Bailey in Snow

Bailey

Relaxing after a run in fresh snowfall

It really is taking me some time to get over losing Taffy and add to my Bearded Collie blog. The home still feels very empty without him in it. Having just been away to South Africa the return home really made me realise how much I miss him still. There was no friendly giant to greet me at the door.This is the first time Bailey has been left alone without us but as he stayed in our cottage with friends his routine wasn't affected too badly.

Taffy adored snow and reverted to a puppy state each time he saw it. Eating it, barking at it, rolling in it and basically having fun to the point that anyone watching him would have to laugh. It was impossible to be serious around him as he was always such a comedian.

 Taffy last year

 I opened the door to the garden this week for Bailey who simply stood looking outside without wishing to place his feet in the white blanket on the ground. There was no Taffy to  race outside and encourage him to join in the fun. I donned warm clothing and gathered his lead and camera setting off for a beautiful walk in the fresh snowy surroundings with Bailey at my side. 

 Hampshire Woodland

 In seconds he  remembered  the fun he had last year and he was off. Racing around like an idiot and thoroughly enjoying his new game. It does seem very strange taking photographs of one dog not two though. I will admit I have lost tears  yet again this week thinking of my wonderful huge sloppy Beardie who was always so much fun when we had days like this to  make the most of.

Enjoying the fresh snow

We often see a herd of cows who always come to the hedge or fence to see Bailey. I have no idea why they are so curious but to see their big noses against Baileys smaller one is so comical. A very strange friendship seems to have formed indeed but as beardies are wonderful herding dogs perhaps Bailey is  wishing he could have fun rounding them up.

 When we return from a walk Bailey always races  for his favourite fir tree to  roam under to scratch his long back. He wasn't expecting a shock as he disturbed the resting snow on the branches above. His face and expression was hilarious as a mountain of snow fell on him. But nothing  prevented him from his mission of a brilliant shake!

Bailey shaking after scratching his back on the branches of a fir tree.

Next came the time to lay in the the snow and attempt to eat some.

This year has flown by. There have been very happy times with two wonderful dogs and now fun times with one.

Taffy is still very much with me at times. And my heart is still aching with the loss of a gorgeous  four legged friend. I'm not sure I ever will get over losing this wonderful old boy.

I believe Bailey is still missing him very much too.

It still hurts.

 Sweet Taffy 2009

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When Pets Grieve

Bailey keeping Taffy warm last Christmas

It has been really hard to come into this blog and talk about Taffy. I can carry on as if nothing has happened and then burst into tears for my faithful friend. I tell myself off frequently and try to be stronger but Taffy was the most special dog anyone could ever wish to own. Bearded  Collies can easily live to a very old  age and still be very healthy so in his breed terms Taffy passed away far too soon.

The last six months have seen me on an emotional roller coaster as we dealt with one health issue after another. Just before last Christmas 2009 Taffy  was unwilling to go on walks and as he never complains it was difficult to work out what was wrong. I think that was one of our main communication problems. He desperately didn't want to be ill or cause a fuss so put on a brave face for me, often. But his reluctance to come on the morning walks and then even worse his refusal to go outside the front door  had us taking him to the vets.This was followed by a visit to a specialist when he then started going downhill. At this time he had his spleen removed and Bailey our younger Bearded Collie slept next to him whilst he recovered.

Bailey is an active,boisterous and very independant young dog prone to racing around on his own. Never leaning on any of us or Taffy for company.Or so I thought.

When Taffy fell ill a second time with a blood problem again Bailey helped him by barking for Taffy when he needed attention for going out or coming in,even when he needed a drink or food. Bailey became Taffys guardian and keeper. He had a very important role and he relished it.

Taffy recovered yet again and Bailey seemed to be his usual independant self but at night it was always Bailey who barked to go in the garden or come in fo rthe both of them and it was always Bailey who woke us at six or seven in the morning with even more really loud barking. But I have now learned this was Baileys way of letting me know Taffy was awake and needed me.

