KZgSPUktS1swLTKw4K98TtGcMJ8aTa1T5osoNYxpBkNXsfWEbSokt4Corvc24d3GWjZCPgYBIjX4/s400/IMG_2367_2.jpg" /></a></div>
2) <strike>Take Them</strike> Let them take you to your favourite beach where They can enjoy fresh air, salt spray and glorious white sand (which is just made for running in!) and the lovely wonderful sound of crashing waves:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ajkoCHkL4BzhLgHfL3qNUbV4WpT7ChJnj4p8YMTU_KW1Hk09W_bJ6fKCij2TRsB-sp7kYYmCZShDqkztLy9ZM96JymHWqjbfQdN4Iu_CDOXA7sV-zZJjCtMtMKtiSJZnBoU9reH5G3Q/s1600/IMG_2390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ajkoCHkL4BzhLgHfL3qNUbV4WpT7ChJnj4p8YMTU_KW1Hk09W_bJ6fKCij2TRsB-sp7kYYmCZShDqkztLy9ZM96JymHWqjbfQdN4Iu_CDOXA7sV-zZJjCtMtMKtiSJZnBoU9reH5G3Q/s400/IMG_2390.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZTGuV51H-8NP10gSdyl6mroHQ1emOAj5XgBjlnefv7FUblttSb_XQSbi3QMFRCEw0kxfekzc1utEluxo4r4zr1ZBkzX8RSx-ce_tigF7BJ5nnrf0Y68-llZzFccfGuyifFgzsqbnYCY/s1600/IMG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZTGuV51H-8NP10gSdyl6mroHQ1emOAj5XgBjlnefv7FUblttSb_XQSbi3QMFRCEw0kxfekzc1utEluxo4r4zr1ZBkzX8RSx-ce_tigF7BJ5nnrf0Y68-llZzFccfGuyifFgzsqbnYCY/s400/IMG_2460.jpg" /></a></div>
3) Introduce them to a new hobby - here I am, showing Them my new hobbies of rock climbing and hypnotising fish:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIxv4b6PIJ3WCfx2b1KvoD4-5h2c9SEerMavNxppsyy5jzkP0tirc1efscixLBktSLTLB6WYSpESCwcSpJUgenmXKyZ0uM5VHGdL7NZr7R5K_bwD7op5T7mqKdB5E5ifUyBvI8tldmTc/s1600/IMG_2512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIxv4b6PIJ3WCfx2b1KvoD4-5h2c9SEerMavNxppsyy5jzkP0tirc1efscixLBktSLTLB6WYSpESCwcSpJUgenmXKyZ0uM5VHGdL7NZr7R5K_bwD7op5T7mqKdB5E5ifUyBvI8tldmTc/s400/IMG_2512.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoOvKougcIO4VUE7y6Ds99BipzNu_jYQWujePkTFsMb-La8WmTeES814wm1HR0NrpVEwvP8OHe0VdbzoDjoh54_MGSlOncqg7MFCvdSc4izuL_xlBnQvBDg5XQSEYKvDdd00bblhBBx4/s1600/IMG_2630_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoOvKougcIO4VUE7y6Ds99BipzNu_jYQWujePkTFsMb-La8WmTeES814wm1HR0NrpVEwvP8OHe0VdbzoDjoh54_MGSlOncqg7MFCvdSc4izuL_xlBnQvBDg5XQSEYKvDdd00bblhBBx4/s400/IMG_2630_2.jpg" /></a></div>
4) Hang out with them - as much as you possibly can -
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8oUAxSBEiM2u1t3wNSEx8ZG6KXqqyCwb0dFns50VRue3FGKZLJD3hW-VY_3_SXEIaYL6cGS4og8i9u8gg-BaidbewZesaeg5Z83iP1C1_UPoHzjvbrIndOFFEDVo50fPg7q47WrWvds/s1600/IMG_2395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8oUAxSBEiM2u1t3wNSEx8ZG6KXqqyCwb0dFns50VRue3FGKZLJD3hW-VY_3_SXEIaYL6cGS4og8i9u8gg-BaidbewZesaeg5Z83iP1C1_UPoHzjvbrIndOFFEDVo50fPg7q47WrWvds/s400/IMG_2395.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HjRxSSFBGYQbAdMrMh2scrbayyVCPiFEPyQWrL-0IVUGhP9jdp5LpWy4AMBYfGKLS5P-CD8YHpMXl6Hd_DWLGW7PMtJ1MdvZzdb33YHPR-RuNyBsdZouALWLO_c0xhdciQv024C50A8/s1600/IMG_2613_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HjRxSSFBGYQbAdMrMh2scrbayyVCPiFEPyQWrL-0IVUGhP9jdp5LpWy4AMBYfGKLS5P-CD8YHpMXl6Hd_DWLGW7PMtJ1MdvZzdb33YHPR-RuNyBsdZouALWLO_c0xhdciQv024C50A8/s400/IMG_2613_2.jpg" /></a></div>
Woof for now!
GrouchoGrouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222494729503486204.post-2533906176775283212012-11-07T07:54:00.000+00:002012-11-07T07:54:14.750+00:00It's been a LONG Time - and a Birthday has come and goneWell, FINALLY, it seems, there may be a return to Dog Blogville for me - I have really missed everyone, but She tells me that She will try much harder going forward and also, She is taking some time off work early next year, a real, proper break - not a few weeks, a real proper break - we are all very excited about it as we figure the real She may return!! You know, the one that isn't stressed and tired and walking around with big black bags under Her eyes!
Anyway, SOOO much has happened over the last few months - we had relatives visiting from Ireland and I was much spoilt (of course) and loved (of course)by them and we took them 'down south' for a few days break, to my favourite Australian beach where my 'arf-an-eye-tis' showed no signs of angst and I ran like a little puppy, everywhere:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpelvn0kHIg3CmTOukrniLJduazslQeMrZ0hGz6LaNbFOWWZQ1WasdYpDSuVJcGpxVWAHxbqB0G9m8R34oA8D45Nkx0S7OoxnQBDP-GcVNeQQcPt2YuYLG0t2KQ1T9bM8HZS8RKXpxiso/s1600/IMG_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpelvn0kHIg3CmTOukrniLJduazslQeMrZ0hGz6LaNbFOWWZQ1WasdYpDSuVJcGpxVWAHxbqB0G9m8R34oA8D45Nkx0S7OoxnQBDP-GcVNeQQcPt2YuYLG0t2KQ1T9bM8HZS8RKXpxiso/s400/IMG_2418.jpg" /></a></div>
I sure miss the relatives, they made some fuss of me I can tell you!
Then, the Two Legged Ones went off on their Big Holiday - to some place called Tasmania - I went to the older two legged ones for two weeks of 'holiday camp'. The Two Legged Ones would have taken me to Tasmania, but well, They did a lot of walking in the national park and four legged ones aren't allowed in there (well, not ones like me anyway).
But, we are all back home together now which is just the best - and it was my birthday last week - yeeehaaaaaa!!!!!!! I got a great present - kangaroo sticks. Yum!! I displayed pawsome present opening skills - <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkqVSZovZE8qkE3p1iGusgPiT1C02GAr7Mt8T9D0_DHx3kXo-92vYMW8VaGyX6zoYRok55jVn7Rv32ggGrKbFZSFAUIdaMHu7yYMvHuSaupRDp9EpQDANtsu2s3ETMqqUHo-KgRXAOvQ/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkqVSZovZE8qkE3p1iGusgPiT1C02GAr7Mt8T9D0_DHx3kXo-92vYMW8VaGyX6zoYRok55jVn7Rv32ggGrKbFZSFAUIdaMHu7yYMvHuSaupRDp9EpQDANtsu2s3ETMqqUHo-KgRXAOvQ/s400/IMG_0030.JPG" /></a></div>
But, the bad news is that I've been unwell, again - I'm off to the dog-ter again this evening, fourth time in 5 weeks. Keep your paws crossed that I will be better soon - it's becoming a wee bit tiresome, I can tell you! And the other bad news - He got a new camera - oh yes, another one for me to contend with. It was bad enough that He got that new long lens, you know, the one where He can be MILES away and take a photograph of me without me knowing ...... well, this a tiny little camera that He uses for close ups - and it doesn't look the same or make the same 'click' as the other monstrous one so He caught me unawares the first few times - I'll have to up my super Westie powers and come up with a plan to foil his next attempt!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3BNhHywdYwI482p5u9omuCtr8gMQME3Ls_lINXnu-Ivf9AeQgNCBgtDasf8eP8O1_KD2eTtIwhIzHe93bs2z_RPSuRZY36PryuucW53RANmOiurl1ljP5hgSNu31kAAsGkAi_LKpehc/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3BNhHywdYwI482p5u9omuCtr8gMQME3Ls_lINXnu-Ivf9AeQgNCBgtDasf8eP8O1_KD2eTtIwhIzHe93bs2z_RPSuRZY36PryuucW53RANmOiurl1ljP5hgSNu31kAAsGkAi_LKpehc/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" /></a></div>
Woof for now.
Groucho
Grouchohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15455093858885446250noreply@blogger.com6