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Topics - nostaw

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1
Newfoundland Discussions / Summers over, so dads switched the computer on
« on: October 20, 2006, 04:44:28 am »
Hi from Bell & Hovis,

To all our friends in BPO Land, we're back for a visit. Summer is just finishing and we're staying at home a bit more so Dad has the computer on so we can talk.

We've had a fun summer and travelled nearly eight thousand miles in our new van and met lots of new friends. It all started in June when Hovis and I went to a fun day for Newfies and Met Belle a nice young Lady who told us all about working newfs and what fun it is jumping out of boats and rescuing silly humans who can't swim. We asked dad if we could join in and every weekend since then we've been playing with lots of other newfs and helping the humans fetch things.

Dad says Hovis is funny and must have got in the small paw queue when they were handing the brains out :-) because she kept forgetting what she was going to retrieve and coming back half way out. He was very kind though and bought her a bright orange coat to help her swim and now that she doesn't have to think so hard about swimming she can remember what she has to do!

Dad says we've done very well. We have been to some very special newfy tests where we went camping with lots of our friends and both Hovis and I have got certificates to say we have passed level A & B. Dad said I would have got level C as well if I'd remembered to stay with him when he was swimming and not gone off to see an interesting patch of weed!

I also did my level 1 carting test which I passed first time. Dad asked me why I wouldn't behave myself like that at home especially when the judge said I did a very nice recall. I know I normally run in the other direction when dad calls but my friends were watching ;-)

Anyway,  Hovis and I have some Holiday snaps to show you, hope you like them.

Love,

Bell & Hovis

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Newfoundland Pictures / A Postcard from Rother Valley
« on: June 26, 2006, 02:45:09 pm »
Hi out there in BPO Land, its me again, Bell. I thought I'd drop you a line about Hovis and I and our new adventures. A few weeks ago we waved goodbye to Suzi, our little red van, so Hovis and I thought we were stuck at home for ever, Then Dad disappeared one day and brought back a nice shiny new  van called Vera. Vera is a nice van, it even has special rooms for us and a fan to keep us cool in summer. We can't help dad with the driving anymore, but we do have a window we can look out of at the back, so Hovis and I have beed practicing our hard stares for when other two legs drive too close.

We've been out and about in Vera finding new friends and new things to do, This last weekend Dad loaded Vera  and we set off for a place called Rother Valley. When we got there we saw a huge lake, Hovis was all excited and wanted to go swimming straight away but Dad said we had to stay by Vera for a while. Soon after, other cars and vans arrived with lots of new Newfie friends and 2 boats. The other Newfies told us that the two legs were going to be tested and that we had to help them when they got it wrong.

Soon after this, I was allowed to play in the lake, I went for a swim with my dad and even brought back a rope he threw in the water. Next I went to see a nice young lady who was stuck in the lake, when I got there she gave me a lovely toy so I towed her back to shore to say thank you. We then went for a ride in a boat but those silly two legs must have broken the engine so it was Newfie to the rescue yet again. I jumped in the water, they gave me a rope and I pulled the boat back to the shore. Dad gave me lots of kisses and cuddles and said that I was a very special girl, I dont think these two legs should go near the water, if it wasn't for us Newfies they would be in trouble!

After this it was Hovis' turn to play, Hovis is silly, she went swimming with Dad and then went to bring back a rope, halfway there she forgot all about the rope and decided that she would much prefer a cuddle, Dad had to go in with her to show her where the rope was.
After this she went for a ride in the boat, the boat broke again and Hovis jumped in the water to help but decided that it would be better to show the two legs how to swim to shore. It was funny watching them having to paddle the boat back. Dad gave Hovis lots of kisses and cuddles and a nice lady brought Hovis a life jacket to try on as she's a bit small for a Newfie and sometimes splashes a lot when she swims. Hovis liked the life jacket and does a lot better because she doesnt have to think about swimming as much.

We had a lovely day and I've included some of dads piccy's so you can see what we have been doing.

Love,

Bell & Hovis

3
Games & Jokes / It made me laugh
« on: June 13, 2006, 02:47:35 pm »
Thought I might share this image....he he he

4
Well, Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far in the U.K. and it was off to Shirland in Derbyshire fo a Newfoundland funday organised by the Northern Newfoundland Club.

The sun got to me early on and I found I had entered Bell and Hovis in the Match Show, Happiest family, longest down stay and musical chairs.

Confusion reigned from then on as Hovis lost in the first round but Bell won. I then placed Hovis in Bells round and Bell in Hovis' round so I cancelled any further part I would take in the match competition.