Taffy is now gone and I had another critical problem on my hands.

Bailey refused to eat after Taffy passed away.

Out of all the dogs we have ever owned Bailey is not the one I thought would pine but he did and it was pitiful to witness. Not only would he not eat but he became listless and looked really depressed. At this point  I was advised to get another puppy but I waited and patiently cooked meals to tempt Bailey around. My own heart was breaking and yet I had to try to convince this younger dog that life was worth living without his dearest friend.

Bailey has never been a single dog. He has slept with Taffy since he was a puppy and has also always eaten with Taffy.

Things got worse and a week went by where  I was running out of ideas on how to help  Bailey pull around.

I started a new routine of walking Bailey at different times on different routes. I allowed Biscuit our female cat to sleep with him. But he never barked at us in the mornings to come to him Instead I was woken each day by the saddest whining and howling I have ever heard in my life from an animal. It tore me apart and I would race downstairs to comfort him. But no cuddle helped. I was not who he wanted to see.

I felt helpless and even more miserable. But finally something changed. I bought toys for Bailey to play with. Ropes, bones that you find in pet shops, the safe variety and I threw sticks and raced for him to follow me in the garden. Slowly  and daily there were small improvements in his spirit and mine. He ate bits. Just tiny morsels  at first. He did  fetch the rope once or twice and he did come to me for cuddles. But he continued to cry in the mornings when he woke to find Taffy was still not there.

He did not understand.

This week we have both crossed a milestone.

Bailey is eating twice a day now and eagerly bringing his rope to me to play with.We are walking with friends and their dogs which helps a lot, especially a young Border Collie puppy who we have come to enjoy seeing.

Our new daily routine really is helping us both. I have to be here for Bailey and in turn he is  making me see my tomorrows are going to be full of joy owning a young dog who has stood in the shadow of an older hero for too long.

It's Baileys turn now to take centre stage and I need to let him.

Pets do grieve and we need to understand they need help too when they lose  a companion.

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Goodbye Sweet Taffy

This is the hardest post to share on my blog and I have tried several times this week to come in and add the news that we lost our gorgeous sweet donkey sized dog Taffy last Friday. Since Christmas this year Taffy has overcome surgery, a  rare disease that effected his blood and still brilliantly enjoyed life to the very end. His passion for sneaking cat food which he knew he wasn't allowed stayed with him even on the morning he passed away when he had his last bowl which was intended for the cats who he adored.

All Summer I have been worried about leaving him for any length of time in case he passed away while I was not by his side. I almost cancelled workshops in Norway but my husband stayed with Taffy so that I  didn't let everyone down there who had booked and looked forward to the watercolour sessions. Every day I rang home to see how he was and each time I heard he was fine I relaxed but the flight home saw me huryring to get back to the four legged companion who had loved me for over thirteen years.

Taffy did not want to lose the battle and he did not want to say goodbye.The vet who was with me when Taffy had his last hug and kiss knew my heart was breaking. Everyone knew my beloved boys system had started to shut down. His blood count was so frighteningly low that he couldn't go on any longer and yet he   still looked at me with loving eyes as if to apologise for not being able to stay with me.

I fell into a million broken pieces when he took his last breath. I still feel broken and I am simply going through the motions of my routine and daily life. Nothing can give me that feeling of joy as Taffys nose nuzzled my hand and no one can make me laugh out loud the way he did with his comical behaviour. He had a way of wrapping me around his  paw whenever he wanted something.

To many of my artist friends Taffy was a gorgeous subject to paint. He has lived in Dubai, France, Hong Kong,Belgium and met dogsthat I jokingly teased barked in many different languages.

I loved him in a way that those with a close bond with their pets will understand. Taffy could have been in a movie as his life was so extraordinary.

How I am dealing with his loss isn't as good as it should be. Emotionally I falter and I cry easily when I think no one is looking. I feel shaky inside and know this feeling has to pass.

