Foxhunter49
Well-Known Member
Three years ago I was in a position to walk a couple of hound pups. Time had past and memories fade, I seem to recall saying "Never again!" on handing a troublesome couple back.
So, we walked a couple that were from a late litter (August) and kept them all winter.
Distance memories were brought to the fore when things disappeared but nothing to bad.
Last season another couple were picked. Two weeks later we were asked if we would have a third as they were sort on walkers.
The two turned into four. I guess that it wasn't a lie as it was 'two couple' so as the number two was mentioned it could be classed as mistake in language.
So, it was agreed a couple would come here. I picked out two bitches when they were a few days old.
Puppy Show was early this year and after I was bringing the pups home.
I am not ashamed to boast that we cleared up at the Puppy Show. Best and reserve bitch, best dog, so Champion and reserve. Also the year previous bitch won Best New Entry and the Champion over the dog entry.
So, returned home with car laden with cups and drinking vessels and two pups.
The pups settled in well and I was really enjoying them.
Phone call from the kennels, "How are the pups?"
"Fine thanks."
Want any flesh?"
"Yes please. When can I collect it?"
Oh, that's OK I'll drop it in as I am coming your way."
"Thanks, it would be a help."
A brief silence.
"Oh, you couldn't help me out please?"
"If I can."
"Well, you know you cleaned up at the Puppy Show, you will have double the chance next year if you could have two Irish pups for me."
"I said only one couple this year."
"I know, but they always look so well with you and you know you love the challenge."
"Haven't you got any other mug?"
"No."
"Well you had better bring them on then."
So, now there are two couple (which sounds better than four) hound pups destroying the place. It is impossible to garden without loosing tools, or if on hands and knees weeding, being attacked from four quarters and bowled over.
The latest is to have all washing taken from the rotary line, makes a good roundabout swing for pups. They grab hold of something and swing around with it until the pegs give so take that item off and go play with another.
All that is left hanging are socks and underwear.
Flowerpots, tidily stacked and spread around from here there and everywhere. The veggie garden is protected with sheep netting. Doors to the house have to be kept closed or else all hell breaks loose.
The other dogs look at me as if I am insane. They look on the pups as pains in the butt. Tolerate them to a point and then put them in their place.
No other pups scream as much as Foxhound pups. They holler before they are touched.
I love watching them grow and develop different characters. One bitch is very independent and is often off doing her own thing. The other bitch always has her nose to the ground, she is more loving and first to come to call. The two boys are, well, two boys. They are eight weeks older and into more trouble already.
Funny thing is that in all the years I have walked hound pups, there are certain things they seem to know like not chasing sheep, these can go out and play without even looking at the flock or lambs. They have an instinctive respect but no fear of the horses.
As for feeding time I am now feeding (raw) 17 dogs (the pups get fed three times) It is an art to have them all waiting for their turn to be chucked a chunk and for once these four all wait their turn, mostly because if they try to get to close to where I am cutting the meat into sizes, the older dogs tell them differently. They do get fed separately as they cannot chew big chunks and I cannot just feed them a calf leg left in the kennels because the other dogs will jump in and take it.
So, I have MUG stamped on my forehead. I spend a lot of time cleaning out the kennel, picking up all sorts of goodies they have spread around, looking for stolen articles of human apparel.
As I write the two dogs are trying to pull a large step ladder across the yard. At least I know where they are!
So, we walked a couple that were from a late litter (August) and kept them all winter.
Distance memories were brought to the fore when things disappeared but nothing to bad.
Last season another couple were picked. Two weeks later we were asked if we would have a third as they were sort on walkers.
The two turned into four. I guess that it wasn't a lie as it was 'two couple' so as the number two was mentioned it could be classed as mistake in language.
So, it was agreed a couple would come here. I picked out two bitches when they were a few days old.
Puppy Show was early this year and after I was bringing the pups home.
I am not ashamed to boast that we cleared up at the Puppy Show. Best and reserve bitch, best dog, so Champion and reserve. Also the year previous bitch won Best New Entry and the Champion over the dog entry.
So, returned home with car laden with cups and drinking vessels and two pups.
The pups settled in well and I was really enjoying them.
Phone call from the kennels, "How are the pups?"
"Fine thanks."
Want any flesh?"
"Yes please. When can I collect it?"
Oh, that's OK I'll drop it in as I am coming your way."
"Thanks, it would be a help."
A brief silence.
"Oh, you couldn't help me out please?"
"If I can."
"Well, you know you cleaned up at the Puppy Show, you will have double the chance next year if you could have two Irish pups for me."
"I said only one couple this year."
"I know, but they always look so well with you and you know you love the challenge."
"Haven't you got any other mug?"
"No."
"Well you had better bring them on then."
So, now there are two couple (which sounds better than four) hound pups destroying the place. It is impossible to garden without loosing tools, or if on hands and knees weeding, being attacked from four quarters and bowled over.
The latest is to have all washing taken from the rotary line, makes a good roundabout swing for pups. They grab hold of something and swing around with it until the pegs give so take that item off and go play with another.
All that is left hanging are socks and underwear.
Flowerpots, tidily stacked and spread around from here there and everywhere. The veggie garden is protected with sheep netting. Doors to the house have to be kept closed or else all hell breaks loose.
The other dogs look at me as if I am insane. They look on the pups as pains in the butt. Tolerate them to a point and then put them in their place.
No other pups scream as much as Foxhound pups. They holler before they are touched.
I love watching them grow and develop different characters. One bitch is very independent and is often off doing her own thing. The other bitch always has her nose to the ground, she is more loving and first to come to call. The two boys are, well, two boys. They are eight weeks older and into more trouble already.
Funny thing is that in all the years I have walked hound pups, there are certain things they seem to know like not chasing sheep, these can go out and play without even looking at the flock or lambs. They have an instinctive respect but no fear of the horses.
As for feeding time I am now feeding (raw) 17 dogs (the pups get fed three times) It is an art to have them all waiting for their turn to be chucked a chunk and for once these four all wait their turn, mostly because if they try to get to close to where I am cutting the meat into sizes, the older dogs tell them differently. They do get fed separately as they cannot chew big chunks and I cannot just feed them a calf leg left in the kennels because the other dogs will jump in and take it.
So, I have MUG stamped on my forehead. I spend a lot of time cleaning out the kennel, picking up all sorts of goodies they have spread around, looking for stolen articles of human apparel.
As I write the two dogs are trying to pull a large step ladder across the yard. At least I know where they are!
