Kaz and Chris the callout co-ordinator were at working sharing a festive mince pie when they received the news that the Police were looking for dogs to search the Whinlatter forest area (where we train on a Tuesday night) for a lady who was sad and had gone missing. Becasue I stay at home during the day Kaz had to drive to come and pick me up and then drive all the way back again which was about an hour. We left the idiot pup Dram at home coz he's stupid and cant come out on searches yet...hang on Dot dont be nasty - you were a trainee once! Hmm anyway we met up with the Cockermouth and Keswick teams and we did some searches in big lines til about 8pm but we didnt find anything. Most people went back home then but Kaz and Chris and handlers John L and Roger went back to the Keswick MRT base and ate some fish and chips and then Kaz came out and told me we were waiting for a special dog called Mij who with her handler Iain searches for people in a slightly different way to us MR dogs. - Here's the science bit....
Airscenting dogs (thats me) will sniff the air and just go to the source of any human scent (alive or recently dead). So if its in the middle of the night or in a very remote place and I sniff a person I will run to them and bark. problem is it can be a bit tricky in the daytime - imagine searching Keswick high street, I'd just run about barking!
A trailing dog like Mij uses the scent of a particular person (from clothes or things) and will then know which scent you want him to follow and hopefully follow where the scent has landed to let us know which direction the person walked in or even lead us directly to them. Clever dog this Mij!
Anyway Kaz and the others waited for them to arrive and we set off behind Mij - she followed a definite trail but it disappeared and we all searched around for quite a long time but didnt find anything. Me and Kaz got home about 1.45am and she had to get up early for a meeting so we couldnt go back again to help out with the search which started again at 8am.
Then we heard some sad news - poor old trainee Scar is very ill again with a virus. So we hope he gets better very soon!
Then it was Christmas Day - hooray! Me and the idiot pup got some toys off Grandma and Grandpa and spent the day running around with them - funny though Kaz wasnt too pleased about that!
Then we all travelled down to Daryls mum and we spent Boxing day there and today we are in Worcestershire - we have spent time running in the fields with grandpa Rons springer spaniels and Kaz and Daryl have been playing on the Wii - apparently Kaz harbours dreams of being a Rock Star and Daryl is now threatening to put the video up on YouTube!
Last night there were 2 dog callouts that we missed - Kaz spoke to Chris the callout co-ordinator - they were for a missing man on Blencathra (Chris found him and Kaz wanted to know if he barked loudly!) the other callout was for Patterdale for a man who had fallen through an overhanging peice of snow called a cornice - he was found and is now in hospital. And then a couple of minutes ago Kaz;s pager went off for a dog callout for the missing lady in Whinlatter. Kaz is feeling guilty that we cant go - I told her not to worry that we do enough at other times of the year.
Anyway - ihope you are all having a fun Xmas, we are! Woofs and Licks to all you dog fans!
More snow, callouts and sad news.......
It was a great weekend for training at Buttermere. We drove over to Honister Pass and Kaz and I were in charge of the baby dogs. We all had great fun and the idiot pup did pretty well
Christyne and her puppy Bute are also doing well - Bute has now worked out that if she runs back and barks loudly at Christyne then she'll get to the body quicker and Bute will get a toy!
The sad news of the weekend was that Tom Barkas decided to stop training with his dog Bruach. Tom and Bruach had been training for nearly 2.5years and unfortunately Tom has been ill lately. Kaz knows exactly what it is like to stop mid-training as she did that with my old brother Donald back in 2004. We all send hugs and love to Tom and woofs to Bruach. Apart from the sad news about Tom and Bruach, on a more happier note Elly and Meg and Joy and Einich passed some assessments - Joy and Einich are now on 3 and Elly and Meggy are on 2 - so they will soon be joining me and Kaz on the callout list - hooray! Glen and Molly, Chris and Beck and Christyne and Bute are making good progress too!! In the baby dogs - they are not so much babies any more - Paul and Scar, Mike and Moss and Andy and Corrie are really coming on and the idiot pup Dram is not too far behind them now - he is a bit of a sneaky late developer!
Oh yes, how many handlers does it take to change a lightbulb? Seriously! 4 dog handlers (all male I might add) were needed when handler Laura Connolly needed some help changing her headlight bulb!
On the way home from training on Sunday we were just coming into the village and kaz and Daryl were discussing what they were going to eat when Kaz and Daryls pager went off for a rescue of 2 dogs on crags up on Rough Crag near Caspel Gate - Riggindale. Me and the idiot pup Dram werent required so stayed in the van while Kaz and Daryl and the Penrith team drove over - they were away ages - it was a pretty 'interesting' exercise involving ropes and improvised harnesses to get the two trail hounds off the ledge and back to their owners - sadly kaz and Daryl didnt manage to get anything to eat until about 11.30pm!
More sad news was that the body of the lady who Kaz and I had searched for on Fairfield has been found. After the search, handler Dave Watt and his dog Flash had gone home and Flash became ill because she had managed to eat some rat poison...get well soon Flash.
We had some more snow and Kaz took this photo from the kitchen window - it's great - me and the idiot pup Dram just love running around in the snow and eating it!
Then some really great news - Kaz and Daryl went off to Lancaster University where Kaz got awarded her degree -she had to wear some ridiculous outfit but I'll forgive her as she was really pleased with herself - grandma and grandpa went along and so did Daryl and apparently it was really good fun - Kaz is very proud that she wore girly shoes and a dress and didnt trip over!!
Finally woofs and hugs to the Callout Co-ordinator Chris Francis who finally succombed to some sort of man flu and has been a sick poorly person!!
More snow and 2 more callouts.......
Its been a snowy week - we went training on Tuesday night despite the snow and had loads of fun up on Noble Knott in Whinlatter - the idiot pup Dram is really coming on - his barking is pretty good now (for goodness sake please do not tell him I said so).
Then Kaz and Daryl were at work in Penrith on Thursday and the pager went off for a callout for the team to help a 77yr old man near Carlisle who had a hip problem and who needed to get to hospital but couldnt because of the snow. It was a long and snowy drive up there - Kaz and Daryl drove the Landrovers. The man was put in Daryl's and he was evacuated ok.
This week the Langdale team has been busy - there was a rescue on Bowfell last Sunday night where a lady was stretchered off and taken to hospital - sadly once she left hospital she became despondant and abandoned her car in Rydal carpark - so the local dogs as well as searchdog Floss and Trailing dog Mij from SARDA England and SARDA Wales were called out. She wasnt found. So the Langdale team decided to call out the rest of the dogs for a full search this morning. Last night though, as Kaz and Daryl were going to bed there was a team callout to help Patterdale rescue 2 climbers and that went on til about 1.30am - Kaz and I needed to be at Dunmail Raise for 8.30 to start a search up to Grisedale Tarn - Fairfield - Great Rigg - Stone Arthur and down, so we snuck out of the house quietly (excpet that the idiot pup Dram was a bit put out). Me and Kaz, Chris the callout co-ordinator who was our navigator, Mik and my big sis Ginny, Laura and Jake and Mike and Fly set off up the hill towards Grisdale Tarn - the going was pretty slow - very deep snow. Unfortunately Mike wasnt feeling too good so went back at the Tarn - Chris wasnt feeling too good either as he'd been out on a callout with Keswick til 6am! Me and Kaz and Chris made our way up to the summit of Fairfield - Kaz needed crampons cos the bit we searched was just sheet ice with rocks and very steep. Laura and Mike made their way south on the west side of the ridge lower down. From the south there were also other dogs - Kess, Skye, Kitt and Beinn coming up towards Stone Arthur. On the top of the summit plateau it was blowing a gale and was very cold - my legs and paws got really balled up with ice. We spent a long time searching but didnt find anything which was sad. The other very sad thing is that searchdog Kess has retired -she has been really good and worked for nearly 8 years which is a long time - Les has also decided to hang up his walking boots as well. Good luck Kess and Les
Heres a favourite photo of Kess.
Kaz did take some photos today which she promises she'll send me
Lots of fun snow and a callout.......
It's been great this last few days - we've got loads of snow - hooray - me and the idiot pup Dram have been running around chasing the snowballs Kaz and Daryl throw. We even helped when Kaz and Daryl were clearing up the snow off the driveway (...note from Kaz I'm not sure that 'help' is really the word I'd use Dot). We had a great day on Saturday and in the evening Kaz was cooking in the kitchen and Daryl was playing on the computer when the pager went off for a callout for Penrith team - it was 2 people and 2 dogs who were lost somewhere in wintery conditions near the top of High Street/Nan Bield. Me and Daryl and Kaz went down to the base (the idiot pup stayed at home in the kitchen). When we go there we jumped in a Landrover and Daryl drove me and Kaz and Trev and Mike up to Mardale Head - ohhh the weather was pretty bad and the drive over was through quite deep snow. When we got to the resevoir me and Kaz and Trev and Mike started walking up to Small Water - it was very icy - even on the flat bits and as we got further up the hill it got very windy and really cold - apparently the 2 people had been stuck for about 3 hours. We reached Small Water and heard on the radio that 2 more of the team were coming up the footpath with equipment and the rest of the team were at the bottom keeping warm (hmmmm Daryl seemed to have struck lucky as he was in the Landrover while me and Kaz were on the hill). There was a radio message from our base that said they had spoken to the missing people on the phone and they were worried about me coming up to them as their dogs were a bit funny with other dogs - so me and Kaz stopped on the pass and Trev and Mike carried on up about another 100m and met them. They were very cold but quite happy - only problem was they only had 1 torch and no ice axe/crampons - this was going to prove a problem on the way down as the footpath on the pass is like a waterfall - except in winter when it turns into a frozen waterfall - even Kaz opted for crampons and ice axe on the way down (I just opted for making my claws stick in). Up on the pass the wind was really bad - blowing snow into my eyes - Anyway it was a long slow walk down and we finally got home around 11.30pm - luckily Kaz had left the dinner in the oven and we all had a bit of it! Here's a piccie of the pass in normal weather -
NOV 2010
Training Weekend stuff and happy and sad news.........