The longest down stay went as predicted, we were doing great for about 2 minutes till I foolishly put my hand in my pocket. Bell was immediately sat at attention drooling and watching every move I made. As ever, food won out over obedience. Following the longest stay, or in my case the shortest, Junior Handling, after a quick search of the show I found a little girl called Shannon who took Bell into the show ring and put her through her paces, Both behaved impeccably and Shannon got a rosette to prove it! Things were picking up.

Happiest family was next and I was able to play my trump card, Hovis. It was a hot day and all the newfs were feeling the effects, but Hovis true to form was in Hyperactive mode, playing with Bell, demanding kisses from me and anyone else nearby, we couldn't lose, and we didn't - our first victory. We all went inside for musical chairs where I saw Shannon watching the preparations. Yes, she would like to play musical chairs with Hovis and I could escape and watch the proceedings from the side. Shannon and Hovis were doing brilliantly until Hovis realised it was a game and that people weren't getting mad at her for playing with the other dogs and that you could rush around when the bell rang. Hovis distracted the other newfs while Shannon grabbed a passing chair as she was dragged over the slippery floor by a Hyperactive Newfoundland in search of fun. They came second so Shannon bagged another prize and rosette. Neither
Shannon or her parents seemed to mind Hovis' antics so all was fine.

All in all a fun, Newfie filled day out, Bell even got a posh leather carting harness bought for her. We all drove back to Yorkshire tired and happy.

Andy, Bell and Hovis

5
Newfoundland Pictures / Bell and her loot!
« on: June 06, 2006, 01:08:22 pm »
As promised, a quick, front yard picture of Bell with her trophy and rosette won at Crewe open show on sunday.

Andy

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Groans, Gripes, Brags & Boasts / Bell's got a big rosette and trophy
« on: June 05, 2006, 05:06:44 pm »
Bell, Hovis and I had an outing to Crewe open dog show on Sunday and whoopeeeeeee, Bell got reserve best of breed. Not only did she get a huge rosette but she also got a Trophy to keep.

Needless to say I am a very proud Dad and as I have now bored all my friends and neighbours to death, I thought it time to announce my joy to the world (Well, BPO anyway).

The most amusing part of the day was after the Newfoundland classes, I had tied Bell to a fence, where she sat very lady like and prim and proper, which was highly unusual for Bell. It was not until someone pointed it out that I realised that Bell was not behaving herself, she had more important things on her mind, the nearby Doberman was being fed pieces of cooked liver and as usual the big brown eyes went to work and the poor doberman was having to share his Liver with Bell!

We're all going to the Newfoundland fun day in Derbyshire next weekend so hopefully I'll be able to post lots of Newfy Pics.

Andy

7
Holiday Things / The weekend started early!
« on: May 13, 2006, 04:10:16 am »
Hi Friends,

Hovis and I are back from our long walkies and we've had a super time. On Wednesday, Dad was looking at the weather forecast. He said a naughty word and then told us we were going long walkies on Thursday because it was going to rain on Saturday. The 2 legs keep worrying about rain. We don't mind sharing a tent with him even if he is wet!

Thursday morning came and I knew something was different, Dad was filling the wagon up before we set off, even Hovis was happy, because she got the panniers to carry. We set off for the Supermarket as usual and I was pleased to see that Dad remembered to get the Pork Pie and some sausages, it would be worth the sitting and big brown eyes later!

We set off through Settle and up the big hill, We kept having to stop for dad, he was complaining about the rucksack and having to help pull my cart, it was uphill for about a mile so we stopped for water and a cup of tea at the top.

After the climb it was plain sailing till Dinner time along a nice wide track, I was a good girl and walked along the track, but Hovis kept playing and running around so dad put the panniers on the cart.

We stopped for dinner in the middle of the moor, with views of  the Three peaks in the distance. Dad had a lie down so Hovis and I played for a bit till we met some Mountain Bikers who stopped for cuddles and strokes. After, Hovis was being silly and wanted to pull the cart so it took a while to get hitched up. We were soon off again, after a mile and a half Dad said naughty words when he
realised the leads had got left behind where we had dinner.
We enjoyed it though, as I got to play in the streams and pools
when we left the wagon and walked back for the leads.
Back with the wagon it was a steady descent down to Malham Moor. at the top of one rise we first saw Malham Tarn away in the distance. Dad said we were sleeping there. It was just after this I had my accident, It wasn't my fault, the wagon wasn't watching where it was going and dropped two wheels in a rut, before I knew it both the wagon and I were playing dead with 4 wheels and four paws in the air. The indignity of it all and all Dad did was laugh and take pictures.

