Rolo's Blog: Forest Frolics

A while ago it was decided that an autumnal tweet-up, with my pals from the Twitter group, the BTPosse, would be a good idea, but 'Her Indoors' was a bit slow in getting her act together - what can I tell you, it's difficult to get good staff. Anyway, the arrangements were rather hastily put in place and a group of us met on the Ashdown Forest in weather that, quite frankly, would put mid-summer to shame. 'Her Indoors' even managed to talk 'Him Indoors' into attending as the apprentice, Teddy, was coming too and she thought an extra pair of hands would be useful. The appearance of 'Him Indoors' at group gatherings of Border Terriers is, to be honest, as rare as hens' teeth, but he wanders around, admiring the dogs and chatting to the owners as if having a Border Terrier was his idea all along.
'Her Indoors' delegated the backpack carrying for when I got tired and needed a lift, to 'Him Indoors' but, to be honest, this wasn't a good idea. 'Him Indoors' is a keen photographer and when he saw a good shot or two that required bending down, I was tipped in the most alarming way. It's just as well I was securely fastened in I can tell you, otherwise Dog knows what could have happened.
   'Her Indoors' was left to cope with Teddy who is still a work in progress when it comes to socialising with other dogs. Not only does he worry when she leaves the room, or heaven forbid, the house, that she's not coming back, he also seems to think that he's personally responsible for guarding her from other dogs, which he does with misplaced enthusiasm. He really needs to chill. If 'Her Indoors' has stood by me all these years, I hardly think she's likely to run off with a younger fur now, although you can never be entirely certain. Middle-age is a a dodgy time for women and she's already got the Mini convertible, what can I tell you!
          Still, there was a worrying moment, when we had all repaired to the Pub for after walk refreshments, when a puppy with a touch of poodle, was sighted. There was a collective sigh from all the humums, and although I don't like to tell tales, if you're reading this Seb pal, your humum was cooing over the pupster when your back was turned and I'm sure she wasn't the only one...
It was good to meet everyone and get the lion's share of the fussing and the treats, which as the most senior fur present, was only right and proper. Skipper did well getting a carrot, but in his efforts to secure his treat from all-comers, he ate it whilst it was too hot and it was ejected, for cooling off purposes. He should have had a nice cold beer, that would have fixed the problem. There were one or two new faces as well as some familiar ones, and I like to think that we out-barked the meeting of Basset Hounds that was taking place on the forest at the same time. It was good to see Mabel and Archie's humum who has been poorly with pneumonia and did well to manage part of the walk before sensibly retiring to the Pub. It was also very kind of Oscar's humum to bring cakes for taking home, although I'd just like to point out that neither me nor Teds got any. 'Her Indoors' has a heart of stone when it comes to treat giving.
          It was nice to meet Poppy and Barns, although 'Her Indoors' was admiring young Barns a bit too much for my liking. It was also good to meet Tedurado's new pal, Trudy. She's small, but she's mighty, in true BT fashion. All-in-all, it was an excellent occasion and I'd like to thank all my pals who turned up and tolerated Teddy's barking with good grace. I had to have a little lie down when I got home and even the apprentice is looking a bit weary; the sign of a good day. Until the next one pals!