But for now I am truly grieving for one of the most  incredible dogs I will ever know in my lifetime.

Thank you so much to everyone who has sent cards and well wishes of support.

My heart is broken but they say time heals.

Sleep with angels sweet  Taffy.

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Watching the world go by!

Watching the world go by ..............

And if that gets too tiring you can lie down to do it!

Bailey is such a handsome dog and adores  just sitting by the waters edge  watching the wildlife.

Baileys New "Friends!"

Bailey now has lots of new friends at our  new cottage.

The ducks and ducklings feed  around him and take no notice of him whatsoever to his dismay

Moorhen chicks totally ignore him.

  

And he watches them all daily as if they are his own private TV station!

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Cooling Down!

 Bailey now finds it very easy to cool down on hot days simply by sitting at the waters edge along the lawn on a handy ledge in the bank. At times he looks like a giant squid with all his hair splaying out into the surrounding water!

I just hope he doesn't bring any tadpoles out with him stuck to his coat!

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Bailey Days

                                                                     Bailey Groomed!

Having recently moved to a wonderful old cottage time has been scarce to  regularly groom my two furry monsters so Bailey  went to the groomers yesterday. He arrived home with a new " hairstyle" which meant he could see more easily.

 A good shake followed to try to get rid of the "tidy dog" look.

A new " friend" has been visiting the cottage daily. Alarmingly the two make an odd couple with the lone swan following Bailey wherever he goes along the bank.  I am hoping the swan may just move to a new location soon and lose interest in Bailey!

Bailey and swan in our garden.

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Side by Side

"Side by Side"

Two Bearded Collies in Watercolour

An Original painting by Jean Haines

Taffy is going from strength to strength in recovery and his blood tests show he really is much improved and on the mend. Last week following a week watercolour workshops I held in UK artists came to my home for a casual painting day to relax. Some had flights within the next few days to return home to South Africa,Italy and France so this was a wind down from a long weeks concentration on painting. As much as everyone enjoyed the day Taffy was in his element moving from artist to artist for cuddles and attention.

When we lived in Hong Kong and Dubai it was normal to see our home full of guests sometimes up to hundred people at a time. Somehow having started life as a puppy in this kind of  lifestyle Taffy almost always acts as though it is his role to take over the major greeting and socialising when we have guests!

Bailey on the other hand behaves in a very different way. Embarrassing his owner and taking centre stage his  antivs take a very different route. Last week his amorous attention to a beautiful blondes left leg raised large amounts of laughter from my guests. I thought he had long grown out of this kind of "greeting" but it seemed as though a twinkle hit his eye and he was off  with nothing being able to stop him on his  romantic mission!

Owning Beardies is a laugh a minute and I adore them. They adore everyone they meet so life is good. However  I just hope Bailey doesn't always show his admiration in this over enthusiastic way. 

It does seem to be just blondes he reacts to though!

And only very attractive ones!

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Beardies in Watercolour

Beardies in Watercolour

Original Watercolours by Jean Haines

The joy of being an artist and being owned by two Bearded Collies is that I always have two willing subjects to paint. I love their characters,expressions and willingness to please. Not a day goes by where I don't smile because of their antics or poses and these are often caught in my work as a professional watercolourist.

This week I picked up these two paintings from a new gallery that is about to open and the owner asked if they were for sale.These aren't as they are going to a very special home. When I paint  for someone with them in mind I cannnot part with the painting for any other reason.

And so Baileys breeder Carol Wessen who is responsible for the Barbudo Beardies will have a surprise in the post.

Carol and Ed kindly looked after Bailey for us a while ago. Ed adored Bailey when he was born and to this day their relationship is unique.What always hits me when I visit Carol and Ed is their strong evident love for all of their "girls" and each new puppy that comes into the Barbudo line. So many families are so happy with the special bundle that they come to know and love over the years as their own Beardie bond grows.It must be such a special  feeling knowing you are giving  more than a puppy a new home. You are creating and giving love for years to come.