We all went training at the weekend and it was great fun - Kaz and me were helping the little dogs and the idiot pup Dram did well - he is beginning to get the plot! All the others did really well - Ian and Keppi are now moving up to stage 2 and that handsome boy Scar who is getting over his illness is doing really well now - him and Dram do have a bit of a play together (cos they're naughty boys!). The great news is that Joy and her trainee Einich passed 2 assessments so they are doing really well. The very sad news is that Elly announced that she was retiring searchdog Mac - he is getting a bit older now and he is feeling a little tired - he was a brill searchdog and really deserves a rest - Elly is training Meggy now and she seems to be doing great so we dont think it'll be too long before she's on the callout list!
All us graded searchdogs and trainees Beck and Meggy did a night exercise on Saturday - there were 4 bodies on the Allerdale Ramble. It was brilliant - Me and Kaz shot round the course and found all of them - we even found a man who had decided to bivvy out for the night which was a bit of a surprise for us all! He got found by another 3 of the dogs so I dont suppose he got a lot of sleep. The exercise was great - I worked really fast - I have to say Kaz was quite pleased with me cos she gave me extra special hugs!
Happy Birthday to me.........I was 6 years old on the 18th November - and I had loads of cuddles from Kaz and Daryl and even a bit of a play with the idiot pup Dram. Grandma and Grandpa came over and played ball with me too, so I had a great time! In the afternoon me and the idiot pup Dram and Kaz and Daryl went for a walk - here's a piccie of us on Helton Fell.
Ohh - my clever sister Coire has been busy - just take a look at the video on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/asheepdogdiary and it reached just under 10,000 views in 3 days!
OCT 2010
Sorry I havent blogged, but.........
I just havent had time - it has been really busy - I've been giving advice to a magazine called Your Dog about lots of other dogs writing their own blogs and telling the world all about the cool things us dogs get up to. Hopefully the article is coming out in January - apparently I might be the longest dog blogger in the UK! Wow, that'll teach Kaz for getting annoyed each time I try to use the laptop!
The idiot pup Dram and I have been doing the usual sort of stuff - this morning we ran around in the garden with a rugby ball while Kaz looked scary with a chain saw thing - we are now in the conservatory enjoiying the afternoon sun while Kaz is cooking in the kitchen - we were wondering when to pop in and see what we could scrounge from her!
The idiot pup Dram seems to be coming along well with the barking stuff.....yeah, I is really brill now sis - I bark loads....er thanks Dram (Note to self - make sure idiot pup doesnt get hold of the keyboard!) Next weekend we are all training in Borrowdale and us graded proper dogs will be doing an overnight search exercise on the High Spy ridge - cool.
What else is new? Oh yes, at the weekend Kaz and Daryl and handler John Leadbetter entered one of those mad adventure races again. This time it was the Mountain Hardwear Open 5 race in the Trough of Bowland - they had 5 hours to run and bike to loads of points. They finished in 4hrs 54 mins with no penalties - and Kaz even finished 6th in the Womens over 40 year old category - blimey there cant have been many of them! Anyway here's a couple of pics of the intrepid trio:
Kaz goes to Norway
Kaz went off to Norway last week for 4 days to help train searchdogs over there. She went with the Callout Co-ordinator Chris and they were looking after 10 graded search dogs. She said it was a good trip - it was a bit cold at night (minus 13) and she said the dogs were pretty good but not a patch on collies! The sun shone and the wind blew and they all did very well. Chris and Kaz gave a lecture on the Saturday night about wot us dogs here in the Lakes do - it is a bit different from Norway cos here we are all members of rescue teams first and foremost, but they arent so they dont do everything we get to do like rescues and water stuff. Anyway here are a couple of photos:
When Kaz came back I was really pleased to see her - but as soon as she got in and unpacked the rucksack and sat down to have a bit of a snooze the pager went off and we ended driving over to Keswick - luckily the missing person was found before we got over there. Hooray!
Today me and Kaz had a nice walk on Eagle Crag and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram walked on Great Gable - we have to sometimes go out and do seperate things so that the idiot pup doesnt rely on me being there all the time!
A SARDA weekend and a callout for me and Kaz
Its been a great couple of weeks - lovely weather and I've spent loads of time with Kaz playing the search game! Kaz and Daryl and John are off doing some more crazy adventure racing in the next couple of weeks (running and mountainbiking) so they are busy trying to get fit for that - I'll let you know how they get on soon!....idiots!
This morning me and the idiot pup were chilling in the lounge with a book and a soft toy - (Kaz had the book - dont get too excited I'm not a big reader!). Suddenly the phone rang - it was handler John Leadbetter asking if me and Kaz could come out for a callout in Windermere for a man who has been missing for a long time. Me and Kaz, John and Skye and Roger and Beinn searched some really steep woodland above Windermere for about 3.5 hours but we didnt find anything and we were sent home this afternoon.
Yesterday me and Kaz and John and Skye were interviewed for a magazine called Trail - a lovely lady called Phoebe asked us loads of questions and then she went and hid from us and me and Skye found her. Tom the photographer was great fun and we got to play lots with the ball as a reward for looking good (well, that is until I jumped in the mud and rolled around!) Anyways we'll let you know when the article is coming out.
Last weekend we went to the Seathwaite area of the Duddon Valley which is really lovely - we were all told that we needed to bring our passports along as we never get out of the Northern Fells (Ha Ha very funny John Leadbetter!). Before we started there was some sad news that Dave Ellis (and his trainee Mill the flat coated retriever) has withdrawn from training as Dave had decided that enough progress was not being made. Kaz and Dave had a really long chat about it - Kaz remembers what it was like when she decided to withdrawn my old brother Donald the labrador - she said it was a really difficult decision to make. We all send Dave and Mill loads of love and hope to see him soon.
Me and Kaz were helping the baby dogs again along with Mike Hadwin - the weather was very windy and it was very sunny and me and the idiot pup Dram tried to shelter from the wind when we were at the Dam. Here we are...
All the baby dogs had a go at finding the bodies - I'm really impressed they all did really well - even the idiot pup - here are some shots of them all working
(Scar has found and is returning to Paul to let him know)
and (below) the idiot pup worked out the route up to body Gemma and is barking to let Daryl know he's found.
Here's Andy and trainee Corrie find Gemma as well
Here's Mike and trainee Moss setting off to find body Jackie
Ohhh, and here's me and Kaz having a bit of fun playing Pooh Sticks on the bridge at the end of the day!
Later in the evening we went to a place called Askam in Furness where a lady called Linda has been doing fundraising for us - she presented us with a cheque for £1000 - here's a photo of Daryl and the idiot pup as well as Paul and Scar and John and Skye - (Me and Kaz didnt go in the photo as Kaz was taking the shot). Thanks Linda.
A dog talk and kaz is 315 years old....
I'm getting really worried about Kaz. It was her birthday yesterday - and I found out she's 315 years old - blimey, I gave Daryl some advice on what to buy her but funnily enough he didnt go with the zimmerframe and a bottle of oxygen suggestion. Instead he played it safe and bought her a bracelet, chocolates, flowers and a CD - ohh and a book about how to land an Airbus A330 in an emergency - I'm not sure if Kaz thought that the book was more of a pressie for Daryl! Me and the slightly less green idiot pup gave her loads of fuss but she wasnt so impressed when we landed on her breakfast in bed and knocked the tea over.
We went training and had fun in the forest - and then afterwards Kaz bought everyone some cake to celebrate her birthday.
Kaz told me and Dram that her and Chris the callout co-ordinator are going out to Norway to see all the other searchdogs over there in a couple of weeks time. Chris's dogs Fosse and Beck told me that they plan to laze about and eat loads - I'll second that - me and the idiot pup plan to chase tennis balls provided by Daryl! Kaz did tell me secretly that she'll miss us all and that we'd get loads of fuss when she gets back.
Handler Elly sent this piccie of me and trainee Meg when we were on the search exercise in the Howgills - dont we look great!
This weekend we are all going to Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley for dog training and we are all looking forward to it - I'll let you know how it all goes.
Ohh yes - Kaz has just reminded me to say that we have produced a set of greetings cards in good time for Christmas. They have, of course, a doggy theme, featuring us dogs with the insides left blank for your own message. I'm on one of them.....can you spot me?
The cards cost £5 for a pack of 10 (2 each of 5 designs) including delivery to your door.
A few callouts, a big exercise and Dram turns green....
Again, its been a bit manic here in Clifton. Kaz had Man flu all week which wasnt good for her (and even worse for us cos she kept moaning about her sore throat, back, neck, head.......you get the picture). Anyway on Thursday Kaz and Daryl were due to be going to the North West Ambulance Service exhibition at Rheged to do some 'meet and greet' for Mountain rescue and show stuff that we do. Kaz left me and the idiot pup at home in the morning coz he had to go up to Carlisle and then she was going to come back and pick me up to go to Rheged. Just as she was turning off onto our road, her pager went off for a callout with the team to help Keswick with a lady who had fallen off Sharp Esge on Blencathra. So she went to the base instead and drovge herself and some of the others over in really bad rain to the RV point. Luckily Keswick team had go the from the Air Ambulance and Kaz and her team werent needed so they went back and Kaz drove straight over to Rheged and meet up with the others...here they are....
