Marigold’s record-breaking litter. She’s eating 12 cans of dog food a day
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Behind paywall. Our first two Airedales came from a litter of thirteen. The breeder was having to split the pups into two groups and letting them feed in two stages, to make sure all thirteen were well fed.
Sorry, I put up the wrong link. I’ve edited my post now.
Many of us know exactly how this feels
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The second dog is Pip, my daughter’s Labradoodle.
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Since you’ve brought up the subject, I only watch Crufts if the flyball is in process. Yesterday evening it was and Jules and I watched with noisy excitement, well I was very excited, he got up once and walked to the TV, barked at them, and returned to the settee where he stayed in bored silence before falling asleep. 
This is a dog who howls, barks and whines at every living thing, man, woman and beast, that he sees from the car every day. 
PS, only just noticed that the sleeping man has a pillow dog. 
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This is Jules with his just arrived new harness, despite being very butch and needing the chest strap letting out, he was not at all fazed by the pinkish colour ordered especially so I can see him in thick undergrowth and drivers can if he ever escapes onto a road.
I took this picture chasing him round with the computer cam because he was so excited he simply wouldn’t stand still.
The reason I bought it was because when he occasionally picks up speed towing his 33 metre line I used to wear heavy duty gloves to protect my hands as the flat nylon raced through them. Jumping on the line is not acceptable as it would bring him up violently via the collar around his neck so it is a hand saver for me as well as a life saver for him.
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Been meaning to ask you. How do you cope with a “lead” of that length? We would just find ourselves tied up round trees and bushes.
David, you may have trouble taking it off him. I bet he’ll want to sleep with it on. He’ll tell you it’s because you’ll be able to see him in the dark. 
It’s off already, it was more trouble getting it on but it is an unqualified success the best dog aid I have ever bought. Plus it isn’t really pink but orange so no adverse embarrassment.
I can now follow him directly on our narrow tracks through the forest and field, no chance of me treading on it and bringing him up short, because I pass the clip through the rear ring and then along his back to fasten it to the front one so it leaves his body over the top of his tail and is more than a foot off the ground as it passes me. This means that I can allow it to rub along the outside of my calf or, especially if it’s wet, keep it outside the right hand stick and away from both our bodies.
He disappeared into a different forest the other side of the field today while I assumed he was behind me but I had no trouble in spotting this bright orange figure in amongst the brush and grasses.
As far as walking in the trees is concerned @SuePJ , although it does very occasionally get trapped and I have to go back to either jerk it free or all the way to the end where it might be jammed, it is a rare occurrence and no trouble given the greater freedom we both have. Usually it snakes in and out of the trees with no problem but if the flat nylon of it snaps, the whole line is useless and has to be replaced because a knot will always get jammed frequently. It is lucky that he is such a pathetic wimp, the slightest bit of extra pressure, which I can easily jerk free without going as far as the point of entrapment, brings him to a halt and he just stands still and makes no effort to free himself. Not always easy for me to judge looking back if he is trapped because he is a regular sightseer frequently stopping for minutes at a time to observe the wide beauty of nature.
The real advantage now is that if he sees an animal, he can accelerate at a remarkable rate which in place of a hand burning and neck jerking halt he can now be brought under control by an increasing pressure under my foot and a gentle pull along the whole of his back.
I am very impressed, and I am sure he is too.
David would you tell us please what harness this is. It looks very interesting. I struggle with Rona because she manages to get her head round and chew her lead, even though it is attached on the harness on her back.
Now wash your mouth out with strong carbolic soap - that’s a wicked thing to say! 
Seriously though David, I’m pleased you’re finding this such a useful aid. May you have many enjoyable walks together.
Have yourself a good weekend. Take care. Love from Rachel 
It’s just the way he stands still looking all forlorn that cracks me up, he is very strong really but the slightest resistance on the line and he gives up 'till I walk back and give the lightest of tugs with my bad arm to get him mobile again.
@SuePJ This will tell you all you wish to know, and there are others there too:
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We’re off for 10 days to the Corrèze and Paco is panicking he’ll be forgotten and left behind (tempting!).
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I’m trying to follow the route of the rope and hoping it didn’t dislodge the guitar if/or when Walter moved away from the bench!
Ha ha! It wasn’t attached! I am not daft!! Xxxxxx
Did Paco make it to the Corrèze ?
Kind of you to ask - yes, he is busy causing chaos in the Corrèze….
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