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Summary
Very much a Rooskie month. A big HTM Event at the beginning of the month. I tried out my new camcorder. Question of VRO files versus mpg files.Then back home to tidying up. A quiet month for the Rooskie Press but I wrote the outline of a short story. A different version of The Pied Piper.
Rooskie Press
A quiet month. But I did write the outline of a short story. A different version of The Pied Piper. Alex liked it. I intend incorporating it into the sequel of Sleuth-Hounds --- Sinister Inheritance. Charlotte tells the story at a Rocking in the Bridgend. But the story has a bearing on the plot of the book as a whole. I also mean to put it in the short story section of my web site.
I had my new digital camcorder with me at the HTM Event and a friend filmed Rooskie's routine. When I got home I managed to get it on my hard disc but I could not open it. My computer consultant came round and he got it to open in Windows Media Player.
I later got it to open in Power DVD and Real Player. I put it on a CD and sent it to my compuiuter consultant to test on his own computer. He said he had to right click on the file to get it to open.
That is all right for me and for my computer consultant but what about Rooskie's friends who are not so well up on computers? I want to be able to send Rooskie CDs to them too. So I am going to try to get software which converts VRO files to mpg files.
A Big HTM Event.
Paws and Music Saturday, 6th January, 2007. In the Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry.
We were entered in Novice Freestyle. It was Rooskie's first KC Novice. The judges were Jackie Clarke, Maggie Backhouse, Michelle Dobson.
I went down on the train on the Thursday so that I would be able to take it easy on the Friday. I stayed in the Ibis Coventry South.
I knew on Friday that we were in trouble. The Ibis South is built differently from the others in the chain. It is more like a motel with each room opening out. I had a quick practice just outside my room on the Friday –– on the lead. Rooskie had gone off his new start and his sash exercises. He was reluctant to put his paws on the sash. Instead he just looked around. I tried to work out a new way of getting him to put his paws on the sash –– and eventually I managed it. While he was still in the position of paws on my knees I held the sash against myself and got him to transfer his paws to it.
But then when I sent him round behind me to the heel position he would not come right round but just went on the sniff. I practised a bit more and gradually got him back to his sash moves. That is the Paws on Sash moves. I did not practice circling the sash.
Saturday and the Event and an early start. We were in the Cricket Hall. As I was in Freestyle I had some leeway as there were two HTM classes before me. Even so I just had time for a very quick circle of the ring before the Event started. And again I knew we were in trouble as he was ready to go on the sniff if he got the chance.
Outside the ring I practiced a little with the lead trailing. And he was still distracted, sniffing and liable to wander off. But I made progress with the paws-on-sash moves and backing between my legs.
One good thing. He certainly seemed to like the gravy bones.
I met up with many people I had not seen for some time. A friend had agreed to film the Event for me on my new DVD camcorder. I passed my camera to her as soon as I saw her so that I could forget about it. Karen said she would film my warm up as well as our performance in the ring.
The ring steward went into the ring with me when I led Rooskie in on the lead and took the lead from me. I took off the sash and shoved one end of it in my pocket. And left the rest trailing to the ground. We started.
The Paws command. Rooskie up on his hind legs with his paws on my knees. I took the sash from my pocket and held it against me and Rooskie put his litrtle paws right over it. Then I moved round in a circle with Rooskie moving with me. Then I lowered him to the ground and got him to back through my legs. Fine. Then I got him to do it again –– and I lost contact with him and he ran off for a sniff. I followed him and caught up with him again and again got him to put his paws on the sash. Then I did a piece of straight walking backwards with Rooskie following still with paws on sash. But when I lowered him to the ground again he was off again. I followed him and caught up with him having a long sniff at the side barrier. In desperation I got him to do a series of spins. Then I got him to circle the sash and do figures-of-eight. Then I got that feeling I often do in the middle of a routine. He had settled and was now with me. I led him back to the centre of the ring.
(This time Paws and Music had burgundy material round the ring instead of the netting they had before. Later a spectator asked me to work Rooskie on the far side of the ring as, being such a small dog, the spectators could not see him when he was up against the spectator edge. But I had not planned it that way. It was unfortunate that the spectators missed part of Rooskie’s routine but at least the judges saw all of it).
Then in the middle of the ring I got Rooskie to circle me and jump over the sash which I held in one hand. But I held it too high and Rooskie juast went round me. The second time he made no attempt to jump but the third time he jumped. Then I threw the sash down on the floor and he did his floor pivot. But the film showed that he did not quite complete a circle. Then backing through my legs and bows and ended with him going down on the sash. But it was a very short sendaway. He needs to practise it more.
Then he got up and I put him in the Sit and held out my hand for the lead and it was brought to me. I led Rooskie out of the ring and made a fuss of him and fed him.
My marks. Out of 30. Content. 6.30. Accuracy 6. Musical Interpretation 6.13. Total 18.43
I was pleasantly surprised. I would have thought that I would have lost more for him running off.
I was feeling rather despondent although people told me how well I had done. I felt I had had a narrow escape and that I had been lucky to get control of him when I did. Also thed running off rather spoiled the structure of the round. And certainly the artistic balance.
When I went home I managed to save the camcorder’s film to my hard disc and got it to run on Windows Media Player. And, seeing it on the big screen, it did not look too bad. And I actually heard some of the ring steward's commentary at the end. She actually said it was fantastic and he was a super little dog and that I had worked very hard with him.
But I began to wonder if I had better not go back to my original Start. Then I thought that I needed some further way of keeping his attention after the initial sash moves. I thought of asking for a Bend when I lowered him to the floor. If he does a Bend he has to keep his eyes on me and concentrate. Then keep him in the Bow and from that position get him to back between my legs. I tried that at the dog class on Tuesday –– and it worked. It kept him focused and he was ready to continue working after that.
Another thing that the film showed. When I was waiting to go into the ring I was not paying attention to Rooskie and he was sniffing. At one point he even pushed himself under the blue cover of the Paws and Music table to investigate what was there. In future I must make more of an attempt to keep his attention while waiting to go into the ring.
To get back to the Event. I met up with many old friends. It was nice seeing them all again.
The Starters and the PNM special classes were held in the other hall –– just part of it. The ring would have suited Rooskie because it was smaller.
So plenty to think about and practice for Rugby.
The January Dog Classes
Loreburn Hall just after the PNM Event. In a corner I tried the Paws, Sash, Circle, Bend, Backing between my legs Start. And it worked. He was much more focused.
Locharbriggs. He was also much better. I tried the new Start while the instructor was doing the door control. (She takes the dogs for it one at a time and lets us practise anything we like on our own). And again it worked.
Also the Good Citizen recall. With the instructor's agreement agreement I usually tried to make that Heel Free. But Rooskie usually ran off. This time I started Paws on knees and then Bend. It worked. He was focused. He was actually chewing my fingers. I sent him round to Heel and he stayed with me. Mind you I did have a gravy biscuit in my hand but I don’t think that had much to do with it.
Then at the end of the class the instructor announced that there would be no more classes for six weeks as she is going to Norway to help someone with sled dog racing.
Later in the Loreburn Hall. I discovered that the Paws, Bend, Back through legs Start is not enough to keep Rooskie’s attention. Rooskie needs much more. So I worked out the Paws, Paws on Hat, Circle Hat, Spin, Sit and give Paw, and then Bend Start.
I tried some of this out in the Loreburn Hall – and it worked.
Practising Heel Free. I discovered that this can be done in two ways. One with the half lead trailing. Two with a ragger in my hand.