On the Staurday Kaz and Daryl and some of the other handlers attended a training day run by the Police and so we stayed in the car and were taken out every hour or so for a quick play which was nice. Then on the Sunday Kaz and I went over to Kirkby Stephen base to join the Search Exercise - Daryl and the idiot pup Dram went with the Penrith team (cos the idiot pup is not a proper search dog). Me and Kaz met up with Elly and her trainee Meg and then we were given the scenario - a mountain marathon was happening in the Howgills and 1000 competitors contracted E-coli and at least 180 of them were still unaccounted for out on the course. Here's Kaz getting the briefing...
Elly and Kaz and me and Meg were sent to work up a valley with the Penrith team
It was really hot and me and Kaz and Elly and Meg zig zagged up the valley with the Penrith team either side of them. It was really hot and we walked about 13km - but didnt find anyone.
In the meantime the idiot pup spent the day with Daryl having fun.....
It was a long day but good fun, apart from poor old body Penny who had a slight mishap on the way out and dislocated her finger (ouch!).
Then on Monday Kaz and Daryl had arranged for their windows and doors to be changed in the house so me and the idiot pup supervised the workmen with grandma.....we got loads of fuss from everyone!
On Tuesday Kaz was woken up by the phone at about 4.45am - it was Chris the dog callout co-ordinator who asked if we could go to New Galloway in Scotland and search for a man who had been missing overnight - so Kaz fed me and go therself ready and we started driving up the road to Scotland - after we'd gone about 100 miles, we were told that the man had been found ok so we turned back round and Kaz went to work for the rest of the day.
The windows finally got finished on Thursday night and everything in the house had started reurning to normal. Kaz mowed the lawn and me and the idiot pup played on the cut grass - but I am so embarrased - the idiot pup has turned green.....Daryl wasnt very impressed when he got home! Its been 2 days and he still isnt the right colour.....ooops
Last night Kaz and Daryl had just put us to bed and were reading their books in bed when the dog pager went off for a callout to some woodland south west of Windermere where 2 people were lost. So she grabbed me and we started drving down - but just as we got to junction 36 of the motorway Chris rang to say that the missing people had been found ok. Kaz and I turned around and went home.
Today me and the green idiot pup have been helping Kaz and Daryl paint the bits round the new windows and tonight we're going to have a movie fest - hooray!
Keep blogging Dot fans and I'll speak soon!
SEP 2010
Another callout, a big exercise and more sad news for us....
This week Kaz and Daryl have been a bit manic with work and meetings. Kaz did a big presentation at work on Monday and Daryl has just been going to meetings every night. Me and the idiot pup Dram have been out and about each morning with Daryl at 6.15am to play and run about with tennis balls (sometimes Daryl hasnt quite woken up, but me and the idiot pup help by barking at him loudly when we want the ball)
On Tuesday Kaz was in the office in a meeting when Chris the callout co-ordinator called her and asked her of we could go to Hellifield in the Yorkshire dales and search for a missing man who had been missing overnight. All of the teams and dogs over there had been out all night and still hadnt found him. So Kaz asked the Assistant Chief Fire Officer if she could duck out of the meeting and me and her started driving from Cockermouth to Hellifield. after about 40 something miles, Kaz rang handler John Leadbetter to see if he had any more information and got told that we had been stood down as he'd been found safely by the Police Helicopter - but Kaz;'s pager hadnt gone off. So we turned round and went back to Cockermouth and Kaz went back to the meeting and guess what - they were still on the same agenda item that they'd been on when she left!
Then we went training in the evening and the idiot pup was good - he barked more quickly and is getting better every time. But we also heard some bad news - retired search dog Vinny has been ill lately and he has had an operation to remove his spleen. So we send lots of woofs and hugs to the lovely Vinny and handler Ian and hope he gets well very soon.
This weekend the Searchdogs are going to be taking part in an exercise on Sunday on the Howgills where the Police, Ambulance and RAF as well as a load of mountain rescue teams will be involved - me and Kaz are taking part as a searchdog team and Daryl will be with Penrith team as the idiot pup cant take part in exercises yet. He'll stay in the teams control vehicle.
Oh and finally, keep reading Trail Magazine as me and Kaz might be doing an article in there soon.
Dont have a go - I've been unable to blog because Kaz and Daryl have been away - but there's loads of news since I last blogged so read on ......
As I say, Kaz and Daryl have been a bit busy in the last 3 weeks so I'm really sorry I havent written - and thanks to all the people who have been sending me emails wondering if everything is all right!
So the last time I wrote, Kaz and Daryl and John L had just done the weird adventure race in Stockton. They all enjoyed it so much that they're signing up to so a load more called the Open 5 (apparently you have 5 hours to run and cycle about getting to as many points on a map as possible...) so I'll keep you posted on how they get on.
Kaz and Daryl were getting ready to have a couple of weeks holiday and only had 2 days left to go at work when Kaz's pager went off late at night for a callout for dogs to help with locating a missing fisherman at Patterdale. Me and Kaz drove over to the rv point - it was a lovely night - clear and very cold and not much wind about. We searched through the boat yard at Glennridding first then were sent round to Side Farm with Searchdog Skye and Roger and we searched the lake shore and some of the fields near the campsite. Searchdogs Mac and my big sis Ginny with Elly and Mick were searching the north side of the lake. We all kept going for quite a few hours but eventually at about 4.20am we were stood down and went home - sadly the mans body was found the next day by divers. Kaz went to work a little late. Just as she was finishing work for the holiday, Chris Francis the callout co-ordinator who works with Kaz asked it she could help with a search for an elderly man at Keswick somewhere in the Helvellyn area. She said Ok and drove home from Cockermouth to get me - we had just more or less arrived back at the Keswick base a little while later when the man was reported as safe whish was good and we turned back round and went home to pack for our big adventure the next day.
On the next day we were going to be walking the Cumbria Way (A 76 mile route between Ulverston and Carlisle) with our friend Seb and a lot of his friends - as well as Sebs dog Burt. The reason is that Daryl wanted to raise some money for the Fire Fighter Charity which looked after him when he broke his leg last year and Seb and his friends who are all ex or serving military personnel wanted to raise money for Help for Heroes. So Daryl and Seb decided to do this walk - but the reverse route - Carlisle to Ulverston.
The day started well with ok weather and despite the best efforts of the Taxi driver to kill us on the way into Carlisle, we set off - me and Burt and the idiot pup Dram have done loads of walking and frankly do not see the point in carrying loads of stuff on our backs, but the humans were carrying huuuuuuge rucksacs! Here we all are at the official start - Carlisle Castle
So the initial 25 or so miles saw us going to Keswick via Caldbeck where Burt made a friend ....
The weather was pretty good most of the time but the heavy packs meant that some people got some pretty bad blisters particularly poor old Craig. Still we managed a few rest stops on the way....mostly to argue about the map reading!
I hate to admit it but the idiot pup did really well and kept up most of the time - he has taken to imitating a meerkat alot when he gets to walls - you see what I mean? I was only looking to see what all the interest was in....
Anyway we kept going and this is us on the way into Langdale - Daryl finally made it into a picture!
We were all feeling it by the time we got to Coniston - so Kaz's offer to buy the drinks was welcomed!
Finally as the weather gradually worsened we made it to the outskirts of Ulverston
And we finally made it to the end of the route just as the heavens opened!
and the group celebrated with a quick drink before heading home to collect the donations from all the people that sponsored us - in all raising over £1000 for the 2 charities
Next year plans are afoot to do a sponsored canoe trip............
So we arrived home and immediately Kaz and Daryl were rushing around trying to wash and dry things because the next day they were catching a plane to Dublin as they were going to the Mountain Rescue Conference and me and the idiot pup Dram were going to be having a bit of a holiday at Grandpa and Grandmas.
Kaz and Daryl said it was a good laugh - in fact they told me that at 3am on Saturday morning that Kaz, Chris F, Elly and Daryl were discussing something called Quantum Physics - Kaz told me about a Cat called Shroedinger and something about it being put in a box - sounds like they all had too much guiness to me - although I do approve of Cats being put in boxes.....(Note from Kaz - Dotties views on Cat welfare are not shared by SARDA Lakes)
Kaz and Daryl finally came home on Wednesday after spending a few more days in Dublin being tourists - we were pleased to see them even though we'd had a great time at grandpa and grandmas house - we went out for some long walks every day and lots of playing with tennis balls.
Yesterday (Saturday) me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup were joined by the bestest dogbosdies Terry and Mary to go to the Wetheral anumal shelter for thier fun day. We set up the stand and got ready to meet all our friends at the shelter and some of the dogs who used to live there and have now got a home..
There were lots of different competitions for all the dogs including Best Rescue Dog - the idiot pup and I entered for a laugh - get it? Best RESCUE dog????? Well I WON!!!!! Kaz was very pleased with me and dont I look fab with my rosette............................(Its now pinned to my cage at home!)
We had a really good day and met loads of people, sold lots of puppies and even the idiot pup managed not to disgrace itself - here he is being told how good he is
A couple of other things have happened over the last couple of weeks - one good news one sad...............
Searchdog Beinn had a really fantastic find one night in the Kirkstone Pass area when he found a missing person asleep in Bracken - his handler Roger said it was a really classic find - Beinn is a pretty clever dog and this is yet another find he has had! Well done Beinn and Roger
Trainee searchdog Sam (son of Beinn) and his handler Nick finally passed their assessments and are now on the callout list - well done Nick and Sam and we look forward to working with you very soon on a wet and windy night!
The final piece of news is that retired searchdog Blisco has died at the grand old age of 15 years and 6 months old and right up to the last day she went out on the fells twice a day for a walk. We were all very sad to hear the news of Blisco..
AUG 2010
Daryl, Kaz and John do yet another mad thing
So - its supposed to be a bank holiday and we're all supposed to be having a rest, but no. The idiot humans decided to enter an adventure race (for fun!) and me and the idiot pup stayed at home with grandpa and grandma.
