Maggie's blog
From BCDS
My name is Maggie Dalmatian and, unlike Fenris, I wasn’t lucky enough to be born into a carriage dog family. I live with my owners, Roz and John, and my best friend, Dexter, who is a cross breed (he thinks that he is spotty though). I chose him from the RSPCA and we love each other. Here is my carriage dog blog (latest news at the top).
Enough about him, let’s talk about me! My owner says that I was a “semi rescue” as I was for sale on the internet (!) and she decided that any animal that was for sale on a general selling website must need to be rescued. Roz found me at 5 months old living in a small flat in South London with four cats and five children. She said that my paws were pink as I’d never really been out and I wasn’t lead trained (I’m still not, but that’s another story and not Roz’s fault, apparently it’s a Dalmatian thing...).
One day in 2010, Roz read that there was going to be a Carriage Dog display at a local show and she took me to see them. We saw other Dalmatians working and running with a thing called a carriage pulled by really big dogs that I now know are horses. It was amazing, I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I just wanted to join in the fun!
Anyway, one day about a year later, Roz and John were out in the countryside and decided to stop off at a pub they knew. As they walked into the pub garden, there were two people with two Dalmatians, Fenris and Munin and their owners Anne Dickens and Crosbie. Roz obviously had to talk to the dogs and after a short conversation with my mate Fenris’s owner, it turned out that it was them that we had seen do the display! Anne said to Roz to email her (whatever that is) and to take me over to see her and to see if I would enjoy being a Carriage Dog. So, one warm day in May we went there. I met Fenris; was put in my place by his mum, Munin who thought I was a real upstart; met the ponies, Polo and the other upstart, Parker and tried to take on the (very large) Nobel!
Roz had to be trained to be something called a Groom Handler (I’ll explain more about that in my blog as we go along). I didn’t need training, I was so good from the start, I was hoping I would be.
After going out a few times, Anne thought that I was good enough to be entered for the South East Trials for my Bronze Award, so from June to August we practised like mad. Every week in the summer we went out with the ponies and the carriage, it was great. Sometimes, Fenris would come out with us which was even better. We all got carrots when we got back as well.
We did the Trials, I was a bit naughty because, well, because I can be sometimes, but I was good when I needed to be and got my Bronze Award and Roz said that she was so proud of me. I felt like the best dog in the world!
Then, the worst thing happened in my life, Fenris and Munin moved to a place called France and, apparently, it was too far for me to go and visit them every week. I was sad for a little while, but then I found out that we could go out with Isobel and Shadow. I knew them because we did the Trials with them. I love Shadow; we kept egging each other on to go faster around the course. So, now we go out every week with them and I’m training for my Silver and I hope to go to the Nationals in July, paws crossed for that.
My life with Roz and John has been great. I have learnt that walks are fun and chasing after a tennis ball is good but going out with the Carriage is the best thing in the world!
12th February 2012
There’s SNOW in the garden!!! I love the stuff, it gets me even more excited in the morning than normal. I had to wake everyone in the house up at 5.30 to tell them about it. I felt it was my duty. Dexter was so funny. Roz had to literally shove him out of the door this morning, he was not keen. I went on ahead and was playing around in it, so he soon got the hang of it. We then had a lovely game of tug with a ball on a rope; he’s fine now I’ve shown him how much fun it is. He also likes eating it, he saw me eating snowballs that were being thrown for me and thought that was fun too. In the summer when I get hot, Roz gives me ice to crunch and rubs it around my ears to cool me down, so I love eating snow as well.
We went out with the carriage on Friday before the snow, we drove up to the gate and I went behind the carriage without being asked! Roz had got off to open the gate and I stayed in position. We didn’t go for a long drive, only about 5 miles as Shadow had a competition the next day and we just wanted to warm him up, not wear him out. (That would take some doing!!). It was bitterly cold and I was glad I was wearing my new coat, I did look so smart. I take my work very seriously and I like it when I look the part too. Roz thinks that she might put my other light weight vest on for the trials so that I know that I’m working.
I heard Roz and Isobel talking about the National Trials, I am SOOOO excited about that. I’m going to go for my Silver (I wonder if that tastes as good as the Bronze Rosette?). Roz was talking over the details of getting there with the carriage, Shadow, me and two humans and somewhere for us all to sleep. I loved the Regional Trials, while the humans drank wine we ran around and played tag in the dark. It didn’t wear any of us out though... I saw her on the computer thing looking at the new rules that have come in, we must study them in detail before 7th July, I need to keep practising. Apparently it’s quite a hilly course, hope that’s ok for Shadow.
