The Wolfenden Hound Family and Boss.
( February 2008)

Our move from Wokingham to Swansea went without a hitch except for trying to get half of the original 4-bedroom house equipment books furniture into what is really a 1-bedroom bungalow was horrendous. I have at the moment still to sort out the two sheds that I purchased to remove boxes from the conservatory. We have managed to off-load the sofa bed to my grandson, his wife and baby girl. My middle daughter lives with her husband some 10 miles away, so she is keeping an eye on me. My estrange wife, Kay, has visited on a number of occasions and has helped me to sort out the bungalow for living and sleeping in.

Merlin

I have three dogs, Mimi –who thinks she is a greyhound in drag GSDx aged 15, and is not very happy with travelling, but has found her own space to sleep and rest in the conservatory, as she likes cool floors, as she is a hot dog. Missy Greyhound who will be 9 in May, I rehomed her in August 2007 from Hersham Hounds. She is a bit of a nag, has a very high pitch bark, but first warns you she wants something by snapping her teeth at you. Merlin Black Greyhound who will be 4 in May, I rehomed from his foster home in Northern England in December 2007. He loves his cuddles and likes nothing more than curling up with you on the sofa.

Today, Tuesday 19th February 2008, we took all three dogs to Swansea’ main beach. Mimi is so good she is off the lead all the time. I decided to see what the Greyhounds would do and let them off the lead. Missy decided not to come back and went off a long way down the beach. Merlin however came back as soon as I called him, placed him on the lead and we went chasing after Missy. Kay stayed with Mimi, who if she was faster, Mimi has back leg problems, would have gone after Missy. In the end I thought oh well, looks like I am not going to catch Missy, so I let Merlin off the lead and said go fetch Missy. Which he did, Missy saw him went over to him and they both trotted back to me, so panic over and no collecting Missy from the local dog pound at a cost of £80, as she has a disc with our address and phone numbers, plus the Hersham Hounds disc and she is micro-chipped. But Missy will not be off lead on the beach again for sometime until she acts like Merlin.

Mimi

I take Missy for the |Kennel Club Bronze Award training on a Saturday and Merlin on a Sunday. In the enclosed fields there has never been any problem with either of their recalls back to me. They both refuse to sit or go into the down position on command and I have told the trainers I would not expect them to. Their idea of the stay command is to stay by my side when I move away from them. Still at least they both get sessions of mixing with other dogs and plenty of time off lead in the enclosed fields. When it is Merlin’s training day Missy goes to sleep on the back seat of the car. But Merlin is not happy at all being left in the car on Missy’s training day, he wants to be with me as much as possible.
I have had the back garden, which was unlooked after grass mud patch, gravelled over with pea gravel; this really helps me to clean up after they have done their business. The front garden is now half paved and large gravel on the other half. We have a nice walk which I usually take all three dogs, providing Mimi wants to come with us, it comprises of a paved off the road grass park, which has a doggy bin located at point. The main trouble I find is people letting their dogs loose, just turning them out, so there is dog mess everywhere. Very annoying, as I carry doggy bags which I place in to a supermarket carrier bag and then into the doggy bin. Even the notices stating a possible fine of £1000 does not stop this happening.

Missy

I still have the back fence to be replaced and the carport to be resealed. But have been very lucky that I have found a small firm of handymen who are reasonable and do a good job on all aspects of household repairs except anything to do with gas that requires Corgi registration fitters.
I am looking forward to the warmer weather and intend taking the dogs to the beach probably each day.
Mimi is having Acupuncture to help with her back leg problems, not sure how much longer she will be around.

Missy back plated foot does not cause her any problems these days, mainly getting at least once a week off lead running around, if she could be trusted it would be daily.
Merlin is a very bouncy fit greyhound still a youngster and has to learn to calm down. At least they are all neutered, although if you seen Missy and a Czech GSD courtship it is hard to believe, she is a tart.
Ted Wolfenden, Hounds Mimi, Missy and Merlin.