So here's what they did.
Drove to Stockton on Tees, started running at the Tees Barrage for about a mile, then swam across a canal, ran another 3/4 mile and then got onto the replica of HMS Endeavour where they had to jump off a plank into the Tees (20ft up), then ran another 1/2 a mile when they had to kayak a circuit, then ran another 1/3 mile to another canal swim, then a bit more running to a water slide into the canal - up a steep bank, then negotiate some railings and other obstacles. Then another bit of running about a mile to go up and down a set of increasingly steep embankments, then more running to the Newport Bridge where they hung around for ages in a 'time out' then crossed it, running another long bit till they then went through the nature reserve and finally a long run into the finish. The weather was dreadful, rain and very strong winds and very cold - but they did it and here are some piccies.........idiots.......next week Kaz and Daryl and me and the idiot pup are off to do the Cumbrian Way (75 miles) with a couple of friends - cant wait!
Just as Kaz and John and Daryl got home, guess what, the dog pager went off for a callout to Ulverston. For once I gave Kaz a talking to and told her to have a rest!
Nerves are kicking in....
Official Start photo
Taking it nice and easy round the first part of the course
Kaz negotiates the slide whilst John and Drayl cheer her on
Daryl emerges from the water
John sprints to the next stage
Daryl hits the last obstacle at the finish and Kaz and John line up
Finished!
Busy week for Lakes teams and a find for dog Olly in sad circumstances
A lot of the teams have been very busy this last week - particularly Keswick and Langdale, both of who have done nearly 100 callouts each since January. On wednesday night, searchdgo Beinn and Kitt were asked to look for a missing lady and her daughter in the Crinkles area. Luckily Beinn managed to locate them after hearing shouts for help - I know it sounds really easy but it isnt - you wouldnt beleive how difficult it is to work out exactly where people are as the sound bounces off things like rocks and it is more or less impossible especially in the dark so us dogs use our clever noses to work out exactly where they are - so well done Beinn!
At the same time over in Penrith Kaz was out on the fellside pretending to be a casualty for her team to practice on - Daryl was responsible for setting up the training session and - Kaz was supposed to have fallen out of a hot air balloon fracturing her legs, and breaking her femur and them her team had to find her and treat her. Me and the idiot pup were in the car - she had taken us for a walk 1st and when Kaz got back at about 10pm she was a little cold but she said she was well looked after!
At the same time as all this was happening over at Keswick the police had asked the MR team to go and look for a missing man who had not come back from a walk up Blencathra - so the team and their local dogs (plus searchdog Skye who happened to be over there) went out at 9pm and looked all over in the dark - they didnt find anyone so they stopped at about 2am. At 4am Kaz was woken up by a pager message from the callout co-ordinator and asked to go to Keswick base to restart the search.
Kaz's team also got asked so Kaz's pager was going off every 5 mins for about 20 mins! Daryl wasnt able to come because he is teaching this week, so we left him and the idiot pup in bed (different ones of course) and went to the base.
We met up with dogs Olly, Kitt, Ginny and Kes and we were all given areas to work - me and my big sis Ginny (oh and Kaz and Mick obviously) we told to search the area at the back of Blencathra up 2 gills and then up onto Foule Crag (yes the name is right) and then across west to Knowe Crag. We set off up while Kes, Kitt and Olly started searching up the ridges to the top of Blencathra - the weather was horrid, low cloud and rain but quite windy on the top when we got there.
After about 2 hours I was right up on the top at Haws Fell top and I met up with searchdog Olly and handler Penny - Kaz and Penny had a quick chat and then we continued. About an hour later - we heard over the radio that Olly had made a find in very steep and difficult ground over the side of the ridge. Sadly he had found the body of the missing man who had fallen about 200m. It was very difficult for the team to get him out and the RAF came to help. - here is a picture of the ridge
Afterwards we all met up with Penny and Olly - they were very tired. Obviuously it is really sad that the man died and we send our sympathies to his family.
Kaz and I went straight to work and she had to give a presentation still wearing her mountain kit - but she said it went well.
Kaz is away this weekend at RAF Stafford on a course and me and the idiot pup are in charge of Daryl - we'll all be going over to the Friends Open Day at Kirkstone Pass so we hope we'll see you all there!
Anyway - I'll blog soon
The idiot pup disgraces itself; we have a fun training weekend and Daryl looses the idiot pup!
I'm ashamed....me and Kaz went to do a talk recently which was really good and I got lots of fuss, but we had to go back and pick up a cheque a few days later. The idiot pup managed to knock over a box on communion wafers in the church and got one on its tongue and couldnt get it off as it melted.....Kaz was mortified and so was I - I crept under one of the chairs to keep out of the way, but the idiot pup just looked at everyone with a big grin on its face - but everyone thought he was a real sweetie (ugh!)....when we got in the van I gave it a bit of a talking to!
At the weekend we all went and trained at Haweswater. The weather was pretty awful on Saturday, but it didnt matter really as all of us love to run about in whatever conditions there are.
Do you like the piccie? Daryl managed to get nearly everyone in to the shot (sorry John L, Olly and Penny K - you were all still up on the hill!). All (20!) of the dogs were very well behaved for the picture.
It was a pretty special day on Saturday as the Chief Constable Craig Mackay was going to come and visit us - so we were all on our bestest behaviour (even the idiot pup for once). Me and Kaz were taking charge of the baby dogs with lovely handler Laura and searchdog Jake to help. So we went to the area just up from the carpark with quite a few dogs - the idiot pup of course, Molly (Simons dog), Scar (Pauls dog), Ani (Bills dog), and Mill (Dave's dog). First of all Kaz made everyone do some obedience work - even me and Jake (huh!). Then we did little areas for the baby dogs to play in....the idiot pup did really well and is beginning to bark loads. All of the others were good too. The Chief Constable watched us for a little while then went up to Small Water to see how the older dogs were getting on - handler Christyne is a Police Lady and she got the Chief Constable to body for her dog Bute - we all joked that she'd be posted to a punishment station if Bute misbehaved (lucky she was brill). On Sunday it was a better day - very hot and all of the little dogs did really well again. Kaz tells me that all of the dogs training in the other groups had good days too. Everything was fine until Kaz and I arrived at the car on the way back on Sunday - Daryl had been walking behind us and when he arrived, Kaz asked where the idiot pup was...Daryl thought he was with us, but he wasnt, he must have got left behind when Daryl went through a gate on the fellside. Daryl was a bit worried and hurried back up the hill thinking that the he'd be fretting. He neednt have worried because the idiot one was just back where we'd been training amusing itself! Kaz says I must say thanks to all the bodies who helped us loads and a big woof for aunty Helen who made some lovely cakes (although I do notice that none of the dogs got any!)
Finally we must send our love to body Penny who isnt very well at the moment - Kaz sent her a card telling her all about the idiot pups escapades (although I'm not sure that wont just make her feel worse with shame!)....anyway get well soon Penny!!
Kaz comes home and then Daryl goes away!
After 5 days in London Kaz finally came home on Friday night - I was very glad to see her I really missed her - me and the idiot pup looked after Daryl all week and we went to training with him. The idiot one was good - he ran around and barked at all the bodies. I just had a walk at the end. Kaz told me (when we were having a cuddle after she got back, that her course was really hard. She had to take some exams - something to do with the British Computer Society and she wont find out until 7 weeks how she got on)
So we all had a cuddle on Friday night, except the idiot pup - he just kept jumping all over her like a lunatic. On Saturday morning the light in the kitchen came on at 5am and woke us up. Turns out Daryl had to go and visit grandma Joan in the West Midlands and was leaving me and the idiot pup to look after Kaz. Kaz eventually came in and let us out at 8 o'clock - I was a bit cross coz I normally like to get up early and have a run in the garden, but I'll let her off coz she was pretty tired.
In the afternoon grandma and grandpa came round to see us and we played with them in the garden for ages, then Kaz took us out for a nice walk on the fells above Helton.
This morning me and the idiot pup took Kaz up the old corpse road between Shap and Kendal for a great walk - the idiot one got filthy dirty rolling in the mud which Kaz was really impressed by. After that we went home and helped Kaz sort out all her Mountain rescue kit in the car and then we were really happy when Daryl came home - since he came home we've all been in the garden with kaz's rugby ball having loads of fun!
JULY 2010
More Callouts and Kaz is away...boo
Its been another busy week with one thing or another. First of all we went training the other night and there were at least 6 trillion midges at Whinlatter - and poor old body Glen seemed to have most of them eating any spare bit of flesh showing....uggggh!
On Wednesday night me and kaz were having a bit of a cuddle in the lounge whilst the idiot pup Dram and Daryl were outside practising barking for toys (the idiot pop, not Daryl). Then we were getting ready to go training with the team and we went down to the base. Just as we were driving out to the place where we were practising, we were all told to go to another place near Penrith for a callout to help the Police and Fire and Ambulance - me and the idiot pup got left at base and Kaz and Daryl went. Sadly a man had taken his own life and Mountain Rescue were called to help the other emergency services, Kaz and Daryl were gone for quite a long time and were a bit fed up when they got home - but me and the idiot pup Dram made up for it by jumping all over them and giving them loads of licks!
On Friday Kaz and Daryl had a day off from work and we all went for a really nice walk and then in the afternoon went to grandma and grandpas so Kaz and Daryl could go and see some film. Me and the idiot pup ran about in the garden with a ball and had loads of fuss.
