Darting around Dartmoor: Part 2, Avon Dam

This is the walk I did on Dartmoor the day after my last blog. This time Owner & I went to a place called Avon Dam, with my friend Barney & his mum Annie. This is me saying hello to Barney!

I quite like to play, but Barney is more interested in carrying rocks, and rolling on them. It's not easy to see, but in this picture Barney is carrying a big rock in his mouth!

We had to walk along quite a bit of road, but there was lots of moorland either side to run on. Behind that wall in this photo is a huge puddle of water. I am leading the way, because Owner & Barney's mum were talking & not walking fast enough!

 This is the view from the bridge leading up to the big water puddle.

 This is what we saw when we got to the top of the hill. See? I told you it was just a big puddle!

There were some sheep on the hill & I'm not allowed to play with them so I had to go on lead for some of the time. When I was a pup I used to think that they were fluffy dogs with a woof impediment because they say "baa" instead of "woof"! I think it's a shame I can't play chase with them because they wobble when they run which I think is really funny & I could make them wobble really fast if I was allowed!

I might not be able to run with the sheep but I can look (& Owner can't stop me dreaming about running with them!).

We went along the road, up the hill, along some moorland, and down the hill, & then we got back to the river so we could cool off & have some water.

I got a better view from here!

 After our walk we went to a dog friendly pub called Turtley Corn Mill at Avonwick. They have some a lovely big outside area with tables and big garden chess set. They also have a river with ducks on. I had to stay on my lead because there are some baby ducks at the moment & Owner thought I might like to play with them!

This is Barney & his mum waiting for lunch to arrive. Barney wanted to lie down & rest, but I still wanted to play!

I did eventually lie down & rest (when we got home!).

Darting around Dartmoor: Part 1, Silly names

I love running & smelling stuff, so Dartmoor in Devon is a great place to be! I was lucky enough to go there 2 days in a row recently. The 1st day Owner & I went to a place called Postbridge with Owner's friend Helen. Our car was in a car park in the trees in this picture.

There was the remains of a dead badger near here. I had a lovely roll in it. Owner didn't notice until I didn't go back to her when she called & she sawing all 4 of my legs waggling in the air! There was lots of horse poo to eat too - yum!

Can you see me running up to the tor? Owner & Helen were a lot slower than me! There are some funny names of things on Dartmoor. This tor is called Laughter Tor - it didn't laugh though.

Owner & Helen ate lunch on Laughter Tor & I was running around while they were eating. I came back every now & then to see if they were going to move! It was really hot so I was glad Owner had taken a travel bowl & I could have some water when we weren't near the river. This is me & Helen on Laughter Tor. I had just licked her with my horse poo breath - you can tell she liked it because she's smiling!

From Laughter Tor you can see Bellever Tor which we walked to next - it turns out there were no bells there though.

At the end we walked past a normal bridge & a clapper bridge. The clapper bridge didn't clap - but it was broken.

Darting around Dartmoor: part two coming soon to a blog near you!

Sham-POO gate

What is wrong with mud? I have heard that some humans PAY to wrap themselves up in mud, and yet a little roll in the mud in the park for us dogs causes a nuclear reaction from the bipeds!

This is me in the park yesterday. I had a little mud-pack (at no cost to Owner) and even did my best "good girl" sitting.

I was even considerate enough to shake off some of the mud when we got home as I know how fussy Owner is when even a smudge of brown gets on the sofa (or if she's forgotten to shut her bedroom door, the bed!).

What do I get for my trouble? A BATH! Shampoo and everything! This is not me trying to get in the washing machine for my bath!...

...There was a bit wiped off mud on the towel so while I was doing my mad zoomies around the house, to get over the trauma of the shampooing, I tried to get the towel out of the washing machine to get the mud back. 

When I do my post traumatic bath zoomies around the house I always like to take a toy with me, if possible one that I can fling around a bit! This is my dental kong on a rope. I am swinging it at the approximate speed of the washing machine fast spin.