This Barbudo Puppy  is one of Baileys nephews.

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Babesiosis and the " Miracle Dog"

                                                                 "The Four Amigos"

Original Watercolour by Jean Haines

Taffy, Bailey,Sally and Buffy 

For Beardie lovers Taffy is a Brambledale Beardie and towers over his  companions in this scene who are all Barbudo Beardies. He simply didn't stop growing so he is like a small donkey!

This last week has seen Taffy daily recovering from Babesiosis . It is very hard to look into his bright eyes today and consider that we nearly lost him a week last Thursday. His lethargy and difficulty to breathe was so extreme. He was suffering  from aneamia badly. Hardly able to stand my husband gently lifted him in and out of our car  at the vets and animal hospital and I knew in my heart that this really was the day we would be saying goodbye to our so loved pet.

If it wasn't for the amazing team at Anderson and Sturgess in Hampshire without a doubt Taffy would not still be here. But he is and also in  really good health getting stronger each day and amazing us with his vibrant  zest for life. Try opening a cat food sachet without him noticing or even going to the pet food cupboard. He is there faster than you can say "Taffy"!

What happened? 

The blood tests have all confimed Taffy had a rare problem  which has hardly been seen in UK. This will be from a tick bite that occured whilst we lived in Asia. The spleen suppresses this kind of problem so Taffy has been fine for all of his life until his spleen had to be removed earlier this year. Without it the crippling affect of the tick bite rose to the surface very agressively and  would have killed him..

With the right treatment Taffy is making a full recovery and we are so grateful to the veterinary team who saved his life.

Taffy will now be monitored at the hospital on a regular basis  in order to help other dogs who may  become ill in this way in future.  To know what we went through may help someone else feel hope or encouragement if their pet  falls drastically ill somehow eases all the tears from last week.

But to hug this giant of a dog is the very best gift I could have had especially as he came home from hospital on Mothering Sunday last week after his blood transfusion and initial treatment.

He has earned his new nickname from everyone at  the local vets and the hospital.

" Miracle Dog!"

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Probably all  dog owners are aware of these tips but if you notice your dog becomes lethargic too quickly, the colour of his gums turn pale to white dramatically, the breathing becomes laboured or the pads of their feet become  very cold to touch please  take them to the vet as quickly as possible. Early detection of many health issues leads to the best chances of saving your pet. Early action in Taffys case saved his life.

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Painting With Beardies!

Taffy trying to steal yet another hat!

I have no idea why Taffy likes my hats so much but whenever there is a chance he will quietly sneak up and consider stealing one! This photograph was taken after a Watercolour Workshop in May 2009 when some wonderful art friends from all over the world visited. After the weeks workshops we painted on location in Hampshire. The weather was chilly and I kept  very warm in winter clothes. I was painting a bridge over a canal. Bailey happily watched as the younger dog while Taffy was his usual self looking to see how he could become more involved.

Jane thank you so much for forwarding this lovely photograph and memory to me. I loved that day and it will soon be time to reunite  yet again, share painting and have a chance to create even more wonderful memories. I cannot wait!

The good news is that Taffy was allowed home from the animal hospital yesterday. He is now on treatment which we have to order especially as this is not a common problem to deal with if you live in England.  It will be a while before he is 100% recovered as he is still very aneamic but his spirit is so cheerful, his tail wags non stop and he is loving his new health diet on top of being spoilt of course!

We are so relieved he is still here.

It has been a very emotional roller coaster this last few days but we are on the winning side now!

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Fighting Spirit

Taffy with me in Belgium. He had just " stolen" an empty water bottle which he adored to gain a reaction from me . I used to laughingly pretend it was "naughty". Fun games turned into training sessions leading to all manner of interaction between myself and my comedian of a pet. Just before this shot was taken I had been sat painting and Taffy had decided enough was enough  urgently wanting my attention for a play break. He often used to try to  get my hat from my head too. I made this myself and Taffy constantly tried to knock it from my head when I was sat quietly working.