Yesterday Kaz and Daryl did some gardening (me and Dram helped a bit....) then in the afternoon handler Elly Whiteford and searchdog Mac and trainee Meg came over and we all went out for a nice play on the fells. Elly was tired and went home about 4o'clock. Kaz decided that she was going to have a nice quiet night in and her and Daryl were planning a nice meal when the dog pager went off for a callout on the Crinkles (near Langdale). The Lake District is really funnny coz the weather here was nice but Kaz was told on the telpohone that the missing people were in really bad conditions. So me and her jumped in the van and drove to Langdale's base and met up with Handler Mik Guy and my big sister Ginny. We had to search up to Red Tarn from the 3 shires stone and then over to Little Stand (Have a look at the route me and Kaz took below).
The weather was really awful - rain and poor visibility - and Kaz and Mick were pretty happy when we got off the fell at about 11pm! The missing people were found safe. We went back to Langdale base where we were given tea and pies (thanks - we were starving!). Me and Kaz drove back and Kaz and I got to sleep about 0030.
Kaz wasnt too happy when the pager then went off at 2am!! Nor was I come to that. We were asked to go and search for a man and his grandson missing on a walk from Wasdale to Ennerdale. It took Kaz a bit of time to get herself together as all her kit was soaking wet from the search we just finished. So we got in the car and started driving across to Ennerdale - just as we reached Keswick we heard that Handler Andrew Mc Neil and search dog Corrie had found the man on Haycock with a leg injury - well done Coz! Me and Karen travelled back and got back to bed at about 0345. She is a bit grumpy this morning!
Kaz is off to London for a week for a course and some exams and is taking the laptop (selfish so and so!).....that means I wont be able to blog for a week so I'll speak to you all soon....................................
Callout
Kaz and me were going to have a chilled day on Saturday with the idiot pup Dram, with a nice walk and then a play in the garden with grandma and grandpa, but just as we were working out where we were going, Kaz's phone rang and it was Chris Francuis the callout co-ordinator asking whether me and Kaz could go over to Cleator to look for a man who was missing. Daryl was out for a meeting and Kaz rang him to tell him that we were leaving the idiot pup at home and then we set off for the pretty long journey. We arrived at a place called Longlands Lake and were asked to go with Rob from the Wasdale team and have a search around the Lake and also search around some small ponds. It was hot - especially for Kaz who was in her full drysuit and buoyancy aid and helmet (I just had a jacket!). We worked for about an hour or so, then went back to the control vehicle where we met up with searchdog Rosie and Fly because the Police wanted us to do something else. We then got send up to search an area of Dent woods - here you can see on the right hand side of the picture - this is what me and Kaz ended up searching for a couple of hours.
It was very hot and sticky and steep in some places as well as difficult for Kaz as there were lots of low branches and broken branches on the floor. We didnt see anyone, but we did hear Andrew and Corrie and Roger and Beinn on the radio who were working in another part of the forest. But after about 2 hours, I smelt something a little bit in front of me and ran forwards - it was 2 rucksacks and I barked at them and then ran back to Kaz and let her know what I'd found. She was a bit confused about them though as it was not likely that the missing man had one, let alone two rucksacks with him. She started trying to work out who they belonged to, but I just had a bit of a search around nearby and found two people - so I barked again - I frightened them a bit and they walked to Kaz. It turned out they had decided to camp in the forest for the night and didnt think they'd see anyone so they left their rucksacks to go and find some water. I'm not too who was more surprised - me, them or Kaz! Still they gave me some fuss (and a biscuit!) - sadly we didnt find the man.
We eventually stopped at about 1845 and had a long drive home, where Dram was very pleased to see us - albeit very jealous!
Kaz was a bit disappointed we were so late home coz she missed going handler Olly's wedding do...... so from kaz and Daryl and me and the idiot pup Dram....Congratulations Olly and Catherine on your Wedding xxxxxx
Training weekend and some good news for a few people
It's been pretty busy here with one thing and another - Kaz and Daryl have been running around with stuff at home and me and the idiot pup have been playing in the garden lots and running around on some nice walks. This weekend we have all been in Coniston - me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram drove over to Coniston on Friday night after work and got to the hut nice and early. We had a play in the stream outside the hut and then on Saturday Kaz and me went with Mike H to teach the baby stage 1 dogs - we had loads of fun and all the dogs did really well - I was very proud of the idiot pup Dram, he is beginning to bark loudly at the bodies! It was very bad weather on Saturday ......
Unfortunately Joy and Penny who were on assessment had to finish as the assessors couldnt see anything! There was some really good news as Paul O'Mahoney and his dog Scar passed their registration test and have started formally training - it was really good news as poor old Scar has been really ill and we were all very worried about him.
On Saturday night we had a really good barbeque in the rain and all of us dogs ran around like lunatics.....the humans also had a good time..........
Then on Sunday there was a lot of celebrations as Penny Kirby and her dog Olly passed their last assessment and were awarded their green tag. Olly is going to be working alongside searchdog Pippi, Penny's other dog and is a very handsome boy!!
And the final bit of excellent news is that Moudy and his handler Benny who moved to Scotland recently have passed their assessment for SARDA Scotland and are now on the callout list up there - well done!!
JUNE 2010
2 more Callouts and I have a find
Ohh I might have to go soon as handler Mick Guys has just phoned Kaz and told her that there may be a search call on...oh shame as it's Sunday and me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram are having a lazy day.....anyway its been a bit busy again and we had two callouts in one day - on Thursday Kaz was just in a meeting at work where there was a pager message for a search to help Kendal team look for a missing 87 year old lady in a village called Ings near Windermere. Kaz drove home and picked me up and we drove to the church hall which was the rendezvous point. The other handlers that were there were Mick, Mike, John, Les, Dave and Olly and the trailing dog handler Iain from Lancashire. We were all given areas to do and me and Kas searched some of the fellside near Stavely, but after a while we didnt find anything and made our way back to the Church hall to be re-tasked. Just as we were waiting we heard on the radio that the lady had been found by some team members on the Stavely bypass and depsite being missing for over 18 hours was ok. After Kaz had a quick cup of tea we started driving home, we were only about 20mins from home when Kaz's pager went off for a callout for a lady who was lost somewhere on Crossfell in bad weather.
Kaz contacted her base and we went directly to the Radar station road on Great Dun Fell - then we were tasked to go across from there to the Corssfell summit plateau where the lady was lost. The problem with Crossfell and most of the Pennines is, that whilst the temperature can be really warm it can be rubbish weather and cold on the tops. We got out of the car and it was awful - the visibility was down to 50m from the mist and it was horizontal rain and very windy. The rest of Kaz team were still assembling at the base and the other dogs had now been paged. We set off with Kaz working on compass bearings so that we could make most advantage of the wind, she wasnt able to walk on the Pennine Way path - I had a great time I ran all over the place. When we eventually got to the edge of the climb up to Crossfell Kaz was in touch with her base to get an idea of where the lady was. After another 15 mins or so I smelt a human and ran - it was about 300m away and when I got there I barked but she didnt say anything so I ran back to Kaz and barked - I kept doing it until Kaz got there. Kaz was surprised that the lady still didnt seem very responsive and realised that she was hypothermic so we got a shelter on her and gave her all Kaz's food and clothes. Eventually, the lady was ok and we started making our way to the summit shelter to meet Kaz's team mates. Here's it was looking like - and this was the best visibility we'd had all the time and even that was rubbish!
(Photo taken with Kaz's mobile)
After we handed her over - Kaz and I retraced our steps and walked back towards the car - meeting up with searchdog Ginny and her handler Mick who gave us something to eat and his navigator PMRT member John W. Kaz was very proud of me and gave me an extra portion of food when we finally got in at about 1am. I am sure that if any of the other searchdogs had been there they would have found her too!
Callout in Dent
Kaz and I were in action with some of the other dogs on Monday night after work - Her pager went off literally as she got home and was in the middle of giving me and the idiot pup a good old fuss - it was for a missing man in the Dentdale area. Kaz got all her stuff together including waterproofs as it was thundering and lightening at home. The idiot pup Dram was not too please as we drove off but we eventually got to the rendezvous point at a farm and met up with handlers Olly, Les and John and Kevin and his dog Gyp from SARDA England. We were all given areas and me and Kaz, Les and Kess and Olly and Kitt started working our way through the woods up towards the fell side. Just as we were walking we heard on the radio that the man had sadly been found dead by SARDA England dog Gyp.
Kaz asked me to talk about the fact that people seem surprised if we treat finding a person that has died as a success. It's like this really, if you didnt know where your family person was and even if you thought that they had died, then it doesnt bring them back but it does help you move forward with your life and stop worrying about where they really are and what has happened to them....I hope that sort of explains it for you.
World Cup fever - I am not impressed with England
Well, I dont know about you lot - but the Wold Cup has been on and I've been watching loads - the onkly problem is that England are (were...they're out now) rubbish. So bad that I decided to contact Fabio and tell him about my alternate SARDA squad he might want to consider (Kaz is convinced that the England Ladies team would be better). So here's some of the squad....
Goalie - trainee Beck (can catch food at 100m)
Tricky winger - trainee Einich (doesnt listen to instructions but has flashes of genius)
Striker - Searchdog Rosie (fastest thing on 4 legs)
Midfield General - Searchdog Kess (well we assume as her handler went to Cambridge Uni that shes a bit of a strategist!)
Subs bench - idiot pup Dram (he'd never make the grade)
Physio - Handler Laura (she gets paid to do it in real life so must be good!)
Manager - Callout co-ordinator Chris Francis (Similar hairstyle and doesnt take no for an answer....ever)
Fundraising
It was pretty busy at the wekeend - me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram went to Crosthwaite with bodies Terry and Mary for their Church fete so we could do PR stuff.
It was aa really nice day - we got loads of fuss and pats and the humans apparently had sun stroke that can only be treated with ice cream!