Summary
Sleuth-Hounds. An e-mail from a retired professor in the US who had seen the Sleuth-Hounds web site. Ten days at Southerness. Our class disbanded at the Loreburn Hall Dog Class. The Rugby DTC at Coventry at the end of the month.
Sleuth-Hounds
I received an e-mail from a professor in the US who had seen my Sleuth-Hounds sub-site. He used to live in the area. I sent him two copies of Sleuth-Hounds via the BNB. I also sent a copy of Sleuth-Hounds and a copy of The history of Dumfries to a professor at the University of Glasgow, Crichton campus.
Southerness
Ten days at Southerness at beginning of month. Working. Paying bills and filling in entry forms. Also parceling up Sleuth-Hounds and History of Dumfries for Crichton. Also working out moves with Rooskie. Weather dry and cold. In fact the first hard frost of the season. But back to rain just before I went home.
Rooskie
Loreburn Hall
Loreburn Hall Dog Class. Our class disbanded and Rooskie now in an elementary class of pups. But it works out quite well. Rooskie better there than among big dogs. Also I get there early and practice a few Starts before the class begins. Then the instructor still does creeping under knees – which is helpful. Also chair. I got a chair and put it well to the side and practiced his extended weaving – good practice for Pied Piper. Also instructor made us practice putting dog to heel on our own and I practiced Rooskie backing between my legs and going round to the heel position – which was good for him as that is when he often runs off.
Loreburn Hall just after the PNM Event. In a corner I tried the Paws, Sash, Circle, Bend, Back between my legs Start. And it worked. He was much more focused.
Locharbriggs
He was also much better. I tried the new Start while the instructor was doing the door control. And again it worked.
Also the Good Citizen recall. With the instructor’s agreement I usually tried to make that Heel Free. But Rooskie usually ran off. This time I started Paws on knees and then Bend. It worked. He was focused. He was actually chewing my fingers. I sent him round to Heel and he stayed with me. Mind you I did have a gravy biscuit in my hand but I don’t think that had much to do with it.
Then at the end of the class the instructor announced that there would be no more classes for six weeks as she is going to Norway for sled dog racing.
Loreburn Hall again
Later in the Loreburn Hall. I discovered that the Paws, Bend Start is not enough to keep Rooskie’s attention. Rooskie needs much more. So I worked out the Paws, Paws on Hat, Circle Hat, Spin, Sit and give Paw, and then Bend Start.
I tried some of this out in the Loreburn Hall – and it worked.
Practising Heel Free. I discovered that this can be done in two ways. One with the half lead trailing. Two with a ragger in my hand.
Rugby Heelwork to Music Event. The biggest HTM Event in Britain
Saturday 24th February, 2007
Rooskie was entered in Novice Freestyle.
We went down on the train and I stayed at the Ibis Hotel, Coventry South. Very good for Rooskie as it is built more like a motel with the rooms opening right out.
The Train Derailment.
On the morning before the Event I turned on the TV and found that there had been a train derailment near Oxenholm. One person killed and a number injured. It gave me quite a shake as I use that line such a lot. But it could have been even worse. The train slipped down an embankment. But the Virgin company carriages were so substantial that they stayed intact thereby preventing any further injuries. It was later found that faulty points were to blame.
After seeing that I was thankful that I would just be able to walk round the ring at the HTM Event.
Another consideration – although of lesser importance. It affected my arrangements. I had arranged to go to the Kayce Cover seminar at Wood Green the following weekend. I had meant to make a flying visit home before going back south down the Leeds line. But now I would not have time. The train company was running replacement buses between Preston and Carlisle and these buses do not take dogs so I would have to go Preston-Leeds and I would not have enough time. So I arranged to stay longer at the Coventry Ibis and then travel Coventry-Cambridge.
The Heelwork to Music Event. The Biggest of the Year.
It was held by Rugby Dog Training Club and it was held at the Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore. Rooskie was in Novice Freestyle and was doing his revised Northern Lights of Aberdeen routine by the Alexander Brothers.
We arrived early and I had a quick practice in the ring. Then I tried to settle him and get him ready. The ring was much bigger than usual – which was not good for Rooskie as he always goes better in a smaller ring.
Then it was our turn. I took him into the ring on the lead and gave the lead to the steward. I was wearing one Royal Stewart sash and was carrying another and using it as a prop.
Rooskie up on his hind legs with his Paws on my knees. Then I lowered him to the floor and got him to circle the second sash. He did this and then ran off and went on the sniff. I caught up with him quickly and got him to reverse through my legs and got control of him. I got him to circle sash again and then led him back to the middle of the ring and suddenly he was with me. I got him to circle me and jump over sash and then did a couple of turning leg weaves. Then second verse and I got him to walk backwards while going up on his hind legs. Then last chorus. I got him to do Paws on Sash and walked round in a circle and Rooskie went round with me. Then ending I got him to go down on sash.
A good round but I was disappointed that he ran off at the beginning. The Extended Start served only to delay the running off and I would have to do something about it. (See Training Notes The Start). Also Rooskie sniffed a bit but I was later told that there was a piece of fluff in the middle of the ring.
A friend filmed it on my new camcorder but I lost it when transferring it to my computer. But I will get the DVD of the whole Event – which is sent all over the world.
But despite all this everyone was very supportive and said how well Rooskie did. An experienced handler actually came over from the other side of the ring where she was sitting and said that that was the best she had ever seen him.
Marks.
Our marks were 17.13 out of 30. The main judge was Carol Mortimer.
After the Event. Taxi mix-up.
At the end of the Event I phoned and ordered a taxi as usual. When it did not come I phoned again and was told the driver had been. When it still did not come I phoned again and was told that they had sent two taxis for me and I had not been there and I was not getting one. When I tried again I was nearly hysterical and I was told to put Reception on. But instead Reception phoned for another firm which did not come either. Then another taxi came and was ready to turn around but the taxi driver would not take Rooskie.
I finally phoned the Ibis. They were thinking what to do when two kind ladies offered to give me a lift and I finally arrived at the Ibis two hours after I had first phoned. The ladies said that the taxi firm had done that before. Either not turned up or gone to the wrong place.
For the future.
The Ibis got in touch with the taxi firm and it seemed that there had been some kind of mix-up. But in the future I am going to phone the Ibis and they will arrange for a taxi to pick me up at the Sports Connexion.
Unfortunately the Reception at the Sports Connexion were not very helpful.
The Ibis Coventry South.
So I was stuck at the Ibis until I left for Cambridge on Thursday. I took it easy and took Rooskie for walks. I discovered that there was an ASDA only 15 minutes away.
Summary
Sleuth-Hounds Letter from Professor at Glasgow University, the Crichton campus. Also e-mail from the retired professor America.
Rooskie Press. Three teleorders all at once.
Southerness Nearly three weeks in the chalet.
Rooskie.The Kayce Cover seminar at Wood Green at the beginning of the month. Also a new development with the Start. A breakthrough in training. An idea for a new routine – a revised version of Blackpool Belle.
Sleuth-Hounds.
Letter from Professor at Glasgow University, the Crichton campus thanking me for the copies of McDowall The History of Dumfries and also my own Sleuth-Hounds which I had sent him.
Also an e-mail from the American retired professor thanking me for the two copies of Sleuth-Hounds which had arrived from the BNB.
Started work on the sequel to Sleuth-Hounds. Solway Sleuth-Hounds:Sinister Inheritance.