Camp Newfie was set up at Water sinks on Malham Moor, where, in the best traditions of British exploration, we set up camp and had a cup of tea. Whilst Hovis and I protected the camp from the natives, Dad was cheating, Mum turned up in the Landrover with bottles of cold beer. we were allowed a paddle though whilst Dad cooked Tea. We enjoyed Dads sausages.

That night we slept out under the stars, I curled up under the awning whilst Hovis lay beside dad, on the tent! Dad says that next time Hovis will have to be staked out further away as neither he or the tent will take much more. In the morning as dad unzipped the tent door I put my head in and gave him a good wash, that soon woke him up!

Breakfast done, we set off once more, Dad said I was a very good girl, as I pulled the wagon all by myself and we didn't stop until we'd completed the main climb of the day. We stopped for water, tea and doggy treats in the shade of a dry stone wall. You could see all the way back to Malham Tarn. Hovis and I played for a while then mugged another mountain biker for kisses and cuddles. We followed the trail back down to Attermire and then on through the lanes between the fields and the coaching road back into Settle and home. Dad says we can do it again soon.

Love,

Bell and Hovis


8
Games & Jokes / Could you do this with a Newfie?
« on: May 10, 2006, 01:40:31 pm »
I've just come accross this video, and was wondering if you could do this with a Newfie?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8118473299194969735

Andy

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This weekend might well come as a shock for Bell and Hovis, I'm introducing them to the delights of fell walking.

If the weather is fine, I'm hitching Bell up to her cart, putting saddlebags on Hovis and we're going camping! For this first expedition, we're heading off into the dales on a 10 mile walk with overnight camp, following the Settle Loop of the Pennine Bridleway.

http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway/article.asp?PageId=3&ArticleId=7

I can't help wondering what will be going through Bell & Hovis's minds when they finally realise that they're not returning home that day and are expected to sleep out under the stars.

I'm taking the Camera so I'll post some piccy's

Andy

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Can anyone help? I am looking for a large paw print for use in a graphic for my new van. Has anyone out there got one? if so can they let me know.

If the worst comes to the worst I might have to get an ink pad and press gang Hovis or Bell to provide it!! ;D

Love,

Andy Bell & Hovis

11
Anything Non-Dog Related / I've got a part time job!!
« on: May 01, 2006, 04:12:01 am »
Things are busy at the moment in the Dales, I've now got a part time job as well. Knowing how quite a few BPO members have horses, I thought I'd show off some of my work as a racecourse photographer.

Andy

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I've asked Bell & Hovis - they think it a good idea too :D

Andy

13
Happy Easter to all at BPO.

I've not been around recently due to work commitments - and I'm meant to be retired ;D.

My new newf van has arrived, a VW Transporter. so I'm currently looking for someone to convert the rear for the girls. Can anyone in the U.K. reccomend someone?

Last Monday I had a trip out to Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria. The place is super for swimming the dogs and benefits from a Burger van for me and ice cream van for the girls. A good day was had by all :)

Love to all,

Andy Bell & Hovis

14
A Happy day was had by Bell, Hovis and their taxi driver at the NNC show at St Helens, they even got a rosette for coming third in the brace competition! Unfortunately the skin member of the trio had little time to take pictures due to all the pampering required by the furry duo.

We all met friends old and new and I post a few quickly taken photos to give you a flavour of the show.

Andy Bell and Hovis

15
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Starting on a Pet Passport
« on: April 06, 2006, 12:52:19 pm »
Well, as of 31st March, I am officially retired and have become a pensioner!!

It's a whole new start to my life and I've decided to live the dream and buy a Holiday home in France. The only problem is the UK quarantine laws and pet passports. I started monday, with a visit to the vets to have Hovis microchipped (Bell has hers already) and their first Rabies injection. I now have to wait 2 weeks for their second and then another 2 weeks for the antibody blood test. After that I have a six month wait until the dogs can travel. The cost, £174.00 per dog, that came as a bit of a shocker!!!.

I'm using the next six months to browse the internet for suitable property. I'm busy searching for something next to a river or with its own lake - the things you do for Newfoundlands.

The sad part of all this is that Suzi, my little red van, will have to go, she's just not big enough. Whilst she happily motors about the U.K., with 108,000 miles on the clock, I am worried that the 1000+ miles each way I'll be commuting will be a little too much. I've now bought a VW transporter van and after looking at all the custom caged vans at the Northern Newfoundland club show I've just about worked out how I'll sort the interior out. I never dreamed a decision to buy a house in another country would cost so much and Ive not even left the UK. ;D

Andy Bell & Hovis

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