Hi - Just popping in to say "Hello" to friends...

Thanks Chris for your lovely words.

At the present we're floating on the Coventry and the Oxford Canals. Probably staying around these parts until a few weeks into the New Year. Last year (our first summer afloat) we did the Leeds to Liverpool canal (the first pic above was taken there, the views are of the Pennines), Huddersfield, the Shropshire, and the Llangollen and a few other Canals. We also visited Birmingham's Gas Street which was very surreal - it was like cruising the boat down a high street with street cafes on the pavement. Our next year's adventure hopefully will be the Kennet & Avon, taking in the Regent Canal, and if we're feeling brave, maybe the Thames.

Bit of background for those who don't know Rusty. He's a rescue from a Spanish rescue centre, he was left on their steps one dark night with his sister when they were about 2 weeks old, so we've no idea of his background. He's on the records at the centre as a Rottie, until he started to develop his GSD features. We became his family when he was 11 weeks old (approx of course). At 4 months he caught Parvo from puppy training classes and he was very ill, spending a week in intensive care. We visited him while he was ill, a poor little baby, he was muzzled to stop him biting off his cannula which was hydrating him, and he was tucked up in the corner of his crate looking very dejected. Luckily and thank God, he's turned out fine and without any noticeable problem. He also suffered badly after that from Pano - so he didn't have such a great start.

He's turned out smashing, though still suffers from anxiety, to the extent we can't leave him. If we're in the car he will stay in that without too much discomfort, but we can't leave him on the boat, which is a pain because sometimes it would be nice to go for a quiet meal somewhere without finding a dog-friendly restaurant. But that's no big problem, it's a small thing to pay, to have such a lovely boy in our life.

He's been attacked many times by little terrier types, but he's always bounced off in his cocky fashion, and doesn't retaliate - but if he's pushed he'll stand his corner. We get more annoyed about other dogs attacking than he does. He does have a problem though with another dog eye-balling him. It's very infrequent, but he will kick off, but he's never gone for the dog, he just gives them a telling off. It can be embarrassing as the other dog's owners usually have no idea their dog was eye-balling, they get the impression that we've got a rabid dog.

He loves boat life, but is terrified going through tunnels, thankfully they are not very frequent.

Now if you want some coal shifting Chris - we know a man who can help lol. There's not much working activity on the canal, the old working boats are now things to be cherished, bit like old steam engines.

Terrible news to hear about Aide, they're so special to us. We know when we take them on they'll one day break our hearts, but we always do it. x

I'd almost forgotten how absolutely gorgeous Rusty is!

Love your boat - it's something I've always wanted to do, but I don't have the courage.

Hi, Jenny - lovely to see you back

Hasn't Rusty grown up gorgeous??

We lost Charley, too - current rescue girl is Tasha - you've got some catching up to do

Thanks, Jenny

She's very special, our Tasha - but she's having a bit of a regress atm Don't know if it's the shorter days/changes to my routine/... ??

Rusty's a rescue, John - from when Jenny was living in Spain Hasn't he turned out lovely ??

Thanks John, he is a super dog, like GSD are - we love him to bits, though he does have his moments ha ha.

Thanks for your kind words Brian! x