Lamb in the van

Finally got him to jump in to the van to eat his dinner at the end of the day, presenting it on the pie-dish plate our lamb had been on.  He'd already been in and out the van twice to have a quick lick of the plate while I lay in the back and read my book.  No photographic evidence as it was almost dark by then.  I think I'll try to give him all his meals in the van from now on...

He also saw his first hare today.  Luckily I saw it first and he was on the lead so I was able to keep him from tearing off after it.  

Bees and goslings

 Ragnar had a bit of a run in with a bee hive this morning.  A few of the residents decided to chase him away.  I don't think he actually got stung but there was one on his back which he had to roll on to get rid of.  Later on we disturbed a pair of geese and some goslings and they all fled into the canal except one gosling that got left behind.  It pecked Ragnar in the nose so that he leapt backwards like a cartoon character - you could almost see the Yikes! speech bubble over his head - before running to the canal to join the others.  

I actually went to the shops in the car today but he wouldn't get in to come with me so stayed behind with Klaas.  He's still treating both cars with much suspicion.  Possibly photos later - I think I left my phone in the van when I was lying there reading earlier, trying to get Ragnar to jump in and join me.  

Relaaaax

 

Dogs that lie on their backs with all 4 feet in the air are showing that they're relaxed and feel at home.  I hope that soon he'll feel the same in the van...

Late start

I was up 'late' this morning.  8.10.  When I came down Ragnar was nowhere to be seen in the living room.  He was lying at the kitchen door waiting to go out.  So I let him out quickly for a pee at the bottom of the slope behind the shed before coming back to get dressed to go down to the canal with my coffee.  

I gave him the drops in his neck to repel ticks last night as I found 2 on him yesterday.  Luckily with short haired dogs you can see the bump in their coat easily and locate and remove the tick quickly.  I dread to think what gets hidden under the coats of long haired dogs.  

Just caught him lying on his back with all 4 feet in the air which is a sign that he's feeling more settled here, but didn't get a photo on time.

Later: In the first photo you can see our house in the distance.  Part of the reason for this blog is to let the previous owner see how he's living now.  

He got to know the pointer who lives on a boat in the harbour.  I'd waved to the owner yesterday saying I had a new dog and wanted to be careful so didn't let him off the lead but today the owner came out with the dog and we let them meet each other.  At first all was fine and then when they were nearer to us they suddenly started scrapping.  It all happened so quickly that neither of us could see who started it.  We both had a quick check and neither of them seemed damaged and they both looked quite pleased with themselves.  But when I got home I saw that Ragnar had a wee hole in his front left paw.  

Next excitement of the day was getting him into the Agila.  I lay in the back and got him to jump in with a treat and Klaas drove us down to the lookout tower and back.  Ragnar was panting and shaking - he really doesn't seem keen on cars at all so we kept it short.  

When looking for the tick stuff yesterday I found some calming pills I got for Angus in case he was nervous with the channel crossing last year.  (He wasn't, particularly.)  I might try them if the car continues to be a problem, but we'll give it more time first.  

Ragnar reorganisations

By the slight blurriness of the tail you can see that he's wagging it here.  I had to move him from his chosen favourite place of under the tv so that I could rearrange things there to give him more room.  

The old couch that was outside since the arrival of the chaise-longue has now had the feet removed and is back inside, under the tv, for his use.  Angus never wanted to lie there as the noise irritated him but it seems to be the place Ragnar has chosen.  

Yesterday there were also some adjustments on the waterside to stop him going off into the woods by himself.  Angus wasn't so keen on getting more than his toes wet so never attempted to go any further but Ragnar was up past his knees before we saw what he was doing and was off investigating further up the side of the canal.  He immediately returns when called but eventually I'd like to train him to let himself out in the evenings before bed and I want him to stay on this side of the woodwall we've gradually built up from branches and clippings along the path to the canal.  

 

Progress?

 I moved the van yesterday so that I could turn the wee car to clean some birdpoo off it whilst being in the sun. This meant that the open door of the van was next to a bench where I could sit and give Ragnar the occasional treat. After a while he would take the treat when I was sitting in the door opening. Yesterday he wouldn't even come near the van when I tried this. I left a piece on the dog bed and later saw him stick his head in to get it.

Progress. Phew.

He's also agreed, warily, to wait on the auld couch at the back door while I get my shoes and coat on before we go out, rather than turning in circles around me in the wee hall.

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This afternoon I lay on the bed in the van for half an hour reading my book. There was a wee treat on the dog bed behind me, far enough into the van that he couldn't reach it without getting in. After a while I heard him clamber up, take the treat, and jump out again. Which means we're a lot further a lot faster than I'd expected. Double phew.

 

Another day in doggy paradise

I woke very early this morning after a blissfully quiet night. Came downstairs to find Ragnar curled up tightly on the end of the chaise longue instead of on his own bed. Hahaha, we didn't think he would fancy it much as it's quite narrow but obviously he decided that a comforting whiff of human was just the thing to get him through the night. He cheerfully moved to his own place when I pointed to it, with a shake/shrug that seemed to say 'ah well, it was worth a try and good while it lasted'.
We went down to the canal where the sun was already over the dijk and I could drink my coffee while the dog 'tidied up some sticks'.