I'm going to try and get someone to dog-sit Eddy on Sunday (any offers? :D ) as Rowdy will be going back to his owner's for the day so I'd like a day out with Takara.

She's been a bit down and stressed out recently and I've been stressed too and so we haven't really been getting on all that well. Our bond, although strong is weakening a little so it'd be nice to do something just the two of us.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Somewhere we can spend most of the day, let her have a run about, nice views, somewhere we can both relax and I can reflect a little, maybe even have a read of a book and then we can get something to eat while we're out.

Have to mention - I have a car so we can go to a pub for lunch but don't want to go anywhere for her to run about where she can pinch food (and yes, she will go into cafes if the doors are open or pinch from people's picnics!) so not too worried about suggestions for food, more for the rest of the day.

Thanks very much :)

How's your mobility at the moment? The Monsal Head walk is lovely and the pub at the top does lovely meals, but not appropriate if you're having problems at the moment.

It's not great, I have to say :( I forgot to mention that! :lol:

That said, as long as I can take it steady, we'll have all day and with only Takara, I can manage with a stick if needed.

How about a stroll round Ladybower/Derwent resevoirs. If you feel up to it on the day, climb up one of the paths on either side onto for some lovely views of the resevoirs.

Thanks Dafoot :)

If it helps, I've had a similar time with Oz recently. I sometimes just realise he has been following me around doing what I need to do at the times I need to without us having any time together doing things he wants to.

I made up for it on Saturday, he had a him day. (Although it actually still involved me doing what I needed to do!)

We walked to my car, along roads he hasn't sniffed before.
Through Woodseats, sniffed butchers and fishmongers before popping into our favourite pet shop superpets to get buy a treat.
Went to visit the grandparents, he adores going there, gets so excited when he gets out of the car.
He got to play swingball - you can leave him alone with one of those for hours and he amuses himself! He even got to play with my stepdad which was bonus in his eyes.
Then we went for a long walk round Eccy woods, his favourite place!
He visited the yard (he loves seeing his big big sis Rhia).
Then went for a pint in his favourite pub later on. (He gets to play with the resident dogs toys and run around.

It really has made a difference, making an effort to go where he wants to go. The only other things he likes we didn't do are:

Going to visit the rare breeds centre at Graves Park, he loves all the smells there!
Meet up with one of his birds (Poppy, Molly, or new one Takara-who runs a bit fast for him to keep up)
Visit my Grandmas (She constantly talks to him, not me, and keeps some corned beef in the fridge for him).
Play baseball, he is our fielder. We are lazy gits and just do the throwing and hitting.
Visit OHs parents. He loves going there, more people who give him attention.
Go to the Sportsman, there is a big big playing field, food, friendly people and a couple of friendly resident dogs.
Doing hurdles - he seemed to really enjoy it that day didn't he Lotti!

Hope that gives you some ideas, maybe do a combo of lots of things she, well, you both like doing and do them together.

Can highly recommend the Sportsman. Never seen people eating on the grass but they do serve food if you wanted some, and the door is kept shut so she can't run in food snatching.
You CAN go for a flat walk around if you want to/feel like it. But alternatively there is a really big field that dogs can run around on. You could even take your hurdles up.
They are very dog friendly, have a tap and a bowl outside all the time.

Have fun, no matter what you do.

Thanks Jess :D

Yes, he did seem to really enjoy the hurdles! Takara loves him too, bless them!

Thanks for the idea - hopefully I should have plenty to choose from (or maybe too many!) by Sunday :)

Jess - you had Ozzy doing hurdles?!
That must have been a sight! :hihi:

aww! he was fab!! :lol:

Smart little git ran under or around them but realised no cheese came of the easy option and started doing it properly! :lol:

We took Ailsa in Abbey Lane Woods yesterday where she hasnt been for a while- it's one of those places where she can have a good run about off leash (actually hardly any other dogs around for a change and we called her back to us if we did spot any in the distance) and the paths are pretty clear - you can choose which one you want to take and its' well signposted. There are some nice flat bits where it's not too much of a struggle to walk round.

Thanks Katkin, Takara likes it in there too actually.

Isn't Abbey Lane woods still part of Ecclesall woods? Thats where we were on Saturday too.

Jess - you had Ozzy doing hurdles?!
That must have been a sight! :hihi:

:mad: he is very agile I will have you know :hihi: too agile sometimes.

Yeah, it was a sight! You would have loved it. Great photo oportunity.

....it was a sight! You would have loved it. Great photo oportunity.

Heh - gimme a ring next time I'll try and catch the little darling ;)