Fighting Spirit.

Finally discovering what  is wrong with Taffy in many ways is a huge relief. Babeseosis may sound frightening and Taffy is still a very sick dog who needs time to recover. But I know from the specialists advise that Taffy has a good chance of  recovery and I know what I am dealing with. I have been here before in much worse circumstances.

We rescued a beautiful puppy in China who we called Buddy. In fact we rescued his sister too and my sons called the cute pups Buddy and Holly which raised many a giggle when I used to call them on their daily walks. I had put my foot down at calling them Homer and Marge!

Buddy who looked like a black bear cub had severe hip displacea at birth but you would hardly know it. I was told he would never see four years old. I took him swimming  regularly to exercise his hind  leg muscles minus putting weight on them, I kept his weight to a healthy level and simply loved him. He had tick fever at the age of five and we were told he wouldn't make it through to the weekend. It took six months of very careful  nursing but Buddy pulled through and saved my own life when I was attacked a few months later. He was a gorgeous dog who eventually died in my arms at the age of thirteen.  Until the very end he was a happy character with a great quality of life and no suffering. In fact I look back at the day Buddy passed away and feel the moment was beautiful because it was right. He was tired and needed to go.

Taffy does not. His eyes are shining and he is deteremined to be here. Because of his fighting spirit  I feel strong about aiming to aid him to survive.

You have to know Taffy to understand  my way of dealing with him.He is in fact a very stubborn animal. He has been called a donkey sized dog on many occasions and when he sets his mind to something  there is no arguing. If he doesn't want to  walk in a certain direction there is no changing his mind. There was an old house near where we lived before and Taffy used to in his tracks whenever we approached it. All the coaxing and treats in the world would not make him go anywhere near the old building.We joked it was a haunted house and he knew a ghost was living in it at the time!

He is a lovable character and has the determination to see this through.

I have enormous amounts of patience and I am determined to pull him through it.

To go through such major surgery recently and recover so amazngly really doesnt leave me wishing him to fall at this hurdle.

So with hope, help from the very best medical team and love Taffy this morning  looks as though he has a far better chance than two days ago when the outlook was very emotionally upsetting.

Wish us luck.

We learn from these painful experiences just how much love our hearts can hold.

And  agonising as it may be that is no bad thing.

To know you are so capable of loving and being loved in return.

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Babesiosis

I know many wonderful friends all over the world are now very concerned about Taffy so I will keep this blog updated as a check in point.

It seems as though Taffy may have babesiosis . A tick related disease that may have lain dormant for a long time until he had his spleen removed recently. Still in hospital he will be starting a course of treatment tomorrow.

http://sites.google.com/site/blackgsd/babesiosis

Hopefully he will be home on Sunday to continue his treatment here.
He is a fighter and he isn't giving in. 

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Taffy Update

  King of the Castle

It seems like ages since I added news about Taffy to my beardie blog. The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions as we  nursed our wonderful Bearded Collie Taffy to a full recovery from major surgery.  The  amazing specialists  at the animal hospital discovered a problem with Taffys spleen and it was removed. The road to recovery was one full of hope because each new day saw this beautiful dog gaining strength daily. On many occasions he played on being ill to his advantage when it came to persuading us that he really could only manage to eat freshly cooked chicken or fish. We were advised to feed him little and often. Gradually a pattern arose where he soon worked out that my waking each day meant a delightful breakfast for him. He soon also worked out that he now had a small lunch meal too which he had never experienced in his life before. You could say this lovable rascal soon worked out that being ill wasn't all that bad at times! Licking his lips he would longingly watch his bowl being filled and I would have to remind myself just how seriously sick he had actually been.