Having put up with the stench of shampoo for a day I was lucky enough to come across some fox poo in the park today! Jackpot! I had a fantastic roll because Owner was too far away to stop me. I think I must have misunderstood what she said - I could have sworn she said "roll in it more Millie"......  or was it "no Millie"? Anyway, next thing I knew there was a hand on my collar and the lead was put on me before   you could sniff a dog's bum!

I did get let off the lead again further on in the park. I went for the sling-back ear look, as well as. my best "good girl" sitting to try & make Owner cheer up!

Well, this is my Sham-poo gate. Here I am at the front of the house. All the dogs in the neighbourhood can see - how embarrassing! Soaped up outside the house (Owner wouldn't let me inside until after I'd been humiliated!). 

My collar got washed. You may notice by the fact that I'm *ahem* naked in the photo below!

Even my lead got put through the washing machine. Now it stinks as badly as me!

I stink!

I got mail!

Many of you will know (If you read my blog "Now I am 2") that it was my birthday 3 weeks ago. I had a lovely day & I thought that was my special occasion all finished until next year, but last weekend I had a parcel arrive in the post!

It was addressed to me - not Owner, ME!

Oww - I wonder what could be inside! .....

....A present and card for me! (Not Owner - for ME!). Even Owner didn't give me a card! It was from my friends PetSafe UK who I met on Twitter. I enjoyed opening the present, but I let Owner open the card so she wouldn't feel left out!

It's a lovely toy called a Chuckle - and it's not even in the store until April so I'm really lucky to have an early play with it.

I love it! It's amazing! It makes a squeaky noise when it's shaken or thrown - and my friends all know how much I love squeaky toys! It's fun to play with - you can chew it, roll it , throw it, or play tug with it. You can even just carry it around (while Owner is chasing you round the house)!

It also has a secret weapon.... you can put treats inside it! Something for everyfur with this toy!

I know there are treats in here somewhere....

....they're not easy to get out - you can't just lick them out of the toy (I've tried). There are little prongs inside the ends so they pop out randomly! Appawently Owner could make it easier for the treats to drop out by trimming the little prongs, but she is mean and hasn't trimmed them. 

I had a treat ball when I was a puppy but it didn't last very long because I just. chewed it - I mean, it broke. I was just trying to get the treats out of the hole they went in, but it slipped into my teeth and "fell apart"

I know I was joking on my blog "I love toys", in December, that I could be a Quality Control officer for manufacturers, but I really think I've found my vocation! This one seems to be Millie-proof as it's still in one piece. It's a rare toy that *ahem* doesn't "fall apart" in my teeth, but this one is very robust.  A ringing endorsement if ever there was!

Thank you so much PetSafe - I love it!

Now I am 2

 This has been a special month for me because I became 2 years old on 11th January! This means that I am officially grown up and sensible ..... well, just grown up then!

I had the best day ever. It started with a special breakfast with bits of chicken and bacon in it. 

I was really desperate to have it, but Owner still made me sit and wait before I was allowed to eat it (you'd think on my birthday I'd have special dispensation not to sit wouldn't you?!).




I went to the park & had a brilliant run & play with my frizbee and ball.
I even had some mud highlights done for the occasion which you might be able to see in the photo on the right!

Then we went to visit Mum & Dad. 

I got this present from Owner. I loved it, but noticed there was a fault as it had no bum-hole. 

In the photo below you can see I made a bum-hole so it could poo out the fluffy stuff. It had 2 squeaks - 1 in the tummy & 1 in the head. The 1 in the head sounded like a duck (yes, the use of the past tense tells you that it broke!). Another defective toy!

Mum & Dad also gave me a toy. It's a Wiggly Giggly and it has a  giggle squeak if you shake it. I really liked getting the packaging off, but Owner likes this one a lot more than I do - she thinks it will last longer than most of my toys! The squeak doesn't come out of this 1. (Funnily enough, this 1 has never been put in toy prison!)

When we got home you can tell I prefer the soft toy, but unfortunately by this time it's head had broken too!

Then my Owner's friend came to see me and gave me a raw hide hoop. I loved it!

I also had lots of lovely messages from all my furiends on Twitter, and some extra special pictures from BordercollieX, TeaganTheDog, and AnnieBella021. 