On Wednesday this lady came to the house and I wanted to talk to her but she ignored me every time I jumped up her. Roz said that she was a dog behaviourist and she was there to help me understand what good doggie manners are and what was expected of me. She told Roz that I was spoilt (I think Roz knew that) but agreed that I was a very bright, confident dog and that the work I did with the carriage was good for me but I needed to be stretched a bit further when I wasn’t working. Today I had my dinner in a wobbly Kong toy! Apparently, it was supposed make me work for my food. Roz loaded up with loads of lovely bits – cooked chicken, my dried food and some (low fat) cheese. Then she put it on the floor knocked a couple of times with her foot and I got the idea straight away that if I knocked it with my paw, food fell out. This is a great game, I chased it all round the kitchen and it really kept me occupied. Dexter just had his food in a bowl, I think he would think it was too much work to get his food from a toy, he sometimes doesn’t even finish his dinner, I want to help him, but the bowl is put out of my reach. It’s just not fair!
We have been doing some other exercises, like my sit and stay that we do for the carriage (the nice lady was impressed with that when I showed that I could do it). Dexter wasn’t very good at it. I knew that I was working, but he got bored because he started pulling at my collar and was putting me off. The nice lady is going to write a report for Roz so we’ll see what that says.
I’m going off the snow a bit now, my work was cancelled this week because of it, not happy at all, but Roz did say that she thought it would be as her riding lesson was cancelled as well. I miss Shadow, hopefully we will go out next week but it will depend on the weather. We’ve just had some more snow here, so it is looking doubtful already, I’m not pleased...
I did something really silly the other day, John had some pork chops for his dinner and when no-one was looking I took the small bone from the plate on the counter whilst Roz’s back was turned and then choked on it. Roz rang the vets (it stays open quite late) and said we were coming down, but as she lifted me into the car, I think she helped dislodge it as it came out. It was a bit scary, I haven’t learnt my lesson though and I still try and get food from up there.
I nearly forgot to tell you, Roz eventually sent off for the Dalimiles and it has come back – she did take her time with that. She wears a pedometer now when we go for a walk so we can clock up the miles. I wonder how long it will take us to reach Level 1? Don’t worry, Dally fans, I will keep you all informed of our progress and how the training is going.
Until next time, wags and licks from yours truly x
24 January 2012
We have had such a busy week; my paws have not touched the ground!
We met up with Eddie and Lizzie and their owners (my special friend) Mary and Tony. It is so funny because they have to be kept one on and one off the lead. Apparently they run off together if they are both off the lead. Lizzie does like to go further than I do, I don’t like being very far away from Roz, I always have her where I can see her just in case I miss out on a treat. The only reluctant walker in the family (John) came too and the owners walked about 4.5 miles, we ran about double that! It was a lovely clear, crisp winter’s day and we could see right across the Downs. While the humans were admiring the views, I found an especially good smell and was having a good sniff – rabbit, I think.
In the evening, some more of my favourite people came round. They are John’s daughters and their boyfriends and I love them so much. I always get soooooo excited. When I see them I have to jump all over them. I’m sure that they don’t mind... really... Emma used to live with us and helped bring me home, so I get extra love and cuddles from her. They ate lots of food and Dexter and I had some leftovers, not that there was much!
On Tuesday, we went for a walk with my favourite little boy, Edward. He is Roz’s grandson and he’s only 20 months old. I love to try and steal his food – well, he’s the right height for me! I do get told off though but he sneaks me biscuits when no-one is looking. Dexter made him cry because he knocked him over, he doesn’t realise how big he is!
On Thursday we went out with the carriage, we had a couple of incidents, but then we always do! Firstly, we had a Distraction Dog. He was a Jack Russell and belonged to a friend of Isobel’s. I was working really hard behind the carriage, when he put his nose up my bottom! Well! I was working so I told him to leave me alone but he wouldn’t. Anyway, his owner came up and took him away, I was pleased because I was too busy for that sort of thing.
Then a bit later on, a car came round the corner really fast, luckily Roz and I were wearing our florescent jackets so he saw us just in time. He had to swerve round us and nearly hit a car coming down the other way. Roz said that was a bit scary to watch but she reassured me that most people were really good, even police cars turn off their sirens when they see us out and about. It was raining and we all got very wet, Roz said that she has ordered me a new waterproof florescent coat; I will look so smart now when I’m working. We also took a picture of the horse and carriage sign (without a Dalmatian, I must do something about that). Roz said, sorry it’s a bit blurred but Shadow isn’t very good at standing still, especially as he knows he can go really fast down there.
That evening, I laid on the sofa with my head on Roz’s lap, and looked up at her. I do enjoy my work and it makes me love Roz even more for taking me there. I think that I might behave for the next few days just to show that I do appreciate all she does for me.
I’ve had to nudge Roz about doing the DaliMiles, she said something about running out of ink in the printer. Honestly, some people are so disorganised!
Anyway, wags and licks until next time!