His energy level  continued to rise and walks were soon getting a little longer each time until he could manage a short walk on his  favourite country tracks. The photograph above really makes me smile because he always seems to wish to be higher then either Bailey or I on these adventures so this is a typical pose and expression. The " King of the Castle"

Bailey  was thrilled to have his best buddy back and they fast  returned to being inseperable and "double trouble"! The daring duo always on the look out for something new.

Taffy and Bailey lovingly known as "Double Trouble"

 Everything has been going so well and Taffy  surprised everyone with his fantastic return to health. Nicknamed " Miracle Dog" we all believed our troubles were way behind us and that Taffy had several good years ahead of him to enjoy.

Sadly yesterday things took an unexpected turn for the worse which came completely out of the blue.We raced Taffy to our own vet  who contacted the hospital and  we drove Taffy to Winchester to see the specialists. He seemed to become very weak so quickly.  Very aneamic with little strength, no interest in food or water and his breathing was badly affected. All hope seemed to disappear of  a second  possibility of recovery or miracle.

We have had to leave him at the hospital overnight for a blood transfusion. Today we wait for any news or hope the hospital can give us that he will  remain our " Miracle Dog ".

It seems he ate this morning and looks brighter.

As I type I have no idea what the problem is or Taffys future. 

I have Bailey wandering around like a lost soul and the house seems so odd without my furry donkey sized dog annoyingly nudging my arm when I am in the middle of a painting. He is intelligent enough to know if he  nudges my right arm I seem to make an unfriendly noise because as a professional artist he ruins my  brushstrokes. However if he nudges my left arm he gets a pat on the head. I am right handed and he has worked this out over the years. 

Nudge Jean's left arm = Good noise.  Nudge Jeans right arm = Cross noise!

I hope I can come in and add to this blog positively soon because poor Taffy has done so well in the last few months. To have this setback now seems too unfair. We all thought he had only happy walks to look forward to from here in.

Every dog owner I am sure will read my message and completely understand the heartbreaking feeling of fear looking into our pets eyes and wanting to help them without letting go.

They say when the time is right to say  goodbye you know.

I don't.

I looked into Taffys pleading eyes yesterday and I saw a dog that refuses to let go of me. He is fighting with all  his  power to be here.

We can't let him down so we are giving him every chance we can.

If anyone in UK has a pet that is ill I cannot recommend this animal hospital highly enough. The team are so wonderful and I believe they do perform miracles. 

http://www.andersonsturgess.com/

The waiting room yesterday was full of  incredible "survivors" . Dogs recoveing and winning struggles against cancer and all odds.

I am praying Taffy will be one of the survivors too.

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Tears Over Taffy

When I posted the last entry on my Beardie Blog I had no idea where the week ahead would lead.

I believe every pet owner will understand the fear of losing a well loved friend. A week ago Taffy seemed to find it very hard to breathe and  all of a sudden changed in  his manner. Walking became difficult and he seemed to age very quickly.

A race to the vets left us in no doubt we were going to lose  him. Blood tests showed very bad indications that Taffy indeed was very ill. This was  the hardest evening of the week or so I thought but the growing worry continued.We had a decision to make on whether to try to save his life or to kindly say goodbye. Beardies can live  to a very good age and even though Taffys is getting older his spirit and character is that of a young pup still.

Following our vets advise we drove to a hospital in Winchester ,Hampshire UK. Here we were met by amazing dog owners who had come through all manner of ordeals. Our first consultation saw us leaving Taffy there and I left heartbroken worrying I may never see him again.His breathing by now was a struggle and he looked very weak.

The next morning Taffy underwent a bone marrow test and more blood tests.Scans had indicated he had a huge growth on his spleen. He must have been in pain for some time and yet never once let on.Always wanting to please us his manner was always loving and gentle.

Last Friday Taffy underwent surgery to remove his spleen. He came home on the Saturday morning and the work of nursing began full time. This meant little sleep on my part and being with him for  most of his recovery. Cooking foods to keep him interested in eating became a main part of the day.Hand feeding  until he  would eat on his own. Tempting morsels every few hours.