I soon saw that more research is needed. I was lucky in being able to order some research CDs over the internet.
Rooskie Press
Three teleorders all at once. One order for Gardners for Sleuth-Hounds. Then the next day one teleorder for Ghost Dog for Gardners and another for Cavalier for Betrams.
Posted Sleuth-Hounds from Annan Road post office. Posted Ghost Dog and Cavalier from Dalbeattie post office.
After I came back from the Kayce Cover seminar I spent a week trying to organise my luggage for the Westglen HTM Event. Then I went down to Southerness. I had nearly three weeks there. I caught up with HNS work. I sent off the children’s file for the May issue of the HNS Review. I also reviewed several books for my Bibliography on my web site. And I made a start to the sequel to Sleuth-Hounds. Solway Sleuth-Hounds:Sinister Inheritance.
I soon saw that more research is needed and I was very lucky. I was able to buy some books on CDs. Criminal Trials, Cockburn's Circuits etc.
Routine Preparations
I also sewed up my mustard trousers for the Pied Piper. Unfortunately they are not quite right. They are not really high enough at the waist. Also I made them 10 rows shorter at the foot and they are a bit too short – although they will do as three quarter length very well. Note. I shall go back to the original length next time for ordinary ones. One reason for this was that with both the waist and the legs, they were not even. For example on one side the front leg was much shorter than the back leg and on the other side it was the other way about. But they will do for the routine – and also for Blackpool Belle.
Walks
Apart from working I walked Rooskie through the caravan site and over the golf course. I kept on the lead more than I used to. I did not want to have to worry about him running after other dogs. I walked him on a long lead – two leads clipped together. And once when I did let him off on the golf course in the late evening I got a fright as he took off after a scent. (I also did some training on the golf course. Also on the patio at the chalet. Going well. See below.)
And despite being kept on the lead Rooskie still managed to run about. Example on the patio. He would run when he wanted to bark at passing dogs. And he would run into the chalet. Also at home. He would go onto the fenced in part of the front drive and bark and then when I called he would run into the kitchen at top speed. Also if I went out to the drive he would run to me.
Weather.
Mixed. Often quite springlike and the daffodils were out. But sunny days interspersed with rain. The golden gorse was out on the golf course. And the forsythia in the gardens. When walking through the caravan site, past the fields, I saw the first two lambs of the season. Despite the sunshine it was quite cold.
Despite all the protests the post office in Dumfries was moved from Great King Street to the Spar down at the Whitesands. Very inconvenient for me. I wanted to go down to Southerness but I had to post Solway Sleuth-Hounds to Gardners. To save time I ordered a taxi. The taxi firm told me that the Whitesands post office was closed. I told them to drive me to the Annan Road post office and wait there for me while I posted a parcel and then take me to the vet and wait there while I bought dog food. So I managed to post the parcel and still save time.
I later found out that the Sands post office was closed for an audit. Something about missing money.
And then Alex told me he had received orders for Ghost Dog and Cavalier. I got him to e-mail the invoices to me and then I parcelled the books up at Southerness and posted them in Dalbeattie Post Office.
Wood Green and Kayce
On the first of March I travelled from Coventry to Cambridge. At Cambridge none of the taxi drivers would take Rooskie so I phoned Baba Cabs and they came and collected me. Stayed at the Travelodge, Festanton, Huntington.
Next day, Friday I went to Wood Green for 1pm. I found that there was no one else attending – just me. So I had private tuition from Kayce. We were in the Annex – a big barn with a carpeted floor. Right at the start I had to go to the café to collect my food. While I was away Kayce walked Rooskie around on the lead.
Then I came back. I was able to show Kayce both his PNM routine and his Rugby routine as they were both on the camera. Then I put Rooskie through his Pied Piper routine and also his Space routine. Rooskie worked beautifully which was good in one way but it also meant that Kayce could not see where the problem was. She thought it was because she had been walking him around when I was away but there was also another reason. There were no distractions. It was a bare barn with no chairs. Also the carpet had just been vacuumed.
Kayce thought that my Space routine was really good but I have already entered the Pied Piper. But it is probably better to save Space until Rooskie is more reliable.
Kayce also showed me how to make more use of the music.
Saturday.The seminar. There were only a four of us so we got personal attention.
We started off by going over to the restaurant for some breakfast which was followed by a lecture by Kayce.
Rooskie practiced his routines again – and this time he did run off. Kayce tried something. When he ran off everyone was to get up and walk behind the screen (Part of the barn was being decorated). When Rooskie followed out of curiosity everyone was to ignore him and turn and walk in the opposite direction. When he followed he was again to be ignored. Only the third time was I to acknowledge him. This was something I could practice in training.
When Rooskie did well I was told that I was quite different – smiling, praising him etc. I was also told that he was most likely to run off when he got to the Heel position. See Home.
Sunday. The seminar. Again there were not many people. Lunch was quite good. I got cauliflower and cheese.
The journey home
Monday I travelled to Leeds. Had a bad experience at the Leeds taxi rank. The drivers would not take Rooskie and no big cabs appeared. One Asiatic driver had the cheek to snarl at me Stand Back. I ignored him and just stood at the front of the queue. Then another Asiatic driver took me. He asked me why I did not just get into the first taxi and I said that they would not take the dog. For the future. I shall either phone Amber Cabs or the Ibis and arrange for them to pick me up at Leeds station Air Street at Wetherspoons. Tuesday. Leeds, Settle, Carlisle and then Dumfries and home.
Rooskie.Training development. The Breakthrough.
The problem with Rooskie was that he tended to run off whenever he got to the Heel position. It was suggested that I should reward him as soon as he got into the Heel position. And then build it up. I was not hopeful as I had tried that before.
Then at the Kayce Cover seminar Kayce also mentioned that Rooskie was tending to run off when he got to the Heel position. She said that was when I would have to really work bridging and praising.
I tried it when I got home. I tried it on the fenced in part of the front drive. Paws on Knees, Backing through my legs into the Heel position and then Reward. And it worked.
Then I tried again but this time withholding the reward. And it still worked. He used to run off on the front drive but now he was not running off at all. I tried it in the railway booking office right next the chairs where he liked to run underneath. And it still worked. And then at the dog class and on the golf course on Southerness golf course and on the patio at the chalet.
I would have treats in my pocket. I would sometimes feed from my pocket. At other times I would say DE and run indoors and then feed from my pocket. (See e-book training notes).
Pied Piper
Also I discovered that Rooskie would circle a trailing rat after all. But I had to make sure that I held it so that the rat was actually on the ground. (I held it by the long tail but let the body actually droop to the ground).
Training at Southerness
Safety
A point to watch. When walking through the caravan site with Rooskie on the long lead – two leads clipped together – I was getting something out of my pocket and Rooskie was far too near a car which was passing.
Distraction training – A good session on Southerness Golf Course.
Rooskie was going well now that I was getting over the running-off-whenever- he- got- into- the heelwork- position problem. I was practising on the golf course. Then I tried it on a part where there was a definite scent ---- and perhaps rabbit droppings. I realised that I had to forget everything except keeping him with me. And I managed it except for the odd lapse when he ran off – but he did still return to me.
In a case like that use food more at the beginning. When Paws on Knees have food in pocket but when he gets round to the heel position have it ready in hand.
Circling a dangling object
I did not have the Pied Piper rat with me but I used the braided lead instead. I realised that I had to train it as a separate exercise. And Rooskie began to get the idea.
Rooskie. Idea for new Routine.