12th January 2012
I AM SO EXCITED!!!! Roz woke Dexter and me up while it was still dark, this meant only one thing... we were going out with the carriage today!!!! We got in the car and I was so impatient to get there I whined for the whole journey and I got told off, but I just couldn’t help myself. When we got there Shadow was all harnessed up and ready to go. I went and said hello to him and then Roz got me ready. Roz and I always wear florescent coats and I have a bright yellow reflective harness too. She has a spotty riding hat to match me for a bit of fun as well. Shadow and I were really looking forward to going out, we both had so much energy we both wanted to go straight into trot, but Isobel wouldn’t let us, she is so mean, always slowing Shadow down when he wants to go fast.
We did have a really good run though, we went down this path with a sign with a picture of a horse and carriage on it. There was no Dalmatian at the back so Isobel said that she was going to go back with some tipex and a black marker and add me. Then Isobel gave Shadow a nudge and we were off in canter! It was so exciting, Roz and I loved it, it seemed so fast. When we got to the proper road again, Isobel had to stop us from going fast again. Shadow and I weren’t pleased about that. I was quite tired when we got home and I slept all afternoon.
Roz has been looking at that screen in the corner of the room, and I noticed that she was on the BDCS website again. This time, she was looking at the Dalimiles form, we do about 6 or 7 miles with the carriage and we do a lot of walking. Talking about walking, Roz says that we’re meeting up with my special friend Mary Kinsey who gives me treats, and their Dallies, Eddie and Lizzie at the weekend which sounds like fun.Tony (Fincham) was telling me that they had signed up for Dalimiles and he was wearing something called a pedometer so that he could track how far we’d walked.
Anyway, I’ve got to go and do some ‘counter-cruising’ to see if anyone has left any food up there for me. I think the best thing I ever got was a 1lb of cheese, I was very sick after I’d eaten it; Roz had no sympathy for me and just said that it served me right.
Saturday, 7th January 2012
Dexter and I met up with some of my other Carriage Dog friends. I have noticed that not only has being a carriage dog changed my life, but it has changed Roz’s too. She has new friends and new hobbies. She has started learning to ride a horse and wants to eventually own a horse and learn to drive a carriage as well, which is good news for me.
We arranged to meet up at a local park with some other BCDS members from the South East region. We all met at the Training Day and Trials, although some of us knew each other already, and we have decided to meet up every few months. The owners take it in turns to organise a good walk, Roz and I were in charge last time and we went to my favourite park. The owners probably only walk about 4 or 5 miles, but we run about 10, because we’re Dalmatians and, well, we can!
There were SEVEN Dalmatians and Dexter, of course. We certainly turned some heads. Roz said it was good to swap stories and tips about carriage dogs and owning a Dalmatian and everyone was very jealous of me going out every week with the carriage. I had a good catch up with my special friend, Lottie, who is owned by Anna Day; Freya, who is Fenris’s sister, owned by Anna Binney and Lizzie, owned by my friend Mary Kinsey (she gives me treats). We were all trained by Anne and we all said that we missed Fenris and Munin and how much they would have enjoyed the walk. I will have to start practising my French for when I see them again... Bonjour, je suis un dalmatien!
We had a new kid on the block, a very handsome rescue dog called Harley (I think I flirted with him a little bit) who is owned by Celia Gilbert. Dexter kept putting him in his place, but I think that was because I wasn’t playing with him. We all walked for miles and ran and chased each other. It was FANTASTIC and I loved every minute of it. When we got home, Roz gave us a big bonio each and we both fell fast asleep. I wasn’t tired at all before that.
If you live in the South East and would like to join us on our Spotty Walks, you can get in touch with my owner, Roz, through the BCDS website. Your owner doesn’t have to be a member, let them know they can come along and find out more about the wonderful world of being a carriage dog! They will definitely want to join once they’ve met all of us.
Thursday, 5th January 2012
I am so annoyed; I stamped my paws in protest. Roz said last night that we all needed an early night as we were out with the Carriage tomorrow morning. I didn’t sleep very well, the wind was so loud it kept me awake, I even scratched at the kitchen door to tell everyone I couldn’t sleep, but I was ignored. The next morning, Roz got us up and we had breakfast. Then she looked at this small square thing that lights up – she is always using it – and then she said it was a text message and that we weren’t going out. A tree had been blown down in front of the gate we use to get in and out of Shadow’s field so it was cancelled.
Dexter and I decided to have a duvet day; we curled up on the comfiest cushions on the sofa while Roz used the machine in the corner of the room which has a screen and a keyboard. As I was lying there, I thought about sunnier, warmer days and how I trained to be a carriage dog. I was showing off a bit earlier, I did have training. I remember Roz sitting on the step of the carriage facing me with titbits in her hand (I love food!!) telling me to do a “good under”, I very quickly realised that this meant that I had to put my chin by the step of the carriage. We went out like that for a couple of times, then one day, Roz stood up and turned around leaving me to follow the carriage. I thought “I like it here and it just seems like this is what I was born to do!”
After I’ve been out with the Carriage, I feel so grown up and important and I am really good for a few days afterwards. It is the best thing in the world (and Roz loves it too). She says there’s nothing better than being out on the carriage and I agree with her.