Gradually Taffy started to recover from his ordeal and I feel as though I could sleep for a month!

This morning I took Taffy out for his first real walk. Just to the gate and back but he was so happy I had to hold him back.He shouldn't run  for a while yet and here was this creature trying to pull my arm off!

Taking him to our vet yesterday was a heartwarming experience.Seeing relief on faces as Taffy walked in, head held high, wagging his tail was so incredible.We had all given up hope and yet he is still here. And we certainly know it as he is now playing on being ill!

We have one hurdle to face which should be any day now.

The results from the test on the growth.

The most wonderful scenario is that it wasn't Cancer.

Everyones fingers are crossed for this beautiful gentle giant...........and I will share  on this blog when I know for certain Taffy will be okay................

Being a pet owner isn't always easy.but for all the love this boy has given me I wouldn't have missed a second for the world.

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BrambleDale Boniface

BrambleDale Boniface

Known adoringly as Taffy. 

A gentle giant of a Beardie, Taffy came into our lives when we lost a beloved rescue pet from China. Heartbroken my family searched for a puppy suitable as a companion for the remaining rescue pining for his  lost sibling.

We needed a gentle breed and I wanted a bitch to take the place of my missing rescue who had lovingly been a part of our family for so long.

 An incredible lead  saw me driving to Wales to meet Lynne Sharpe who breeds Brambledales.

http://www.spanglefish.com/brambledalebeardedcollies/

 

The minute I saw Lynnes  litter I was smitten, her beardies are the most  incredible dogs. You really have to see them to understand how I felt at that time.

While I looked at the female puppy that I had driven so far to see  a little male   kept catching my eye. He was adorable and it was love ar first sight.

Beardie Pup Watercolour from a Collection by Jean Haines.

I will never forget the look on everyones face when I returned home with a sweet black and white bundle that happened to be huge. Everyone was waiting for me to walk in with a little female after all their searching for just the right puppy.

But I had fallen in love with the most gorgeous boy.

Our relationship and adventure into owning a Beardie had begun ......little did I know that Taffy would live all over the world with me.

He is  a blessing .........and I am so grateful to Lynne and her Beardies for helping me fall in love with this breed.

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January Snow 2010

 Taffy  taking a small break on his morning walk in the January snow.

Home in the garden after the walk Bailey refuses to come in!

" Come in ? You have GOT to be kidding!"

Snowball Feet!

It seems 2010 is going to be full of snow photographs to start.  Our small village was snowed in this morning but owning Beardies that means one thing.........fun and adventure.  That is two things really but Beardies aren't renowned for their maths!

Bailey as always in the lead on look out and things were going fine until.........

Both Taffy and Bailey started picking up snowballs on their feet.........

It was very difficult balancing at times.And as the snowball feet kept getting bigger and bigger...

 .... no matter how gorgeous the scenery was........

We had to make sadly our way home...........

 Very SLOWLY that is!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Snow , Snow and Even More Snow!

From our trip tp North Wales a few more images........

This is Sally, Baileys sibling ........they are often inseperable when together and we call them the " terrible two" as they are so mischievous!

Wearing these special jackets is worthwhile in such conditions for serious adventurers.

The lights on the jackets also mean walking at night is far safer.

 

Bailey taking a break,those snowballs are actually on his feet and he STILL didn't want to come in!

New Year Celebrating 2009

 Bailey on New Years Eve 2009

New Years Eve 2009 saw Taffy and Bailey climbing mountains in North Wales. Beardies love snow and adventure so tackled each new scene with complete joy! To watch them gives one a feeling of youth and happiness.

Taffy leading Bailey along a track, a very rare sight as Bailey is usually in the lead!

Friends, two Barbudo Beardies. Sally Baileys sibling and Buffy.

The mountain scenery............

Heaven on earth!