Idea for new routine. Revised version of Blackpool Belle. A good transition between Pied Piper and Space.
Blackpool Belle In September there is going to be a new HTM Event at Blackpool. And I suddenly realised that I had the perfect routine for it. A revised routine to Blackpool Belle. I have the Houghton Weavers version but this time I shall pair it with a version from Delta Accordion Band or Wurlitzer.
And I shall be able to incorporate all Rooskie’s best moves.
Spade moves. Circling spade and jumping over the spade. Walking towards me and tapping the spade. Walking backwards and doing Highs when I raise the spade.
Towel. Circling dangling towel and doing extended weaves. Paws on towel and Roosdkier on his hind legs. He turns round in a circle with me.
Sand Castle. A dog box covered with brown or yellow material with darker material for windows etc. With a bucket on top. The bucket is later removed so that Rooskie can jump over the sand castle.
Also Rooskie stands up on his hind legs and puts his paws on the sand castle. Then he paws his way round it. Then he jumps over it.
A Rooskie month. A quiet month for the Rooskie Press. Westglen HTM Event at Worcester and then a week at Southerness. A working week.
A quiet month but decided to transfer Ghost Dog of the Solway to the Rooskie Press and get it set up for POD by Antony Rowe. A new bookshop in Friars Vennel. Will see if they will take some books.
A week at the chalet towards the end of the month. A working week. Parcelled up books to be sent out to HNS reviewers. Parcelled up Ghost Dog – book and disc – to be sent to Antony Rowe to see how they would go about printing it. Prepared package for pages for Papillon Club Handbook. Completed entries for PNM June and Blackpool. All to be taken down to Post Office on my return to Dumfries. Worked with Rooskie and got him to do the Verse with more confidence. (See below).
Also walked Rooskie on beach – on lead. Also on golf course. Mainly on lead but was able to give him a little scamper. Found we could have quite a good outing if I just confined myself to the practice ground and the seats at the 15th and 11th tees. Had mini picnic --- an apple and bar of chocolate. Good short training spell with me also giving him play retrieves. I was keeping his attention better.
DVDs. A delay with the Rugby DVD. They had been forced to go to another company who let them down. But latest news was that they had the proofs.
Westglen HTM Event. This was held at Worcester so I had to change at New Street Station, Birmingham. Not too bad as I had telephoned beforehand and ordered Assistance. Stayed at the Travelodge Cathedral Plaza Worcester.
A two day Event --- one KC regulations day and one fun day. A beautiful venue at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre and golf course. We were allowed to walk our dogs over the giant football pitch. There also seemed to be extensive cycle tracks. A very hot day for May. Catering up the stair but I was able to find Rooskie-holders.
Stolen dog. There was a little Cavalier stolen at Westglen but the owners got it back.
The hall was arranged with a special space for competitors and officials. There was a practice ring which was a good idea. Also a dog’s water bowl. Starters and Novice had HTM and Freestyle alternate in the one class and two sets of judges to speed things up. I found that this system worked well. The ring stewards told me that there were two dogs in front of me. Also they opened a door from the collecting area so I was able to take Rooskie out at the last minute.
The first outing for my new Pied Piper routine. I made a mistake at the beginning. I had the flute in my hand and Rooskie looked alarmed so I put it on the chair and reassured him and we got started. He ran off for a quick sniff but I got control of him almost at once. (I was later told that many dogs sniffed at that particular place and it was thought that there had been a bitch in season). In the practice ring Rooskie had been tending to run off in the weave so I decided to play safe – and I think I overdid it. But he settled and we got round all right. He did his Paws on the stocking hat all right and circled the dangling rat and weaved through the chair – the cave. But I could have done more Heelwork to the James Galway flute part at the end. Details of our marks.
Date 14th and 15th April, 2007. Show Westglen Dog Training Club. Venue Sports Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester. Class Novice Freestyle
Programme Content – Accuracy and Execution of Moves –Musical Interpretation
Judges David Moxon—John Hickingbottom – Richard Curtis
---------- 5.8 -------------- 4.9 ----------------------5
------------5.9 -------------- 5.6 ---------------------- 6
------------ 6 ---------------- 5.8 --------------------- 5.8
Making a total of 16.9 out of 30.
Routine The Pied Piper – Al Bowlly/Presidential Hornpipes – James Galway
Saw many of my old friends.
Another taxi mix-up. Unfortunately there was another taxi mix-up after the show. I mislaid my mobile phone but one of the committee phoned for me. I waited at the main gate. I found my mobile phone. I had been looking in the wrong bag. When the taxi did not turn up I phoned again and was told that they had sent it to the Perdiswell Pub. Then they ran out of cabs – for Rooskie -- and transferred my order to another firm. It did not come either so they gave me the number. I phoned and was told it had been but someone else had taken it but they said they would send another in 5 minutes. I had been waiting an hour and was now beginning to feel rather desperate when one of the competitors passed in her van. She stopped and asked me if someone was coming and I explained. She said she would be coming back in half an hour. Then two of the Westglen committee passed in their truck. They stopped and I explained. I felt better as I knew that there were still committee members at the leisure centre. Then the taxi turned up. And I now had 3 taxi numbers for reference for the next day.
The Journey Home. Not too bad because I had Assistance again. But I was very tired after it. I think I did too much once I got home.
Rooskie Training.
The Verse. At Southerness I made a determined attempt to get him to verse around me. He was still getting worried and confused so I did it on the lead. And I made him Sit before doing it so that he would not confuse it with anything else. I aimed on getting him to verse round me twice as he was tending to stop after the first time.
It worked beautifully. He soon got the idea and was soon doing it confidentally without the lead.
I joined a new internet group who are fighting proposed legislation to have compulsory neutering/spaying in California -- at four months old. It is best to keep an eye on the Animal Rights people.
The chalet next to mine at Southerness has been sold and I met the new neighbours.
At first wet and windy then one really good day then very windy and cold. And the TV actually said that in England it was the warmest April since the 1860s.
Summary. Very much a Rooskie month. Two HTM Events in the one month.
Rooskie Press. A quiet month for the Rooskie Press. But I started to investigate whether I could put Sleuth-Hounds on the Children’s Internet Digital Library.
Southerness. A few days at Southerness at the end of the month.
Rooskie’s HTM Events.
Brentwood, May 2007
Did the long journey in stages. Spent a night in the Leeds Ibis. No trouble with taxi drivers this time. I went to the side entrance and phoned for an Amber cab. The following day --- Leeds, Peterborough --- Shenfield. I had booked Assistance and it was not too bad although long and tiring. A minor incident at Shenfield station. One of the railway staff escorted me right to the taxi rank. He tapped on the boot of a car to attract the driver’s attention and the taxi driver shouted at him, Don’t you dare bang on that. And then that he could not take the dog. There was nothing specific but I felt that there was a racialist undertone. (The railway official was Asiatic and the taxi driver was English). But I went t5o the taxi rank and the next driver took me all right.
Got to the Travelodge and was disappointed to find that they had changed their breakfast bags.
The All About Dogs Show the next day. I was entered in Starters HTM. I did a training round with the short lead trailing because, if anything went wrong and Rooskie got away from me it could upset his Novice Freestyle round the next day. I did it to MacKenzie’s Pipes and Banjo Maggie, Grandfather’s Clock and She’ll be coming round the Mountain. With the Mountain part I did close circles in the HW position and raised my hand in the air and twirled it and the audience started clapping in time to the music. I played it as a Scottish routine because of the pipe band. I wore one sash and carried the other. And Rooskie did his Paws on Sash move. Later oneof the judges told me that she liked his Paws on Sash move.