Callout to Duddon and Furness and Get well soon to trainee Scar
Me and Kaz were just having a chill out in the garden tonight after work when her pager went off for a callout to look for a despondent man somewhere near Bootle and we got in the car - after 85 miles of driving we arrived and RV'd with John and searchdog Skye.
We worked a line search up towards Black Coombe with Paul (trainee dog Scar's handler working as our navigator). It was very hot and very hard going (especially for Kaz) and I thought I worked brilliantly. There were loads of sheep and I had to move through them all without making them stampede! After about 2 hours we'd reached the end of what we needed to search and we met back up with John. The police decided that they were finishing the search for the night so we got in the car and went home - Kaz was a bit tred as it was 1am by the time she got to bed and she had to get up early
Scars handler Paul has told us that Scar is poorly and hasnt been able to train - so get well soon and lots of hugs and woofs from us all (dogs not humans....well not the woofing bit anyway!)
Training weekend and a couple of callouts
Well, it was our training weekend at Barbon this last weekend. Kaz was going to be helping to train the little dogs (including the idiot pup Dram) and I was supervising. It was a good weekend - the weather was really hot on Saturday and all the dogs struggled a little bit - but it didnt stop everyone doing really well. Trainee searchdog Einich and her handler Joy did their first ever assessment and they were brill - well done.......here they are finding Helen....
Just as we finished training on the afternoon and got back to the hut, Kaz's pager went off for a callout to look for a missing child in the Langdale Valley. Kaz and me jumped in the car and we were just leaving the carpark when we got a phonecall to say that the child was safe - phew! So we got out of the car so we could wish Benny well for the future. it was really sad - Benny and his searchdog Moudy are leaving to go and live in Scotland. So we had a big party and Benny and the all the humans went to the pub -
On Sunday the weather was rotten, but we had another good day - first of all it was handler Mike Hadwins birthday and we set up a table and chairs and bacon sandwich for him so he could watch the training in style!
Then all the baby dogs did some proper training, but it was raining so handler Christyne Judge decided she'd use her brains and make sure her hair didnt get wet whilst searching - hmmmm, the assessors weren't impressed!
News from the other areas was that Nick and Sam and Penny and Olly both passed another assessment and they havent got very many to go now!
Callout to Haystacks
Kaz was sat in the office this morning at 10am when Chris our callout co-ordinator came in and asked her if we could go and search for a missing man in Borrowdale. Daryl met Kaz in Keswick and me and her drove up to Honister pass and met up with Mike Hadwin and searchdog Fly. We walked from the Honister slate mine up towards Fleetwith Pike and then me and Kaz worked the area between Fleetwith and Grey Knotts all the way to Haystacks, via Dubbs Bottom and Great Road How. It was hard work and we met up with searchdog Fly and Mike at Innominate Tarn for a breather. Just then, we heard that the man had been found (sadly he had died) and we walked back
Nice walk and team training
Kaz and me and the idiot pup Dram went out on Saturday for a really nice walk - we went to Wet Sleddale resevoir near shap and then after we walked round the resevoir looking at the nesting birds, we walked up on to the fells and bimbled about on the Shap fells for a long time. Kaz says she was just ambling, but me and Dram were abit worried that she's managed to get us lost coz we wandered around for ages until we got back on to a foot path. It was really nice though and me and the idiot pup got a swim in the river at Lowther on the way home. After that Kaz tidied up the garage and got very messy (honestly, if me or the idiot pup did that we'd get shoved under the hose in the back garden, but no, she got a bath in the bubbles with a glass of wine!)
On Sunday Kaz went off to team training and me and the idiot pup stayed home cos it was training for crag rescue and we're not too good with the knots and stuffl. Kaz seemed to have had a good time as she was pretty tired when she got home. Here is a picture of one of my favourite dogsbodies -Glen who joined Kaz's team recently and who was sent down to find a casualty.
Away on holidays
Kaz and Daryl went away last week to Bala in Wales to do their Swift Water Rescue certificate - I honestly dont get it - why does anyone want to throw themselves in fast moving water - I prefer to just lie in becks and puddles and mud! Anyway they had a really good time and passed their certificate - here are a couple of photos of them doing stuff (I thought it was supposed to be hard work but it looks like they enjoyed themselves a bit too much!).
Me and the idiot pup Dram went to grandma and grandpas and had a great time getting lots of fuss - we always get to run about in their garden with toys (although sometimes grandma isnt very happy when the idiot pup eats all her flowers and jumps inthe bog pot!). It was a really nice holiday but I was really happy to see Kaz again - I jumped up and down loads to tell her how much I missed her.
MAY 2010
A lucky escape
There were a couple of bad thunderstorms the other day and guess what? some people got hit by lightening - one of them was Eleanor one of the dogsbodies that comes out and plays with me - she got knocked off her feet and felt very poorly for some time - shes back at home now and hopefully she'll be up and about playing with us all soon. Get well Eleanor!!
Sad days
Kaz was at work when the Fireservice had been called to a major accident on the A66 involving a coach - some of her staff went off in the Fire engine and her and Chris Francis went along in their cars after the Mountain Rescue teams were called to help with medical stuff. Kaz spent the rest of the time with the other dog handlers from Keswick attending to the injured school children. Sadly 3 people died in the crash. Unknown to Kaz, Daryl had also been called to the incident - both her and Daryl were very quiet for a couple of days so me and the idiot pup gave them lots of cuddles to try and help.
A couple of callouts
Kaz and Daryl were just home on Tuesday and we were getting ready to go to training at Whinlatter when the team pager went off for a rescue of a man on the Pennine Way who had fallen and hurt his head. Kaz and Daryl left us in the kitchen and went off to help - apparently when they arrived they were beaten to it by the air ambulance, but the good news is that the man wasnt too badly hurt.
Yesterday (Saturday) all 4 of us went for a walk up onto Causey Pike - the weather was very hot and it was a great day out for us dogs - we played in the gorge before the walk and jumped in the gorge on the way down. Kaz and Daryl had their radio on the Keswick channel and half way up Keswick control said hello as they could see us on their computer - we listened as they dealt with a fallen climber - our callout co-ordinator Chris Francis and handlers Elly and Mick were out on the job - we could tell they were going to have a busy day!
So we had a great walk and just as we were half way down, Keswick base radioed Kaz and asked whether she and Daryl could go to Manesty to help with a rescue of a person who had fallen over and injured themselves. Kaz and Daryl ran down (which was fun as Kaz rarely runs) and we all jumped in the car and drove through the Newlands Valley to Manesty. But when we got there the air ambulance had landed and the casualty was being taken care of. So we drove back to Keswick base for a quick glass of orange and then went home via grandma and grandpas house, where the idiot pup proceeded to run about like a lunatic in the garden.
Today I've been helping Kaz in the loft moving stuff whilst the idiot pup has run about in the garden playing with a ball.
Kaz goes to Norway, we stay at home
Kaz went off to Norway last week and me and the idiot pup Dram stayed at home to look after Daryl. Kaz must have missed us coz she rang home a few times!! we had a nice time with Daryl and went to see his friends Seb and Michelle and Eva (and Bert the labrador). When Kaz came home I was really happy to see her - I dont like it when she's away! She bought me and the idiot pup Dram some nice squeaky toys though.
Nice day out with Kaz and the Penrith Carnival is fun
This week Kaz and Daryl and me and the idiot pup have been working in the house...(Note from Kaz...actually me and Daryl have been doing the work and the dogs have been doing exactly nothing)...well anyway you know what I mean! This weekend has been really nice - not many callouts lately so we have had some fun with Kaz - on Sunday Kaz took me and the idiot pup Dram out for a walk - we went to Glenridding and walked up to Ruthwaite Lodge then onto Dollywagon Pike, back round Grisedale Tarn, up onto Fairfield and then onto St Sunday's where we stopped on the top of Pinnacle Ridge and waited for ages and ages coz Daryl and his big brother Craig had gone for a scramble and climb. Eventually (yawn) they appeared and we then walked down the footpath for a bit. Kaz decided to take us down a really steep sided gully and scree slope to see how the idiot pup would behave on it - (fine, I've taught him all I know!). Daryl and Craig just continued down to the road near the Patterdale MR base and Kaz and me and the idiot pup went up over Lanty's Tarn and met them back at the car
This is Daryl's big brother Craig...and me and the idiot pup at the top of St Sundays.
Today (Bank Holiday....incidentally, what does a bank need a holiday for? Kaz moans a lot about banks and I'm not sure she's that keen on them)...anyways what was I talking about...oh yes...today we went to the Penrith Carnival with Kaz's team and me and the idiot pup Dram got loads of fuss from the local people - here's me and Kaz and Serena and Simon (oh and the idiot pup) at the start of the parade. It wasnt too bad and loads of people were there. Dram had a bit of a rest before we started as you can see.
APR 2010
Nice short callout and then we go for a long walk
On Friday night, after Kaz and Daryl finished work, the Penrith team were going to be meeting up for a meal and social thing (huh and guess what me and the idiot pup Dram were going to have to stay at home!). Anyway Kaz was just putting on her lipstick and girly stuff when the team pager went off for a search in the Pennines for a missing lady. Daryl rang the restaurant and cancelled and Kaz and me jumped in the car and drove straight over to Hilton whilst Daryl drove to the base and meet eveyone else. Just as we arrived at the rendezvous point we heard over the radio that the lady had been found (good news) - so Kaz rang Daryl and he suggested that we could all still go out and have something to eat which they did!
Yesterday the idiot pup and me helped Kaz in the garden mowing and Daryl did some cupboard building; then grandma and grandpa came over to see us so we had a really nice run around in the garden for the ball.