 After a such busy day I was really tired, and ended it tucked up in my comfy duvet.

Millie's New Year Twitawards

As it's traditional in the UK for Her Majesty the Queen to announce New Year Honour Awards to people for special things they have done, it made me think about who might be given awards on Twitter.

Everyfur is a worthy winner of an award for something or other, but this year's awards are as follows:

Most Promising Youngster

GundogCoco. Coco is an enthusiastic young pup who is keen to learn all things gundog and can't wait to start trials. If her skills match her enthusiasm she will be excellent! She has good connections as she is lucky enough to have met urbangundog!

Poet Laureate-rrier

Oz_theTerrier wins this one paws down with his poems and limericks on his blog. His wit and humour are entertaining for everyfur. Oscar is also awarded Tech Support Dog as he is very pawtient and helpful with those of us who are struggling to get our paws going in the right direction with the modern gadgets and gizmos.

Law Enforcement Dog of the Year

WMPcsidogsmithy 

is the only contender for this one, keeping us all on the straight and narrow, and training up new young pups in the ways of the the law. Keep up the good work!

Environmental Awareness

Missy_Moo_JRT receives this for her inventive ways of saving space as illustrated by her alternative sleeping arrangement in her basket. When it is wet and muddy outside Missy is very brown-pawed, which I believe is the equivalent of humans being green-fingered.

Bionic Dog of the Year

Whisper_K9 has actually been operated on by the BionicVet so who knows what super-powers he possesses. When he has had his final operation watch out - he'll be zipping around like nobody's business!

Best Ears of the Year

This is awarded to DavidsBestMate who can put on his "good boy ears" to get out of any tricky situation! (He also has pretty good teeth as any toy or food item will know!).

Services for Charity

I know many of you work tirelessly to raise money for charity, but this year's award goes to frugaldougal for his hard work (along with many others) in running paw-pawty events in aid of good causes.

DJ (Dog-Jockey) of the Year

This one goes to Dogstoyevsky who is expert at music matters. Lexie is known to keep furs rocking on the dance-paw at many a paw-pawty. She has recently started a music related blog called The Chain, where followers choose a song with a link to the previous song chosen. 

Sportsdog of the Year

For his dedicated services to the Olympic Woogling Team (#OWT2012) Utterdogwash deserves this one!

Most Misunderstood

To be honest, this could go to anyone of us, but the number of times Monty_The_Dane is mistaken for a horse gives him the edge.

Supervisor of the Year

This award has to go to Marleyterrier as he spends countless hours supervising from his office (AKA the beanbag). His selfless commitment to the beanbag is second to none. He is currently supervising his typist who is going to run 1000 miles this year to raise money for the Dogs Trust.

Most Athletic Dog

TeagantheDog has is always out and about. She is known for flushing out pheasants in her locality. She has been caught on camera literally flying through the air which demonstrates her athletic ability. No wonder she keeps in good shape. 

Most Hungry Dog of the Year

Urbangundog is always hungry! Any time - day or night. Is his real name UrbanHungryDog? Also awarded to UGD is the Most Confused (as he has  *ahem* "mistaken" a few chaps and even Deputy Boss' head for a lady). He does, however, also receive the Most Handsome & Shiniest Coat awards.

Bravest Dog of the Year

Baxter_man has endured the nasty earth shakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has shown great courage and even when his wag didn't work he made sure his sisfur and humans felt safe. Baxter also is in line for the Most Determined Dog of the Year after his repeated attempts to break into the kitchen fridge, using his dog-initiative he made the most of the earth shakes as a cover when trying to break into the fridge using explosives! Sadly his attempts to gain entry to the fridge failed!

Most Crafty Dog of the Year

AnnieBella021 is awarded this for her hard work designing and making cards to celebrate special occasions. She is also know for her glamourous outfits and poses to feature in the photos displaying the paw-made cards. Annie also is awarded Endurance of the year award as she has put up with lots of needle teeth from pup Maisie. Annie's sleeping arrangements have been severely disrupted due to the young pup!

Well done to everyfur. Keep up the good work in 2011!