The day turned out to be windy and showery and I did not see as much of the All About Dogs Show as I would have liked. But at lunchtime I saw a bit of Can your dog do a Trick? Interesting. The standard was very high and the dogs all did several tricks. One West Highland Terrier. The owner had a small cone and a number of small rings. She threw the rings. The Westie retrieved them and then put them over the cone.
I was doing the class report for Crufts qualifying Heelwork to Music.
The next day. Rooskie was in Novice Freestyle. Having a quick try-out outside the marquee he seemed a bit sniffy. Inside the marquee the grass in the ring was wet --- which would not help Rooskie. I had been determined to upgrade my content and I overdid it.
We got started. Paws on Knees start. But when I raised my hand as a signal for the DJ Rooskie ran off for a quick sniff. I got him back very quickly but that threw me and everything which Lynn and Kayce had ever told me went right out the window. I tried Rooskie’s verses and he messed them up. He got the lowest marks he had for some time.
Judges Julie Collingwood David Moxon Chris de Jong
Content Acc MI Con Acc MI Con Acc MI
3.50 3.20 3.30 5 5.60 5.40 5.60 5.10 4.80
Total 13.97
People told me I did well because I kept him in the ring but I was disappointed but all I could say was Thank You.
I was doing the Class reports for Novice Part 1 and also for Crufts Qualifying Freestyle and the reporting for the two classes kept me busy.
The day was windy with very heavy showers. There was even some thunder. The spectator area was packed but many people were just there to shelter from the rain and not because they were interested in HTM.
Home. I practised his verses and tried to work out a better way of doing them. I went back to doing them round an object in front of me. And then I found out how to do it without confusing Rooskie. I would make him walk backwards in front of me and then give the Verse signal and he turned out to be quite confident doing it like that. And when we do it round the chair. To make sure of getting him in the right position start from the Paws on Knees position. See Training notes.
Castle Barnard. May 2007.
The first Kennel Club regulations HTM Event in the north of England.
Rooskie was in Novice Freestyle. His best routine to date. A good venue. The only problem food.
I travelled there in stages so giving myself two easy days travelling. It is debatable whether I would have been better going in one day via Newcastle.
Anyway I took the train to Carlisle and then the train to Leeds on the Appleby line. I stayed the night in the Leeds Ibis. I got a good breakfast the next morning and then took the train to Darlington. And with Assistance it was not too bad. (I had a taxi number ready to phone but I did not need it.) I went to the taxi rank. There were three drivers sitting on a bench. They asked me if I wanted a taxi and I was shown into a cab.
I stayed at the Travelodge Scotch corner. No food. I investigated the petrol station but very little there. Then I strapped the gypsy basket onto my four-wheeled trolley, put Rooskie in it and put my fleece jacket over the basket and hoped that it would look like a walking aid. I went into Smiths in the complex and got a tray of fruit.
Next morning I got a taxi to the leisure centre in Barnard Castle. Barnard Castle is an interesting little town with some steep streets.
A good venue. A large room in the leisure centre. Dogs were not allowed in the rest of the centre but the club had appointed an official Rooskie-holder if I wanted to go to the toilet or get a bite to eat. Terry who was in charge of the raffle.
The usual handlers from the north of England. Also many from the Midlands. And a few from Scotland.
Weather cold and blustery and some rain. The proceedings were interrupted by the fire alarm going off and we all had to go into the car park.
I was speaking to two Papillon owners and they were discussing Rooskie’s pedigree. Their own dogs were related to him.
Now for Rooskie’s performance.
Rooskie produced one of his best ever rounds at Castle Barnard.
First we had a bit of a narrow squeak. At lunchtime I suddenly saw that people were practising in the ring. I hurried in. Rooskie ran off and would not do a thing. Somehow or other I got him to settle and start working. The ring was quiet at first but later more dogs came in and Rooskie was distracted but I managed to get Rooskie working again even although there were other dogs in the ring. Rooskie had the lead trailing. If I had not managed to have that ring practise then I would have been in real trouble.
Now for the actual round. We were doing The Pied Piper and this time I kept my head. I did not worry about moves which he was not prepared to do -- spins and verses. Instead I managed to up the content by including Rooskie moving sideways. And I included bow combined with a stay and of course he did his stocking hat moves and his weaving through the chair -- the piper's cave.
And this time I really did remember to praise him. I was going Ye wee Darling and Wonderful Dog and sounding excited and raising my hands in the air. If the video has picked any of that up then it should be quite entertaining.
And we actually got a Novice rosette for 6th place. I think we were last of those who completed a competition round but it was a very strong class. Now for the marks.
Judges Carol Mortimer, Anne McLean, Roger Read.
Content Carol- 6.9- Anne 6.0- Roger - 6.5
A+E --- Carol --7.5--Anne -- 5.5-- Roger -- 6.0
Mus Intp - Carol -7.7- Anne - 6.5 - Roger - 6.2
Total Content 6.47 A+E 6.33 Mus Intp 6.80
Overall Score 19.60
Terrific.
Regards Rooskie's versing. I think what it is is that he needs more practise at home. Rooskie always takes longer to do things in the ring than he does at home. But if I keep practising it at home then he will do it in the ring too. And he makes up for it because he is doing his sideways moving more confidently now.
If I can only keep that standard up at Glenrothes.
There was a photographer at Barnard. I asked for a photo on CD but his computer refused to recognise my blank CDs but he promised to e-mail the photo. It is a very good photo. Rooskie is very clear only that he is not doing anything spectactular. My costume looks very good.
The photoghraph arrived by e-mail a few days later.
I got a lift right back to Dumfries with Heather Smith.
I was delighted with Rooskie’s performance and I only hope I can build on it.
Summary.
Very much a Rooskie month. Two Events and the open day at the Dumfries and Galloway Rescue Centre.
3rd June, 2007. I went to the Fun Day of Dumfries and Galloway Rescue in the Loreburn Hall after all. I found it very tiring but I am very glad I went even if I felt rather exhausted after it.
I entered two routines in the Cleverest Trick class. Rooskie's sash moves and his box moves. And we won.
I felt that in a sense it was rather unfair me competing against teenagers who were doing their best but after all I travel all over the country competing and I hardly ever get a chance to show what I can do in Dumfries. Even at the dog class Christmas party all I am allowed to do is one measly trick.
So I felt that I owed it to myself to seize the chance to show what I can do.
And even today Rooskie managed to run off once during his sash moves!
We also entered Starters Obedience and Intermediate Obedience. And I am really glad I did. Starters Obedience was all right because it was entirely on the lead. He was fine. He just anticipated the Recall. Heelwork. He was wide but he was on a loose lead. I did not see all the other dogs but every single dog which I saw was on a tight lead -- very. It makes you wonder what the dog classes are doing.
Intermediate Obedience. I was doubtful at first because most of this class was off lead. Heel Free. I started off in my HTM position. Paws on knees and backing through my legs to the Heel position. He backed through my legs and then looked away but I said Sit and he sat and then we started heelwork in the usual way. And he kept with me the whole time. Mind you when he sat he was right in front of me but I was just so glad that he showed no signs of running off.
He worked quite happily. This was because I just accepted his special Rooskie working position. I think it was because, with my other dogs, I tried for the correct Obedience positions that they lost their enthusiasm.
But Rooskie can work his own way for HTM. As I said I was so pleased that he worked off lead and did not even try to run off. If he could more of that it would really help him.
