The DogCast Radio blog

We have just returned from a brilliant holiday in Scotland – a peaceful isolated dog-friendly cottage, Loch Ness just minutes away, beautiful scenery and lots to do,; who could ask for more? We loved it and so did Buddy and Star.

We stayed at Rowan Cottage (www.lochnesshideaways.co.uk/) and our host Janet made us feel very welcome indeed. The dogs accompanied us on a gondola trip up the Glen Nevis range near Fort William (www.nevisrange.co.uk/summer/index.asp), as well as enjoying a boat trip on Loch Ness (www.jacobite.co.uk/).

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Dog training can be rife with dangers. The dog can misbehave, you can have an off day, it can pour down with rain, you can be held up by a sheep on the way home. Yes, you heard right – you can be held up by a sheep on the way home, and it happened to me the other day.

It is a delightful drive to my agility trainer’s home, the scenery is breathtaking. Buddy and I had completed a session, and I was feeling that we were progressing nicely. We were on the way home, windows down, music playing, not a care in the world. Then the sheep appeared.

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There are some great TV treats for dog lovers. America’s Greatest Dog on CBS in America is absolutely fascinating. The contestants and their dogs, who are from a variety of backgrounds, live together for the duration of the show. There is the constant danger of being relegated to the dog house, and the promise of winning time in the luxury accommodation.

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The other day I met a friend’s dog, Delby. He’s a beautiful Pekingese, and he was so sweet trotting along. Having enquired whether he would welcome the attention, I called to him and held my hand towards him. Far from the snooty aloof response I expected, he scampered over happily, fur ruffling with each movement. He sniffed my hand and was quite happy to be fussed.

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Episode 70 of DogCast Radio is now available, so you can catch up with some of the people we met at the Cold Wet Nose Show. The day was such fun, for both us and the dogs. I only have one regret from the day – we left the VIP tent just before Chris Evans (www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisevans/) arrived, and returned just after he had left. Aaargh!

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AB 1634 is a bill in California that has been brought to my attention by Bichon Frise breeder, Matthew Culmore. (http://homepage.mac.com/mculmore/Bichons/) This legislation seeks to force owners to spay or neuter their dogs by the age of six months. While I can understand the dreadful suffering that motivates the bill, it seems there are many problems with such harsh measures.

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Finally an election issue I can really get my teeth into! Which dog breed should the Obama family choose? The American Kennel Club has advice for the family on their website. (www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3536 )
You can visit and vote for the breed you feel is the best candidate. Choices are Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Poodle, Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier and Miniature Schnauzer.

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The big day is almost here and a little later today we’re starting our journey to the Cold Wet Nose Show. Beverley Cuddy has been blogging about the show which you can find at www.coldwetnose.blogspot.com/ and it sounds absolutely fantastic.
If you’re in the UK and you’re free tomorrow take a look at the show’s website www.thecoldwetnoseshow.co.uk/ Kate and Gin who made it to the final ten of Britain’s Got Talent will be appearing, there’ll be fun dog show classes, dock dogs, and too many other things to mention.

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I've just heard from Emma who is fostering a young Golden Retriever puppy called Alfie who needs urgent surgery to have any chance of survival. To find out more about Alfie and how you can help him go to www.alfiesheart.co.uk/

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I’ve just been reading on the internet about the dog show going on in Blackpool yesterday. Apparently the winds were so strong that the tent blew down. Fortunately, most owners and dogs had been evacuated by then, although from some accounts there was confusion about what was going on. To read what I’ve been reading, visit the Champdogs site, (www.champdogsforum.co.uk/) and go to the showing section.

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