This morning me and Kaz and the idiot pup got up and Kaz told us that we were going out for a walk because she wanted to work out why people keep getting lost in a certain area (...note from Kaz - we've had a few callouts for people lost coming off the back of Whether Hill towards Helton). It was very wet and windy but we went up the hill and Kaz walked around and took some photos of the ground whilst me and the idiot pup Dram ran around - Kaz then walked on some compass bearings (dont ask - I dont know) and then we came off the hill after about 10 or so miles. Me and the idiot pup have just had a really nice snooze in the kitchen and he is now being a real pain in the proverbial!
So I'll try and blog soon Dot fans and let you know whats been happening here!
The Idiot Pup is perhaps not such an idiot after all!! Plus, a good weekend and Dynamite retires
We all went to the Howgills this weekend for training and it was a lovely weekend. But the big news in our house was that on Tuesday night, the idiot pup Dram passed its obediance test so it can start formal training. Blimey, I've been telling it that it was hopeless and low and behold the thing managed to walk to heel off the lead, lie down, stop on command and all sorts (of course, it'll be nothing to do with Daryl, clearly my pep talks in the cage at night worked!) So Daryl and Dram trained with the stage 1s - there were also some other new pups there - Keppie and Molly who have also passed their test and Bill and Ani - all the stage 1s had a really good time. Here is a piccie of them all (as well as the bodies and trainer Mike) and a piccie of a proud Daryl (Dont let the idiot pup know but I was very pleased it passed!!)
All of the dogs had a good weekend - Nick and Sam passed 2 more assessments and Kaz and me went and trained the stage 2s (Elly with Meg, Joy with Einich, Tom with Bruach and Glen with Molly). They all were really brill and found all the bodies - it was hard for me tho, coz I sat there and wanted to go and find the bodies but Kaz kept telling me to sit still. On Sunday, Kaz and Les and Roger and Olly all helped out and at the end us searchdogs got to have a run onto body Andy - it was great although I have a feeling that poor old Andy is probably deaf now as we barked ever so loudly
Finally some sad news - searchdog Dynamite has retired at 13 - we worked together lots and she is always feisty (theres not many dogs I back down from but she's one of them!). I wished Dynamite all the best and we all hope she enjoys resting by the fire while her little sister Flash keeps working for many years to come!
A quick callout
Hi Dot fans. Its all been quite quiet lately on the callout front - the only excitement we've had lately is that there was 2 callouts on Easter Monday for Kaz's team - we had all been running around on the fell and we'd just got home. Kaz and Daryl had planned on watching the Pirates of the Carribean and cuddling on the sofa (ugh). They'd just settled down when the pager went off for a search for a group of missing DofE students in the Whether Hill area. Kaz and Daryl went off with me but just as we got to base, we got told that they had met up with a member of the public who was helping them. We needed to make sure they were ok, so Kaz and Daryl and Dave and Matt got in a landrover and drove up to Bampton and Kaz walked up the valley and Dave and Matt walked up the ridge to meet the group and check them out. They were fine (if a bit cold and tired).
Then Kaz and Daryl came home and we all started to watch Pirates of the Carribean - it was pretty good although the idiot pup Dram was a bit scared at some of the bangs on the surround sound! About half an hour after it started the pager went of again and it was a callout to Haweswater for an injured ankle. Kaz and Daryl went down to help and there was a lady with a broken ankle which the team splinted and took her to the ambulance. After that Kaz and Daryl came home and watched the end of the film (it only took from midday to ten oclock in the evening to finally finish it.
Then on Friday night Kaz and Daryl went to handler John Leadbetters for dinner - we were allowed to go too which was great fun coz me and the idiot pup Dram ran around loads with searchdog Skye and John and Clairs other dog Islay. All of us dogs slept the night in the dining room together which was great - we gossiped for hours (just like the humans who managed to drink loads of wine and whiskey)
Today Daryl is out at team training but Kaz is here with me and the idiot pup (who's in disgrace for jumping in our neighbours pond after all the frogs - idiot!)
Anyways see you all soon.......
MAR 2010
We meet the public, Kaz has double good news and winter comes back with a vengance
It's been really busy at home again over the last few weeks, and heres all the news....................:
First of all Kaz went down to Lancaster University last Friday to see her supervisor and after a while she was told that she has passed her MA thingy - apparently Kaz was a real girl and cried her eyes out! (Wooss!).
Then after a year and a half of being trainee assessors, Kaz and handler Elly Whiteford were told that they are now full assessors which is nice (although the other assessors would probably say that being an assessor isnt all its cracked up to be - standing around in the wind and the cold and making helpful comments to poor trainees!!)
On Friday night, me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram drove off to the NEC in Birmingham - after about an hour in the car the pager went off for a search on the Pennines, but we had to carry on as we were meeting handler John Leadbetter and Clair to represent SARDA Lakes at the show. The dogs that stayed back in the lakes apparently had a really nasty time searching in horrid ground and bad weather - poor Mick Guy and Ginny did about 14km, but the good news is that the missing people got found - hooray.
When we got down to the NEC we all had a really long sleep which was a good idea as we didnt get much for the next 2 days! In the morning me and Skye and Dram and Islay went for a run round outside the hotel and then walked over the exhibition centre to meet with the lovely people from Montane who were sponsoring us. We set up the stand and then the doors opened and blimey, it was thousands of people saying hi to us - I was really proud of the idiot pup Dram coz he didnt keep jumping and was really good with the children and all the loud noises and stuff. Of course, me and searchdog Skye were perfect! Kaz was also doing some lectures in the theater and I had to go and act as her glamorous assistant! We slept for 10 hours that night and then did it all again on Sunday....here are a couple of shots of the stand......
On Monday Kaz and John (oh and me and Skye) got interviewed by some people from the Cumbria Life magazine up at Red Screes - when we got there it started snowing and we think the piccies will look great for the May edition! Then we sat in the pub and had a fuss for me and Skye and Dram and then a cup of tea for Kaz and John. Daryl was with us and he took me and the idiot pup Dram home and Kaz and Daryl went back to work. Just as she got to work Kaz got told that there was a callout over on Red Pike near Buttermere and she phoned Daryl to turn round and bring me back to her. When me and Kaz got to Gatescarth, John and Olly arrived and we waited to get told what we needed to do. In the meantime Laura and Jake, Elly and Mac, Mick and Ginny, Andrew and Corrie, Mike and Fly were already up on the hill in the snow. Luckily the people got found near High Stile and we all came home, then this morning at 4.30 ish the pager went off for a callout near Hawes but Kaz couldnt go coz she was due to be in London for a couple of days with work. So me and the idiot pup Dram and Daryl are all alone (booooo). Anyway see you soon Dot fans and if any of you are in Keswick on Easter Sunday then come round and meet us all outside the Keswick Motor company
March SARDA Training -
Well we all went to Patterdale on Saturday - me and Kaz walked up to Brown Cove to help assess Nick and Penny and Daryl and the idiot pup stayed lower down so that Dram could start learning about search stuff. There was quite a bit of snow and ice in the Cove and the wind was very strong. Anyway Nick and Penny were in the middle of their assessment areas and I have to say both of them were doing really well (actually both trainees Olly and Sam were doing well!) - Kaz and I had seen a group of 4 people walk past earlier and they had gone up one of the gullies. Just as Nick was nearly finished his area, Kaz and Mick Guy started running across the snow - they had seen one of the climbers start falling down the hill very fast - Dave Watt started running as well - then Mick got on the radio telling the others that there was a fallen climber in the Cove and that we were going to help. The poor lady fell about 200m and we all got there as quick as possible - body Kath whos a team member with Kirkby Stephen left her hideaway and Penny and Nick abandoned their assessment area and made their way accross. When we got there I stayed laying down and Kaz and the others gave the woman first aid while we all waited for the Patterdale Team and the RAF helicopter to come along. A little while later Daryl and Laura and Benny arrived with kit and we all got the lady comfortable and then the helicopter arrived and she was taken to hospital. (it turned out that she'd only got a broken wrist - blimey that was lucky!). After all that Kaz and Mick and Dave made Penny and Nick continue their assessments - they both passed - hooray! (here's me sitting patiently while the lady is looked after)
Scotland Training
We all went up to Scotland for the avalanche training and it was brill - I was great and there was loads of snow - we found all the bodies and I really love digging!!!! The idiot pup Dram went too and he was pretty good - here are a couple of photos of stuff
I find the body
On my way out of the body's snow hole!
Dram the idiot pup in his snow kennel
Meg finds the body
Building the snow hole for the body
Skye sitting patiently in the snow storm
The weather deteriorates
Kaz and dog John spent the afternoon collecting kit from the hill
And we even had to dig our cars out!
FEB 2010
9th...A few things have been happening
Did you see the ITV programme the Lakes? It's on a Monday night and the searchdogs were on it and will be again next week - searchdog Beinn (handsome boy) was on with his handler Roger and I think it's going to be trainee dog Bute next week - make sure you watch it!
Here we go with a couple of piccies ....yesterday we did team training and Kaz acted as the casualty - it was body Glen's first try at first aiding since he joined Kaz's team and here he is (on the right) - Kaz is the casualty with a pretend head injury. Then the other piccie is one of me licking Kaz when she's defenceless - it was Daryl - he made me do it - apparently kaz doesnt like my tongue up her nose!
Me and the idiot pup Dram have had a nice few days - first off there have been acouple of callouts for people who have been lost on the fells - Kaz and me and the idiot pup went off to do a demo to a bunch of lovely WI ladies the other day and just as Kaz was talking to them about what we do on the hills and stuff - and the dog pager went off - Kaz had to say that it wasnt really a setup! There was a search on for a lady lost on the fell near Esk Hause. The ladies of the WI really enjoyed Kaz's talk and me and the idiot pup got given some biscuits and cuddles (Dram was really happy). We drove back home and on the way up the motorway Kaz rang handler Elly who was also out and about with work and they decided that they were going to go to Keswick base and see if they could help out - but just as Elly and Kaz were getting near the pager went off to say that the lady had been found....so we went home again!