Incidentally I was bridging and praising like anything.
Today he did what he should have been doing seven years ago -- but did not get the chance. I'll just hope that Rooskie keeps that up at Glenrothes next weekend. There was a time when he would not have done what he did today.
We are making progress if rather slow progress. Rooskie really astounded everyone who saw him on Saturday --- Heather's Beardie Show.
We were doing Novice Freestyle. I took him into the ring. Paws on Knees and then took off the lead and Rooskie scampered round the ring like a playful puppy. Not scenting this time just playful scampering. I called him and walked away from him. He raced after me -- and past me. I started giving commands like Sit which he ignored and then he started obeying me and I raised my arm for the DJ and the music started.
Rooskie continued working beautifully and did possibly one of his best rounds ever. We got another 19.6. We were doing The Northern Lights of Aberdeen. Here is a breakdown of his marks.
Date 9th June, 2007
Show Scottish Bearded Collie Club. Venue Lomond Centre, Glenrothes.
Class Novice Freestyle
Judges -Barry Bray –Mary Muxworthy –Barbara Whittaker
Content 6.5 -- 7---- 6.5
A+E 6 ----- 7----- 6.5
Mus Intp 6.3 ---- 7----- 6.
Total 18.8 21 19.3
Overall Total-Con-20-A+E-19.5-MI-19.3
Overall Score 19.60
Place 6th
HTM/FS Points None
Routine TheNorthern Lights of Aberdeen – The Alexander Brothers
*********************** Content A+E Musical Interp
Barry Bray 6.5- 6- 6.3
Mary Muxworthy 7- 7- 7
Barbara Whittaker 6.5- 6.5- 6
Total 18.8 21 19
Overall Total 20 19.5 19.3
Afterwards two of the judges ame and congratulated me and said how well we had done. Someone else said that when he saw Rooskie scampering round the ring at the beginning he thought we had absolutely no chance. He commented on my handling and the way in which I got him under control. I think most people were rather stunned.
Afterwards a woman came up to me and said, I think you're wonderful. And so is your little dog.
And then on Sunday --- the Help Fife Animals Show -- I had to go and make some stupid mistakes. We were doing The Pied Piper. Rooskie did not seem too keen on jumping. Also I was finding the flute rather difficult to handle as I need both my hands. So I decided to miss it out but I then had to find some way of upgrading my content. Novice Freestyle was the first class after lunch.
At lunchtime everyone went off for lunch and the ring was empty. I decided to make the most of it. I had a practice with the lead trailing and he worked beautifully. And then I decided to try something. I took Rooskie into the ring with the lead trailing and then I gave the Paws command and Rooskie did Paws on Knees and then I took the lead off and we started. And he worked like a dream. I ought to have a really good round later. But what did I do.
I took him into the ring with lead trailing. Paws on Knees and we started off. And he stayed with me the whole time. No running off at all.
But I was so intent on upgrading the content that I tried a verse which he did not do and then I tried another which he did not do either. Then I tried something extra with the chair which did not work out. And I forgot to get Rooskie to verse round the chair which he would probably have done as he finds it easier than versing round me. But I clean forgot. But I did manage to include a long sequence of sidestepping later. The breakdown of our marks. Anne MacLean did not give the full breakdown that Heather gave.
The judges were John Hichingbottom, Janet Young and Ian MacLean
Content 5.83 A+E 6.03 Musical Interp 5.93 making a total of 17.79. Which was very disappointing.
But I think that taking Rooskie into the ring with the lead trailing is a good idea. It means that Rooskie has a modicum of freedom and can make his own decisions. And yet there is an element of security too because if he does run off I can get him back. And when I give the Paws command Rooskie actually chooses to obey me. (I changed my mind about this later).
About my mistakes. I think that the Pied Piper has turned out to be quite a difficult routine. As I said I am having difficulty handling the flute. I am doing it for Paws and Music and then I am going on to Blackpool Belle and I hope that I will find Blackpool Belle easier.
As to upgrading the content. It is more a case of making more use of the moves which he can do rather than learning more moves.
Very interesting. An experienced trainer and handler had a Rooskie start with her young dog. She took it right into the middle of the ring on the lead and gave the lead to lead to the ring steward. And later another advanced handler did the same thing. And up till now I have been the only person doing that.
The venue -- the Lomond Centre -- was a new one. I stayed at the Travelodge which was not far away. There was plenty of grass for walking the dogs. I also found a lane.
So that is Rooskie in Fife. We are making progress.
Rooskie was entered in Novice Feestyle and doing the Pied Piper routine.
It was a warm day. As well as the ordinary ring there was a large practice ring and I knew at once that I was going to be in trouble because Rooskie was tending to run off.
When I went into the ring for his round he at once ran off and I had to work to get him back to me. Then he ran off again for a quick scamper after the routine had started but this time I got him back to me very quickly and he worked beautifully after that. But I would lose for that quick scamper.
The judges were Michelle Dodson, Kerry Lancaster and Roger Reed.
Content 18.00 A+E 16.70 Musical Interp 17.70 making a total of 17.47 which was disappointing after his two 19.6s.
It also seems as if there is no correlation between HTM and Obedience. Rooskie made no attempt to run off in the Obedience at the Loreburn Hall on the rescue centre open day so the HTM set up is obviously quite different.
I had an unfortunate experience at lunchtime. I was practising in the ring. Rooskie got under the barrier just opposite an open door – and went out of the door. Another competitor told me to go round and out the door and she would wait and see if he came back. I did so and when I got to the place where Rooskie had disappeared there was no sign of him. I called him and someone called back, “He came in again and someone has caught him.” I hurried back and found Carol Mortimer holding his lead (I had been working with the lead trailing). Carol said that he had gone into the ring and started dancing by himself. She said he was probably looking for me but it looked as if he was dancing.
The next day there were the fun classes in the afternoon. I tried out a shorter version of my new routine Blackpool Belle and it went quite well. Later one of the judges said it went well. He said he liked my weaving where I turned and Rooskie went through my legs from a distance. He also liked the weaving through the chair. He liked Rooskie's new moves.
Another friendly Event.
On the way home the train was delayed because the line was flooded at Stafford and it had to take an alternative route.
Summary
No HTM Events this month so I had nearly three weeks at Southerness. Ghost Dog and Sleuth-Hounds displayed in Shell Shop. One of each sold. Caught up with HNS work. Dalbeattie Post Office. Also discovered Dalbeattie supermarkets. Co-op.
Rooskie Press
Last year someone had hidden my books in the Shell Shop and so they had not sold. But this year someone had put them on display again and when I went there I was told that one copy of Ghost Dog and one copy of Sleuth-Hounds had sold. I took some more down to the shop. I decided to mark down Ghost Dog since I am going to be bringing out a new edition. So I put on Ghost Dog £2.50 or free with copy of Solway Sleuth-Hounds.
In the last issue of the Galloway Craft Guild newsletter it said that the postmistress at Dalbeattie Post Office was also displaying craft goods. I had to go into Dalbeattie in any case so I took some books. I also marked Ghost Dog £2.50 or free with copy of Solway Sleuth-Hounds.
Back at Southerness I worked on the Ghost Dog file getting the new edition ready for Antony Rowe. I am changing the font.
Dalbeattie
I had to go into Dalbeattie for several reasons. I had mail for the HNS. I had the copies of the HNS Review to send off to the publishers. So I had to go into the post office. Now that the Dumfries main post office was closed it was easier for me to go into Dalbeattie Post Office than the one at the Whitesands. I had also discovered that it was a comparatively easy journey on the bus. And then, as I said already, I had copies of Ghost Dog and Sleuth-Hounds.
Another reason why I went into Dalbeattie was shopping. The shops in Southerness are limited and expensive. Also the one near the chalet closes in the winter and the one in the centre of the village is open mornings only in the winter. Also I cannot get the bread which I like in Southerness. So now that I have discovered how to get to Dalbeattie it will make things much easier in the winter. It means that I do not need to struggle to bring downn everything I need. There are three supermarkets in Dalbeattie and they are quite good.
Rooskie
Doing some training but not very much. Relaxing and going for walks. But I bought some crocheted hats for his routines in the Shell Shop.
I also finished sewing up my machine-knitted knee length shorts -- also for his routines. They came out well.
Summary
Visit of my e-mail friend from California. Rooskie an HTM Event at Leeds. A few days at Southerness.
American visit
Visit of my e-mail friend from California. Lovely seeing her. On Monday afternoon I took Rooskie and sat in Reception in the CairndaleHotel waiting for her. I recognised her the minute she came into the hotel after having climbed the steps.
She hired a car and the next day (Tuesday) we went down to the John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum. Then we had lunch at Cottage Crafts New Abbey. Then we went back to the Southerness chalet where we had earlier left Rooskie. Then to Sandyhills, Rockcliffe, Kippford and Dalbeattie and back to Dumfries. The next day we went to the Observatory Museum where we had an interview with David Lockwood and then we saw the Camera Obscura. In the afternoon I showed her the derelict building where James Barrie used to go after school and play in the garden with the boys who lived in the house and where he got the idea for Peter Pan. Then the car broke down and we could not go anywhere else. But I went back to the Cairndale in the evening with Rooskie and we had coffee and a lovely chat.
Rooskie and HTM
Leeds HTM. Rooskie was entered in Novice Freestyle. We were doing my new routine to Blackpool Belle. I was wearing shorts, a red Hawaian shirt, and a multicoloured crocheted hat which I had bought in the Shell Shop in Southerness. I was in my bare feet and I actually felt steadier on my feet. I had my own camcorder with me and a friend videoed my routine. She could not work the zoom but it did not really matter.
Rooskie scampered round the ring at first but I managed to get him back to me and then he settled beautifully. He had his best ever result. A straight 20. And was placed 7th in a class of 13. The judges were Linda Glover, Paula Tyerman and Helen Taylor.
It was his best ever result but looking at the film I thought that he might be better with a smaller sandcastle. I had used the dog box covered with bronze material. For the next Event I thought he might be better with the step stool as he seemed to be more confident versing around it. And the middle of the routine looked rather messy. And then Rooskie started targeting a large plastic seaside spade so I thought of that for the middle – especially as the film showed that I had not moved away from the centre of the ring.
Afterwards an experienced handler told me she liked his versing round the box.
The venue was very interesting. My Pet Stop. A sort of canine centre. There was a shop with pet supplies – leads, toys, beds, books, food. And they also did general boarding and day care which included exercise, training, agility, fun activities. It also ran training classes. There was also boarding for cats. There was also a veterinary centre and I saw a very interesting notice which said “This practice reserves the right to refuse euthenasia if there is a better alternative.
There was a large permanent ring. There was a gallery above from which one could get a really good view.
A friendly Event and I met many of my friends.
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Class Report from the Canine Freestyle Newsletter. Report by Hannah Crook.
Novice Freestyle to Blackpool Belle
Lovely bright costume (even the floor was the right colour!) There were some very nice moves. Loved the rewind round the 'sandcastle' with a great finish. He's getting better all the time. 20.0
_____________________________________________
Placed seventh out of a class of thirteen.
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Blackpool HTM. At the very end of the month there was another HTM Event at Blackpool. And this was an absolute disaster. His worst performance for a long time.
I stayed at the Preston Ibis which was some distance from Poulton-le-Fylde. I was doing Blackpool Belle. The minute I went into the ring he started sniffing and I just could not get his nose off the ground. I ended up grabbing him. Eventually I got him started by using the spade as a target stick. And then I rather lost my head when he insisted on jumping on the sandcastle instead of pawing his way around it. (I had changed to a different sandcastle and this turned out to be a mistake.) But the last part of the routine with his paws on the towel was all right.
Afterwards someone told me that a dog had previously made a puddle on the exact spot where I started my routine.
There were four Papillons in Noivice Freestyle and the husband of a competitor videoed all four. It would have to be Rooskie's worst routine of the year. I was alsao presented with a large stick of Blackpool rock for doing Blackpool Belle.
But it was a friendly Event. One of the Advanced class --- it was her fortieth wedding anniversary and she had a cake for everyone.
Southerness
Between Leeds and Blackpool Leeds I managed a few days at Southerness. Shopping in Dalbeattie. The Shell shop at Southerness had sold another copy of Sleuth-Hounds.
Southerness was lovely. On the golf course the heather was out interspersed with clumps of golden gorse. In my garden the fuchsia and montbretia were both out.
HTM Tomlinsons, Markfield CFGB.
The HTM Event was the first weekend of the month. The very next weekend after Poulton-le-Fylde. It was a bit soon for me but I made the effort and went.
Markfield is outside Leicester. I got the train to Birmingham and changed at New Street and got another train to Leicester and then a taxi to Markfield. It was a very tiring journey. If I go next year I shall probably go via Leeds and stay over night in Leeds and then travel via Peterborough.
I stayed at the Markfield Travelodge. Just the usual problem. No food. I found a very good local taxi driver who ferried me to and fro.
The Saturday. Tomlinsons is a canine centre. Plenty of room for exercising the dogs. Also fields for horses. Picnic tables. The building where the ring was – a kind of tin hut. Carpeted floor. It was a fine day but an experienced handler told me that when it is hot it is very hot and stuffy. Also when competing you have to go outside and walk round to the other side of the building where the ring entrance is and this can cause problems if it is wet.
I was in Novice Freestyle and I was on late. Rooskie was better than he had been at Blackpool but he had not recovered completely. I was doing Blackpool Belle again. I had a terrible time at the beginning as he galloped all over the ring. But I managed to get him to me and we started the routine. But he was far below his best.
_____________________________________________
Date 8th September, Show CFGB. Venue Tomlinsons, Markfield
Class Novice Freestyle
Judges Sarah Reed, Angela Briggs, Linda Glover
Content 6 5.70 4.40
A+E 5.80 6.20 3.80
Mus Intp 6 6.50 4.
Overall score 16.13
Routine The Blackpool Belle – David Lobban on the Wurlitzer organ and the Houghton Weavers
Catering not bad at Tomlinsons. Very basic but got a decent sandwich to take back to the digs at night.
Next day Sunday I was in the first class Starters Freestyle. I felt tired after Saturday. To make matters worse I had woken early and I did not fall asleep again.
I was doing Maggie/Grandfather’s clock/She’ll be coming round the Mountain to MacKenzie’s Pipes and Banjo.
Again Rooskie galloped all around the ring but eventually I got him to me and the music started. I kept him circling my sash until I was sure he was settled then I started on the Heelwork. I did a very simple round. I was surprised at the general reaction.
Afterwards many people told me how well they thought we had down and the and someone told me she thought I should have got a rosette.
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Date 9th September, 2007. Show CFGB. Venue Tomlinsons, Markfield.