On Saturday me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram went out for a realy long walk near Castle Carrock with their friends - it was a lovely day and we all enjoyed the sunshine - me and the idiot pup Dram ran all over the place and got really muddy - the walk was about 16km and the humans managed to get a stop for lunch at a pub in the middle of it while us dogs plus out new doggy friends Shadow and Burt were left outside waiting...hmmmmm. Here is a piccie of us at the start of the walk in Gelt Woods....
JAN 2010
31st...Two nice days out
Kaz and Daryl and me and the idiot pup Dram have had a really nice weekend. Yesterday we went up onto the Caldbeck Fells - blimey it was a bit crowded though, we thought we were all alone, but we ended up bumping into Kaz and Daryls' team mate Matt and his girlfriend and then when we were coming off, we bumped into trainee searchdog Molly and her owner Glen - it was very cold but me and the idiot pup had a great run round. After that we went to Keswick so Kaz and Daryl could meet up for a drink with handler John Leadbetter (...now then Dot we had serious things to discuss - the fact we were in the pub is immaterial!) - then today we have been up to Cawdale Edge (where I had my find on New Years Eve - I showed the idiot pup Dram where I had been and we had a real good time running up and down the hill (Although last time I was there it was very deep snow). Kaz was very sad though, there was a deer and a baby deer both dead on the fellside - I'm not sure what had killed them.
Me and the idiot pup are now rolling around on the floor in the lounge while Daryl is pretending to do some paperwork for his job (I didnt know you humans did work with your eyes shut and your mouth open!)
So, that's all the news for January - keep blogging Dot fans!
28th....Kaz got woken up
We went training on Tuesday night to Whinlatter - it is still a bit icy there but we had a good time - me and searchdog Jake went on a big circuit in the woods and we found all the bodies - although I got extra ones coz I also smelt some others (that werent in my area) and went and barked at them...coz I can! After that we all had some yummy cake that handler Laura had made - it was to celebrate handler Ellys birthday - but she wasnt even there! Still the cake was good.
The next night Kaz and Daryl were both a bit tired from work so they had gone to bed around 9.30pm when Daryl woke up coz the phone was ringing. It was Penrith team leader Ian asking whether me and Kaz could go and search for a man missing near Brampton. Daryl explained that Kaz and I cant go on our own, and that any searchdog callout also needs a mountain rescue team to be involved, so Ian rang a few of the Carlisle based members and me and Kaz and Daryl met them at Brampton police station. We then drove out to Gelt Woods and search for a while - it was reall fun - steep, muddy and woody - my favourite (but not Kaz's favourite somehow!). We didnt find anythinhg but by the time we go thome it was about 2.30am and Kaz wasnt too cheery when she got up at 6am the next morning!
22nd....callout and a very long drive for Kaz
Kaz and Daryl had just got home from work tonight at about 5ish and were just getting ready to go to the pictures, when both of their pagers went off for a Penrith team callout. It was a search in the Kershope Forest for 2 people who had called in to say they were lost - now, let me tell you something, the Kershope forest is sooooo far North we practically have to take a passport to get their - no kidding it's in Northumberland and very close to Scotland. Kaz got me and Daryl in the car and they left the idiot pup Dram at home in the warm kitchen - searches are just no place for idiot boy collie puppies! Daryl still cant quite get about properly and so he was 'manning' base - he called out the other searchdogs while Kaz and me drove up to Kershope - blimey she wasnt enjoying the drive it was really really foggy, and it takes forever! After about 1 and half hours we got to the forest - just got out of the van and would you believe it - the helicopter picked them up! Kaz had a phone call from John and Olly (handlers to Skye and Kitt) saying they'd been on the M6 on their way up and were now going home again for a drink. Kaz and me had a quick walk at the edge of the forest to allow me to stretch my legs and run around after the interesting smells then we drove home - we didnt get in til quite late and Kaz and Daryl missed their film (the idiot pup Dram was quite please to see me)
16th....and then an avalanche happened for real!
Kaz was working in Penrith on Friday when her pager went off and she was a bit surprised to read 'Avalanche on Glaramara person buried' - she grabbed me and jumped in to the car and drove to Keswick - luckily the man who had fallen managed to get himself out and his two friends needed help to get out, so I wasnt really needed - we went back to the Keswick base and met up with Elly and Mac and Meggy and had a cup of tea. It was a bit of a reminder that the sort of stuff we do which we have fun doing, is for real. Kaz and I drove home and the idiot pup Dram was waiting for us - I told him all about it. Since then it's been pretty quiet really, but a couple of things have happened.....handler Les Teflord is having a knee operation and so we have to wish him lots of luck - apparently search dog Kess is going to take it easy while he is recovering! Also dogs body Jackie Woodrow managed to fracture her pelvis (ouch) whilst cycling - poor Jackie is now back home trying to rest! So we are all sending out best wishes to them and hope they are up and about very soon
10th Jan....Two fun days in the snow
On Saturday me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram went to Clogh Head so that us graded searchdogs could do some avalanche training as it is pretty likely that we could be called into action sometime soon what with all this snow - it was good fun - some of the trainee searchdogs and their handlers acted as bodies and so did Russell from Cockermouth team and Helen the Vet. It was VERY cold with really stong winds. We did some digging and got people buried. It's quite a different thing doing the avalanche search as I have to stay where I can smell the body and dig as quick as I can until I can see the body then get into the hole. I am pretty good at the digging bit, but I do need to get more practice at getting in the hole when I can see the body - normally on a search I would run back to Kaz and get her to go into the hole; still Kaz was pretty happy. The idiot pup Dram had a go and was really good!! We stayed most of the day and had a great time.
Today we all went to Hartside for Penrith team training - it was another good day and I got to try out more of my avalanche skills. Also it was an important day for body Glenn - it was his first day as a probationer member with our team and he enjoyed it very much. We all played on the snow and here are some pictures of the two days.................
7th Jan....The snow is falling - hooray
Well....it's all been happening here then hasnt it? The idiot pup Dram has been a flamin' lunatic - ok so it's white, cold and can taste good on your tongue but it does not mean the idiot has to rush out of the house into the garden and stick its head straight into the biggest pile of snow it can find, then run back inside to Kaz and look all cute! I have been very cool in the snow - although when Kaz isn't looking, I guess I have been having a roll around in it too. Kaz's team and I guess all the others in the Lakes have been pretty busy - lots of calls to help out the ambulance service and stuff. On Sunday, Kaz had a team pager and off we went to a search for 2 people who had left Mardale Head at midday but hadn't yet turned up after hopefully walking to Kidsty Pike, Highstreet and Loadpot Hill. Kaz and some of the other search managers worked out some routes which needed to be searched - Kaz and me were about to set off and Daryl was doing radio stuff and running base, when the missing people called in to say that they had got back.. It was very good really :-) for the people but sad in a way cos Kaz said lots of the other search dogs were coming over and I was looking forward to a great run round with them all.
Since then we have been flamin cold at home and work - Kaz got stroppy last night and Daryl made her 3 - yes 3 - hot water bottles - what a really nice bloke huh! But he woke the idiot pup Dram up when he came into the kitchen who then jumped all over me and woke me up!
Kaz says I also have to say a couple of hellos - firstly to Molly Whyle who hurt her leg slipping over in the ice - lots of love from us; then to Grandad Ron and Grandma Jeanie who have just lost their old dog Charlie; and finally to handler John Leadbetter who has a bad chest infection.....Skye says hurry up and get better cos she wants to go out and play in the snow!
e had a really great Christmas - me and Kaz and Daryl and the idiot pup Dram stayed at home on Christmas Day with grandpa and grandma and we had fun - the humans played on a thing called a Wii (hmmm sounds like something me and the idiot pup do after a long drink!
We then travelled down to Worcester to see grandpa Ron and Daryls family - that was good fun too and me and the idiot pup Dram got taken out and about for lots of walks.
When we came home we were going to spend New Years Eve walking to Mosedale Cottage near Haweswater and spend the night in the Bothy with a few people, but just as we were getting ready to leave home in the afternoon Kazs team pager went off for a search for 2 ladies who were lost after going for a walk in the High Street area.
Kaz and I drove directly to Bampton whilst Daryl went to base to organise radios and stuff. It was very interesting driving conditions because of the snow and Kaz did really well getting our car almost up the fell road, but then she couldnt go any further and luckily the people living at Moorahill Farm were behind us and gave us a lift the rest of the way in their Landrover.
When we got to the farm, Kaz and me set off to search up the valley towards White Bog - it was pretty hard going for Kaz as the snow was up to her waist in some places - I was fine though as I have four paw drive! After about half an hour Kaz heard that the rest of her team had arrived at the farm and were now on the paths as well. After a while I smelled something and ran up the hill for a couple of hundred meters. I got a bit excited and barked a couple of times so that Kaz could realise that I knew I could smell someone but hadnt got there. Eventually I found the two ladies - they were going up the hill because they decided they were going in the wrong direction. But as soon as I barked at them they were really pleased to see me - Kaz caught up with us and we all walked back off the hill together. Kaz was also very pleased with me. It was a bit late to then go to Mosedale cottage so Kaz and Daryl rang everyone and they all ended up coming round to our house for the night - just to make it authentic, Jon Stevens slept in our very cold, unheated conservatory!
Anyway - I wanted to wish all my Dot fans a very happy New Year and I look forward to blogging more in 2010 - keep up the emails - I love to hear from you and I might even let the idiot pup Dram have a go too!
Anyways take it easy Dot fans!!!!!!!