Class Starters Heelwork to Music
Judges Helen Taylor Louise Ince Sally Noble
Content 7 6 4.80
A+E 6.60 6.20 4.90
Mus Intp 6.80 6 5.
Overall score 15.30??
Routine Maggie – MacKenzie’s Pipes and Banjo
Another friendly Event.Westglen were there in force.
And then I had to leave early because I was absolutely exhausted.
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Class reports in GFGB Newsletter.
Novice Freestyle to Blackpool Belle. Report by Lesley Brocklehurst.
Super bright on the beach costume complete with sun hat and bare feet, sand castle and spade really set the scene for this “Blackpool Belle” number. There were some interesting moves, interacting with the props, from Rooskie.
Starters HTM Report by Jackie de Jong
Maggie/Grandfather’s Clock/She’ll be coming round the Mountain.
Rooskie didn’t want to start his routine but once the music started he performed very nicely and held a nice constant heelwork position. Mary you are an inspiration to us all.
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After the HTM Event I returned to Dumfries where I had to get ready for the partial rewiring. I was worried about the electricians moving things and losing things so I decided to store important things in the garage. This meant tidying up the house and also clearing out the garage.
Garage. Clearing out the garage was a mammoth task. I started douing it myself and then I found out that my gardener could do it. And he did it all in about an hour.
Rewiring. As it turned out it was not too bad. It was 2 electricians from Wales who did it. As I had asked for trunking they did not have to lift the floorboards. And they gave me a number of wall lights so that I no longer have to worry about changing bulbs.
Southerness. After finishing the partial rewiring they had to do some more at Southerness. But not so much there. That took only one day.
Summary. A very varied month. Southerness, Dumfries and then Southerness again.
Southerness. Once the electricians had finished the rewiring at Southerness I stayed down there and managed to get a fortnight. At the end of that time I managed to get the security lights fixed. Two engineers had come before but they had not managed to fix them.
HNS. I finally managed to catch up with my HNS work.
Rooskie Press and Books. I found out that the Shell Shop in Southerness was displaying my books again. So I tried something. I had packaged Ghost Dog of the Solway free with one copy of Solway Sleuth-Hounds. And it worked. When I next went to the shop I found that my books had been selling.
I had done the same thing at Dalbeattie Post Office and I found that my books had been selling there too.
Dalbeattie. Shopping. I went to the Dalbeattie supermarkets now that I had found out how easy it was to get there by bus. I also explored the other shops and got a white rose which I could attach to a target stick for Rooskie's routine The Roses of Prince Charlie.
RooskieTraining. On Southerness Golf course. (See below)
Dumfries.
Galloway Craft Guild. Got down to Castle Douglas to the Galloway Craft Guild where I found that my books had not been selling. Just a few out the rest in a box. The box was found after some difficulty and I slashed the prices and again packaged Ghost Dog together with Sleuth-Hounds. I also halved the price of the CDs and also wrote on them Two books to be read on a computer. Full colour illustrations. So I shall see if that sells any for Christmas.
Camcorder. Went back to shop still trying to get it to work. I was told that the manufacturers were now giving software with their new cameras. A man in the shop copied the new software for me and gave me a disc. I copied it and gave it to Nick and he found out how to get my camcorder to work. So that is one problem solved.
Voice software. Nick also got me voice software. The idea is that I shall be able to work when I am away from home and transfer the information to my computer later. But it is going to need a lot of practice.
Carlisle. Shopping. Trips to Carlisle. To the fancy dress shop. I got skulls and gold coins for my Davy Jones Locker and Welcome to the Caribbean routine. I also got a cauldron (for the pot of gold), 2 leprechauns’ hats and 2 big bow ties for my Irish HTM routine to a medley by the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and the Glee Club. Finally I got some flags on plastic sticks. These were excellent for target sticks as Rooskie need a soft target stick.
Shopping in Dumfries.To the fabric shop for material for my Jacobite bonnet for The Roses of Prince Charlie routine. Also Scottish brooches in the fabric shop.To the sports shop for football training cones so that Rooskie can do the figure-of-eight in the free position.
RooskieTraining. On Southerness Golf course. Targetting. Discovered how to start him off in the figure-of-eight using the target stick. In chalet discovered how to start off the leg weaving through the chair. Later I decided that the target stick is not really a good idea.
Working on a new Start. Contact and Activity Start. Keeping him in the Front position and To-ing and Fro-ing. To get him into the Heelwork position, tight circles in the HW position. Starting from a Sit and a mini Novice Recall. See Training notes. Trying it out at the APDT dog class. The APDT class was very helpful to Rooskie.
Some unpleasantness at the other class but still hoping to attend.
New Routines. Planning new routines. The Roses of Prince Charlie. An Irish HTM routine where I dress up as a leprechaun. Also Tulips of Amsterdam.
Carlisle Shopping in Carlisle. Props for Pirates and Leprechauns. New target stick. A soft target stick. A little plastic flag pole.
Computer Nick fixed me up with voice-to-text. But it will take a lot of training before I can get it to work.
Locharbriggs Dog Class. Managed to stop Rooskie running off at Locharbriggs but doing it by using food.
Southerness. Nearly three weeks at Southerness.
Computer. Broadband at Southerness at last.
Trouble with CD writer on computer. This was worrying as I rely on it to transfer my files from Southerness to Dumfries. But got it working somehow and Nick got me a USB memory stick.
Rooskie Press Two teleorders. One for Sleuth-Hounds and one for McDowall.
Shopping in Dalbeattie. I reduced the price of Sleuth-Hounds and packaged it with Ghost Dog so I shall see what results that brings. Also got large artificial rose to fit on end of plastic flag pole for target stick for Roses of Prince Charlie.
Rooskie's Routines. Planning HTM routines. Roses of Prince Charlie. Also an Irish routine and one about Tulips. Tulips from Amsterdam, Tiptoe through the Tulips and When I wore a Tulip. Tulips will go into Freestyle, Dressage or Dances with Dogs.
Walks. Just taking Rooskie a walk in the evening through the caravan site.
New heater. I got a new convector heater from Argos. Small but it heats up very well. And I was able to get the feet on no bother. I think I shall get another one.
Rooskie. Did Roses routine at the APDT dog class. This was a great help.
Practising. Isolated introduction of Roses routine. Put on part of Apples, Peaches and Pumpkin Pie then the introduction to Roses. Apples etc was just to give me enough time to get settled and then I could practise the introduction itself. A great help. It now means I know exactly what I am doing with the Introduction.
Camcorder and YouTube.
At last I got software for the camcorder. This meant that I was able to put clips on YouTube at last. Not routines because I am afraid of infringing someone else's copyright but just Rooskie practising at home. My very first was of Rooskie practising weaves on the porch. But as indoors the light was not too good. Then I took one of Rooskie practising on the fenced in part of the drive. I followed this up by one combining Rooskie with my books. Rooskie practising the moves for Roses of Prince Charlie while I included my books in the notes at the front and gave my web site at the end. Also planning two more clips. Rooskie--Tunnels and another paying tribute to Sammy, Dusty and Moff.
I do not know how to compress but when I saw the qualithy of the clips I have decided not to bother with compression but instead to go for short but good quality clips.
Weather.
A cold spell just before Christmas and then heavy rain and the whole town iced up. What happened was that the rain fell on ice and immediately turned to ice.I hastily threw a few things together and went down to the Southerness chalet for a few days. So I had Christmas at Southerness. When I returned I saw that there had been a lot of accidents with people falling and slipping onn the ice and 150 people had been taken to the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
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